Introduction

This webquest is designed around several different components. In the first section, each group will create a business plan to apply and govern the group in creating a photography store. The next section will comprise of funding and evaluating materials needed to set up a store, while the final section is to advertise and promote the store in various formats.

Think of this as an actual business. A real world experience if you will. The webquest will allow you to work through the process of setting up a business. Each part of the webquest will give your company a different aspect to complete.

The Quest

What does it take to start a photography business?

The Process and Resources

TASK:
You have decided to set up a photography company with a few of your friends. You each have an equal amount of money 2,000 dollars to bring into the company. You and your friends desire to set up a store in Georgia, therefore you must incorporate your business before you can open the store. There are different aspects to the business process, for each step you must complete the requirements and your final presentation, a PowerPoint overview, will need to include the details from each step. The store must be a photography shop, make sure to complete your incorporation papers as well as your business plan.

Your final project will be a complete Business Plan Evaluation and will include

1.Goals of the store (Operating Agreement, Officers, purpose)
2. Incorporation Documents (Download, print, complete, 'file')
3. A financial analysis (Use Excel)
4.Materials needed and cost (
5.A marketing strategy

You will also need to be prepared to create a presentation using PowePoint to the class to introduce your company to the class. We might become possible investors! Should you choose to take out a loan or sell stock you need to look at your class as possible investors.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Preview:
Explore all the websites to become familiar with terms and internet. Add any terms you do not understand to the word wall.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

5. All information gathered can be included into your PPT.

Incorporation

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Incorporation:
These questions should be answered as apart of your business plan
1. What documents are needed to incorporate your business in the state of GA?
a. Download, Print and complete these documents.
2. How much will it cost to incorporate your business?
3. What type of entity will your business become?
4. What is the name of your business?
5. Is this name available?
6. How will be the acting manager?
7. How is this going to be decided?
8. Is your company going to sell shares/stock?
9. Will you need a loan?
10. Where can you get a loan?
11. What are the components of a Business Plan?
12. What does your company need to create a business plan?

After completing these questions, use MS word to begin the creation your business plan for your company. Make sure to have you documents for Incorporation completed.

• Secretary of State- Georgia - Use for setting up corporations in Georgia. Incorporation papers available online.
• Small Business Administration - Small Business Administration website. Gather information on setting up a business and what's in a business plan.
• Starting a Small Business Advice - Tips for starting a small business.
• Forms of Ownership - Compare and Contrast the different types of Entities.

Finances

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Finances:

Search the areas to find answers to the following questions:

1. What is the difference between debt financing and equity financing?
2. Find and discuss three different types of grants used in small business formation.
3. Calculate the start-up costs for the business.
4. What is a cash flow statement?
5. What ten things should you track to maintain a solvent business?
6. Discuss the basic concepts of payroll management.
7. Define the major terms involved with business accounting such as:
a. accruals
b. advertising
c. balance sheet
d. capital
e. current assets
f. current liabilities
g. accumulated depreciation
h. depreciation
i. expenses
j. fixed assets
k. gross profit
l. long term liabilities
m. net assets
n. net current assets
o. net profit
p. profit & loss
q. sales
8. Compare and contrast accounting software and make a recommendation based on your research.

• Small Business Financing - Where and how your company can get money.
• Business Finance - What loans are available.
• Financial yardsticks to a small business. - Financial information for small businesses.
• Basic Accounting - Information on Accounting principles and proceedures.

Equipment

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Equipment:

Using the websites above, answer the following questions. While answering the questions, make a list of materials that you will need. Make sure you categorize the materials. (Digital camera products and accessories, Film camera accessories, Lens, Film, Paper, Chemicals…)

1. Define an SLR camera.
2. What is the difference between digital photography and film photography?
3. What is film speed?
4. How does the shutter speed affect your pictures?
5. How does the aperture affect your pictures?
6. Do all cameras have the same shutter speed range?
7. Do all lens have the same aperture range?
8. What types of chemicals will you need for C-41 process of developing film?
9. What types of chemicals will you need for the RA-4 process of developing paper?
10. What is the difference between a zoom lens and a macro lens?
11. List five accessories you may need for a digital camera?
12. What is a point and shoot camera?

• Eastman Kodak Company - Information on products
• Canon - Product information for Canon Cameras.
• Fuji Film Corporation - Fuji Product information
• Nikon Corporation - Information on Nikon Products

Marketing

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Marketing:

1. List five marketing categories and how they would be beneficial to our photo shop.
2. What is a marketing strategy?
3. In what type advertising would you see a banner ad?
4. What are the four “P’s” of the marketing mix?
5. What are five of the many pricing strategies?
6. List three marketing jobs we might need to employ in our business.
7. Why do we need those three marketing jobs?
8. Why is establishing a target market important?
9. Explain the difference in marketing and advertising.
10. Draw the promotions cycle.
11. Do all products go through “the Product Life Cycle” (PLC)?
12. Which of the four Channel Intermediaries would be most beneficial to our business?
13. Compare and contrast marketing research and market research.

• Larry Chase’s Search Engine for Marketers - Information on Marketing
• Marketing at About.com - Marketing information
• The Marketing Teacher - Marketing Information PPT on basic marketing principles, buyer behavior, products, pricing, and other marketing information.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of Entrepreneurship. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to complete your business plan. Your WebQuest team should complete the Incorporation papers, business plan and PowerPoint presentation.

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

Now is the time to bring your presentation to the investors and the public. Your group should complete a presentation using your business plan and marketing plan to influence future investors to purchase stock and influence potential shoppers.

Your Contact is: the designated contact

Conclusion

So is an elephant smooth, rough, soft, or hard? Well, when you're blindfolded and only *looking* at one part, it's easy to come up with an answer that may not be completely right. It's the same for understanding a topic as broad or complex as Entrepreneurship: when you only know part of the picture, you only know part of the picture. Now you all know a lot more. Nice work. You should be proud of yourselves! How can you use what you've learned to see beyond the black and white of a topic and into the grayer areas? What other parts of Entrepreneurship could still be explored? Remember, learning never stops.