Merriment.com.au Business Plan

Tagline: Celebrate life with a touch of merriment.

Description: Imagine a vibrant platform that brings people together for unforgettable events, joyful gatherings and memorable celebrations across Australia.

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Executive Summary

Merriment.com.au is an online platform dedicated to simplifying the planning and enjoyment of events and gatherings across Australia. By centralising discovery, booking, and coordination for venues, services, and experiences, Merriment aims to be the go-to destination for anyone seeking to celebrate life's milestones, both big and small. Our vision is to foster more meaningful connections and memorable moments, making every celebration seamless and full of joy.

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Problem

Australians encounter several challenges when organising events:

• Fragmented Planning: Venues, caterers, entertainers, and experiences are spread across disparate platforms, complicating research and bookings.
• Limited Inspiration: Sourcing creative ideas for celebrations is time-consuming and uninspiring.
• Trust and Quality: Difficulty in assessing the reliability of suppliers and service providers.
• Coordination Overhead: Managing RSVPs, dietary needs, and logistics often falls to one stressed organiser.

These pain points lead to missed opportunities, increased stress, and suboptimal event experiences.

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Solution/Product

Merriment.com.au offers a beautifully designed digital platform, uniting all event planning elements under one roof:

• Marketplace: Curated directory of venues, caterers, entertainers, and suppliers, each with photos, reviews, and transparent pricing.
• Inspiration Hub: Galleries and guides featuring trending themes, real-life celebrations, and planning tips.
• Smart Planning Tools: RSVP management, collaborative checklists, vendor communications, and budget tracking.
• Personalised Recommendations: AI-powered suggestions based on occasion, location, and preferences.
• Secure Booking and Payments: End-to-end booking, with secure payment processing and supplier guarantees.
• Community Features: Forums and Q&As for advice, plus the ability to share event stories and recommendations.

Differentiators:

• Focused exclusively on the Australian market, respecting local tastes, customs and regulations.
• Emphasis on small-to-medium gatherings, not just large weddings or corporate events.
• Bespoke, high-quality supplier vetting for trust and consistency.

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Market & Audience

Target Segments

• Primary: Adults aged 25–45, planning birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, family reunions, and milestone events.
• Secondary: Small businesses, community groups, and not-for-profits organising social gatherings.

Market Size

• Estimated 4 million social events per year in Australia (ABS data and industry reports).
• Event services market valued at ~$5B annually.

Trends

• Growing preference for bespoke, experience-driven gatherings.
• Increased digital adoption for planning and bookings post-pandemic.

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Monetisation

| Revenue Stream | Details |
|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Listing Fees | Monthly/annual subscriptions for suppliers to be featured |
| Transaction Fees | 5–10% commission on bookings made via the platform |
| Premium Promotion | Sponsored listings and featured placements for suppliers |
| Affiliate Partnerships | Referral fees from related products (decor, gifts, insurance) |
| Advertising | Select display ads from relevant brands |

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Go-To-Market

1. Supplier Onboarding:

- Curate and invite top venues, caterers, entertainers in key cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane). - Offer introductory discounts and zero listing fees for early adopters.

1. Brand Launch:

- Leverage social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok) with event inspiration and local stories. - Partner with lifestyle influencers and event planners for authentic content.

1. PR and Partnerships:

- Collaborate with local councils, community centres, and event organisers. - Secure features in lifestyle magazines and podcasts.

1. Content Marketing:

- Publish planning guides, checklists, and trend reports tailored to Australian audiences.

1. Referral Programme:

- Incentivise users and suppliers to refer others via discounts or credits.

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Operations

• Team Structure:

- Founders (Product, Operations, BD) - Partnerships Manager (supplier onboarding) - Community & Content Lead - Customer Support - Contracted Developers (platform build & maintenance)

• Supplier Vetting:

- Quality and compliance checks for all listed providers

• Customer Support:

- Live chat and phone support during business hours

• Technology:

- Mobile-friendly web app (React/Next.js), hosted on AWS - Payment integration (Stripe) - CRM for supplier and user management

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12-Month Roadmap

| Quarter | Key Milestones |
|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Q1 | Platform MVP, initial supplier onboarding (Sydney, Melbourne), soft launch|
| Q2 | Full public launch, expand supplier base to Brisbane, launch content hub |
| Q3 | Add booking/payment features, introduce referral programme, expand to Adelaide & Perth |
| Q4 | Launch mobile app, premium supplier features, host first Merriment Live event |

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Risks & Mitigations

| Risk | Mitigation |
|--------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Slow supplier uptake | Early incentives, active outreach, focus on high-profile venues|
| Low initial user adoption | Strategic partnerships, robust content marketing |
| Platform quality/reliability issues | Phased roll-out, rigorous QA, feedback loops |
| Payment/dispute challenges | Escrow, clear T&Cs, prompt support |
| Competitive response | Emphasise local expertise, personal curation, community trust |

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KPIs

• Monthly Active Users (MAU): Track platform engagement and retention.
• Number of Bookings: Measure transaction volume and growth.
• Supplier Acquisition Rate: Monitor onboarding and churn.
• Gross Merchandise Value (GMV): Value of bookings processed.
• Net Promoter Score (NPS): Gauge user and supplier satisfaction.
• Content Engagement: Blog reads, shares, and social media reach.
• Referral Rate: Effectiveness of referral programmes.

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Merriment.com.au is poised to become Australia's most trusted and inspiring platform for celebrating life. By combining curation, technology, and community, Merriment will deliver joy to every gathering, large or small.