VIOLIN MAKER WORKSHOP BUSINESS PLAN

I. Executive Summary

Company Description

Aquila Atelier (Aquila: Latin for eagle, chosen to signal precision and tonal lift) is a Chicago-based lutherie operating in the fine musical instruments sector. We build and restore bespoke violins and violas that pair 17th-century handcraft with modern acoustic research. We sell direct-to-consumer and cultivate long-term relationships with professional musicians and collectors. The core team includes a Master Luthier, an apprentice, and specialized support staff. We launch in 2026 with a focused five-year plan targeting the elite classical market. We make heirloom-caliber instruments that perform on stage and in the studio.

Day-to-day activities include custom builds, historic restorations, setup and fine-tuning, acoustic testing, client fittings, and white-glove delivery. Our competitive edge is precision handwork guided by measurable acoustic tweaks, personalized client service, and a documented provenance process. Target customers are soloists, conservatory faculty, advanced conservatory students, and private collectors in the US and Europe. Short-term goals: produce 30 bespoke instruments in year one, enroll 12 repeat clients, and establish 5 high-profile placements by Q4 2026. Long-term goals: scale to 100 instruments/year by 2030, introduce a proprietary varnish line, and sustain a 60% gross margin.

Problem

Professional string players face a measurable shortage of high-quality, handcrafted violins and violas that deliver distinct tonal character and responsive playability while fitting individual ergonomics; mass-produced instruments dominate supply and often lack acoustic depth and customization. There is also a shortage of master-level repair and restoration services that preserve structural integrity and historical value while meeting modern acoustic standards.

Those gaps cause concrete harms: compromised solo and ensemble performance, longer instrument downtime, higher total cost of ownership, limited ergonomic options, and risk to historical instruments during poor repairs. Chicago needs a local workshop that supplies bespoke instruments and expert restoration to serve elite musicians and collectors starting in 2026.

Solution

Professional musicians and advanced students often face a choice between mass-produced instruments that lack responsiveness and vintage instruments that are costly or unreliable; trustworthy, master-level repair and restoration services are scarce. Our workshop addresses this by offering bespoke violins and violas built with centuries-old lutherie techniques combined with advanced acoustic research, plus meticulous restoration and professional setup services delivered through a direct luthier–musician relationship.

We deliver personalized, performance-grade instruments and master-level restoration that prioritize tonal quality, ergonomic fit, and long-term service.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower musicians by crafting bespoke stringed instruments that blend the art of traditional lutherie with modern acoustic science to deliver unmatched tonal beauty and ergonomic precision. We commit to meticulous craftsmanship, collaborative design, and responsive restoration and maintenance services to build lifelong bonds between artists and their instruments. We aim to be the most trusted resource in the United States for fine instrument care, and to serve musicians with integrity, quality, and respect for cultural and environmental stewardship.

Key Success Factors

Success depends on the Master Luthier’s reputation, steady high-value output, targeted workshop investment, institutional relationships, and reaching breakeven in 26 months.

• Maintain 4–9 high-value violins/year
• Protect Master Luthier reputation
• Invest $25,000 renovate, $15,000 tools for workshop
• Leverage conservatory & orchestra partnerships
• Achieve 26-month breakeven

Financial Summary

The financial plan shows revenue rising from $168,000 in 2026 to $415,000 in 2030, with profitability reached in 2028.

Financial requirements include $80,200 of launch capital expenditures; the model shows payback in 54 months and breakeven in Feb-2028, with minimum cash of $941,000 required by Nov-2028.

Overall outlook: revenue growth and positive EBITDA from 2028 support a modest investor return profile.

Funding Requirements

We seek a single funding package of USD 941,000 to cover start-up capital, the first two years' negative EBITDA, premium inventory, and a minimum cash buffer through Feb-2028 breakeven.

The five-year financial plan projects revenue growth from USD 168,000 in 2026 to USD 415,000 in 2030, EBITDA turning from −USD 65,000 in Year 1 to USD 170,000 in 2028, a launch-year capex of USD 80,200, full payback in 54 months, an IRR of 1.05%, and an ROE of 0.28.