Raymond Bennett is requesting an investment of $124,700 from Phil LaDuca to open Styles by Ray Academy of Arts in Dallas, Texas. The school would provide performing arts training focused on dance, singing, and acting with at least 50% of students receiving merit-based or financial need-based scholarships. Bennett has developed a plan with schedules to secure a studio location by October 31st, outfit the studio by November 15th, train staff by November 22nd, and have a grand opening on January 9th. He has identified qualified teaching and administrative staff and provided a budget to cover initial operating costs including rent, equipment, licenses, insurance, software, instructor salaries, and marketing.

1. TO: Phil LaDuca
FROM: Raymond Bennett
DATE: September 26, 2021
SUBJECT: Styles By Ray Academy of Arts
The standard of LaDuca shoes enters the room before a pair of them does. One would be
hard-pressed to find a live production that does not choose to work with your brand. I
have been able to wear many pairs of your shoes during my career as a professional
performer, and every experience has been excellent. I genuinely admire how you started
your brand and grew it into the empire it is now.
Background and Purpose
Arts education in the United States is costly. Factoring in the cost of supplies, travel, &
lessons, many families don’t have the extra income needed for their students to train in
their desired discipline. Recent research has placed the amount for a dancer to gain
quality training could cost a family upwards of $100,000, according to Five Thirty-Eight
Abrams, 2015. That is a large sum of money for most families in America. My goal is to
change that, one step at a time.
I would like to start by making that change in Dallas, Texas. Many talented students in
the area, without the support necessary or access to quality arts training. Many students
simply cannot afford to move to a more significant metropolis to attend a powerhouse
arts institution. This problem exists because there is not widespread government support
for funding these institutions, like in other countries.
Proposed Plan of Action
I would like to address this problem head-on by starting a performing arts school focused
on dancing, singing, and acting. My goal is to have at least 50% of the students on merit-
based or financial need-based scholarships and 50% paying students. I would like this
opportunity to partner with you on this venture. I know how important arts education is to
you and how much you enjoy giving back to ensure the growth of the next generation.
Schedule
My schedule is as follows:
Secure Studio Location – October 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022
Outfit studio and prepare for opening – November 1, 2022, to November 15, 2022
Train studio staff – November 15, 2022, to November 22, 2022
Orientation for teaching staff – November 28, 2022, to December 5, 2022
Marketing planning – December 5, 2022, to December 12, 2022
Marketing launch – December 12, 2022, to January 8, 2023
Grand opening – January 9, 2023

2. Staffing
Below is my list of teachers and staff for the school:
LaQuelle Mills – Marketing Professional; M.S. in Digital Marketing
Lahteefah Bryant – CPA; Audit manager at Crowe Horwath, LLP
Ericka Womack – Operations Manager; M.S. in Entertainment Business
Sir. Brock Warren – Artistic Director; B.F.A. from The Boston Conservatory &
Broadway Professional
Martina Sykes – Singing/Acting Instructor; Broadway Professional
Ephraim Sykes – Musical Theatre Instructor; Broadway Professional
Preston Miller – Dance Instructor; B.F.A. Fordham/Ailey
Budget
Below is the calculation for what it would cost to get the school open and operational:
Building Rent - $18,000
Studio Equipment – $25,000
Music license - $1,000
Studio Insurance - $2,000
Management Software - $1,200
Instructors - $75,000
Marketing - $2,500
Total - $124,700
Authorization
I am requesting an investment of $124,700 from Phil LaDuca to open the doors to Styles
by Ray Academy of Arts in Dallas, Texas. Please respond by October 18, 2021, at
RLBennett@student.fullsail.edu or (727) 688 – 3876. Thank you for your consideration.
Let’s change the lives of young artists together.
Regards,
Raymond L. Bennett