Best Bargain is a retail operation founded and owned 50/50 by Bob Smathers and his cousin Randy Smathers. Best Bargain has a unique business model. It buys high end boats (motor and sailing boats) from manufacturers or other owners who have inventory that they need to dispose of quickly for various reasons. Best Bargain then resells the boats at any of its 28 retail locations located mostly in Florida and neighboring gulf coast states. The price of the boats that Best Bargain sells range from $25,000 up to more than $1.0 million. The average price is about $100,000. Best Bargain sources its inventory of boats in various ways: in some cases the boat manufacturer overbuilt and has too many units; or a particular boat may have a minor defect; or a manufacturer may be going out of business and need to liquidate inventory quickly; or a finance company may own boats (that were foreclosed on due to missed payments) that it desires to sell. In all cases, Best Bargain buys these boats at steeply discounted prices, and can resell these boats through its retail locations at a good margin while still providing the consumer a good value

Bob runs the business, and his cousin Randy is a silent partner. They are equal owners and have invested in the business over time to grow it. In recent years, the business has been solidly profitable, and the owners have decided to maintain ~$7.5 million of equity in the business. At this point in time, therefore, the company is distributing each year's profits to the owners (Bob and Randy)

Best Bargain leases the real esate (land and buildings) for its retail branch locations, typically with 15+ year terms. The retail sites are typically 3-4 acres in size with outdoor display of the boat inventory, and a small indoor retail/office building where customers are brought in.....much like a large used car dealersip format.

Bob and Randy would like to continue to grow the business. The business has generated strong returns on their equity investment, and they believe that the prospects for the business are very good. Over time, they would like to open 1 to 2 new retail locations per year, and extend their geography up the Atlantic coast.

1. Rate Best Bargains business operating model (Basic Business Risk) on a scale of 1-10 (10 being most attractive), and in a brief paragraph explain your answer

2. How much working capital did Best Bargain have at the end of 2021 (include all relevant accounts including any cash and debt)?