Writing A Business Plan:
Top SBA Small Business Plans

Top SBA small business plans give the Small Business Administration even more than it asks for. These plans give the SBA a reason for lending.

Your Business Plan for the SBA

The business plan for an SBA loan must contain all the elements of a typical business plan: industry analysis, biographical information, financials, etc.

The challenge in a business plan for an SBA loan is that it requires close attention to the specific program that you are applying for. For instance, a loan focusing on seasonal funding requirements (such as "back to school") must specify that need on the very first page of your SBA small business plan, and reflect the timing of that specific expenditure in the financial information. The industry analysis and company history should also highlight that particular aspect of the company.

A long term loan must demonstrate clearly how the funding will provide the financing for the specific items needed, and how profits will be generated to repay the loan. It must be clearly itemized in your SBA small business plan.

An SBA small business plan for a defense-related product will be very different that a business plan for short term asset based loan.

Know what you are asking for -- and why.

Then provide the information that allows the lender to say Yes.

Locating Your SBA Lender

Not all banks are the same. Far from it. Each seems to develop its own personality. Some take particular pride in serving the local business market; others brag about international connections; others have long histories in particular industries.

The most powerful thing you can do in preparing your business plan is to first meet briefly with your local banker, explain what you are doing, and ask what the bank is looking for. Listen carefully.

The banker will tell you whether they are looking for business plans with strong assets, or longevity, or potential for local growth, or small businesses that will employ many local workers in particular industries.

It is possible that the SBA bank is looking for something your small business cannot provide, such as companies that employ 100 or more workers. If that should occur, go to a different SBA lender. Ask the same questions. And keep on listening.

When you locate an SBA lender that is looking for your type of company, listen even more carefully. Find the key that will put this banker in your corner. Then write a business plan that will give him what he is looking for.

SBA loans are more readily available now than they have been for quite some time. Literally thousands of businesses will capture SBA loans this year -- yours could be one of them.
Many companies fit comfortably into SBA qualifications. Yours may not. If angel investors or venture capital investors suit your company better, structure your business plan to fit those demands.

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