Writing A Business Plan:
Writing A Simple Business Plan

Life is full of enough complexities. A simple business plan should be just that: simple.

"Simple" does not mean sloppy. We do indeed need a professional presentation. Sometimes businesses are one or two person businesses. Sometimes they begin as part time endeavors. Sometimes they are home based, or require limited investment.

There are a slew of businesses that only need a basic approach to writing a business plan.
Fortunately, the 7 Step Business Plan series is easily adaptable to a basic business. Here's what you do:

The Template

Each and every 7 Step Business Plan set contains a basic template, literally with fill in blanks. Begin by filling in those blanks.

The Fluff

Do you want it to look better? Fine, just expand on those areas that need expansion. Expand on the Marketing section, or on the biographical section.

The Financials

Most simple business plans do not need extensive financials. A basic statement saying:

This is what I am going to purchase.

Here are the sales I expect (and why).

This is what I am going to use the money for.

This is sufficient financial information for most basic business plans. (Note: Do have your personal financial statement handy. It will be needed.)

The Samples

Each and every 7 Step Business Plan set also includes sample business plans, usually around 30-40. These are business plans in your general area of interest. Take a look at those. There may well be something that you can use for your own business plan.

Going After Funding

Now that you've got a simple business plan in hand, what do you do to raise the financing you need? Well, you've got some options.

SBA. The SBA runs hot and cold on mini-loans. Talk to someone at your local agency and see what they say.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY. It may be hard to ask Aunt Jo for a loan. But you might ask her to read your business plan and give her impression of it.

BANKS. For the most part, banks aren't interested in smaller loans, which is a shame. There are an awful lot of great businesses that started small.

Whatever you do, do begin. Having my own business has been the most rewarding part of my career. I just cannot recommend it enough.

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