Write a Business Plan

The business plan has a reputation problem. People think of it as a lengthy formal document written to impress investors. For most small businesses, that is overkill and a distraction from the work of actually launching.

A practical business plan answers a handful of critical questions: What are you selling? Who is buying it? How will they find you? What does it cost to deliver? What will you charge? When will you break even?

The Sections That Actually Matter

Business overview. One paragraph: what you do, who you serve, and what makes you different.

Target customer. A specific description of the person most likely to buy from you — not ‘anyone who needs X’.

Revenue model. What you will charge and how many customers you need to cover your costs.

Marketing plan. How customers will find out about you and what you will do in the first 90 days.

Startup costs. A complete list of everything you need to spend before you open.

Financial projections. Month-by-month revenue and expense estimates for 12 months. Forces you to think through the math.