What is a Business Plan?

A Business Plan, often referred to as Strategic Plan or Plan of Operations, is a written document prepared by organizations and staff professionals, detailing a given organization’s unique strategy to effectively integrate assets with personnel and management resources in order to produce a material profit, usually over the duration of three to five years. At the very least, all Business Plans should describe a company’s purpose, its products or services, its management and personnel needs, its implementation strategy to operate, and a financial projection that takes into account the several components and assumptions listed above.

Having a Solid Business Plan

What complicates the Business Plan preparation process with most organizations is the intuitive need to utilize a single Business Plan presentation to try to meet two or more conflicting objectives at one time. More often than not, this proves to be a mistake. When business stakeholders understand that a Business Plan is initially a comprehensive and objective Planning Process that must include detailed market research and several financial plan scenarios irregardless of market feasibility conclusion, only then can the information be effectively utilized and a document designed to meet a company’s single objective by producing a professional presentation called a Business Plan.

Thus a Business Plan is either:

  • A planning process to produce a profitable strategy over a period of time, or
  • A professional presentation to be submitted to an audience to help meet a desired and specific business objective.

What are Business Plans used for?

Business Plans used

Ideally, business plans should be used as a blue print for strategically operating your business. This is referred to as a Strategic Plan is more in line with the planning process. Strategic Business Plans are generally prepared solely for company managers. By design, the Strategic Plan is extremely detailed, lays out a conservative scenario and emphasizes serious industry threats and company weaknesses. As a rule of thumb, you do not want to show your strategic plan to any outsiders. On the other hand, other types of business plans, such as SBA Business Plans, Landlord Lease Business Plans, Bank Loan Business Plans and Investor Proposal Business Plans will indeed be presented to parties outside the company with the desire to meet that respective and specific objective.

The Business Plan for your landlord is a different variation and should be designed differently than the Business Plan you submit to the SBA.

Variations of Business Plans with subtle design nuances are commonly prepared for the following purposes:

  • Strategic Business Plans – To be detailed as a blueprint for company management to follow. Conservative in nature, emphasizing threats and how to overcome them..
  • Conventional Bank Loan Business Plans – To secure a conventional loan from the bank without an SBA loan guarantee. Outline a low risk projections.
  • SBA Business Plans – To comply with the underwriting requirements of the SBA’s several loan guarantee programs. We are hands down the U.S. expert in writing SBA Business Plans to help you get approved. See our SBA Business Plan page.
  • Investor Proposal Business Plans – To persuade a single investor to fund your business. Meeting the market demand and visual presentations are crucial.
  • Landlord Lease Business Plans – To secure a lease space. Convincing the landlord that your brand will improve the product mix and your target customers are ideal for the neighboring businesses.
  • Franchise Business Plans – To secure the approval of a corporate franchise to award you a franchise location. Subway, 7-11, State Farm, McDonald’s, Etc…
  • Client Retention Business Plans – To convert a potential client, usually a Fortune 500 company. Financial Projections may or may not be included in the final presentation. Company traction and its capacity to fill orders timely is significant.
  • Vendor Business Plans – To gain favorable financing terms from a supplier. A stable and growing Sales Forecast is extremely important.
  • Sale of Company Business Plans – To sell your business. The Financial Projections should match the company’s historical tax returns (after perk adjustments)
  • Company Valuation Business Plans – To buy out a business partner. Several standard valuation methods should be discussed along with the valuation rationale.
  • State License Application Business Plans – To be approved by the state in a number of industries including, alcohol, firearms, cannabis, medical, assisted-living, education, health spa and fitness, food, broadcasting,transportation, energy and aviation. Management credentials and detailed safety procedures are paramount.
  • Regulatory Compliance Business Plans – To continue operating within a regulated industry. Demonstrated track record is essential.
  • Audit Business Plans – To pass an independent audit (not an IRS audit) with a number of regulatory federal and state agencies.
  • Private Placement Memorandum Business Plans – To meet strict financial and disclosure criteria mandated by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). Business Plans accompanying PPM’s are perhaps the most technical and difficult projects to work on. Our founder has served as treasurer for a public corporation (NASDAQ) and has many years of experience preparing PPMs.
  • IRS 501(c)(3) Exemption Business Plans – To obtain an IRS letter exempting your non-profit organization so that none of the organizations earning may inure to the organization’s shareholders.
  • Immigration Business Plans – To allow a non -U.S. individual to work or invest in a U.S. company under several federal programs including E-2, L-1 and EB-5.
  • Grant Business Plans – To persuade a foundation or corporation to sponsor your organization.
  • Product Licensing Business Plans – To approve the placement of popular trademarked or restricted logos on your products. Licensing may be obtained from NCAA Universities, sports franchise teams and large corporations.

What are the general step of Business Plans?

Get Ready to Learn Business

As discussed in the previous section, every Business Plan should be custom-designed to meet a specific unique objective. Having said that, a comprehensive discussion of a business operation most likely will include certain general components inherent to all businesses. The Business plan writer should answer relevantly the reader’s questions of who, what, how, where, why, and how much. Describing a business should include narrative discussion regarding:

  1. Company Information
  2. Products or Services
  3. Market Landscape
  4. Operational Plan
  5. Personnel Needs
  6. Financial Consideration

What are the general components of Business Plans?

See Business Plans

As discussed in the previous section, every Business Plan should be custom-designed to meet a specific unique objective. Having said that, a comprehensive discussion of a business operation most likely will include certain general components inherent to all businesses. The Business plan writer should answer relevantly the reader’s questions of who, what, how, where, why, and how much. Describing a business should include narrative discussion regarding:

  • Company History
  • Ownership
  • Location
  • Facility
  • Product and Services Description
  • Product Pricing
  • Value Proposition
  • Market Analysis
  • Target Market
  • Target Market Segmentation Strategy
  • Competition
  • Competitive Comparison
  • Competitive Edge
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Sales Strategy
  • Branding
  • Website Strategy
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Milestones
  • Organizational Chart
  • Management Credentials
  • Personnel Duties

Do i need A Business Plan?

If you are starting or expanding a business, the answer will always be a yes to a strategic Business Plan. Most entrepreneurs have undoubtedly pondered many hours the general components that are contained in Business Plan. They just haven’t put it down on paper. It is good practice to go through this process with an expert strategic Business Plan writer who understands the many nuances of your specific industry.

If your company requires any type of funding, or a formal Business Plan submission to an outside entity, then you will definitely need a professionally-written Business Plan in a quality presentation form so that your audience may determine if your business meets their criteria.

How much does it cost for a Business Plan?

Business Plans tend to vary in the scope of required research, the detail of financial projections and the the overall length of the final presentation. Ultimately, the cost for our services will depend on the size of your business, the complexity of your industry, and your primary objective for the Business Plan:

  • Size of your Business – Amount of funding requirements, number and category of employees, geographical market (local, state, national or global)
  • Your Industry – Mainstream unregulated industries (restaurant, retail, services, etc…) versus regulated or emerging industries (medical, blockchain, cannabis etc…)
  • Primary Objective – Effortless (borrow $10,000 from your uncle) or ambitious (raise $3 million through a Private Placement Memorandum).

We strive to price our Business Plan services with a one-time flat fee. Also listed below is a general guideline to our Business Plan packages along with pricing. Most small businesses in mainstream industries who operate in local markets are extremely satisfied with our Standard Business Plan Package priced at $1,499 (or $1,199 after the NEW CLIENT DISCOUNT). For larger companies or for more complex business models, a Premium Business Plan Package or higher is recommended.

To get an exact quote, please schedule a FREE consultation with one of our Business Plan Consultants.

General pricing guidelines

Keeping in mind that each and every business is unique, our goal is to create the best document possible, that meets your business objective, within your budget.

The following Business Plan Package description serves as general guideline for the level of detail and type of presentation that you may require. Feel free to discuss your situation with one of our business plan consultants to help you choose the perfect Business Plan package.

SMALL Business Plans

$999 $899.1
  • Perfect for companies with a budget of under $50K in startup requirements and expected annual sales of $250k or less. Don't let the micro-name fool you. This Business Plan package is about 17 to 20 pages and comes complete with 3 years financial projections.

MEDIUM Business Plans

$1,499 $1274.15
  • Perfect for companies with a budget of up to $250K in startup requirements and expected annual sales of $1 million or less. This Business Plan works well for restaurants, retail outlets, professional services and non regulated industries. This package is the most requested and is SBA-ready. Included is our Business Concept Development phase and minimum 3 years of financial projections. The document is 20 to 25 pages.

LARGE Business Plans

$2,999 $2399.2
  • If you need more than $250K and under $1MM in funding, we recommend this package. Companies competing in larger multi-state markets will require detailed financial projections. This package is professionally formatted and works well with investor-funded projects. This Premium Business Plan package comes with industry research. About 25 to 30 pages.