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Small Business Plan Outline

Entrepreneurs

  1. Entering Foreign Market
  2. Prospecting International Markets
  3. Small Business Plan Outline
  4. Financing Your Own Business
  5. Exporting Business Considerations
  6. Export Transaction Procedures
  7. How to Buy a Business
  8. Guide to Buying a Franchise
  9. Exporting Considerations

SBA's Business Plan Outline

A business plan is an essential first step in starting your own business. Not only will most lenders/investors require it, but a business plan is an invaluable tool to help you evaluate whether your idea has commercial merit and to help you in organizing what will be a very complicated process.if the sales process is extensive. The financial condition of the buyer should also figure heavily when determining the appropriate payment terms.

Below is a sample outline for a business plan prepared by the Small Business Association.. Use this model as a guide when developing the business plan for your franchise or business. Above you will find a link to the SBA home page where you can download free programs to help you prepare a comprehensive business plan.

Sample Outline For A Business Plan

Elements of a Business Plan:
  1. Cover sheet
  2. Statement of purpose
  3. Table of contents
The Business:
  • Description of business
  • Marketing
  • Competition
  • Operating procedures
  • Personnel
  • Business insurance
  • Financial data
Financial Data:
  • Loan applications
  • Capital equipment and supply list
  • Balance sheet
  • Break-even analysis
  • Pro-Forma income projections (profit & loss statements)
    1. Three-year summary
    2. Detail by month first year
    3. Detail by quarters, second and third years
    4. Assumptions upon which projections were based
  • Pro-forma cash flow (follow same guidelines as for letter E)
Supporting Documents:
  1. Tax returns of principals for last three years
  2. Personal financial statement (all banks have these forms)
  3. Copy of franchise contract and all supporting documents provided by the franchisor
  4. Copy of proposed lease of purchase agreement for building space
  5. Copy of licenses and other legal documents
  6. Copy of resumes of all principals
  7. Copies of letters of intent from suppliers, vendors, etc.

For more information about starting your own business and other SBA programs and financing opportunities, visit the SBA's home page at www.sba.gov.

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA.gov

    The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA.gov

    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

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