Cover Page

Business Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

Website:

Owner’s Name:

Telephone:

Email:

Legal Page

Confidentiality Agreement  

The undersigned reader acknowledges that the information provided by in this business plan is confidential; therefore, reader agrees not to disclose it without the express written permission of .

It is acknowledged by reader that information to be furnished in this business plan is in all respects confidential in nature, other than information which is in the public domain through other means and that any disclosure or use of same by reader, may cause serious harm or damage to .

Upon request, this document is to be immediately returned to:

.

Signature

Name (typed or printed)

Date

This is a business plan. It does not imply an offering of securities.

Table of Contents

1.0 Executive Summary.........................................................................42.0 Company Summary..........................................................................5

2.1 Start-up Summary.........................................................................6Table: Start-up..................................................................................6

3.0 Product or Services..........................................................................74.0 Target Market Analysis.....................................................................85.0 Industry Analysis..............................................................................96.0 Competitive Analysis......................................................................10

6.1 Competitive Matrix......................................................................116.2 SWOT Analysis.............................................................................12

7.0 Marketing Strategy and Sales........................................................137.1 Sales Forecast.............................................................................14

Table: Sales Forecast......................................................................147.2 Milestones....................................................................................15

8.0 Management..................................................................................168.1 Personnel Plan.............................................................................17

9.0 Operations......................................................................................1810.0 Financial Plan...............................................................................1911.0 Appendix and Supporting Documents..........................................20

1.0 Executive Summary INSTRUCTIONS: Summarize the key points of your business plan. This is the section where you “tell your story” and capture the reader’s attention. This section includes a summary of the whole plan and is simply stated in one-to-two pages. Although this section is found at the beginning of the plan, it is recommended that you write it last, after you have explained your business strategy in whole.

2.0 Company Summary INSTRUCTIONS: In this section, you will describe the nature of your business. What is your business selling or providing? Explain the business structure (sole proprietor, corporation, or partnership), your business model, location, and business goals and objectives. Describe your milestones and business progress to date. You should also include the amount of money needed to start your business.

2.1 Start-up SummaryINSTRUCTIONS: Summarize your Start-up table numbers, both expenses and assets.

Table: Start-up Requirements

Start-up Expenses Expense 1 $0 Expense 2 $0Expense 3 $0Expense 4 $0 Expense 5 $0 Expense 6 $0 Total Start-up Expenses $0

 Start-up Assets  Cash Assets $0 Other Current Assets $0 Long-term Assets $0 Total Assets $0

 Total Requirements $0

 

3.0 Product or Services INSTRUCTIONS: In this section of the plan explains why you’re (going) in business and provides a complete explanation of your product or service, the need this product will fill in the market, your company’s unique selling proposition (USP), and other relevant information about what you are going to sell or provide.  

4.0 Target Market Analysis INSTRUCTIONS: Explain the reasons for starting the business by describing the market, the consumer demand, their demographics and buying habits. This part of the plan must include demographic data. This section also explains why people would want to buy your product/service and explain your product’s features and benefits.

5.0 Industry AnalysisINSTRUCTIONS: In this part of the plan you must discuss in length the industry of your business, the key players, the size in dollars and numbers if possible. Also include the necessary data to justify your business success by presenting independent sources that support your reason to go into business and why your business will succeed.

6.0 Competitive Analysis INSTRUCTIONS: In this section of the plan explain why people would buy your products or services. Be explicit about what makes you unique, restating your unique selling proposition. You must also discuss your competition, between 3-5 other companies that are selling similar products/services. Create a SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) and include a matrix of your product’s features/benefits in relationship to your competition.

6.1 Competitive Matrix

Criteria My Company Competitor 1 Competitor 2 Competitor 3 Competitor 4Example:Online Presence

X X X -

Specialty Coffee X

Organic X

Total:

6.2 SWOT AnalysisList your company’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Keep in mind the top boxes deal with internal issues (you can control), the bottom boxes deal with external issues (you cannot control). Minimum five (5) per category.

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

7.0 Marketing Strategy and Sales INSTRUCTIONS: Explain how you intent to reach your target audience and provides a clear and explicit description of the product’s (service) plan, pricing strategy, promotional strategy and distribution. The marketing plan explains how your company will be positioned in the marketplace and how much it will cost you. In this section you will also explain branding strategies and identify your company’s corporate image. Include sales projections based on marketing strategy. Discuss what types of marketing strategies you plan to employ (traditional, print, media, promotional, PR, etc.)

7.1 Sales Forecast INSTRUCTIONS: Use this topic to explain the Sales Forecast table. 

Table: Sales Forecast Sales Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Row 1 $0 $0 $0 Row 2 $0 $0 $0 Row 3 $0 $0 $0 Total Sales $0 $0 $0

Direct Cost of Sales Year 1 Year 2 Year 3Row 1 $0 $0 $0 Row 2 $0 $0 $0 Row 3 $0 $0 $0 Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales $0 $0 $0

 

7.2 Milestones INSTRUCTIONS: Describe the milestones (measurable activities) laid out in the Milestones table.

Task M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6Person

Responsible

Budget

Example: Set up business with NYS X Owner $200Print promotional materials (business cards, brochures)

X Owner $500

Set up website and online presence X

Owner + web

designer$150

Secure location X Owner $15,000

8.0 Management INSTRUCTIONS: Describe the management and personnel structure of the company, including any gaps that need to be filled.

8.1 Personnel PlanINSTRUCTIONS: Describe your personnel plan in detail, including the number of employees, salaries, shifts, etc. Create a personnel chart.

9.0 OperationsINSTRUCTIONS: This section explains the day-today cycle of your business’ operations. You should include: the business location, manufacturing, distribution, purchasing decisions, hours of operation, and a time-and-action calendar that illustrates how these steps will take place.

10.0 Financial Plan INSTRUCTIONS: Summarize the financial aspects of your business plan. This section describes your sales objectives and will illustrate your business growth during the first three years. This part of the plan supports the Marketing Plan section and shows the need for financing your business operations. In this section you will also show your company’s financial growth in numbers! How much money (if any) will your company make the first, second and third year? Explain your breakeven point. Include in this section cash flow statements, profit and loss statements, the company’s balance sheet, and a statement of assumptions describing your methodology for arriving at your sales objectives.

Example: SMC Consulting will require $10,000 to launch the business.

Please refer to the Start-up Cost Table in the Appendix for a

breakdown of items that will be purchased at the beginning. The

company anticipates making $150,000 during the first year, and will

break-even in month 9. The company will have to sell at least 5

consultations per month to cover the expenses. The owner will take a

modest salary of $1500 per month during year one.

11.0 Appendix and Supporting Documents

Example:

1. Resume2. Start-up cost table3. Cash flow statement4. Personnel table 5. Amortization table 6. Industry research7. Market research 8. Price list9. Other supporting documentation