So, you’ve got a dream, a killer idea, and a whole lotta passion, but now someone’s telling you that you should write a business plan and you’re like, “Uh… what Where do I get one of those?”
Don’t worry, bestie! Guess what, you don’t need a business degree to write a business plan. You just need someone to walk you through it without all the boring corporate lingo. That’s where I come in. Let’s make this business plan make sense, step-by-step.
First Things First: What Even Is a Business Plan?
A business plan is basically your business’s blueprint. It’s how you take that brilliant idea floating around in your head and turn it into something real with structure, strategy, and a clear game plan.
And no, it doesn’t need to be a 40-page novel. In fact, the best business plans are clear, simple, and actually useful. Whether you’re pitching to investors, applying for funding, or just need a plan to follow (hi, fellow overthinkers 👋), this is your roadmap.
Step 1: Your Business Overview (aka, What You’re All About)
This section is like your elevator pitch, but written down.
Here’s what to include:
- Your business name
- What your business does (be specific!)
- Your mission statement (don’t roll your eyes, I’ll help you with this in this post 😉)
- Who you serve (your ideal customer, aka your people, aka your target market)
💡 Pro Tip: If you can’t describe your business in one sentence, it’s time to simplify. Clarity = confidence.
Step 2: Market Research (No, You Don’t Have to Be an Expert)
You don’t need to know everything, but you do need to know the basics:
- Who else is out there doing something similar?
- What makes your business different?
- Is there a demand for what you’re selling?
- Who exactly is your ideal customer?
This is where you start to position your business in the market. Think of it like figuring out your vibe in a crowded room. You want to stand out, not blend into the sea of businesses.
Step 3: Your Products or Services (Let’s Talk Money Makers)
This is your time to ✨shine✨! List out everything you plan to sell or offer and give a quick description of each.
Include:
- What it is
- How it solves a problem
- Price point or pricing strategy
If you’re not sure how to price your products yet, don’t worry, I’ve got a whole post on pricing your products & services here!
Step 4: Marketing Strategy (aka How You’re Getting the Word Out)
This is where the fun stuff happens! What is your plan to get people to know about your business?
Think about:
- Your social media plan
- Email marketing
- SEO/blog content
- In-person markets or events
- Collabs, PR, or giveaways
Basically, how are your customers/clients going to find you and fall in love with what you’re offering?
Step 5: Your Business Goals (Dream Big, Babe)
What are you working toward?
Set short-term and long-term goals. Try to be specific, like:
- “Make $2,000 in sales in my first 3 months”
- “Grow my email list to 500 subscribers by the end of the year”
- “Launch my product line by October”
Manifest it AND plan for it. That’s the Chill, Babe way.
Step 6: Your Financial Plan (Don’t Panic, We’re Keeping It Simple)
I know, I know, this part can feel intimidating, but it’s so important. This is where you make sure your brilliant idea actually works on paper (and eventually in your bank account).
Include:
- Start-up costs (how much it’ll take to get started)
- Monthly expenses (website, supplies, subscriptions, etc.)
- Revenue projections (how much you think you’ll make)
- Pricing strategy (so you’re not undercharging)
Even rough estimates help you make smarter decisions and avoid yikes moments later.
Step 7: Operations + Logistics (AKA, How Things Will Run)
Here’s where you figure out the how behind your business idea:
- Are you a one-person show or will you have employees?
- Where are you selling? Online? In-person? Both?
- How will you package, ship, or deliver products?
It’s the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps your business running smoothly, so don’t skip it!
Step 8: Optional—but Cute—Extras
Want to go the extra mile? Add a few extras to really zhuzh up your plan:
- A brand mood board or logo preview
- Customer personas (fancy way of saying “who you’re talking to”)
- A timeline for launching
- Ideas for future products or offers
It’s your business plan, make it feel like you!
TL;DR – Your Small Business Plan, Made Simple:
Here’s a quick summary of what your business plan should include:
- Overview of your biz
- Market research
- Products or services
- Marketing strategy
- Business goals
- Financial plan
- Operations/logistics
You don’t need to have it all figured out today. Just start somewhere.
Need Help Writing Yours?
I’ve created a fill-in-the-blank business plan template just for you! Sign up below to get yours now!
You’ve got this.
And if you forget that, come back and read this post again
PIN IT
