Developing a business plan is the process of putting the key ideas of your business into a concise written document. Business plans vary depending upon a number of factors, including the nature of the business for which the plan is developed. All business plans, however, should contain some basic information about the business.

The outline below is designed to assist you in putting together a complete business plan. Each section of the plan should be detailed, thorough, and well written. All of the critical aspects of your business need to be addressed in the appropriate sections. The entire document should be packaged in a professional-looking binder.

The Small Business Services Division has sample business plans for more than 350 specific types of businesses. Please call us at (800) 626-2250 if you are interested in receiving a sample business plan.

Assistance is available to help you develop a business plan. The Kentucky Small Business Development Center is a statewide network of business assistance centers that provides free one-on-one business consulting. Call (888) 475-7232 to locate the office serving your area.

Sample Business Plan Outline

I. Cover Page (Details business name, address, all owners’ names, date of plan, and all contact information)

II. Executive Summary (A brief synopsis of the entire document. If funding is being sought, the amount and how the funds will be used, along with personal investment should be highlighted here. This is the last item written.)

III. Table of Contents (Specifies what information is included in the document and where it is located)

IV. The Business Information Section

A. Full and Detailed Description of the Business and Business Services or Products
B. Explanation of Customer Base
C. Marketing Strategies
D. Competition Assessment (Strengths and Weaknesses)
E. Operating Procedures/Manufacturing and/or Distribution Processes
F. Personnel Needs and Salaries/Wages Associated
G. Location Information
H. Management Information

V. The Business Financial Information Section

A. Loan applications (if applicable)
B. Complete Previous 3 Years Business Tax Returns (if applicable)
C. Current Year to Date Income Statement and Balance Sheet
D. Current Accounts Receivable and/or Accounts Payable Listing (if applicable)
E. Current equipment and inventory listing
F. Last 3 Months Business Bank Statements
G. Detailed Monthly Cash Flow Projection for Upcoming Year
H. Breakeven Analysis
I. 3 Year Projected Income Statement
J. Assumptions Upon Which Projections Were Based
K. Last 3 Months Business Bank Statements

VI. Supporting Documentation

A. Last 3 Years Personal Tax Returns for all Owners
B. Personal Financial Statements of all Owners
C. Purchase Agreement (if applicable)
D. Franchise Agreement (if applicable)
E. Copies of all Proposed or Current Leases
F. Copies of licenses and other legal documents (if applicable)
G. Copies of resumes of all Owners
H. Copies of any Letters of Intent or Contracts (existing or proposed)
I. Copies of Reference Letters
J. Copies of Bankruptcy Papers or Divorce Decrees (if applicable)

For additional information or assistance, please email us at cedsbsd@ky.gov or call (800) 626-2250.

Additional Resources:

KY Small Business Development Center information on business plans
http://www.ksbdc.org/new-businesses/business-planning/

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) information on business plans
www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html

Myownbusiness.org business plan information
http://www.myownbusiness.org/s2/

Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE) business plan templates
http://www.score.org/template_gallery.html