A business plan might seem like a corporate formality to someone outside the field, but in reality, it's a lot more than that. It's a tool that helps businesses lay out what their organization needs to run and where it's ultimately headed. A business plan is exactly what brings structure to an idea and shows that the entire concept has been thought through.
This article will explain what a business plan is in detail and how you can write one that actually makes sense. You'll also see more than one example of a business plan, so you know how to approach each part and write one that supports your business goals.
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What Is A Business Plan?
A business plan is a document that describes how a business operates, how it is going to grow, and who it exists for. The plan includes details about the people running the company and those who make the decisions about the day-to-day processes.
Most companies create their business plans in the early stages of development. They do this to map out the direction and clarify the priorities right from the start. A business plan is also an important document for investors, since it also includes funding requirements (if there are any) and financial projections that predict how successful the business will be.
Business Plan Format
It's always a good idea to make sense of the full picture before you start writing. Any business plan sample follows a clear format, where each section has a specific purpose. Below, you'll see the most important parts you'll have to include in the plan. If you use any business knowledge apps or templates, most of these terms will probably sound familiar to you:
- Executive Summary
- Company Description
- Market Analysis
- Competitive Analysis
- Organization and Management
- Products and Services
- Marketing Plan
- Funding Request
- Sales Strategy
- Financial Projections
- Appendix
Executive Summary
The executive summary is your opening pitch that gives a reader a brief introduction to your business. Here, you talk about what you do and why it matters. This is also where you define the target market of your business. Even though it's the first section, it's best to write it last. The executive summary sums up everything in your plan: goals, services, basic financials, etc. If someone only reads this part, they should still walk away knowing what your business is all about.
Company Description
This part does exactly what it tells you: it gives the reader basic details about your business. Here's what your company description should include before you move on to the other parts of business planning:
- The business name and legal structure
- Location and contact information
- A short background or origin story
- Your mission and vision statements
- Long-term goals and values that guide you
- The specific problem your business solves
Market Analysis
The market research (or analysis) is where you prove you've invested time in building your plan. It shows that you've studied your industry inside out and you understand the trends. It also proves there's a demand for your product and that you know how to meet it. You can also run a quick SWOT analysis, which breaks down:
- Strengths – What your business does well
- Weaknesses – What might hold you back
- Opportunities – Gaps or trends you can take advantage of
- Threats – External risks like competitors or market shifts
Competitive Analysis
Every business has competition. The competitive analysis section tells the reader who you're running against and how you plan to get ahead. You compare other players in the market to yourself and each other, explain what they offer and how your business is different (or better). You're not tearing down your competitors here, simply showing you understand the industry landscape and bring something special to the table.
Organization and Management
This section lays out how your business is structured and who's leading it. A simple org chart can make everything easier if you're running a large company with multiple departments. Newer businesses can simply focus on the people involved and why they're the right fit for their roles. Include the following:
- Legal structure (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation)
- Ownership details and percentages
- Key team members and their roles
- Brief bios and relevant experience
- Advisory board members or consultants (if applicable)
- Organizational chart (if available)
- Decision-making structure and reporting lines
Products and Services
Products and services are where you explain what your business offers and why it's worth paying attention to. Describe how exactly your product or service works and the specific problem it solves. If you're still thinking things through, talk about what stage you're currently in. Then, discuss what comes next. Your goal should be to help the reader understand what value your business brings to the people you're trying to reach.
Marketing Plan
Your idea may be great, but have you also thought about how people will find out about it? That's the question that this part answers. Talk about how you plan to attract and keep customers; think advertising plans, partnerships, social media presence, etc. Your marketing plan should show how you intend to reach the right audience and create interest in what you're offering them.
Funding Request
If your business needs financial support, this is the place to ask for it. Say exactly what amount you need and how you plan to use it. What type of funding are you seeking: is it a loan, a grant, or an investment? Investors naturally want to see a clear plan, so you need to make sure every dollar is accounted for and the expenses match your long-term strategies.
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Sales Strategy
If your marketing strategy talks about how you're planning to attract potential customers, your sales strategy shows how you'll actually close the deal. What methods will you use to turn leads into customers? How will you build client relationships? Show you understand that it's not just about making a sale but rather about building trust and keeping it.
Financial Projections
Your financial projections give a clear picture of where the business is headed financially. In this section, you talk about expected revenue, expenses, and profit over time. If your financial statements are already prepared, you can also include them to support the projections. Your estimates should be based on realistic data, even if you're just starting out.
Appendix
The appendix includes any extra material that can be used to support your plan, but doesn't need to go in the main sections. This could be charts, resumes, permits, legal documents, or product photos. Anyone who wants more details can find them in the appendix.
Types of Business Plan Example
Not every business plan needs to be 30 pages long. Depending on what stage you’re in and who it’s for, your approach can take a lot of different shapes and forms. Here are a few types that come up a lot in business planning:
- One-page plan
- Startup plan
- Strategic plan
- Feasibility plan
- Operations plan
- Expansion plan
One-Page Plan
This is a simple business plan that gets straight to the point. A one-page plan is perfect for when you need something clean and easy to follow.
- Covers the basics: what you’re offering, who it’s for, and how it’ll work
- Helps you organize your thoughts
- Great for early-stage ideas
- Easy to adjust as things change
Startup Plan
This is what you need if you've just started building a business from scratch. A startup plan usually goes a bit deeper than the one page business plan and gives a detailed description of how you expect the business to take off.
- Lays out what your business does and how it plans to grow
- Walks through the target market and the team
- Helps investors understand your direction
- Often includes funding requirements and financial projections
Strategic Plan
A strategic plan looks ahead. It's usually internal; it's meant to help the leadership go beyond managing day-to-day tasks and think about long-term planning.
- Focuses on where you want the business to go over the next few years
- Describes the steps you’ll take to get there
- Helps keep everyone aligned with the same goals
- Useful for checking progress and adjusting along the way
Feasibility Plan
With a feasibility plan, you test the waters before you commit. It helps you understand whether your business plan actually has potential, so you don't waste time and resources on something that won't work.
- Looks at demand, competitors, and what it’ll take to get ahead
- Helps you spot red flags or gaps early on
- Useful when you're still deciding if the idea is worth it
- Good for testing the waters without a full commitment
Operations Plan
An operations plan shows how your business will run on a daily basis. It describes internal processes and logistics so the reader has an idea of what happens behind the scenes.
- Covers your day-to-day processes
- Includes staffing, suppliers, and workflow details
- Helps your team know who’s doing what and when
- Makes sure nothing slips through the cracks
Expansion Plan
Growth is an important goal for any business. But when it's time to grow, you need a plan that shows you can handle it. An expansion plan describes what part of the business you're scaling up and how you're going to make it work.
- Explains why now’s the right time to scale
- Details what kind of growth you’re aiming for
- Walks through changes in staffing, budget, and operations
- Helps keep the expansion focused and realistic
Business Plan Example
Before you jump into writing your own draft, it helps to see how everything fits together in a real example. Below is a sample business plan built using the required format and sections. If you're working on a startup business plan, this template should give you a clear idea of how to create one.
If you're still unsure where to go after you finish your studies, read our article: What can I do with a business degree.
How to Use a Business Plan Example the Right Way
A sample business plan can save you a lot of time, but only if you use it wisely. You have to go beyond copying and pasting; you're using this example to understand how to structure your plan and present your ideas clearly. But keep in mind that your voice must still lead the way.
Double-Check Relevance to Your Industry
No two industries work exactly the same way. If you're reading a business plan for a coffee shop and you're building a mobile app, the differences will show up quickly. You'll see that everything from startup costs to marketing language will look completely different. Read every section of the sample business plan carefully and filter it through the lens of your own industry. Analyze the format, and adjust the content so it fits your specific field.
Use the Business Plan as Your Guide
A good example of a business plan will have you stop overthinking where to start. Since you already have the format down, you can pay more attention to what really matters in the business plan: the story you're telling. Notice the little details in the example: how one section flows into another, how the ideas build on each other, and how the tone stays consistent throughout. Don't follow it exactly, of course, but use it as a path to follow when you're not sure where to go.
Understand the Purpose Behind Each Section
Each part of the business plan serves a different role. Understanding what each one needs to do will help you write your plan with a clearer direction. For instance, the executive summary is where you explain your idea to get the reader's attention. The company description, on the other hand, gives background information about who you are and what drives the business. If you try to write it all at once, though, it’ll definitely feel like too much. Focus on one section at a time, and don’t move forward until that part feels solid.
Use Your Own Voice
Your business plan should sound like it came from you, regardless of how precisely you follow the sample's structure. This means that you should write in a way that reflects how you really think about your idea. There's no pressure to use overly formal language or technical jargon that doesn't feel natural. Quite the opposite: talking about your idea in your own voice is what gives it personality. And personality is something no sample can give you; you have to bring that in yourself.
One Last Thought
A business plan isn't some kind of massive obstacle you have to overcome. It's simply a detailed outline of what your business is, where it stands, and what direction it's heading. Once you understand the structure of the plan and how each part works, the whole process becomes a lot easier to manage. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Start with a clear purpose and a real understanding of your audience
- A sample business plan can guide you, but you have to use your voice
- Breaking the plan into smaller sections makes writing less overwhelming
- Realistic financials and research-backed insights add credibility
If the process still feels heavy, EssayPro is always here to help. Doesn't matter if you're preparing a pitch, writing a business assignment, or just need to buy an argumentative paper for your class, our team of professionals can give you expert academic guidance so you don't have to figure out everything alone!
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Ana Ratishvili
Ana is a professional literary essay writer with a Master’s Degree in English literature. Through critical analysis and an understanding of storytelling techniques, she can craft insightful guides on how to write literary analysis essays and their structures so students can improve their writing skills.
- SBA. (2024, November 1). Write your business plan. U.S. Small Business Administration. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan
- Gov.uk. (2012, October 15). Write a business plan. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/write-business-plan
