Small Business Loan – Business Plan Outline

I thought it might be helpful to make available a basic outline for putting together a small business loan business plan, so here ya go:

Section 1 –  Overview of the Business

a) Briefly describe your business and what it does or will do.

b) Who are your customers/potential customers/clients?

c) Who is your competition?

d) What is your competitive advantage for this business?

e) How does your past education/business experience/passion relate to this business?

Section 2 – Business Structure and Management

a) What is the business structure? (i.e. “the business will be operated as an S-Corporation with Fred Flintstone as President and 50% owner and Wilma Flintstone as VP an 50% owner”).

b) Who will manage the day-to-day operations of the business?

c) Will the business employ any managers in addition to the owner?

Section 3 –  Information about the Location of the Business

a) Size and site? (i.e. “the business will be located in a 2,500 sf building across the street from the Slate Shopping Center which is located on the main street through “Bedrock”).

b) Information about any neighboring tenants, if any.

c) Access and parking? (i.e. “the building has 12 parking spaces with direct access from HollyRock Blvd”).

d) Surrounding area? (i.e. “the building is located within a stone’s throw of the nearby Rock Home Depot and a new Rockwal-Mart”).

e) Detail hours of operation and number of employees.

Section 4 – Outline of the Advertising & Marketing Strategy

a) Provide a plan to grow and maintain a customer base.

b) Provide a description of any “pre-opening” advertising blitz.

c) Provide a description of any planned or ongoing advertising & marketing strategy (i.e. “we plan to use a combination of website development, social media, traditional advertising, promotional events, community involvement, and Pterodactyl Airlines billboard advertising”).

Section 5 – Revenues and Pricing

a) Revenue assumptions (i.e. “we expect “____” number of customers/sales per day/week with an average average sale of $_.__).

b) Give detailed projections for any “Ramp-up period” and discuss whether or not sales will be seasonal.

c) Provide details on any salaries and whether or not the owner and/or manager will have a salary and if this figure included in the projections.

d) Discuss how were the assumptions calculated?  (i.e. “the revenues and expenses are based on comparable businesses: “Rockhead Quarry, Gravel and Tar,” “La Brea Gravel and Tar,” etc.).

e) Provide “industry specific” information (i.e. # of exam rooms (doctor or vet), # of tables (restaurant) or number of “Dino-cranes” (Gravel Pit).