How to Write a Business Plan
This project guide helps two Sky’s the Limit members work together through three meetings as they collaborate to write a business plan.
Meeting 1: Identify why you need a business plan
Before this meeting:
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Review: Types of Business Plans
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Make sure that you’ve had an intro meeting. If you need help navigating your first meeting, visit this Guide to Your First Meeting.
In this meeting:
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If you haven’t set clear expectations and discussed the details of your commitment, we recommend using this Guide to Your First Session before kicking off this project.
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Discuss the Types of Business Plans and determine which is the right one for your current situation.
After this meeting:
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Start brainstorming for your next meeting.
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Note any agreed-upon next steps
Meeting 2: Identify my customers
Before this meeting:
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Review any ideas from your brainstorming session after your last meeting.
In this meeting:
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Use the tools provided for each Business Plan Type to create an outline or draft of your plan.
After this meeting:
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Share the outline with friends or potential customers and ask for feedback.
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Note any agreed-upon next steps
Meeting 3: Test my idea with customers
Before this meeting:
Review: Share any feedback you received from friends or potential customers with your collaborator.
In this meeting:
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Discuss any necessary adjustments based on the feedback you received.
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Revise and finalize your business plan.
After this meeting:
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Ask someone to proofread the business plan.
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Share your business plan with investors, business partners, potential supporters, etc.
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If you finished your business plan, be sure to mark your project complete, update your business tracker, and start a new project!
Want to talk to someone who can help?
Sky’s the Limit members are connected to a community of volunteer business mentors, more free tools and guides like this one, and exclusive funding opportunities.