sba example business plan

Financing | Templates

How To Write an SBA Business Plan [+Free Template]

Published June 13, 2023

Published Jun 13, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Tricia Jones

WRITTEN BY: Andrew Wan

This article is part of a larger series on Business Financing .

• 1. Write the Company Description
• 2. Identify Organization & Management
• 3. Specify the Market Analysis
• 4. Write Descriptions of the Products or Services
• 5. Indicate the Marketing & Sales Strategy
• 6. List Financial Data & Projections
• 7. Write the Financing Request
• 8. Fill In the Appendix & Supplemental Information
• 9. Complete the Executive Summary
• Additional Resources

Bottom Line

If you’re applying for a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA), there’s a good chance that you’ll need a business plan to get approved. An SBA business plan provides a summary of the various aspects of your business, and we will guide you through the process of creating it, from writing your company description and marketing and sales strategies to completing financial data and projections and your executive summary.

Although there is no standard format, and to help you ensure nothing is overlooked, you can use our SBA business plan template to ensure you cover the most important areas of your company. A well-prepared business plan can improve your chances of getting an SBA loan.

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Step 1: write the company description.

This section should contain information about the purpose of your business. It should include a description of the problem or challenge your product or service aims to solve and what types of individuals or organizations will benefit.

A strong company description should also address the following questions:

• Why does your company exist?
• What problems does your business aim to address?
• What prompted you to start your business?
• What organizations or individuals will benefit from your company’s product or service?
• What makes your company different from others?
• What competitive advantages does your business offer?
• What would a successful product launch look like?
• Does your company have strategic partnerships with other vendors?

Step 2: Identify Organization & Management

Details about the legal and tax structure of your business should be included in this section. It can also be helpful to include an organizational chart of your company. You can include information about each team member’s background and experience and how it is relevant to your company:

• Highlight what business structure you have selected and why. Examples commonly include a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), partnership, S corporation (S-corp), and C corporation (C-corp)
• Include an organizational chart showing which team members are responsible for the various aspects of your company
• You can include resumes for members of your leadership team highlighting their experience and background

Step 3: Specify the Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your SBA business plan should look at who your competitors will be. Look at what they are doing well, what their weaknesses are, and how your company compares.

The SBA’s market analysis page contains information on how you can approach this. Questions you should also consider addressing should include:

• Who are the major competitors in the market?
• What are competitors doing well and are there areas for improvement?
• How does your company compare to the top competitors?
• How has the product or service evolved over time?
• Are there any trends for supply and demand throughout the year?
• What can your company do to stand apart from the top competitors?

Step 4: Write Descriptions of the Products or Services

In this section, you should detail the product or service offered by your business. You should explain what it does, how it helps your customers, and its expected lifecycle. You can also include things like any expected research and development costs, intellectual property concerns such as patents, what the lifecycle of your product looks like, and what is needed to manufacture or assemble it.

Here are some things to consider as you are working on this section:

• Description of what your product or service does
• How your product or service works
• How your customers will benefit from your product or service
• Illustration of the typical lifecycle
• Any patents or intellectual property you or your competitors have
• Pricing structure
• Plans for research and development
• Discuss plans for handling intellectual property, copyright, and patent filings

Step 5: Indicate the Marketing & Sales Strategy

Details of your marketing and sales strategy will be highly dependent on your business. It’s also something that may evolve and change over time in response to things like the overall economic environment, release of competitor’s products or services, and changes in pricing.

With that being said, here is a list of some items that should be addressed:

• Who is your target audience?
• How will you attract customers?
• How and where will sales be made?
• If applicable, what will the sales process look like?
• Where will you market and advertise your product or service?
• How does your marketing strategy compare to other companies in the industry?
• How much should you spend on marketing?
• What is the expected return on investment for marketing?
• Do you have any data showing the effect of marketing?

Step 6: List Financial Data & Projections

If your business has been running, you should include information about its finances. This should include all streams of revenue and expenses. Data for financial projections should also be included, along with a description of the methodology you used to reach those conclusions.

If available, you should be prepared to provide the following financial documents for at least the last three years to five years:

• Personal and business tax returns
• Balance sheets
• Profit and loss (P&L) statements
• Cash flow statements
• Hard and soft collateral owned by your business
• Business bank statements for the last six to 12 months

Financial projections should include enough data to offer some confidence that your business is viable and will succeed. It’s recommended that you provide monthly projections looking forward at least three years, with annual projections for years four and five.

• Projections for revenue and methodology used in arriving at these figures
• Expected shifts in revenue or expenses as a result of seasonality or other factors affecting supply and demand
• Expected expenses from loan payments, rent, lease payments, marketing and advertising fees, employee salaries, benefits, legal fees, warranty expenses, and more

You can use our SBA loan calculator to help you estimate monthly payments for the funding you’re currently looking for and projections for any additional loans you may need. Monthly payments can fluctuate depending on the terms of your loan. If you’re looking for accurate estimates, you can read our article on SBA loan rates .

Step 7: Write the Financing Request

This section is where you should specify how much funding you need, why you need it, what you’ll use it for, and the impact you expect it will have on your business. It’s also a good idea to indicate when you expect to use the funds over the course of the next three to five years.

Here is a checklist of some important items you should cover:

• How much funding you need and why
• When you will use the funds over the next three to five years
• What you will use the funds for
• The expected impact this will have on your business and how it will help reach your business goals
• The anticipation of any recurring needs for additional funding
• Your strategy for how you expect to pay off the loan
• Any future financial plans for your business

Step 8: Fill In the Appendix & Supplemental Information

This last section of your SBA business plan should include any additional information that may be helpful for lenders. This can include more detailed explanations or clarifications of data from other sections of your business plan.

Here are some examples of documents you can include:

• Business licenses
• Certifications or permits
• Letters of reference
• Photos of products
• Resumes of business owners
• Contractual agreements and other legal documents

Step 9: Complete the Executive Summary

The executive summary, which is the first section in a business plan, should be no more than one to two pages and provide a high-level overview of the items listed below. Since each section above is already detailed, a brief description of those sections will be sufficient:

• Your company’s mission statement
• The background and experience of your leadership team
• The product or service and what purpose it serves
• Your target market for the product or service
• Competitive analysis of other products and services
• Your competitive advantage or why your company will succeed
• Marketing and sales strategy
• Financial projections and funding needs

Depending on the type of SBA loan you’re applying for, certain areas of your business plan may be weighed more heavily than others. You can learn about the SBA loan options you can choose from in our guide on the different types of SBA loans .

Additional Resources for Writing an SBA Business Plan

If you’re looking for additional resources to help you write a business plan, you can consider the options below. Since a business plan is just one of many documents you’ll need, you can also read our guide on how to get an SBA loan if you need help with other areas of the loan process:

• SBA: SBA’s business guide contains information on how you can start a small business. It includes steps on creating a business plan, funding your company, and launching a business.
• SCORE: Through SCORE, you can request to be paired with a mentor and get business-related education. Educational courses come in several formats, including webinars, live events, and online courses.
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC): SBDCs provide training and counseling to small business owners. This can help with various aspects of your company such as getting access to working capital, business planning, financial management, and more. You can use the SBA’s tool to find your closest SBDC .

Having a strong SBA business plan can improve your chances of getting approved for an SBA loan. If you’re unsure where to start, you can use our guide and template to cover the most important aspects of your business. You can also see our tips on how to get a small business loan . To get even more ideas on creating a strong business plan, you can also utilize resources through organizations such as SCORE and the SBA itself.

About the Author

Find Andrew On LinkedIn

Andrew Wan is a staff writer at Fit Small Business, specializing in Small Business Finance. He has over a decade of experience in mortgage lending, having held roles as a loan officer, processor, and underwriter. He is experienced with various types of mortgage loans, including Federal Housing Administration government mortgages as a Direct Endorsement (DE) underwriter. Andrew received an M.B.A. from the University of California at Irvine, a Master of Studies in Law from the University of Southern California, and holds a California real estate broker license.

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SBA Business Plan Template: Full Guide [2023]

• January 12, 2023
• Small Businesses

In 2020, SBA’s flagship 7(a) loan program approved more than 42,000 loans totalling $22 billion . Yet, SBA loans are notoriously difficult to obtain for small businesses: less than 15% of SBA loan applications were granted by big banks. If you’re applying for a SBA loan , you will need a solid business plan template for your loan application.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in your business plan to build a complete, clear and solid business plan lenders will approve. Read on!

Why do you need a business plan for your SBA loan application?

Other than your basic eligibility requirements, the primary element that lenders would review is your business plan. Having a good business plan determines if your business is a lucrative opportunity for SBA lenders.

Also, a solid business plan makes it easier to get your loans approved because banks would be confident that your business would be successful and you would be able to repay your loan.

However, business plans tend to differ depending on the nature and status of your business. If you’re running an independent business or launching a startup for example, your business plan will be reviewed more thoroughly.

1. Executive summary

The executive summary is the most important page of your SBA business plan template . We can’t make this clearer. This is the first section that the lenders will have a look at.

Before we go into specifics, keep in mind the executive summary actually is a summary. Keep it brief: your executive summary should never be more than 2 pages maximum .

Your executive summary should consists of 5 parts:

• The “mission statement “: what problem(s) is your business solving?
• Product and service : what is it that you sell? to whom? where?
• People : who are the founders / management? What about their experience? How many people / teams do you employ?
• Key financials and projections : what are your key metrics and financials today (revenues, customers, etc.)? What do you expect these to be in 3/5 years from now?
• Funding ask : what (how much) are you asking as part of this loan? Where will you spend it? For what?

2. Company description

The company description is where we go into more details about your business, and which problem(s) it actually solves.

You should explain here clearly:

What is the problem at stake?

You should list here the 2/3 friction points you aim to tackle.

Remember: even if your business isn’t necessarily innovative, your business is potentially solving a problem, as obvious as it may be, for many people out there. The more obvious the problem is, the more people it affects, the better

What is your solution?

Your business is commercialising a product and/or a service which solves the problem mentioned above. Here, you should explain 2 things: how your product / service works, and what benefits it brings to your customers.

Ideally, you should compare the pain points explained earlier (the problem) to the benefits your solution brings to your customers. That way, it is crystal clear to lenders and investors your solution really adds value to potential customers .

When explaining your business’ solution, you should explain clearly who is your customer persona . In other words, who are your customers (or who do you think they will be)? Which gender, age range, social background, interests, etc?

Where are you going?

The third section of the company description should explain what your strategy is in the short to long term. Are you expecting to launch new products? To expand regionally, internationally? Etc.

3. Market plan and analysis

The market plan and analysis section tell investors and lenders that you have extensively studied the market and reveal your competitive plan.

Your market plan and analysis section should include the following:

Industry overview and outlook

Here you need to clearly identify 2 very important metrics:

• Market size : how big is your market?
• Market growth: how fast does your market grow?

If you are operating in a niche market, chances are that you will face some challenges: the information might not be publicly available. In any case, you should be able to make a high-level estimation of your market. Read our article on market sizing and how to estimate TAM, SAM and SOM for your startup .

When looking for these metrics, you have multiple sources of information: public reports, specialised press, etc. Even public companies publish press releases and annual reports including some of their proprietary market estimates so be sure to look there too.

Competitive landscape

Here we must answer 2 key questions:

How fragmented is your market?

Are there 3 big players sharing 90% market share or thousands of small players? Here, refer to public market reports and your own understanding of the competitive landscape .

A few questions you could ask yourself, among others:

• Who are your competitors?
• Are they local, regional, national or global?
• Are there any product alternatives to your product?
• What about their IP / technological advantage?

Where do you position yourself vs. competition?

Is your solution a game changer other competitors don’t have (yet)? Do you have competitors with similar products/services?

Ideally, you would create a small table with, for each type of competitors and their main characteristics.

For instance, do they all a global presence? Do they cover all the products you offer? What is their relative price positioning (expensive vs. accessible)?

4. Organization and management

The amount of details you need to include here varies depending on the size of your company.

No matter how many leadership roles there are, an organizational chart effectively shows lenders and investors how the management system is structured.

If you plan on running your business alone indefinitely, you can write a short paragraph explaining your qualifications and previous professional experiences.

The first thing you should include in this section is a list of each management position. This list includes who will fill the role and the qualifications of these people. These people are the heart of your company, and their skills and experience are vital in ensuring your company’s success.

Next, provide any additional information about how the management team will contribute to the business’s success. Be sure to give as many details as possible since lenders need to be comfortable and confident that you have a good team running your business.

Lastly, include information about the Board of Directors (and/or any other advisors to your business).

5. Service or product line

The level of detail and the content of this section changes depending on the type of business you have. A number of questions you need to answer are shown below (but not limited to):

• Are you selling products or services (or both)?
• How many products do you sell?
• What are they?
• What is their pricing?
• How do they work?
• Are your products protected by any kind of intellectual property (copyright, patent, etc.)?
• If you do not manufacture all of your product(s): who are they suppliers? Where do they fit in the value chain ? etc.

Expert-built financial model templates for tech startups

6. Marketing and sales

Your SBA business plan template should include a marketing and sales plan where you describe your strategy for acquiring potential clients.

Here, you should give details about your marketing plan. A few questions you should answer are:

• How you plan to build and support your sales strategy ?
• What channel(s) are you using (online vs. offline)?
• How it makes sense for your target audience (the customer persona mentioned above)?

What about your metrics?

Sales and marketing goals and KPIs are also provided in this section. Don’t forget to include a detailed report about budgets for both sales and marketing.

Include metrics such as conversion rate, customer acquisition cost (CAC) , the efficiency of your sales team, etc.

It’s ok if you don’t know them already (if you are about to launch you new venture for example), yet you should have at least targets for them. How many website visitors do you expect to generate next year? What is your target conversion rate? Etc.

This particular report would be of great interest to lenders since they will glimpse how you handle your budget. Indeed, if you expect to spend in average $100 Customer Acquisition Cost, lenders will tie the number into your financial projections later on (more on that below).

Proving lenders you are able to link your financial projections with your actual business metrics (customers, sales volume, etc.) is a big plus . Indeed, that way you will show lenders you understand very clearly your business and how it ties into your financials (more on that in our article on why you should build a solid financial projections ).

7. Funding request

The funding request is the section of your SBA business plan template where you communicate to your investors how much you need.

This report also includes how you plan on repaying your loan. It’s also essential to explain how you plan to spend the funding you’ll receive for your business.

Will you spend the loan in working capital , in equipment, in inventory, salaries or marketing costs? The more specific you are, the better.

If you haven’t done so, we really recommend you read our article on how to determine how much you should raise for you business . While raising too little creates obvious problems, raising too much isn’t necessarily better.

On top of the amount, a good practice is to include a pie chart of where you will spend that money over a given period (your runway). Will you spend the bulk of it in product development to build your MVP? Or will you use a large portion in sales & marketing to commercialise your product and find product-market fit?

Our financial model templates include a cash burn dashboard where you can easily assess how much you should raise, and where you will spend your money. We also included charts ready to be included in your pitch deck. See how to use our cash burn dashboard here .

The funding request usually includes an overview of the business. You also have to outline how much funding you need for the next five years.  The standard timeframe for repaying your loan is usually ten years, so lenders expect to see some success in your business by that time. Mention a  detailed explanation of how the funds will be used and strategic financial plans for the future here.  Include financial information for current operations if applicable.

8. Financial projections

The financial projections section of your SBA business plan is one of the most important one.

Why? Lenders will have a thorough review of your expected financials over the next 3 to 5 years and judge whether your financial projections:

Are realistic (and use verifiable assumptions)

We are all by nature optimistic, especially when we are running businesses. It’s good to be optimistic, yet it is another one to be unrealistic.

Also, when presenting your financial projections, make sure to make it clear what are your assumptions. The more sources you can find to back up your forecasts, the better.

If you need help building realistic projections for your business, we have lots of free content. Make sure to check out our guides below:

• The 5 Mistakes To Avoid For Your Startup Financial Plan
• How To Build Realistic Revenue Projections For Your Startup?

Allow you to repay the SBA loan in the future

It’s great if you have built rock-solid and realistic financial projections for your business plan. Yet, if your plan doesn’t allow you to meet your debt obligations (the SBA loan and any other debt your business might have), lenders will not grant you any loan.

When assessing whether your financial plan allows you to repay the debt, you should check if the positive cash flows your business generates are enough to cover your debt repayment (and interests).

What financials should you include?

In short, you should present 3 different set of financials:

• Profit-and-loss
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow statement

If you don’t know them already, these are the financial statements every business need to prepare at least annually (with the help of an accountant). For more information on what they are and how to prepare them, read our articles below:

• 4 Key Financial Statements For Your Startup Business Plan
• SBA Loan Application: 6 Steps To Build Solid Financial Projections

9. Appendix

This section is the best place to add supporting documents like charts, graphs, and data.

For example, a complete list of documents like licenses, contracts, maps, etc. makes you more attractive to lenders as it gives them more content to review. If you do so, make sure to reference the documents in appendix and link them to pages in earlier sections. Avoid using the appendix as a dump section: it should be well organised and structured (else no one will bother looking at it).

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How to Write an SBA Business Plan + Template

Noah Parsons

10 min. read

Updated November 21, 2023

Applying for a Small Business Administration loan typically requires a business plan.

Unfortunately, there’s no SBA loan business plan format that guarantees approval. The SBA even states you should “pick a business plan format that works for you.” 

While I agree with this sentiment, I’ve found that entrepreneurs who explain how funds will be used and how they will repay the loan tend to be more successful. 

Luckily, these details can be covered using our SBA-lender-approved business plan format . I’ll go over that structure in this article, and focus on the sections that the SBA prioritizes, so you can maximize your chances of getting funded .

You can even download a free SBA-lender-approved business plan template to fill out as you read. 

Let’s get started.

• Why you need a business plan for SBA loans

SBA loans require good documentation of your business and personal finances. You’ll need to pull together your past tax returns, bank statements, and various application forms depending on the type of SBA loan you apply for.

The bank issuing the loan will also want to know about the future of your business. 

They’ll want to see how the loan will be used and if future cash flow projections are realistic and indicate you can afford loan payments.

That’s where writing an SBA business plan comes in. 

Not only will your business plan describe your business to the lender, but it will include the financial projections the bank will use to determine if you qualify for the loan .

• What your business plan should include, according to the SBA

Business plans for SBA loans follow a fairly standard structure, but that doesn’t mean you need to follow it exactly. 

The SBA even recommends adjusting the plan outline to serve your needs. If a section does not apply to your business, it’s fine just to remove it.

Here’s the successful business plan structure I recommend for SBA loans:

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1. Executive summary

A great executive summary is a short, simple overview of your business. It should be easy for a loan officer to read and clearly understand what your business does. 

When applying for an SBA loan, highlight your: 

• Business opportunity
• Financial forecast
• How much money you want to borrow and how it will be used

Remember, an executive summary should be short and to the point. The rest of your business plan will provide additional details.

[Dig deeper: How to write an executive summary ]

2. Company description

Some people call this section “Products and Services.” Either option is fine. The important thing is that you use this section to explain what your business opportunity is. 

You need to cover: 

• The problem you solve
• Who you’re solving it for
• What your solution is and why it’s better

Be specific and tell the story of your business and your customers. Focus on your strengths and what sets you apart from competitors. 

If your company is developing a product, include information on:

• What the product life cycle looks like
• Intellectual property filings
• Current research and development

If these topics don’t apply to your product, that’s fine. Just be sure that the description of what you sell is clear.

3. Market analysis

The market analysis chapter explains who your customers are. It provides an overview of your target market, competition, and industry.

Your target market is essentially a description of your ideal customers. Be sure to include specific demographic information (like age, gender, location, income) and psychographic information (hobbies, purchasing behaviors). 

This data should reinforce that your target market needs your solution .

It’s helpful to also include information on the size of your target market . Lenders will want to see evidence of enough potential customers to drive growth. 

While your target market information describes your customers, an industry overview discusses the type of business you’re in and its potential for growth. 

For example: If you’re starting a fast-casual restaurant, your industry overview might discuss the increased interest in fast-casual dining and how more people are eating in these types of restaurants every year. 

Finally, you’ll need to include a competitive analysis . This is a list of current competitors and alternatives, with explanations of why your business is a better option. 

Your goal is to show how your business is unique, what opportunities and threats there are, and how you plan to address the competition.

4. Organization and management

Also known as your company overview, this section is where you describe your legal structure, history, and team .

For your SBA loan application, you should focus on describing who is managing the business as clearly as possible. 

You may want to include an organizational chart. You should provide detailed resumes for everyone in leadership positions. Each team member’s experience, skills and professional qualifications can mitigate risk in the eyes of a lender .

To show you’re thinking ahead, it’s also helpful to include key positions you plan to fill as you grow. 

5. Sales and marketing plan

Your goal in this section is to summarize how you will attract, retain, and sell to your customers.

The marketing strategies and sales methods you describe should always have the customer top of mind, and demonstrate that you know how to connect with them. 

To help a loan officer visualize this, you can provide examples of marketing messaging, visuals, and promotions. If you have any research or results to show that your strategy has merit, include those as well. 

6. Financial projections

SBA lenders typically require 5 years of financial projections — including profit and loss statements , balance sheets , and cash flow statements . 

Be sure to include the SBA loan in your projections in the following areas: 

• A liability on your balance sheet.
• Payments on your cash flow.
• Interest expenses on your profit and loss statement. 

I’ll dive into specific details of what you should focus on in the “how to improve your chances” section.

Your first year of financial projections should include monthly details. After that, annual summaries are usually sufficient for most SBA lenders. Occasionally, a lender might require 24 months of monthly projections, so check with your bank before submitting your business plan. 

If your business is up and running, you must also provide historical financial reports for the past 12-24 months of operations—including income statements and a current balance sheet.

Typically, you will also need to provide reports on your personal finances , including any assets you have, such as a home or car. 

Finally, include a section explaining your use of funds—what exactly you plan to use the loan for.

7. Appendix

The appendix is your chance to provide additional documents that support sections of your business plan. 

When applying for a loan, these may include:

• Employee resumes
• Licenses and permits
• Patents and other legal documents
• Historical financial statements
• Credit histories

Don’t worry about stuffing your appendix full of additional documentation. Only include information if you believe it will strengthen your approval chances, or if your lender specifically asks for it.

• How to improve your chances of being approved for an SBA loan

Your SBA business plan needs to focus on the loan you are applying for and how that will impact your business financially. 

Make sure to include the following information in your financial plan to increase your chances of success with your lender:

Funding request 

In your executive summary, document how much money you are asking for. It’s best to put your number where it can be clearly read, instead of trying to bury it deep within your business plan.

Remember, there are limitations to how much you can borrow through SBA-backed loans.  Most have a maximum loan amount of $5 million, while SBA Express loans have a maximum loan amount of $350,000. 

Use of funds

You should also describe how you plan to use the loan and which aspects of the business you want to invest in. 

Some SBA loans are designed specifically for expanding export businesses or funding real estate transactions. So, make sure your use of funds description is appropriate for the loan you are applying for.

Cash flow forecast

Be sure to include the loan in your cash flow statements and projections . You want to demonstrate that you’ve planned how you will use and repay the loan.

You need to show:

• When you anticipate receiving the loan.
• How the loan will impact your finances. 
• Loan payments for the life of the loan. 

Having this prepared won’t just increase the chances of your application being approved—It  will make it much easier to manage the loan after you receive funding . 

Balance sheet 

You’ll also want to put the loan on your projected balance sheet , and show how the loan will get paid down over time. 

The money you owe will show up on your balance sheet as a liability, while the cash you receive from the loan will be an asset. Over time, your forecasted balance sheet will show that the loan is getting paid back. 

Your lender will want to see that you have forecasted this repayment properly.

Profit & Loss forecast

Your P&L should include the interest expenses for the loan, and show how the interest will impact your profitability in the coming months and years.

• How long does an SBA business plan need to be?

The SBA doesn’t have an official recommended or required business plan length . As a general rule of thumb, you should make your business plan as short and concise as possible. 

Your business plan is going to be reviewed by a bank loan officer, and they will be less than excited about the prospect of reading a 50-page business plan.

If possible, keep the written portion of your business plan between 10-15 pages. Your financial forecasts will take up several additional pages. 

If you’re struggling to keep it short, try a one-page plan

A great way to start your business plan is with a simple, one-page business plan that provides a brief and compelling overview of your business. 

A good one-page plan is easy to read and visually appealing. Once you have your one-page plan, you can expand on the ideas to develop your complete written business plan, and use the one-page plan as your executive summary. 

Loan officers will appreciate a concise overview of your business that provides the summary they need before they start looking at your complete business plan and financial plan .

• Resources and tools for writing an SBA business plan

Remember, you can download a free SBA-lender-approved business plan template . It includes detailed instructions to help you write each section, expert guidance and tips, and is formatted as lenders and investors expect.

If you’re looking for a more powerful plan writing tool, one that can also help you create financial forecasts for the use of your loan, I recommend you check out LivePlan . 

With LivePlan, you get:

• AI-powered recommendations: Generate and rewrite sections of your plan to be more professional and persuasive.
• Step-by-step instructions: In-app examples, tutorials, and tips to help you write an impressive business plan.
• Automatic financials: Skip the spreadsheets and complex formulas, and quickly create accurate financial forecasts with everything a lender needs.
• A built-in pitch presentation: Print or share your full business plan, one-page pitch, and financial reports—all with a professional and polished look.

Whether you use the template, LivePlan, or try writing a business plan yourself, following the structure and tips from this article will improve your chances of getting an SBA-backed loan. 

And for additional SBA-focused resources, check out our guide on how to get an SBA loan .   

Create a business plan that maximizes your chances of securing funding

Noah is the COO at Palo Alto Software, makers of the online business plan app LivePlan. He started his career at Yahoo! and then helped start the user review site Epinions.com. From there he started a software distribution business in the UK before coming to Palo Alto Software to run the marketing and product teams.

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How to Write a SBA Loan Business Plan

A business plan is a crucial piece of any SBA loan application. It’s what lenders will look at most closely when approving a loan, so it should be organized, well planned and persuasive. Set yourself up for success by learning how business plans impact loan approval and which critical elements to include.

What is a business plan?

Many entrepreneurs talk about their business plan — whether it’s stored only in their minds or scratched on napkin — but truly savvy business owners take the to time author a well-written one. So what exactly is a business plan?

A business plan is a living document (meaning it can and should be updated as your business progresses) with a three- to five-year outlook into your business. It should provide an overall summary of where the business is headed, plans for growth and projected revenue. Business plans take time, research and due diligence, but the reward is organized and actionable steps to grow your business. In fact, companies with a formal written business plan see a  30 percent increase in growth  compared to those that don’t.

How does a business plan help you get an SBA loan?

Outside of your basic eligibility requirements ( see Chapter 2 for the 5 C’s ), your business plan is the top element lenders will review to determine your attractiveness as a borrower. Having a solid business plan with clear ideas makes it easier it is for banks to see that your business will be successful, and therefore that you’ll be able to repay the loan. However, business plans are not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. If you’re running an independent business or launching a start-up, the importance of your business plan carries additional weight and will be more carefully scrutinized. If you’re funding the purchase of a franchise, the competitive analysis and management sections will be more closely reviewed than others because the business model has already proven successful.

Writing a business plan can sound intimidating, but even a thorough plan only needs to be seven to ten pages. Check out our free  eBook  and business plan template to help guide you through the process, and keep reading for an overview of each section of the business plan.

The 10 Elements of a Business Plan

Whether you’re writing a business plan as a part of your SBA loan application package or not, there are 10 essential elements to include. Here’s a look at what those sections are as well what’s included in a complete plan.

Cover Page and Table of Contents

The cover page and table of contents of your business plan is a great way to show your lenders that you’re a professional and organized businessperson. These pages should be simple and straightforward, but you can (and should) make them your own by including your company’s logo.

What’s included in the cover page and table of contents?

• The business’s name and logo.
• Your contact information as the owner.
• A standard table of contents with page numbers.

Executive Summary

As the first thing that lenders will read in your business plan, the executive summary is the most important section. Here, you will introduce yourself to potential lenders or investors, so the overall tone should be professional, but it should also paint a positive picture about the business.

What’s included in the executive summary?

• An overview of the business idea, what problem it solves for consumers and how it fits into the market.
• How much the business will cost and how much funding you’re seeking.
• Plans for growth and why the business will be successful.
• Information about your business background.

Company Description

The company description is a closer look at how the business will function. This information is a good opportunity to show lenders you’ve thought through the day-to-day details and have a solid strategy in place. Consider the company description your extended elevator pitch.

What’s included in the company description?

• Your company’s name, mission and vision.
• An explanation of the business structure, including products sold or services provided.
• Any information regarding strategic partnerships.
• Business location and when it will open.
• Business goals and competitive advantages.

Market Plan and Analysis

The market analysis section should show readers your deep understanding of the market and your plan to be competitive. Those looking to fund a franchise should give this section extra attention, as lenders will be reviewing this information closely. This is also great space to use visuals to help support your story.

What’s included in the market plan and analysis?

• An industry overview and outlook, including trends, size and expected growth.
• Target market demographics and market research data.
• A marketing plan tailored to the audience you’ve identified.
• Competitive analysis.

Organization and Management

Depending on the size of your business, the amount of detail in the management section can vary greatly. Even if there are only a few people in leadership roles, an organizational chart is an effective way to show lenders how the management team will be structured. If you are your only employee (and plan to remain so), you can write a short paragraph explaining this as well as your qualifications.

What’s included in the organization and management section?

• A list of each management position including who will fill the role and their qualifications.
• Any additional information about how the management team will contribute to the success of the business.
• Information about the Board of Directors.

Service or Product

When describing your service or product in your business plan, it’s important to emphasize how your particular offering will meet a need for your target market. Try to think beyond providing a general description of what your company is selling and focus on how your company provides value to your customers.

What’s included in the service or product section?

• A detailed description of your product or service.
• Pricing details.
• Product research and development
• Intellectual property rights.
• An overview of the sales process and order fulfillment.

Marketing and Sales

The marketing and sales information in your business plan is all about how you’re going to connect with customers. Whether your strategy is to focus on advertising or inbound marketing, you should detail your plan here and explain why it makes sense for your target audience. You should also discuss how you plan to build and support your sales strategy.

What’s included in the sales and marketing section?

• Detailed marketing plan geared toward your target audience.
• Sales and marketing goals and KPIs.
• Budgets for both sales and marketing.
• A training plan for your sales team (if applicable).
• Revisit your pricing strategy.

Funding Request

Your funding request is an opportunity to tell lenders how SBA funding will help your business, as well as how your business will successfully repay the loan. Here, you should explain why you’re asking for small business financing as well as an overview of how the funds will be used.

What’s included in the funding request?

• An overview of your business.
• Financial information for current operations (if applicable).
• An outline of how much funding you need now and in the near future (up to five years).
• Detailed explanation of how the funds will be used.
• Strategic financial plans for the future.

Financial Projections

The information in the financial projections section of your business plan should cover three years of forecasted financial information. Keep in mind, you’re showing lenders how your business will perform by providing profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow details. Remember, your business plan is a living document, so for your own benefit, you should continue to update this information even after funding.

What’s included in the financial projections section?

• Financial statements.
• An expenses budget, including both fixed and variable costs.
• A break-even analysis.
• A sales forecast for each service or product line.
• Historical financial data (if you own or are purchasing an existing business).

The appendix is the final section of your business plan, and is the best place to add any supporting documents. For example, if you had multiple pages of data to support your market analysis, you can include them here. You should reference which documents are in the appendix in earlier sections so lenders know where to find additional information.

What’s included in the appendix?

• Charts, graphs and data to support the information provided in earlier sections.
• Licenses and contracts with vendors or partners.
• Building permits.
• Resumes and professional certificates.
• Credit history.

Creating a written business plan may seem like an arduous task, but it’s a crucial step to obtain SBA financing. This living document can also help to guide you once you’re in business — keeping you on track, helping you to see what’s working and possibly what’s not. Taking the time to write a business plan now will help you find success down the road.

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Business Plan

• Last Updated: December 21, 2021

A well thought out and researched business plan is the cornerstone to starting and running a business. Sound business plans can help you obtain financing, identify key milestones, and provide benchmarks to monitor progress toward your goals.

Be sure to check out the free or low-cost training opportunities, plus free professional business advising, from your local Small Business Development Center !

Get Your Free Business Plan from our collection of over 800 business plans listed below!

Updated January 10 th , 2022

How to Write a Business Plan

The following are the nine sections of a traditional business plan identified by the SBA :

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Market analysis
• Organization and management
• Service or product line
• Marketing and sales
• Funding request
• Financial projections

The following are resources to help you develop your own business plan:

• How to Write a Business Plan – from the SBA Learning Center , this free course explains the importance of business planning, defines and describes the components of a business plan to help you develop your own.
• Business plan template – review of two formats and their content from SBA.
• Build Your Business Plan – this SBA tool provides you with a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
• Developing a Successful Business Plan – In this webinar business planning expert Tim Berry helps entrepreneurs and small businesses better understand how to create a business plan
• Business Plan Outline – An in-depth look at how to create an individualized business plan with tools to make it easy.
• How to Write a Business Plan – A step by step guide to writing a successful business plan.
• Shopify – This comprehensive guide walks you through the nuts and bolts of writing your very own business plan.
• How to Write a Business Plan in 8 Simple Steps – A step by step guide with in-depth information on writing each section of a business plan.
• How to Write a Business Plan for Funding – A how-to guide on what is needed for a business plan to present to would-be investors and lenders.
• Business Plan Checklist – Keep yourself on track while writing your business plan.

Where to Find a Business Plan

• Score – Business planning, finance, sales, marketing, and management templates & guides.
• Bplans – Bplans.com contains the largest single collection of free sample business plans online as well as helpful tools and know-how for managing your business.
• Business Plan Handbook – Reference for Business/Advameg contains the first 11 volumes of the Business Plan Handbook series, a compilation of business plans for small businesses.
• The Finance Resource – Free online business plan samples
• More Business – Free online sample business plans for various industries.
• Klariti – Online templates, checklists, forms, and tutorials for entrepreneurs.

Business Plan Templates – an Alphabetized List

The following is a collection of sample business plans. Many of the business plan samples are provided by Palo Alto Software, the Makers of Business Plan Pro . Individuals working with their local SBDC , may receive a discount code for business plan software from participating SBDCs. You may use your promo code to set up your own LivePlan account using the SBDC discount .

• 3D Printing Service
• Accounting and Bookkeeping
• Accounting (Automated)
• Accounting Firm
• Acupuncture Clinic
• Advertising Agency
• Advertising Consulting
• Affiliate Marketing Website
• Agricultural Consultants
• Agriculture Farm
• Agriculture Fruit Farm
• Aircraft Equipment Maker
• Aircraft Rental Instruction
• Air Ground Supplier
• Airline Business
• Airline Charter Company
• Airport Shuttle
• Airport Taxi
• Alpaca Farm
• Ambulance Service
• Amusement Park
• Animal Day Care
• Antique Store
• Apartment Complex
• Apartment Rental Website
• Apparel Designer
• Aquarium Services
• Architectural Engineering
• Architecture Firm
• Army Navy Store
• Art Film Theater
• Art Gallery
• Artificial Flowers Import
• Art Packaging Installation
• Art Sales Custom Framing
• Art School Gallery
• Art School Museum
• Art Supply Store and Gallery
• ASP B2B Technology
• Assisted Living Facility
• Astrology Tarot Card
• Athletic Shoe Store Franchise
• ATM Company
• Attorney Employment Agency
• Au Pair Agency
• Auction House
• Auditing and Consulting
• Auto Inspection Company
• Auto Inspectors
• Auto Finance Company
• Auto Parts Store
• Auto Repair Service
• Automobile Parts (Export)
• Automobile Restoration
• Automotive Dealer
• Automotive Repair Shop
• Baby Boutique
• Bail Bonding Company
• Banquet Hall
• Bar and Tavern
• Barber Shop
• Bartending School
• Baseball Batting Cages
• Basketball Camp
• Batting Cages
• Beauty Salon
• Bed and Breakfast
• Bed and Breakfast – Caribbean
• Bed and Breakfast Inn
• Benefits Administration
• Beverage Distributor
• Beverage Machine Rental
• Beverage Manufacturer
• Bicycle Art
• Bicycle Shop (Retail)
• Biodiesel Plant
• Boarding School
• Boat and Yacht Dealer
• Boat Storage Facility
• Booking Agency
• Bookkeeping Practice
• Bowling Alley
• Bowling Entertainment Center
• Bridal Gown Shop
• Bridal Shop
• Business Analysis Publishing
• Business Brokerage
• Business Development
• Business Support Insurance
• Business Valuation Expert
• Butcher Shop
• Cabinet Contractor
• Cable TV Installer
• Cafe Bistro Coffeehouse
• Call Center
• Candle Making
• Candy Store
• Car Audio Store
• Car Parts Store
• Car Rental Agency
• Car Wash (Self-service)
• Career Counselor
• Carpentry Contractor
• Carpet Cleaner
• Cash Flow Note Buyer
• Cash for Gold Store
• Catering and Ballroom Rental
• Catering Company
• Cell Phone Store
• Cell Phones Retailer
• Charter School
• Check Cashing Store
• Cheese Shop
• Chemical Laboratory
• Chicken Farm
• Child Day Care Services
• Children’s Center
• Children’s Play Program
• Children’s Website
• Chinese Restaurant
• Chiropractic Business
• Chiropractic Practice
• Christmas Store
• Cigar Manufacturing
• Classified Ads Website
• Cleaning Services
• Clothing E-commerce Site
• Clothing Manufacturer
• Clothing Retail
• Clothing Store
• Cloud Computing Service
• Coffee Distribution
• Coffee Export
• Coffee Kiosk
• Coffee Roaster
• Coffeehouse
• Comic Book Store
• Commercial Bank
• Commercial Catalog Sales
• Commercial Contractor
• Commercial Diving Service
• Commodities Trading Firm
• Computer Consulting
• Computer Hardware Reseller
• Computer Laser Accessories
• Computer Repair
• Computer Repair Service
• Computer Software
• Computer Software Retailer
• Computer Support
• Computers Reseller
• Concert Promoter
• Concierge Service
• Construction
• Construction Carpenter
• Construction Inspection
• Construction Irrigation
• Construction Manufacturer
• Construction Repair
• Consulting Firm
• Consulting Seminars
• Convenience Store
• Convenience Store Cafe
• Convenience Store Gas Station
• Convenience Store Soda Fountain
• Corporate Trainer
• Cosmetic Herbal Sundries
• Cosmetics Retailer
• Cosmetology (Beauty) School
• Countertop Installation Service
• Country Club
• Courier Service
• Court Reporting Service
• Credit Monitoring Service
• Credit Repair Service
• Crowdfunding Website
• Cruise Ship
• Cultural Consulting Firm
• Cupcake Store
• Currency Exchanger
• Custom Pottery
• Custom Printed T-Shirts
• Dance Studio
• Data Recovery
• Data Recovery Service
• Database Software
• Day Care Center
• Debt Collection Agency
• Debt Consolidation Service
• Decorative Pottery
• Defense Contractor
• Deli Restaurant
• Delicatessen and Bakery
• Demolition Company
• Dental Clinic
• Dental Laboratories
• Dental Laboratory
• Dental Office
• Department Store
• Dessert Bakery
• Diabetic Supply Company
• Diamond Retailer
• Diamond Wholesaler
• Diaper Manufacturer
• Dinner Theater
• Dinner Train
• Direct Mail Service
• Display Case Marketing
• Document Shredding
• Dog and Cat Kennel
• Dog Groomer and Kennel
• Dog Obedience School
• Dollar Store
• Drapery Fabricator
• Driving School
• Drug Rehab Center
• Dry Cleaner
• Dry Cleaning Home Delivery
• Drywall Installer
• E-commerce Fabric Store
• E-commerce Fire Rescue Equipment
• E-commerce Start-up
• E-Commerce Website
• Educational Software K-12
• Electrical Contractor
• Electronic Engineering
• Electronic Filing Storage
• Electronics Repair Shop
• Electronics Retailer
• Embroidery Shop
• Emergency Shelters
• Energy Conservation
• Engineering Business
• Engineering Consulting
• Engineering Firm
• Environmental Car Dealership
• Environmental Laboratory
• Equipment Leasing Broker
• Equipment Rental Sales
• Escort Agency
• Escrow Service
• Ethnic Food Import
• Ethnic Food Restaurant
• Event Planner
• Exec Employment Agency
• Export Watch Manufacturer
• Exterminator Service
• Eye Surgery Equipment Maker 
• Family Medicine Clinic
• Farmer’s Market
• Fashion Consultant
• Fast Food Restaurant
• Film Production Company
• Financial Planner
• Financial Planning
• Financial Website
• Fine Dining Restaurant
• Fireworks Store
• Fish and Tackle Shop
• Fish Breeder
• Fishing Equipment
• Fishing Supplies and Fly Shop
• Fitness Center and Gym
• Flea Market
• Flight School
• Flower Shop
• Food Preparation
• Foreclosure Advisory
• Formwork Construction
• Franchise System
• Franchised Restaurant
• Frozen Custard Shop
• Freight Brokerage
• Fundraising Company
• Funeral Home
• Furniture Manufacturer
• Furniture Store
• Garden Products Recycling
• Gas Station
• Genealogy Service
• General Contractor
• General Freight Trucking
• Gift Basket
• Gift Basket Company
• Gift Card Distributor
• Global Event Planning
• Global Marketing
• Go Kart Track
• Gold Trading Company
• Golf Course
• Golf Driving Range
• Golf Pro Shop
• Gourmet Coffee Shop
• Gourmet Food Store
• Grant Search Company
• Graphic Design
• Graphic Design Company
• Gravel Rock Products
• Green Energy Products
• Greeting Card Maker
• Grocery Store
• Gun Shooting Range
• Gymnastics Center
• Hair and Nail Salon
• Hair Replacement and Salon
• Halloween Shop
• Handyman Maintenance
• Hardware Retail Franchise
• Hardware Store
• Hardwood Floor Refinisher
• Haunted House
• Health Club
• Health Plan Administration
• Healthy Restaurant
• Hearing Testing Systems
• Heavy Equipment Maker
• Heavy Equipment Rental
• High-Tech Marketing
• Holding Company
• Home Health Care
• Home Healthcare Agency
• Home Inspection Service
• Home Oxygen Delivery
• Home Real Estate Inspection
• Horse Boarding Real Estate
• Horse Reseller
• Horse Training
• Hotel and Resort
• Houseboat Rental
• Human Resources Consulting
• Hunting Supply Store
• HVAC Contractor
• Hydroponics Farm
• I.D. Verification Technology
• Ice Cream Shop
• Ice Skating Rink
• Import Export Company
• Independent Video Store
• Indoor Soccer Facility
• Infomercial Company 
• Information Technology
• Infusion Therapy Pharmacy
• Inline Skating Products
• Insurance Agency
• Insurance Industry Support Services 
• Insurance Premium Finance
• Integrated Communications
• Interior Decorator
• Interior Design
• Interiors Contractor 
• International IT Consulting
• International Travel Agency
• Internet ASP
• Internet Cafe
• Internet Court Documents
• Internet Marketing Firm
• Internet Media Advertising
• Internet Service Provider
• Inventory Control Software
• Investing Club
• Investment Bank
• Investment Website
• Irish Pub Bar
• IT Consulting Firm
• Italian Renaissance Theme Restaurant
• Italian Restaurant
• Janitorial Service
• Janitorial Services
• Jet Ski Rental 
• Jewelry Store
• Juice and Smoothie Bar 
• Karaoke Bar
• Karaoke Bar & Bowling Alley
• Landscape Contractor
• Laser Tag Facility
• Laser Tag Gaming Center
• Laundry Mat
• Law Practice
• Lawn and Garden Services
• Lead Generation Website
• Lift Bed Manufacturer
• Limousine Service
• Limousine Taxi
• Lingerie Shop
• Lingerie Store
• Liquor Store
• Loan Brokerage
• Machine and Lathe Shop
• Machine Tooling
• Magazine Publisher
• Maid and Cleaning Service
• Mail Order Returns
• Marketing Strategy
• Martial Arts School
• Masonry Contractor
• Massage Products
• Massage Therapist
• Maternity Clothing
• Maternity Clothing Store
• Mattress Store
• Medical Billing
• Medical Billing Company
• Medical Equipment
• Medical Equipment Developer
• Medical Internet Marketing
• Medical Laboratory
• Medical Language Translation
• Medical Practice
• Medical Scanning Lab
• Medical Software
• Medical Transcription
• Medicine Dispenser
• Mediterranean Restaurant
• Membership Social Events
• Men’s Salon
• Mexican Restaurant
• Microbrewery
• Midwife Service
• Miniature Golf Course
• Mining Software
• MLM Cleaning Products
• MLM Water Filter
• Mobile Car Detailing
• Mobile Home Manufacturer
• Mobile Home Park
• Mobile Oil Change
• Mopeds Rental
• Mortgage Broker
• Mortgage Brokerage
• Motel – Hunting Lodge
• Motorcycle Dealer
• Motorcycle Shop
• Movie Theater
• Multi-Sport Complex
• Music Festival
• Music Recording Distribution
• Music Recording Producer
• Musical Instrument Store
• Mutual Fund
• Nightclub Saloon
• Nightclub, Dance Classes
• Nonprofit Business Plans
• Nonprofit Food Bank
• Nonprofit Law Firm
• Nonprofit Recording Co-op
• Nonprofit Trade Association
• Not for Profit Organization
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Home
• Nutritionist Practice 
• Occupational Health
• Office Consulting
• Office Equipment Rental
• Office Furniture Manufacturer
• Office Supply Store
• Oil Company
• Online Auction Website
• Online Booking
• Online Casino
• Online Clothing Store
• Online Data Storage
• Online Dating Website
• Online Print Shop
• Online School
• Optometry Practice
• Organic Restaurant
• Outdoor Gear Designer
• Outpatient Surgical Center
• Outsourced Call Center
• Outsourced Computer Support
• Pack and Ship Store
• Packaging and Shipping
• Pain Management Clinic
• Paintball Facility
• Paintball Store and Field
• Painting Contractor
• Painting Contractors
• Pallet Manufacturer
• Paralegal Firm
• Parenting Center
• Parking Garage
• Party Equipment Rental
• Pasta Italian Restaurant
• Pasta Manufacturer
• Patent Agent
• Paternity Testing Clinic
• Patient Advocacy Service
• Payday Lender
• Payroll Service Company
• Performance Auto Shop
• Personal Event Planning
• Personal Shopper
• Personal Shopping Services
• Personnel Management
• Pet Photography
• Pet Products Manufacturer
• Pet Supplies
• Pharma Sales Company
• Photo Booth Company
• Photography Studio
• Physical Fitness Gym
• Physical Therapy Massage
• Physical Therapy Practice
• Pie Restaurant
• Pilates Studio
• Pizza Delivery
• Pizza Restaurant
• Pizzeria Franchise
• Plant Nursery
• Plastics Recycling
• Plumbing Contractor
• Podiatry Practice
• Polygraph Service
• Pool Cleaning Service
• Pool Table Store
• Portrait Photographer
• Pottery Store
• Poultry (Chicken) Farm
• Powder Coating Service
• Power Plant
• Power Washing Service
• Print Brokerage
• Print Services Broker
• Private Equity Firm
• Private Investigator
• Private Placement Broker
• Process Serving Service
• Promotional Products Maker
• Property Appraiser
• Property Management Firm
• Psychology Practice
• Public Relations
• Public Relations Firm
• Quick Lube Oil Change
• Quilt Artist (Custom)
• Radio Station
• Radiology Center
• Real Estate Brokerage
• Real Estate Developer
• Real Estate Property Management
• Real Estate Website
• Record Label
• Recording Studio
• Recreation Center
• Recycling Center
• Recycling Waste Materials
• Regional Airline
• Reiki Practitioner
• Religious Coffeeshop
• Rent to Own Store
• Rental Remodeling
• Repo Company
• Residential Remodeling
• Resort Hotel Ski Lodge
• Restaurant Business Plan List (Several Types)
• Retail Property Sub-leasing
• Retail Tennis Shop
• Rock Climbing Gym
• Roller Skating Rink
• Roofing Contractor
• Salsa Manufacturer
• Salvage Company
• Sandwich Shop
• Sandwich Shop (franchise)
• Satellite Communications
• Scholarship Consulting
• School Bus Operator
• School Fundraising
• Scrapbooking Store
• Scrapbooking Supply Store
• Scuba Supply Store
• Security Guard Service
• Security System Company
• Self-Storage
• Self Storage Facility
• Seminars Company
• SEO Company
• Septic Tank Contractor
• Shared Office Building
• Shaved Ice Beverage
• Sheet Metal Fabricator
• Shipment Monitoring
• Sightseeing Bus Tours
• Singles Bar
• Skate Park Skiing
• Skateboard Shop
• Skydiving Service
• Slaughter House
• Small Engine Repair
• Snow Plow Service
• Soap Manufacturer
• Soccer Club
• Social Networking Website
• Soft Pretzel Shop
• Software Developer
• Software Publisher
• Software Testing
• Solar Energy Farm
• Solar Panel Installation
• Solar Water Heater Distributor
• Soup Kitchen
• Soybean Farm
• Specialty Baker
• Speech Therapist
• Sporting Goods Store
• Sports Agency
• Sports Equipment Cafe
• Sports Medical Equipment
• Sports Memorabilia
• Sports Memorabilia Store
• Sprinkler Installation
• Staffing Agency
• Stained Glass Gallery
• Stationery Store
• Steak Buffet Restaurant
• Structured Settlement
• Summer Camp
• Surf Clothing and Sportswear
• Surgery Practice
• Surgical Medical Equipment
• Surveyor Instrument
• Sushi Restaurant
• Talent Agency
• Tanning Salon
• Tapas Restaurant
• Tattoo Parlor
• Tattoo Removal Service
• Tattoo Shop
• Tax Preparation Company
• Taxi Business
• Taxi Cab Service
• Taxidermy Service
• Teachers’ Employment Agency
• Telemarketing Company
• Telemarketing Consultants
• Test Preparation
• Theatre Production
• Theatrical Music Producer
• Thrift Shop
• Tires and Rims Shop
• Title Insurance Company
• Title Loan Company
• Tobacco Retail Business
• Tourism Website Services
• Tracking Device Maker
• Trade Association
• Travel Agency
• Travel Agency – Upscale
• Tree Removal Service
• Trophy Store
• Trucking Company
• T-Shirt Company
• Tutoring Service
• Tuxedo Rental Service
• Uniform Supply Company
• Used Book Store
• Used Car Dealer
• Used Sports Equipment Store
• Vacuum Cleaner Store
• Vending Machine Company
• Vending Services
• Venture Capital Firm
• Veterinary Clinic
• Video Documentation Service
• Video Game Store
• Video Gaming Center
• Video Production Company
• Video Television Production
• Vinyl Record Store
• Virtual Secretary
• Vitamin Shop
• Voice Recognition Software
• VoIP Company
• Waste Management
• Water Purification
• Web Development Firm
• Web Hosting Company
• Wedding Consultant
• Wedding Planner
• Weight Loss Center
• Weight Loss Seminars
• Welding Service and Supply
• Wholesale Bicycle Distributor
• Wholesale Juice
• Wi-Fi Kiosk
• WiFi Kiosks
• Window Cleaning Service
• Windshield Repair Service
• Wine Distributor
• Wireless DataComm
• Women’s Clothing Boutique
• Women’s Shoe Store
• Wood Pellet Manufacturer
• Word Processing Service
• Workout Gym
• Wrestling Entertainment
• Yacht Charter Service
• Yoga Center
• Yoga Studio

Additional Small Business Resources

Already in business or thinking about starting your own small business? Check out our various small business resources:

• View more small business help topics here: Small Business Information Center
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• Business plans

SBA Business Plan Template

Used 4,872 times

Use our free and fully customizable SBA business plan template to get started when writing a successful proposal for an SBA loan.

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Created by:

​ [Sender.FirstName] [Sender.LastName] ​

​ [Sender.Company] ​

Prepared for:

​ [Recipient.FirstName] [Recipient.LastName]

​ [Recipient.Company] ​

​ [Sender.Company] – SBA Business Plan

(company.tagline).

​ [Sender.Email] ​

​ [Sender.Phone] ​

(Company.Website)

​ [Sender.StreetAddress] [Sender.City] [Sender.State] [Sender.PostalCode] ​

Executive Summary

​ [Sender.PostalCode] is a new business focusing on providing (Product.Service) to residents located in the surrounding areas of (Location). The target market is (Target.Market), with the demographics of the target audience within (Number) miles of (Location) as follows:

(Number) residents

Average income of $(Income)

(Percentage)% married

(Percentage)% in professional/Mgt. Occupations

Median Age: (Number) years

The significant figures part of this start-up are (Owner.Name), the company owner, and (Shareholder.Name), (Shareholder.Name), and (Shareholder.Name) as shareholders of the company.

This business plan aims to reach the following goals:

(Goal) – (Basic.Description)

The requested SBA capital is $(Amount), while the income, expenses, and revenue predicted for this plan are as follows:

Projected annual income: $(Amount)

Projected annual expenses: $(Amount)

Projected annual revenue: $(Amount)

The predicted benefits of establishing this business in the area are:

(Benefit.One)

(Benefit.Two)

(Benefit.Three)

(Benefit.Four)

Company Description

​ [Sender.Company] is located at [Sender.StreetAddress] [Sender.City] [Sender.State] [Sender.PostalCode] and is an (Company.Type) (such as LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.). After in-depth research into the (Product.Type) market, we have identified several areas that could be improved:

(Market.Gaps) – (Description)

In response to these problems, we have created several solutions as part of our company aims:

(Solution.One) – (Description)

(Solution.Two) – (Description)

(Solution.Three) – (Description)

We are also planning to grow the company, eventually expanding into (Location), (Location), and (Location), where we have identified similar market gaps.

Management Organization

The following persons of interest fill these positions in [Sender.Company] ​

Hiring Plan

(Owner.Name) will serve as the overall manager for hiring new employees. We will fill the following positions during the start-up operations:

(Number) (Job.Positio)

Market Plan and Analysis

Industry analysis.

The following industry statistics and size facts show that the business will do well in (Location).

Market Size: (Size)

Market Growth: (Growth.Speed)

Market Trends

We have identified the following market trends and how they will impact our business plan positively:

(Market.Trend) – (Impact)

Competitive Landscape

Market reports show the following competitive landscape:

(Competition.Chart)

Our biggest competitor currently is (Primary.Competitor), which has (Strengths), but also critical weaknesses like (Weaknesses). Our business has the following strengths, enabling us to overcome the competition and gain an edge in the market.

​ [Sender.Company] will serve residents within (Number) miles of (Location). The following location demographics are present in the surrounding area:

Our primary focus groups are:

(Primary.FocusGroup) – (Reason)

(Secondary.FocusGroup) – (Reason)

(Tertiary.FocusGroup) – (Reason)

Goals, Objectives, and Operations

The goals of [Sender.Company] with this business are:

The objectives of [Sender.Company] with this business are:

Products and Services

​ [Sender.Company] focuses on selling (Products.Services) to the general public (Or retailers, fill this section with a broad idea of your primary target market). These products/services include:

(Description of products/services)

Marketing and Sales

The [Sender.Company] will focus on its unique value proposition, offering (Selling.Point) in a convenient location for customers. Besides excelling in customer service and building a trusted reputation in the community, we will reach out to the community via the following methods:

Email Campaign

We will blanket the surrounding neighborhoods with direct emails. This email campaign will share information on [Sender.Company] and give inducements to convince residents to try out the business.

Public Relations

​ [Sender.Company] will contact the community and local news outlets to explain our unique offering.

Advertising

We will advertise in the local area and newspapers to gain awareness among the community.

Social Media

Social media accounts will ensure we can gain a following in the market. The pamphlets, emails, and website will have direct links to these platforms to grow the interest in the brand.

Pre-Opening Events

​ [Sender.Company] will organize pre-opening events to attract prospective customers. We will invite press contacts and local merchants to these events to place attention on the brand.

Customer Communication

Continuous customer communications will be available through a website and monthly newsletter to tell the community about our deals, products, and services.

Financial Data and Forecast

Total funding required: $(Amoun)

Lease and renovation of retail store: $(Amount)

Working capital until break-even: $(Amount)

Funding received to date: $(Amount)

Budget still required: $(Amount)

Funding Request

The total funding [Sender.Company] ​ required to start up this business is $(Amount). We will use this funding as follows:

Capital Request and Repayment

We request $(Funding.Amount) to start up this business, and plan to repay it over the following period:

Appendix Documentation

Business licenses

Permits and certifications

Reference letters

Product photos

Business owner resumes

Contractual agreements pertaining to this business

Legal documents related to this business

​ [Recipient.FirstName] [Recipient.LastName] ​

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Useful resources

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How to Write an SBA Business Plan

If you’re thinking about starting a small business, or if you’ve been a business owner for a while but have never applied for capital, you may be wondering where and how to go about it. The good news is that documenting a business plan for SBA loans doesn’t have to be a difficult task. In fact, it can be fun!

A good business plan walks you through each stage of establishing and managing your small business. You’ll use your SBA business plan as a guide to organize, run, and grow your new company. It’s a way to structure through the key elements of your company.

SBA business plans help you get the required capital or acquire new clients or business partners. Investors want to feel convinced and optimistic they’ll see a return on their investment. Your SBA business plan is the weapon you’ll use to persuade people that working alongside your business or investing in your business is a smart choice. That being said, here’s everything you need to know about SBA loans and business plans and how you can increase your chances for success.

What is an SBA Loan?

If you’re a small business owner, you’re in luck. As the name implies, SBA loans are loan programs issued by banks and credit unions backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or a member of its network of supported participating lenders. This means that if you cannot pay back your loan, the government helps repay the traditional lender (bank) that provided the loan.

The SBA requires guarantees from your business partners who own at least 20% of the business, implying if you get an SBA loan, you are putting your assets at stake in case you’re unable to repay the loan. Additionally, companies that have at least 2 years of strong business and financials are mostly eligible for SBA loans. However, if your small business is struggling to make ends meet, an SBA loan may not be the right fit for you.

Irrespective of the personal guarantee requirement, SBA loans are one of the most popular ways to get capital to grow and manage your small business. Not only can you leverage their flexible repayment terms, but you can also take advantage of their low-interest rates to grow your small business. If you want to learn more about it, here’s our guide on SBA business loans . 

But before we move any further, let’s take a look at what the SBA is. 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency in the U.S. that offers help and counseling to small businesses and startups by providing tools such as business planners, small business loans, and other training programs.

It also offers professional business documentation to guide small companies and startups through the procedures for applying for a small business loan. To do so, you must have a strong sense of what your business goals are and what your company does, along with a solid plan.  

If your business plan isn’t convincing and effective, you might have difficulty getting an SBA business loan. This is why it is important to have a clear vision of the business goal you want to achieve while working on the documentation.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what an SBA business plan includes.

Why You Need a Business Plan for SBA Business Loans

SBA business loans require a significant amount of documentation highlighting your business goals and your personal finances. You’ll need to mention your previous tax returns, bank statements, and different application forms based on the type of SBA business loan you require.

Alongside your past financial statements, the traditional lender issuing the SBA business loan would want to know about the future of your business. They’ll ask you about your plan on how you’d utilize the loan on your business and that your future cash flow estimates indicate that your company can afford loan repayments. 

This is where SBA business plans come into the picture. Besides providing other documentation required for the loan, you’ll need to draft a business plan to go with the rest of the loan application. Not only will your SBA business plan describe your business to your lender, but it will also have financial statements that the bank will require to help identify if you qualify for a loan.

Now, let’s take a look at what the SBA business plan template includes.

Writing an SBA Business Plan: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to write a brilliant SBA business plan is a crucial step toward creating a fruitful business. Put simply, a business plan explains exactly what your product or service is and why consumers would want to purchase it, alongside how you will handle any market challenges and environmental risks. It can help you determine what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve your business goals. This, in turn, can help you to market your business, motivate your teams, and thereby make well-informed decisions.

A strong SBA business plan can also serve as a communication tool for future investors and potential loan providers. It will help you portray your present financial status, active revenue sources, and how you plan to meet revenue estimates. Even though a business plan isn’t relevant for all types of credit, it plays a crucial role in SBA business loans. While no two business plans are similar, every plan should have the following elements:

1. Executive Summary

Your business plan’s executive summary is your only opportunity to introduce your business to potential investors and lenders, which is why it needs to be concise and powerful. This summary should provide a brief gist of the history and background of your business that should be engaging enough for your readers. Oftentimes, it is helpful to write this part at the end – after you’ve spent considerable time examining and articulating all the details of your business.

2. Company Summary

Explain what your product or service does and why consumers or businesses will want to purchase it. Make sure to highlight all the areas where your product or service has leverage over the competition.

On the other hand, add the pending or established copyrights or trademarks, as well as the present or future plans for further research and development (R&D).

3. Market Analysis

Mentioning the strategy would highlight the marketability of your business, your competition, and your position into the competitive landscape. 

In the marketing analysis, provide all the information about your target industry, including the market size, target market, the market requirements, and hurdles to entry, like legal conditions and supply issues. Additionally, any information on the market tests you have undertaken should be included in your business plan. You must also include your direct and indirect competition in the market analysis section.

4. Marketing Plan

In your marketing plan, consider highlighting how to promote your business and generate leads for revenue. Describe the functionalities or characteristics of your product or service and how it helps consumers. 

Mention how your product or service differs from your competitors in the market and how you will grow your business and generate revenue. Additionally, provide details about your product’s life cycle and intellectual property issues.

5. Management Team

To highlight your human capital, describe your business in terms of structure and leadership. Let your readers know the roles of your employees and their qualifications. Elaborate on this in your documentation, and try providing their resumes as well. 

6. Financial Summary

Funding and financial analysis are two of the most crucial areas in your business. Highlight the funding your small business would require and provide supporting financial data on your previous and future financial activity.

Add necessary documents that portray your company’s present financial status, including cash flow statements, income statements, revenue sheets, and balance sheets. Mention your expectations for revenues along with the expense of your products, rent, fuel, electricity, utilities, salaries, and other aspects. 

7. Appendix

There are different ways you can organize and present the information given above so you can share it with potential lenders and investors, current and future team members, management teams, and anyone who needs to go through the vision of your company.

Conduct your research and find a business plan format that suits your business goals. There are multiple SBA business plan types for different readers, including investors and employees, so you can change your plan based on your target audience. 

Here are a few things you must keep in your mind:

• Create a business plan in a way such that it’s easier to find key information. Create a cover page and table of contents (ToC) that makes basic information easier to find. Moreover, it’s recommended to use dividers with tabs if you’re making hard copies of the documentation and putting them in a binder. 
• Make it as detailed as possible. Based on your product or service, you may also want to add a section on Action Plans, which includes data on compliance and safety processes, legal landscapes, regulations, operational & management plans, an employee manual, job descriptions of your staff, and everything you’d want to put on the hard copies (or in the digital document).
• Use an Appendix for highlighting additional information. The Appendix is where you attach supporting documents, including financial and market analyses, staff resumes, logo & branding examples, and so on.

Why more businesses are working with BSBCON

Nowadays, more and more business owners and entrepreneurs are trying their luck in the ever-competitive market. 

Business is a vast landscape. There are a number of ways you can leverage to build and promote a marketing idea. However, the first thing you need to promote a product or service is a solid plan, and to propose this plan, your company needs business plan writers.

Think of BSBCON as a crucial and cost-effective extension of your own business. BSBCON is a leading company that offers SMB consulting solutions, including providing thorough business plans, pitch decks, strategic planning, and more, that save you both time and resources.

If you want to increase your chances of securing capital, grants, or investors, partner with BSBCON and get a solid business blueprint with a professional business plan. 

BSBCON’s SBA business plan writers offer all such insights, including marketing plans & strategies, pitch decks & storyboards, market research & in-depth analysis, business planning, bookkeeping & accounting, financial modeling – and the list goes on! Get in touch with BSBCON’s SMB consultants today to see how they can help you. With BSBCON, you get guidance to build a strategically designed, SBA-approved business plan that offers everything potential investors need to evaluate your business and business goals.

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How To Write SBA Business Plan With Free Template

A business plan is a vital document for any entrepreneur who wants to start or grow a small business. It outlines your vision, goals, strategies, market analysis, financial projections, and more. It helps you to organize your thoughts, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and communicate your vision to others. A well-written business plan can also help you secure funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA), which offers loans and grants to eligible small businesses. The SBA has specific requirements and standards for business plans, and you need to follow them carefully if you want to increase your chances of getting approved.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps of writing a SBA business plan with an example. We will cover the following topics:

SBA – what is it? & What is the purpose of the SBA business plan?

What are the main components of a SBA business plan?

How to write each section of a sba business plan with an example.

How to format and present your SBA business plan?

SBA Business Plan Template

Creating a business plan that meets the standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA) can be challenging, but not with our SBA Business Plan Template. This template is based on the best practices and guidelines of the SBA, and it will walk you through the key sections of a business plan, such as the executive summary, market analysis, competitive advantage, financial projections, and more. You can easily adapt the template to your specific industry, niche, and goals, and save yourself time and hassle in the process. Our SBA Business Plan Template is not just a document – it’s a tool that will help you secure funding, attract customers, and grow your business successfully. We have years of experience in helping small businesses achieve their dreams, and we are confident that our template will help you too.

SBA - what is it? and what is the purpose of the SBA business plan?

What is sba.

SBA stands for  Small Business Administration . It is an independent agency of the United States government that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The SBA is a valuable resource for small businesses. If you are starting or running a small business, the SBA can help you get the financing, counseling, and training you need to succeed.

The SBA offers a variety of programs and services, including:

Loans: The SBA guarantees loans made by banks and other lenders to small businesses. This can help small businesses get the financing they need to start or grow their business. Surety Bonds: The SBA provides surety bonds to small businesses that need them to bid on government contracts. This can help small businesses compete for government contracts that they might not otherwise be able to get. Consulting: The SBA offers counseling and training to small businesses on a variety of topics, such as business planning , marketing, and financial management. Government Contracting: The SBA helps small businesses get government contracts. The SBA has a set-aside program that reserves a certain percentage of government contracts for small businesses. Advocacy: The SBA advocates on behalf of small businesses in Washington, D.C. The SBA works to ensure that small businesses have a voice in the federal government.

Here are some of the benefits of SBA loans:

Low interest rates:   SBA loans  typically have lower interest rates than conventional loans. This can save you money on your monthly payments. Longer repayment terms: SBA loans typically have longer repayment terms than conventional loans. This can give you more time to pay back your loan. Guarantee: The SBA guarantees 75% of SBA loans. This means that the lender is only at risk for 25% of the loan amount. This makes it easier for small businesses to get approved for loans.

Learn how to write a  business plan for loan in just 7 simple steps

Purpose of sba business plan.

The purpose of an SBA business plan is to provide a roadmap for your business. It should outline your goals, strategies, and financial projections. The SBA business plan is a requirement for many SBA loans, but it can also be a valuable tool for any small business owner. If you are thinking about starting or running a small business, an SBA business plan is a valuable tool. It can help you to secure funding, guide your business, attract investors, improve your management skills, and track your progress.

Here are some of the specific purposes of an SBA business plan:

• To secure funding:  The SBA business plan is a key document that lenders will review when considering your loan application. It will help them to understand your business and its potential for success.
• To guide your business:  The SBA business plan can help you to stay focused on your goals and make informed decisions about your business. It can also help you to identify potential problems and develop solutions.
• To attract investors:  If you are looking to attract investors, an SBA business plan can be a valuable tool. It will help you to communicate your vision for your business and convince investors  that your business is a good investment.
• To improve your management skills:  The process of writing an SBA business plan can help you to improve your management skills. It will force you to think critically about your business and develop a plan for its success.
• To track your progress:  The SBA business plan can be used to track your progress and make adjustments as needed. It can also help you to identify areas where your business is doing well and areas where it needs improvement.

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The main components of an SBA business plan are:

• Executive summary:  This is a brief overview of your business, including its products or services, target market, and competitive advantages.
• Company description:  This section provides more detailed information about your business, such as its history, legal structure, and management team.
• Products and services:  This section describes the products or services that your business offers.
• Market analysis:  This section analyzes your target market, including its size, growth potential, and competitive landscape.
• Marketing plan:  This section outlines your strategies for reaching and acquiring customers.
• Operations plan:  This section describes how your business will be run on a day-to-day basis.
• Management team:  This section introduces your management team and their qualifications.
• Financial projections:  This section provides estimates of your business’s revenue, expenses, and cash flow.
• Appendix:  This section includes supporting documents, such as financial statements, marketing materials, and product samples.

The SBA does not have a set format for business plans, so you can tailor your plan to the specific requirements of the lender you are applying to. However, the SBA does recommend that all business plans include the following elements:

• A clear and concise overview of your business
• A realistic assessment of your market and competition
• A well-defined marketing plan
• A sound financial plan
• A strong management team

If you are applying for an SBA loan , it is important to carefully prepare your business plan. The SBA will review your plan carefully to assess the viability of your business and your chances of success.

Here are some additional tips for writing an SBA business plan:

• Be clear and concise. The SBA reviewers are busy people, so they don’t have time to read through long, rambling business plans.
• Be realistic. Don’t make unrealistic projections about your revenue or growth.
• Be specific. Don’t just say that you’re going to “market your product.” Explain exactly how you’re going to do it.
• Be persuasive. The goal of your business plan is to convince the SBA to lend you money. So make sure your plan is well-written and persuasive.

Access our 14 free sample business plans now!

A business plan is a document that describes your business idea, goals, strategies, and operations. It helps you communicate your vision to potential investors, lenders, partners, and customers. It also helps you plan and manage your business effectively.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a standard business plan template that you can use to write your own plan. The template consists of eight major sections that cover the essential aspects of your business. Here is a brief overview of each section and an example of how to write it.

• Exective Summary
• Company Description
• Market Analysis
• Organization and Management
• Product or Service Description
• Marketing and Sales
• Funding Request
• Financial Projections

1. Exective Summary

This section summarizes the main points of your business plan in one or two pages. It should capture the reader’s attention and interest, and highlight your unique value proposition, target market, competitive advantage, financial projections, and funding needs. You should write this section last, after completing the rest of your plan.

XYZ Inc. is a software company that develops and sells cloud-based solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Our products help SMBs manage their accounting, invoicing, payroll, inventory, and customer relationship management (CRM) processes more efficiently and securely.

We have a proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions to over 1,000 customers across various industries. We have a strong team of experienced developers, marketers, and customer support specialists who are passionate about solving our customers’ problems and providing them with exceptional service.

We are seeking $500,000 in debt financing from the SBA to expand our product portfolio, increase our marketing efforts, and hire more staff. We expect to generate $2 million in revenue and $500,000 in net income in the first year of operation, and grow at an annual rate of 25% for the next five years.

2. Company Description

This section provides detailed information about your company’s history, mission, vision, values, goals, objectives, legal structure, ownership, location, and facilities. It should also describe the problems your business solves, the customers you serve, and the competitive advantages that make your business stand out.

XYZ Inc. was founded in 2019 by John Smith and Jane Doe, two software engineers who saw a gap in the market for affordable and easy-to-use cloud-based solutions for SMBs. They started developing their first product, XYZ Accounting, in their garage, and launched it in 2020 after securing their first customer.

Our mission is to empower SMBs with innovative and reliable software solutions that help them streamline their business processes and grow their revenue. Our vision is to become the leading provider of cloud-based solutions for SMBs in the U.S. and beyond. Our values are excellence, innovation, customer satisfaction, integrity, and teamwork.

We are a Delaware corporation with 10% ownership by John Smith, 10% ownership by Jane Doe, and 80% ownership by XYZ Holdings LLC, a holding company owned by John Smith and Jane Doe. We operate from our headquarters in San Francisco, California, where we have a 5,000 square foot office space that accommodates our development, marketing, and customer support teams. How to write each section of a SBA business plan with an example?

3. Market Analysis

This section analyzes the industry, market, and competition for your business. It should provide data and evidence to support your market opportunity, customer needs, demand, trends, growth potential, and competitive landscape. It should also explain how you plan to enter, position, and differentiate your business in the market.

The cloud-based software market for SMBs is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2020 to 2025, reaching $50 billion in revenue by 2025, according to a report by Market Research Inc. The main drivers of this growth are the increasing adoption of cloud computing, the need for cost-effective and scalable solutions, and the demand for remote work and collaboration tools.

Our target market is SMBs in the U.S. that have between 10 and 500 employees and operate in various industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and professional services. We estimate that there are over 5 million SMBs in the U.S. that fit this criteria, and that they spend an average of $10,000 per year on software solutions.

Our main competitors are ABC Inc., DEF Inc., and GHI Inc., which offer similar cloud-based solutions for SMBs. However, we have several competitive advantages that set us apart from them:

– We offer a more comprehensive and integrated suite of products that cover all the essential business functions of SMBs. – We offer a more affordable and flexible pricing model that allows SMBs to pay only for what they use and scale up or down as needed. – We offer a more user-friendly and intuitive interface that makes our products easy to learn and use. – We offer a more personalized and responsive customer service that provides 24/7 support and training.

We plan to enter the market by leveraging our existing customer base, referrals, testimonials, and online reviews. We also plan to position our business as a one-stop shop for SMBs that need cloud-based solutions to run their businesses efficiently and securely. We also plan to differentiate our business by offering superior quality, value, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

4. Organization and Management

This section describes the organizational structure, management team, roles and responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation of your business. It should also include any advisors, consultants, board members, or key employees that are involved in your business. It should demonstrate how your team has the skills, experience, and expertise to execute your business plan successfully.

XYZ Inc. has a simple and flat organizational structure that consists of three main departments: development, marketing, and customer support. Each department is led by a manager who reports directly to the CEO. The CEO is also the co-founder and majority owner of the business.

Our management team consists of:

– John Smith: CEO and co-founder. John has over 10 years of experience in software development and management. He is responsible for overseeing the overall strategy, vision, and direction of the business.

– Jane Doe: CTO and co-founder. Jane has over 10 years of experience in software engineering and design. She is responsible for leading the development team and ensuring the quality and functionality of our products.

– Mark Lee: Marketing manager. Mark has over 5 years of experience in digital marketing and sales. He is responsible for leading the marketing team and executing the marketing strategy and campaigns.

– Lisa Kim: Customer support manager. Lisa has over 5 years of experience in customer service and training. She is responsible for leading the customer support team and providing excellent service and support to our customers.

We also have a board of advisors that consists of:

– Bob Jones: A seasoned entrepreneur and investor who has founded and sold several successful software companies.

– Mary Smith: A former SBA loan officer who has extensive knowledge and experience in financing small businesses.

– Tom Lee: A professor of computer science at Stanford University who is an expert in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Our key employees consist of:

– 10 software developers who are skilled in various programming languages, frameworks, and tools.

– 5 marketing specialists who are proficient in various digital marketing channels, techniques, and platforms.

– 5 customer support representatives who are trained in various software products, features, and issues. We compensate our employees with competitive salaries, bonuses, stock options, and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

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5. product or services description.

This section describes the products or services that your business offers, and how they benefit your customers. It should also explain the features, functions, quality, design, development, production, delivery, installation, maintenance, and support of your products or services. It should also address any intellectual property rights, patents, trademarks, or licenses that your business owns or needs.

XYZ Inc. offers a suite of cloud-based software solutions for SMBs that help them manage their accounting, invoicing, payroll, inventory, and CRM processes more efficiently and securely. Our products are:

– XYZ Accounting: A software solution that helps SMBs track their income and expenses, create and send invoices, manage their taxes, and generate financial reports. – XYZ Payroll: A software solution that helps SMBs calculate and pay their employees’ salaries, wages, taxes, and benefits. – XYZ Inventory: A software solution that helps SMBs monitor and control their inventory levels, costs, and movements. – XYZ CRM: A software solution that helps SMBs manage their customer relationships, interactions, sales pipeline, and loyalty programs.

Our products have the following benefits for our customers:

– They save time and money by automating and streamlining their business processes. – They improve accuracy and compliance by reducing errors and risks. – They enhance security and reliability by protecting their data and ensuring their availability. – They increase productivity and profitability by optimizing their performance and growth.

Our products have the following features and functions:

– They are cloud-based, which means they can be accessed from any device, anywhere, and anytime. – They are integrated, which means they can share data and communicate with each other seamlessly. – They are customizable, which means they can be tailored to fit the specific needs and preferences of each customer. – They are scalable, which means they can handle any volume of transactions and users without compromising speed or quality.

Our products have the following quality standards:

– They are developed using the latest technologies and best practices in software engineering and design. – They are tested rigorously and regularly to ensure their functionality and compatibility. – They are updated frequently to incorporate new features and improvements.

Our products have the following development, production, delivery, Installation, maintenance, and support processes:

– We use an agile methodology to develop our products in short iterations based on customer feedback and market research. – We use a cloud service provider to host our products on secure servers that have high availability and performance. – We use a subscription-based model to deliver our products to our customers via the internet. – We provide online tutorials and manuals to help our customers install and use our products easily. – We provide 24/7 technical support via phone, email, chat, and social media to help our customers resolve any issues or questions they may have.

We own the intellectual property rights to our products, including the source code, design, logo, name, and domain. We have registered our trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and obtained a patent for our unique algorithm that powers our products. We also have licenses from various third-party providers that we use to enhance our products’ functionality and security.

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6. marketing and sales.

This section outlines the marketing strategy and sales plan for your business. It should describe how you plan to reach, attract, and retain your target customers, and how you plan to promote, price, distribute, and sell your products or services. It should also include your sales forecasts, goals, and metrics.

Our marketing strategy is based on four main elements: segmentation, targeting, positioning, and differentiation. We segment our market based on the size, industry, location, and needs of our potential customers. We target SMBs in the U.S. that have between 10 and 500 employees and operate in various industries such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and professional services.

 We position our business as a one-stop shop for SMBs that need cloud-based solutions to run their businesses efficiently and securely. We differentiate our business by offering superior quality, value, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Our marketing mix consists of four main components: product, price, place, and promotion. 

Our product is a suite of cloud-based software solutions for SMBs that help them manage their accounting, invoicing, payroll, inventory, and CRM processes more efficiently and securely. Our price is based on a subscription-based model that allows SMBs to pay only for what they use and scale up or down as needed. Our place is online via our website where we showcase our products features, benefits, testimonials, and reviews. 

Our promotion consists of various digital marketing channels such as email marketing social media marketing search engine optimization (SEO) search engine marketing (SEM) content marketing influencer marketing referral marketing

Our sales plan consists of three main stages: lead generation lead conversion customer retention We generate leads by using various online platforms such as Google Ads Facebook Ads LinkedIn.

7. Funding Request

This section should describe how much funding you need and how you plan to use it. It should also include information about your current financial situation, such as your  cash flow  and balance sheet. You should also explain why you need the funding and how it will help your business grow. For example, if you’re looking to expand your product line or hire more staff, you might need additional funding to cover those costs.

We are seeking $500,000 in debt financing from the SBA to expand our product portfolio, increase our marketing efforts, and hire more staff.

8. Financial Projections

• This section should include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. It should also include a break-even analysis and a description of how you plan to finance your business. You should provide detailed projections for the next three to five years, including revenue, expenses, and profits. For example, if you’re seeking funding from investors or lenders, they will want to see your financial projections to determine the potential return on investment.

We expect to generate $2 million in revenue and $500,000 in net income in the first year of operation, and grow at an annual rate of 25% for the next five years. We will finance our business through a combination of debt financing and equity financing from investors.

How To Format And Present Your SBA Business Plan?

If you are planning to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, you will need to prepare a business plan that meets the SBA’s requirements. A business plan is a document that describes your business’s goals, strategies, market, financial projections, and management team. It also shows how you will use the loan funds and how you will repay them.

A well-written business plan can help you convince lenders and investors that your business is viable and worth supporting. However, writing a business plan can be challenging, especially if you are not familiar with the format and content that the SBA expects. Here are some tips on how to format and present your SBA business plan:

– Follow the SBA’s recommended outline. The SBA provides a detailed outline of the sections and sub-sections that your business plan should include. You can find the outline on the SBA website or download a template from various online sources. The outline covers the following topics: executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization and management, service or product line, marketing and sales, funding request, financial projections, and appendix. – Use clear and concise language. Your business plan should be easy to read and understand by anyone who reviews it. Avoid using jargon, technical terms, or acronyms that may confuse your readers. Use simple sentences and paragraphs, and use bullet points, tables, charts, and graphs to illustrate your points. Use headings and sub-headings to organize your information and make it easy to scan. – Provide evidence and support for your claims. Your business plan should not be based on assumptions or guesses. You should provide factual data and analysis to back up your statements about your market, competitors, customers, industry trends, financial projections, and so on. You can use primary sources (such as surveys, interviews, or testimonials) or secondary sources (such as reports, articles, or statistics) to support your claims. Make sure to cite your sources properly and include them in the appendix. – Be realistic and honest. Your business plan should reflect the true state of your business and its potential. Do not exaggerate or overestimate your strengths, opportunities, or prospects. Do not underestimate or ignore your weaknesses, threats, or risks. Be honest about the challenges you face and how you plan to overcome them. Be realistic about the amount of money you need and how you will use it. Do not make promises or guarantees that you cannot keep. – Proofread and edit your business plan. Before you submit your business plan to the SBA or any other lender or investor, make sure to check it for errors and inconsistencies. Use a spell-checker and a grammar-checker tool to catch any typos or mistakes. Ask someone else to read your business plan and give you feedback. Make sure your business plan is complete, accurate, coherent, and professional.

Recommended: How To Write A Business Plan In Just 7 Simple Steps

Other SBA Business Plan Templates That Can Help You Prove a Loan With Your SBA Business Plan

• Coffee Shop Business Plan Template
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• Food Hall Business Plan Template
• Printing Shop Business Plan Template

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• SBA Business Plan Guide: Craft Yours for Success in 10 Steps

Crafting your SBA loan business plan is like mapping the DNA of your startup—a blueprint that details every section of your company’s lifecycle, from development to service, including the use and information necessary for success. A well-structured business plan format not only supports your request for SBA loans but also gives people a clear sense of what your traditional business plans are all about in each section. Dive into the elements that make up this crucial plan and learn how to tell your business’s story in a way that resonates with readers and aligns with examples set by successful predecessors.

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Choosing Your Business Plan Format

Traditional vs lean startup, sba specific requirements, importance for loan approval, crafting your executive summary, concise overview, mission statement, business goals, describing your company, company history, legal structure, location and facilities, market analysis mastery, industry insights, target market, competitive landscape, organizational structure and management, leadership team, staffing needs, advisory board, developing a funding request strategy, funding requirements, usage of funds, future financial planning, financial projections and data, income statements, cash flow forecast, balance sheet analysis, marketing and sales strategies, market penetration, sales tactics, advertising plans, utilizing free business planning resources, templates and tools, sba counseling services, sample business plans, watch our videos, what is an sba business plan, how should i format my sba business plan, what goes into the executive summary of a business plan, including key elements, income statements, and balance sheets, why is market analysis important in a business plan, can i get help with writing my sba business plan, funding request, and loan officer documents, what financial data and target market information do i include on the page for the loan officer in my sba business plan.

by CJ | Jan 3, 2024 | SBA , 504 loans , 7a Loans

Traditional business plans are   detailed  and comprehensive. They cover every aspect of your business, from market analysis to financial projections, including the loan use section. These loan plans work best for businesses that require significant funding or have a complex structure and use.

Lean startup formats, on the other hand, are   streamlined . They focus on key points like value proposition, customer segments, and traditional business plan format. Use this approach if you need to act quickly and adapt to changes.

• Benefits of lean planning:
• Faster adjustments in strategy
• Clear focus on core elements
• Reduced time spent on writing

Choose detailed when stability is key. Opt for streamlined when agility tops your list.

Your loan plan must meet certain criteria to be considered by the   Small Business Administration (SBA) . The SBA looks for clarity in how you present your business idea, market research, management team qualifications, financial details, and loan requirements.

Ensure these sections are included:

• Executive Summary
• Company Description
• Market Analysis

Remember that meeting SBA loan requirements can make all the difference in getting funding.

A strong business plan is crucial for loan approval. Lenders want assurance that they will get their money back with interest on the loan. Your plan should demonstrate profitability through realistic financial projections and solid market research.

Key areas lenders scrutinize include:

• Cash flow statements
• Income projections
• Expense estimates

A thorough plan shows lenders you understand your business inside out which improves chances of loan approval.

Your   executive summary  is your business plan’s first impression. It needs to be sharp and compelling. Start by presenting your   business concept  in a clear, direct way. Imagine you’re giving someone a quick elevator pitch about what you do.

In just a few sentences, lay out your vision and the unique value of your product or service. Explain who will buy it and why. This isn’t the place for details; that comes later. Keep it high-level but engaging.

Next, define what drives your company with a strong mission statement. This should reflect not only what you do but why you do it—think of it as your business’s heart and soul.

Align this loan mission closely with both customer needs and industry expectations to show understanding of the market landscape. Clearly express core values here to demonstrate commitment beyond profits.

Finally, outline clear goals using the SMART criteria: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound objectives are key for success—and investors love clarity.

List short-term targets that lead up to long-term aspirations so readers can see how you plan to grow step by step.

• Short-term might include launching a new product line within six months.
• Long-term could involve expanding into three new markets over five years.

To wrap things up under this section: Show how progress towards these goals will be tracked over time through milestones or key performance indicators (KPIs). Investors want evidence that their money is well-spent on achieving tangible results.

Your company’s   origin story  is the bedrock of your business plan. It shows where you started and how far you’ve come. Share key moments that shaped your business, like when you first opened or landed a major client. These stories build trust and show growth.

Milestones matter. They prove success and set a path for the future. Maybe last year, sales hit a record high or you expanded to new markets. Link these achievements to your goals ahead, showing investors how past wins lead to future ones.

Understanding your business’s legal structure is crucial. Are you an LLC, corporation, or partnership? This affects risk and tax responsibilities.

If there are multiple owners, detail who holds what percentage of the company. Clear ownership structures can prevent conflicts later on.

Where you operate can be as important as what you sell. If it’s brick-and-mortar, explain why this spot works well—maybe it’s in a busy shopping area or close to suppliers.

For online businesses, discuss digital strategies like SEO or e-commerce platforms that help customers find you easily.

Facilities also play a role if they’re part of operations—like kitchens for restaurants or warehouses for retailers. Consider accessibility too; make sure employees can get there easily and suppliers have no trouble delivering goods.

Understanding your industry is critical. You must   know the trends  and growth potential. This helps you predict where the market is heading. Look at current patterns in technology, customer preferences, and product developments.

Regulatory challenges can impact how you operate. They might seem daunting but can also offer opportunities for innovation. Economic factors like inflation or unemployment rates will affect your industry too.

Knowing your audience is key to success. Define their age, income level, lifestyle, and buying habits. These details help tailor your offerings to them specifically.

Your target market should have a clear need for what you provide. Explain why they are looking for solutions like yours now more than ever before.

Market needs  change over time; be ready to adapt quickly when they do.

Look closely at your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses compared to yours. What do they offer that you don’t? Conversely, identify what unique value you bring that they lack.

Find gaps in the market only you can fill with innovative ideas or services others haven’t thought of yet.

Strategies such as better customer service or more efficient processes could give you an edge over others in the field.

Your business’s success hinges on the   leadership team . These are the individuals steering your company towards its goals. It is crucial to introduce key members who bring relevant experience and skills to the table. Their roles in driving company success cannot be overstated. Your organizational chart should clearly display these leaders and their specific responsibilities.

Each leader must embody a commitment to your company’s vision, ensuring that every decision aligns with long-term objectives. By showcasing this dedication, you instill confidence in employees, investors, and partners alike.

As your business expands, so does your need for a robust workforce. You’ll want to forecast hiring requirements that match your growth projections. This ensures you’re prepared for scaling up operations when necessary.

Start by outlining job descriptions for future positions needed within the team structure depicted on the organizational chart. Remember also to address training programs designed to enhance employee skills and initiatives promoting a positive company culture.

If you’ve established an advisory board, it’s time they take some spotlight too! Highlighting their expertise can reassure stakeholders of sound strategic direction-making processes within your firm.

Advisors often contribute significantly through mentorship and guidance which supports ongoing business development efforts—something particularly beneficial if you’re looking beyond just immediate market analysis mastery from previous sections discussed.

To secure capital, you need to   outline your funding requirements . Specify the total amount needed and when. This helps investors grasp your vision’s scope.

• Determine how much money is necessary.
• Set timelines for achieving key milestones.

If applicable, break down funding into stages like seed or Series A rounds. Each stage should align with specific business growth phases. Clarify what terms you’re seeking from backers—be it equity, loans, or other instruments.

Next, detail how funds will be used across various segments of your business such as operations and marketing. It’s crucial to itemize this allocation:

• Product development

Justify each expense by linking it to potential growth or stability investments. For instance, marketing costs might directly correlate with projected sales increases.

Connect budget allocations with expected outcomes firmly in your   sba business plan . Investors seek reassurance that their money will be spent wisely and lead to tangible results.

Lastly, project future revenue streams based on realistic assumptions about market conditions and customer behavior patterns.

• Forecast revenues conservatively.
• Include different scenarios if possible.

Outline risk management strategies for unexpected events in your financial planning section; this shows foresight and preparedness for challenges ahead. Also prepare exit strategies for investors which could include buy-back options or sale of the company at certain valuation points along with succession planning details if relevant for long-term stability considerations after initial investment periods are over.

Your   income statement  is crucial. It summarizes your expected revenues, costs of goods sold, and other expenses yearly. This projection shows if you’re likely to be profitable through net income estimates.

When creating these statements, use past financial performance as a guide. If available, historical data can serve as a benchmark for your projections. This helps in setting realistic goals for revenue and managing expenses.

A detailed cash flow forecast is essential for maintaining healthy business operations. You need to illustrate the monthly cash coming in and going out over the next year.

This forecast highlights necessary   cash reserves  to ensure operational security. It also demonstrates how cash flow will support ongoing investments or expansion efforts.

The balance sheet provides a snapshot of your company’s financial health at any given time by presenting assets against liabilities. Owner’s equity is particularly important; it reflects investment stability in your business.

Regular balance sheet reviews are key to showing fiscal responsibility over time. They help you stay on top of changes in assets or debts that could affect overall financial standing.

Your strategy to break into the market is crucial. You need effective methods for   entering  or expanding in your target markets. Consider adopting   competitive pricing models  that lure initial customers. This might mean setting lower prices at first to attract attention.

Building strong   partnerships  can also smooth your market entry. Align with businesses that complement yours. They can introduce you to new customer bases and channels.

Developing a robust sales team structure is key. Your direct sales efforts should have clear targets for each member. This ensures everyone knows their goals and works efficiently towards them.

It’s important to manage customer relationships well, too. Use systems that track interactions with clients and follow-ups needed.

Incorporate unique sales methodologies if they give you an edge. New technologies can streamline processes and improve results.

You’ll want people talking about your brand quickly, so plan diverse campaigns across various media platforms – think social media, print, radio, or online ads.

Allocate budgets smartly where they yield the best ROI—return on investment matters here. Craft messages that resonate with different audience segments; personalize where possible.

Business planning can be daunting. You might wonder where to start or how to structure your ideas. Luckily, there are   free tools  that simplify this process. Software like SCORE’s template gallery offers a variety of business plan formats tailored for different industries. These templates help you organize your thoughts into a coherent plan.

You’ll find resources at no cost that aid in crafting detailed plans, financial projections, and strategy outlines. For instance, the   SBA’s business plan tool  provides step-by-step guidance in creating a solid foundation for your venture.

Navigating through the planning stages is easier with support. The SBA offers free counseling services designed to assist you every step of the way. Experienced mentors provide valuable insights and feedback on your business concepts.

Take advantage of workshops and webinars led by experts from SBA partner organizations too. They cover critical topics such as market research and funding options which complement what you’ve learned about marketing and sales strategies.

Looking at successful examples can guide you in shaping your own sba business plan. The SBA website showcases sample plans which have received approval in the past; use them as references but not blueprints.

Adapt these samples to suit your unique needs while ensuring originality remains intact—your business deserves more than a copy-pasted strategy! Personalize each section so it reflects your vision accurately.

Crafting a stellar SBA business plan is like drawing a map for your entrepreneurial journey—it guides you through the rough terrain of starting and growing your business. You’ve now got the tools to nail your executive summary, dissect the market, and create a robust financial forecast. With these sections in hand, you’re ready to convince lenders or investors that your vision is worth their dime.

Don’t just let this knowledge gather dust. Put it into action! Roll up your sleeves and start drafting a plan that turns heads and opens wallets. Remember, the world doesn’t need more dreamers; it craves doers. So, what are you waiting for? Get cracking on that business plan and make your business dreams a reality. Let’s do this!

Are you ready to take your business to new heights? Discover the power of the SBA Business Industry Program. With its comprehensive eligibility criteria, underwriting requirements, and loan guarantees, this program provides accessible and affordable loan options for businesses in rural areas.

Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

An SBA business plan is a document detailing your business’s goals, strategies, and financial forecasts, structured to meet the Small Business Administration’s guidelines.

Choose a traditional or lean startup format based on your business needs. A traditional plan is detailed; a lean startup one is brief.

Your executive summary should highlight your company’s mission statement, product/service offerings, basic information about leadership and employees, and growth projections.

Market analysis proves you understand industry trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape. It helps strategize for success.

Absolutely! Utilize free resources like SCORE mentors or the SBA’s local assistance tools to guide you through crafting your plan.

Include income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets for 3-5 years ahead. Be realistic with projections!

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SBA Business Plan Template Essentials: The Complete Guide

Free Business Plan Template

Ayush Jalan

• December 12, 2023

10 Min Read

The very first thought of any entrepreneur before setting up a business is capital. And taking a loan to set up your business is a common way to do that. If done right, it can ensure a high ROI. It also provides you with the scope for the expansion of your business without compromising on your operational funds.

If you are a small business owner, you are in luck.

The Small Business Administration ( SBA ) is a U.S. government agency that provides assistance and guidance to small businesses by providing tools like business planners, training programs, and small business loans.

It also provides a professional business plan template exclusively to guide businesses while applying for a small business loan. To do so, we recommend having a strong sense of what your business is and does, along with a solid plan.

If your business plan is not effective and goal-appropriate, you might have trouble navigating an SBA template. Hence, while drafting a business plan it is crucial to have a clear vision of the goal you want to achieve through the plan.

In this article, we’ll see what an SBA business plan is and what it includes.

What Is an SBA Business Plan?

An SBA business plan is essentially the mapping of the objectives of your business with precise details of how you will execute them. It is a well-structured and detailed way to represent your business, its strategies, and operations. When applying for an SBA loan, having an SBA business plan is a requirement.

Creating your business plan using an SBA business plan template helps you stay on track and not deviate from the requirements of the loan. It shows lenders that you have complete knowledge about your business venture and instills trust.

Importance of an SBA Business Plan

Research shows that businesses that create and follow a plan are 16% more likely to succeed than those that don’t plan. Regardless of the type of business plan you choose, having a plan is always beneficial.

We recommend the SBA business plan for companies that are seeking a small business loan. The SBA business plan template is drafted exclusively to help entrepreneurs navigate their way through the whole process of the SBA loan.

It is designed to assist entrepreneurs to seek answers to tough questions before they start building their businesses. An SBA business plan helps you develop a strategic framework for running your business.

It propels you towards researching your market, identifying your competition, and analyzing all the possible methods of implementing your strategies. Now that you know what an SBA business plan is and its significance, it is time to dive into the understanding of its contents.

Let’s see what an SBA business plan template contains.

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SBA Business Plan Template

As with many traditional business plans, an SBA business plan also follows a similar format. The SBA business plan template contains nine major sections. These sections include the executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization, product description, marketing, funding request, and financial projections. Let’s try to understand each.

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is simply an introduction to your SBA business plan. It should contain a brief abstract of your business plan. This section will include the noteworthy points of your plan for anyone to get a quick gist of your business and your strategies.

This section of your plan should contain the following aspects:

Introduce your Business:

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.

• Target market: Mention your target customers to whom you are selling your product or service.
• The solution you offer: Explain how your product or service is the ideal solution for the problem your target customer base is facing. Business model: Your business model, at its core, is how you will generate sales and make profits.
• Market competition: Identify your potential competition in the market and mention them.
• Marketing and Sales Strategy: Describe how you will market your product and mention your sales channels.
• Financial projections: This is essentially a forecast of future expenses and revenues.
• Execution of your plan: Explain how you will implement your plan and strategize all your objectives.

2. Company Description

In this company overview section of your SBA business plan, you will describe what your company does and every detail about your company. It includes your target customers, your business partners, your competitors, and more.

Below are the major key points this section should include:

• Identity and objective: Mention your company’s identity and what your company does. You may also include your company’s ethics and values.
• Your company’s offerings: Define in detail what your company offers. Explain the product or service that you are selling.
• The problem you solve: Specify the problem you chose to solve to cater to the needs of your customers.
• Target customers: State which section of the people you have targeted. You should also mention your customers’ priorities and values.
• Your strengths: Include the advantages you have over your competition in the market. You can also list these companies’ names and mention how you are different from them.
• Partners: Mention your company’s business partners, partnership period, and how they contribute to the business.

3. Market Analysis

In this section, you write a detailed analysis of the market in which you’re going to set up your business. The following are the aspects you should include in your SBA business plan:

• Mention in detail what other companies in your industries are doing.
• Explain in detail the strengths and advantages of your competition
• Specify the market trends and themes that have occurred
• Examine the reasons that are responsible for the success of other companies in your industry.
• Figure out if you are capable enough to outrun your competition by doing what they are doing but in a better and more efficient way.
• Research if any of your competitors have strategic advantages like the ideal location, cheap procurement of raw materials, etc.

4. Organization and management

In this section, you will define the structure of your business. This will include the legal and organizational structure of your business, and the management practices you follow.

Legal structure

Here, you describe the legal structure of your business . Is it going to be a general or limited partnership, an LLC, a sole proprietorship, or be incorporated as a C or S corporation? Explain in complete detail how you will structure your business legally and how it will impact your business operations.

Organizational chart

Attach an organizational chart of the internal structure and hierarchy of your business. This will include roles, responsibilities, and relationships between individuals in the company.

5. Service or Product

Once you’re done with the above, you now give a complete description of the product or service you’re selling to your customers. The following are the key aspects that this section of your SBA business plan should have:

• Describe in detail the product or service you’re providing to your targeted customer base.
• Explain the pricing of your product. You should also mention all the costs that have contributed to the final price of the product.
• List down all the possible uses of your product and how your customers will benefit from it.
• Discuss the product life-cycle of your product. Explain in detail the four stages of a product life-cycle: Introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.
• Include a plan mentioning how you will handle the intellectual properties, copyright, and patent filings.
• Mention all or any research and developments you have regarding your business.

6. Marketing and Sales

Next, include your marketing strategies , sales channels, and the budget of both. Below is the important point that should be in this section:

• Write a detailed plan of how you will market your product to draw your customers
• Provide the details of the sales process and mention the sales channels you are choosing.
• Mention the details of your budget regarding marketing and sales of the product
• Discuss the goals of your marketing and sales strategies
• Review and address your pricing strategy as it affects your marketing and sales.

7. Funding request

The most prominent reason why entrepreneurs create an SBA business plan is to make lenders believe that they are a viable and reliable business venture. This section is simply for putting forward your funding requests . The following should be included in this section:

• Specify the amount of funding you will require for running your business for the next five years
• Explain in detail how you will use the funding that was provided
• Mention what type of funding are you looking for
• Add a detailed description of your future financial plans, which include repaying debts, managing the cash flow , budgeting expenses, etc.

8. Financial Projection

The purpose of financial projection is to make it possible for the reader to assess your company’s financial stability. It includes the current financial reports of your business and future projections.

It is focused to convince potential funders that your company is financially stable and solvent. The below information should be included in your SBA business plan:

• Attach income statements for the past three to five years
• Attach balance sheets of the past three to five years
• Attach cash flow statements for the past three to five years
• Mention the collaterals that you possess
• Projected income statements
• Projected balance sheets
• Projected cash flow statements
• Budgeted capital expenditures

The ideal way to represent future projections is by using monthly or quarterly projections in the first year and henceforth with annual projections. Explain how the projections and the information represented are relevant to your funding request. Consider the SBA loan rates and the guarantee fee while projecting your new payment amounts.

9.  Appendix

The Appendix is the last section of your SBA business plan. It contains all the additional documentation that is important to explain a specific aspect of your business. It could also include documents that are exclusive to a particular lender that may not fit into the predefined outline of a business plan .

Usually, the common information in an appendix includes:

• Credit history
• Product photos
• Letters of reference
• Licenses and permits
• Legal documents

Get Your Small Business Started with an SBA Template

Choosing the perfect business plan for your business can be tricky, especially while seeking lenders to set up your business. However, it is not difficult once you know what your lenders are looking for in your business plan.

Fortunately, an SBA business plan is apt and compatible with all the requirements of lenders. Create your SBA business plan now and start your journey toward building your business.

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Ayush is a writer with an academic background in business and marketing. Being a tech-enthusiast, he likes to keep a sharp eye on the latest tech gadgets and innovations. When he's not working, you can find him writing poetry, gaming, playing the ukulele, catching up with friends, and indulging in creative philosophies.

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If you’re thinking about starting a business, or you’ve been in business for a while but have never written a business plan, you may be wondering where to start. The good news is that writing an SBA business plan doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fun! 

In this article, we will walk you through the process of writing an SBA business plan. We will provide templates and examples to help you get started, and we will show you how to customize your plan for your unique business. So let’s get started!

What is a business plan?

A business plan is a document that an entrepreneur uses to describe their business, its goals, and how they intend to achieve them. It is important to have a business plan because it will help you stay organized and focused on your goals. A business plan can also be used to attract lenders, employees, partners, and investors.

SBA Business Plan Template Download

Click to download the free SBA Business Plan Template ( Document SBA 1010C )

What should an SBA business plan template have in it?

While the SBA 1010C business plan template isn’t the easiest to fill out, we have laid out the important elements of a business plan.

Executive Summary

An executive summary is a key element of a business plan. It provides a brief overview of the main points of the plan, including the company’s mission statement, products or services, target market, and financial projections. The summary should be concise and well-written, with the goal of persuading potential lenders to read the full business plan. 

In addition to summarizing the key points of the plan, the executive summary should also include information on the company’s management team, competitive landscape, and expected return on investment. While it is important to include all of this information in the summary, it should be presented in a way that is easy for busy lenders to digest. With that in mind, an executive summary should be no more than two or three pages long.

Tips on writing an Executive Summary

• The executive summary is a brief overview of your business plan 
• It should include information about your business, such as its name, location, and products or services 
• The executive summary should also include a description of your target market and how you plan to reach it 
• You should also include information about your team, including their experience and qualifications 
• Finally, the executive summary should include a financial overview of your business 

Company Description

A company description is a key component of a business plan. It outlines the company’s purpose, products or services, target market, and competitive advantages. This information helps potential lenders understand what the company does and why it would be a good investment. The company description should be clear and concise, and it should give a snapshot of the business. For example, if you are starting a new restaurant, your company description might include information about the type of food you will serve, your target customers, and your location. Including this information in the business plan helps to paint a picture of the business for potential bankers.

Tips for writing the Company Description section

• Keep it concise 
• Describe your products or services 
• Explain your target market 
• Outline your competitive landscape 
• Discuss your company’s history and experience 
• Include financial information, such as revenue and net worth

Market Analysis

A market analysis is a crucial component of a business plan. It provides an overview of the industry in which the business will operate, as well as the potential customer base. Your market research should also include information on competitors, which can help the business to position itself in the market. Furthermore, the market analysis can provide insights into trends and opportunities that may be beneficial for the business. Ultimately, a market analysis is an essential tool for any business that wants to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.

Tips for writing the Market Analysis section

• Start by doing your research 
• Use industry data to back up your findings 
• Analyze the competition 
• Identify trends and opportunities 
• Be clear and concise

Organization and Management

The Organization and Management section of a business plan is where you’ll provide an overview of your company’s legal structure ( sole proprietorship , partnership, corporation , Limited Liability Company (LLC) ) and team. This is an important section to include in your business plan, as it will give lenders a clear understanding of who is running the business and how it is organized. In this section, you should include information on your company’s management team, as well as its organizational structure. You should also describe any plans you have for hiring additional staff or expanding your company in the future. By providing this information, you’ll give investors and lenders a better sense of the risks and opportunities associated with your business.

Be sure to discuss any licenses and permits that the company has secured or in the process of applying for. 

Tips for writing the Organization and Management section

• Outline your company’s structure 
• Describe your management team 
• Detail your organizational chart 
• Discuss any plans you have for hiring or expanding in the future 

Product or Service Offered

The Product or Service Offered section of a business plan is where you describe in detail what your business does and what products or services it offers. This is an important section, as it helps to give a lender an idea of the potential of your business. In this section, you should include a description of your products or services, how they are produced or delivered, any unique selling points, and an overview of your target market. This section should also include an analysis of your competition and how your products or services compare. By taking the time to create a detailed and well-thought-out Product or Service Offered section, you will give yourself a better chance of securing funding for your business.

If appropriate, be sure to include any research and development efforts or secured/planned patent filings. In addition, how will you plan to protect the intellectual property of the business. 

Tips for writing the Product or Services Offered section

• Describe your products or services in detail 
• Explain why your products or services are unique 
• Discuss your target market 
• Outline your pricing strategy 
• Discuss any other pertinent information about your products or services 

Sales and Marketing

The Marketing and Sales section of a business plan is where you will outline your strategies for marketing and selling your product or service. This section should include an overview of your target market, your marketing strategy, and your sales strategy. Your marketing strategy should include a discussion of your branding, your pricing, and your distribution channels. Your sales strategy should include a discussion of how you will generate leads and close sales. This section should also include a discussion of any promotional activities you have planned, such as trade shows or marketing campaigns. Finally, this section should include a financial analysis of your marketing and sales efforts, including a budget.

Tips for writing the Sales and Marketing section

• Start by describing your target market 
• Discuss your marketing strategy 
• Detail your sales process 
• Outline your promotional plans 
• Discuss any partnerships or collaborations you have formed 
• Describe your customer base 
• Include financial information, such as revenue and net worth 

Request for Funding

The funding request is a crucial part of any business plan. This is where you make the case for why your business should receive funding from lenders. The request should be clear and concise, and it should include an overview of your business’s finances, collateral being used to secure the loan, as well as a detailed explanation of how the funding will be used. 

Also see: 10 Tips for Getting a Small Business Loan

Tips for writing the Request for Funding section

• Start by describing your business and its financial situation 
• Outline your needs for funding and how the money will be used 
• Provide a detailed explanation of your business’s finances 
• Show how you will repay the loan or investment 
• Make a strong case for why your business should receive funding 

Financial Projections

The financial projections section of a business plan is where you’ll outline your company’s anticipated future income, expenses, and profits. To develop accurate financial projections, you’ll need to gather detailed information on your past financial performance, as well as your current operating costs. You’ll also need to make assumptions about things like future sales growth, new product development, and changes in the overall economy. 

This section should be based on your research and knowledge of your industry. Remember to include some buffers in your financial plans in case there are unforeseen circumstances. This section should include the Profit & Loss Statement (P&L) – also referred to as an Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Balance Sheet. 

Once you have all of this information, you can begin to develop a realistic picture of your company’s future finances. While financial projections are never 100% accurate, they can give you a good idea of what to expect in the coming years and help you make important decisions about how to allocate your resources.

Tips for writing the Financial Projections section

• Outline your revenue projection for the next three years 
• Detail your expenses for the next three years 
• Project your net income for the next three years 
• Explain how you arrived at these projections 

The Appendix section of a business plan is where you will find any additional information that you feel is important to include but doesn’t fit in elsewhere. This might include things like your company’s Articles of Incorporation, resumes of your key employees, credit histories of the borrowers, or floor plans of the facility. 

Essentially, it should be anything that you feel would be helpful for someone reading your business plan to have access to should be included in the Appendix. This section can be particularly helpful for providing readers with more detailed information about your team or your company’s history. Including this type of information in the appendix helps to give your business plan a more well-rounded picture.

You may have noticed that in several of the tips for writing a business plan to keep it clear and concise. Lenders are typically not interested in the fine details of a startup’s business plan. Too much information may cause them to lose interest, or you may introduce topics that confuse the information in the plan.

Is it possible to start a business with no money?

Yes, it is possible to start certain businesses with no money. There are a number of ways to do this, such as starting a business on a shoestring budget or finding investors who are willing to provide funding. However, it should be noted that starting a business with no money can be very difficult, and there is no guarantee of success.

Does the SBA require a business plan?

The SBA will require a business plan from anyone looking to obtain an SBA guarantee for a bank loan.

Does the SBA help write a business plan?

The SBA does not write business plans for individuals. However, the agency offers a number of resources that can help with the process, including templates, examples, and tips. Additionally, the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer assistance and business resources to small business owners in completing their business plan.

Where can I get help to write a business plan?

If you need help writing a business plan, there are a number of places you can go. The SBA offers a number of resources that can be helpful, including templates, examples, and tips. Additionally, the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offer counseling, guidance, and training on how to write a business plan. You can also find a number of helpful books and articles on the subject. Finally, you can hire a professional to help you with the process.

How much does it cost to hire someone to write a business plan?

The cost of hiring someone to write a business plan varies depending on the individual’s experience and the scope of the project. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for a professional business plan.

But, with the free services of the SBDC, you will end up with a better plan since you are writing it yourself, and you won’t spend a lot of money to do so.

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