Writing a Business Plan


Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles

Ask Inc.: How Do You Research Your Competition?

Ask Inc. is an open forum for entrepreneurs to ask questions and get answers. Join the conversation.  Read more

5 Steps to Retooling Your Business Model

For entrepreneurs, tinkering with a company’s business model can be a tough and emotionally charged process. Here are five tips for making a successful pi...  View slideshow

The Art of The Pivot

Lean startup guru Eric Ries recommends that start-ups refine their business models through small tweaks—or pivots.  Read more

Steps to a Pivot

Five tips for changing your company’s business model and direction.  Read more

Creating a Company Vision

Do you have a vision of where your company will be in three years? In five? 10? Here’s a sure-fire way to get clear about the future you want.  Read more

Elevator Pitch: Lifesta

Lifesta lets people resell their unused Groupon coupons. Can it raise $1.5 million?  Read more

Getting Started on a Vision

The 14 questions you need to ask when crafting a vision for your businesses success.  Read more

What is Your “Why”?

Happy and successful solopreneurs are most often in business for a reason larger than themselves. They know their "why", do you? Learn to find your why and d...  Read more

10 Marketing Musts

Are you are spending enough time and money marketing your business? If not,you are ignoring a critical success component. Customize these ideas to work for y...  Read more

The Battle for Your Living Room

TVs up the Wi-Fi ante. Plus, Four Loko's life after death, Facebook follies, and the rest of the day's news.  Read more

How to Start a Jewelry Making Business

Be it quartz or slightly quirky, jewelry is a hot market. Here is how to find your niche and get started selling gems.  Read more

Elevator Pitch: Keen Guides

Keen Guides makes iPhone travel apps for the hearing impaired. Can it get $1.2 million to cover more cities?  Read more

Elevator Pitch: ShopKeep

ShopKeep makes point-of-sale software for small businesses. Can it raise $1 million from investors?  Read more

How to Write a Business Plan for a Retail Business

A sound business plan can help any budding entrepreneur lay the groundwork for a successful store.  Read more

How to Write an Executive Summary

When you’re trying to sell an idea to a potential investor, you’ll need to craft the pitch-perfect executive summary. Here’s how to write a summary tha...  Read more

How to Run a Successful Organic Restaurant

Organic restaurants are popping up all over. Here are 8 things for you to consider if you want to start one.  Read more

How to Write a Summary Business Plan

A business plan doesn't have to be all encompassing, especially when you're trying to generate buzz. Here are the elements you really need.  Read more

How to Write a Business Plan for a Mobile Gaming Company

The rise of reality-based gaming via social and mobile networks makes it easier than ever to enter the market. Here's how you can start a gaming business.  Read more

How to Write a Bakery Business Plan

Niche bakeries are one of the fastest growing industries and here is how you can get started on your confectionery dream.  Read more

How to Write a Business Plan for Your Online Business

The barriers to starting an online business are lower than ever, and that includes the writing of the traditional business plan. Here's a guide to tapping in...  Read more

How Business-Plan Competitions Reward Innovation

Business-plan competitions have fostered a "contest economy" that promotes start-up activity and much-needed innovation.  Read more

Elevator Pitch: DivotCard

The DivotCard offers customers discounted golf rounds. Can it raise $1 million from investors?  Read more

How to Break Into the Fashion Industry

Emerging designers, beware: Even if you are able to create a beautiful product, the fashion world is fraught with tricky choices on incorporation, competitiv...  Read more

Elevator Pitch: Closet Couture

Closet Couture wants to be the Facebook (and eBay) of fashionistas. Can it stitch together $1 million?  Read more

How to Master Your Elevator Pitch

What exactly do you do, and why should I care? Here's how to tell it shorter and smarter.  Read more

How to Choose the Right Franchise Location

Where you decide to locate your franchise may make or break your business.  Read more

How to Conduct Competitive Research

Who are your closest rivals—and how do they talk about themselves, as well as your company? It's time to find out.  Read more

Elevator Pitch: Nixle

Nixle helps police send text-message alerts to local residents. Can it raise $7.5 million?  Read more

How Would You Sell a Virtual Farmer's Market?

Local Dirt helps people find produce from local farms.  Read more

Elevator Pitch: SpeakerText

SpeakerText adds transcripts to online videos. Can it raise $500,000?  Read more

Top Business Plan Mistakes

For starters, don't pitch a company that relies solely on one product.  Read more

How to Present Your Business Plan

Hitting a home run with potential investors requires selecting the right pitch.  Read more

How to Revamp Your Marketing Plan

How should Denim Therapy market its jeans repair service? Four entrepreneurs weigh in.  Read more

Elevator Pitch: eDivvy

eDivvy helps people buy group gifts online. Can it get investors to pitch in $1.5 million?  Read more

How to Evaluate a Franchise Business Plan

If you are thinking of buying into a franchise, you must review the business plan with an eye toward learning whether there will be enough revenue to reward ...  Read more