A good business plan is the first step to attaining business financing. Your business plan should begin with an executive summary, followed by several basic elements common to all good business plans. The body of your business plan should be divided into five sections:

1) a description of your business
2) marketing your business
3) business management
4) business financial information
5) supporting documents

A Description Of Your Business
1) business description
2) statement of purpose
3) business goals

Marketing Your Business
1) describe products and services offered
2) identify customer demand for products and services
3) describe market and competition
4) explain how products and services will be marketed and advertised
5) explain pricing strategy

Business Management
1) personnel
a. explain how the business will be managed on a day-to-day basis
b. discuss hiring and personnel procedures
2) operating procedures
a. discuss insurance, lease, or rent agreements and issues pertaining to your business
b. discuss necessary equipment that will be needed to produce products and services
c. account for production and delivery of products and services

Business Financial Information
1) loan applications
2) capital equipment and supply list
3) balance sheet
4) breakeven analysis
5) pro-forma income projections
a. profit and loss statements
b. pro-forma cash flow
c. three year summary
6) detailed financial projections
a. monthly financial details for the first year of business
b. quarterly financial details for the second and third years of business
c. supporting documents used to make financial projections

Supporting Documents
1) tax returns for all business principals for three years
2) a copy of the franchise contract--if business is franchised
copies of all supporting documents provided by franchisor
3) copies of licenses and other legal
4) copies of resumes of principals
5) copies of letters of intent from suppliers