Copyright and Open Educational Resources Librarian
Why Write a Business Plan?
Why Write a Business Plan?
A solid business plan will help you secure partnerships and funding for your business and attract investors. Its also a great way to layout the details and organize your strategy before investing time and money. Much like a resume, a business plan is the first step to building your business.
Write a great business plan using these key components from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 
Use the navigation on the left to get started and check out these sample plans:
Sample Business Plans
Sample Business Plans
- AgPlanAgPlan helps rural business owners develop a business plan.
- Business Plans and Profiles IndexA great collection of very detailed sample business plans for a variety of businesses. Existing businesses are displayed in bold. From the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
- Business Plans HandbookExamples of business plans from several industry areas
How to Write a Business Plan by
Write a business plan that potential investors will embrace! If you're thinking of starting a business or raising money to expand an existing one, you need a plan. Running a successful business requires a great deal of forethought, so write a business plan and secure your venture's future.
ISBN: 9781413317497Publication Date: 2012-09-17
Small Business Information
How to Start Your Research
Think about these questions as you start your business plan:
- Is the product new to the market? If so, is it similar to any existing products or industries that can be researched to show market potential?
- Is the product similar to an existing product? If so, can data about the existing product be found to show the potential of the new product?
- Who will be interested in the product?
- How will you reach consumers?
Thinking about these questions, both before and while you are searching, will keep you focused on a good result.
Resources for Madison Small Businesses
- City of Madison Office of Economic Development- Business AssisstanceIncludes information on local business assistance and business financial assistance. Also lists contact information for the Office of Business Resources. OBR's mission is to assist businesses in developing and thriving in Madison. OBR staff works with businesses to provide start-up, retention, expansion and attraction information and guidance.
- SCORE Madison ChapterFind a local mentor, attend a local workshop, connect with your local SCORE Chapter.
- UW-Madison Family Business CenterHelps family business owners, their families and employees maintain profitable businesses and successfully transfer ownership control. (608) 441-7338