For those of you who are more familiar with how businesses, banking and lenders operate, it may benefit you to use the following as a guideline for starting a small business enterprise. The following should make it easier, but if not that just contact me.

Step 1
Introduction
There are standards that should be followed when creating this type of business document. Precise, no mistakes, organized and looking professional is the first step in starting a small business. Neatly typed on white paper - nothing fancy. The start-up business plan is no different than a comprehensive book report. Detailed information on contact the author including title, sub-title, name, address, phone, email etc.

Step 2
Executive Summary
This simple one page business overview is arguably the most important single part of your document. In it you'll want to emphasize the factors that you believe will lead to success. One or two paragraphs that simply explains what you want to do and what the rest of document will support.

Step 3
Table of Contents
This makes it easier to identifies particular documents in your business plan, not only for you also anyone who examines your new business project.

Step 4
Business Structure
The requirements for starting your new business really begins here and should include:
• A full Description of Business
• The Type of Business Organization you are putting together
• Who is involved in the Management Team
• Where is your new business going to be located

Step 5
Market
Through each topic of this section in your Business Plan there should be considerable more detail.
• Product/Service
• Market Trends
• Target Market
• Competition
• Competitive Advantage
• Market Share Estimates

Step 6
Marketing & Sales Strategy
This step of the new business proposal is as important as the previous one and should be considered the heart of the new venture.
• Pricing and Positioning
• Sales
• Advertising and Promotion

Step 7
Operating Requirements
The step of the new business is really the mechanics of operating your new venture. It forces you to plan in detail each step in running your business.
• Production of the Product/Service
• Staffing and Employees
• Management and Administrative Support
• Regulatory Requirements

Step 8
The Financial Plan
This step is about the money. Not only how much you need to operate your new venture, but an accounting of where the money is going to go.
• Startup Budget
• Break-Even Analysis
• Twelve Month Cash Flow
• Three Year Cash Flow Analysis
• Three Year Income Statement
• Three Year Balance Sheet

Step 9
The Sources and Uses of Funds
When you do acquire the money to start your new business, exactly how are you going to spend it.
• Use of Funds Statement
• Personal Financial Statement

Step 10
Analysis of the Risks and Rewards
On this step you get to play devils advocate and try to determine the downside of your new business investment. Allowing for all of the risks that may come up and how you will try to deal with them successfully as a new business owner.
• Risk Analysis
• Strategies to Address Risks

Step 11
Memorandum
This last step fills in all of the charts, graphs and lists of things that you will need to start, operate and succeed in your new business. Rather than putting them in each section, use this all inclusive area for the accounting and economic details.
• Direct Competitor Analysis
• Labor Force Profile
• 12 Month Cash Flow Projection
• Startup Budget
• 12 Month Cash Flow Projection
• Break-Even Analysis of Sales
• 3 Year Cash Flow Statement
• 3 Year Income Statement
• 3 Year Balance Sheet
• Personal Financial Statement
• Equipment List