Small Business Plan Examples
These small business plan examples show how an effective plan is structured. Use them as a reference when writing your own, especially if you want to keep the plan clear and practical.
What a strong small business plan includes
- Clear offer and who it is for
- Simple goals and priorities
- Marketing approach and how you get customers
- Delivery plan, what you do week to week
- Basic financial planning, costs, cash flow and projections
Example structure you can follow
Use this structure as a guide. Keep it short, specific and easy to update.
- Business overview
- Offer and pricing
- Customer and market
- Marketing and sales plan
- Operations and delivery
- Financial plan
- Goals and timeline
How to use examples effectively
- Borrow structure, not wording
- Keep assumptions realistic and measurable
- Write in plain language, like you would explain it to a real person
- Update the plan regularly as the business changes
Templates to use alongside these examples
- Simple Business Plan Template
- Business Model Canvas Template
- Business Proposal Template
- Cash Flow Template for Small Business
- Business Budget Template
- Financial Projections Template
Tip: if you are choosing between a canvas and a plan, start with the canvas for clarity, then use the simple plan template for follow through.
FAQ
What should a small business plan include?
A strong small business plan includes the offer, target customer, marketing approach, operations or delivery plan, financial plan, and goals with a timeline.
How do I use business plan examples?
Use examples to understand structure and what to include. Borrow the format, then write your own plan in your own words based on your business.
Should I start with a business model canvas or a business plan?
Many people start with a business model canvas to map the overview, then use a simple business plan to define goals and actions. Related pages: Business Model Canvas and Simple Business Plan Template.
What finance templates support a business plan?
Cash flow, budgeting and financial projections support realistic planning. Related pages: Cash Flow Template, Business Budget Template, Financial Projections Template.
What if I need to pitch a client or partnership?
A business proposal template can help you present scope, pricing and timelines clearly. Related page: Business Proposal Template.