Let me guess: you’ve been putting off writing a business plan for months (maybe years?). You know you need one, but every time you think about it, your brain goes blank. Or maybe you’ve started a few times but got overwhelmed by all the jargon and fancy templates that look like they belong in a Fortune 500 boardroom.
Here’s some good news for you: business plans don’t have to be scary, complicated, or perfect. In fact, the best business plan is the one that actually gets written: even if it’s just a few pages on a napkin.
Today, I’m going to walk you through the absolute easiest way to create a business plan that actually works for your small business. No MBA required, no complicated financial models, and definitely no stress.
Why You’re Probably Making This Harder Than It Needs to Be
Before we dive in, let’s bust some myths that might be holding you back:
Myth #1: “Business plans need to be 50+ pages long”
Reality: Most successful small businesses start with 3-5 page plans
Myth #2: “I need perfect financial projections”
Reality: Educated guesses based on research are totally fine
Myth #3: “It has to be formal and full of business jargon”
Reality: The best business plans read like you’re explaining your idea to a friend
Myth #4: “I need to have everything figured out first”
Reality: Your plan will evolve: that’s the whole point!
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s get started with the easiest approach I’ve found.
Step 1: Forget the Blank Page (Use a Template Instead)
The number one reason people get stuck is because they’re staring at a blank document. Don’t do that to yourself! Start with a fill-in-the-blank template.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Head to SCORE.org (it’s free!) and grab their business plan template
- Look for templates that have prompts like “Briefly explain what your company does…”
- Choose something that feels manageable: not the 40-page monster version
Think of it like paint-by-numbers for your business. The structure is already there; you just need to fill in your specific details.
Step 2: Write in the Wrong Order (Trust Me on This)
Here’s a game-changer: don’t write your business plan in the order it appears in the final document. Start with what’s easiest for you to write about.
Start with these sections first:
- What You’re Selling – You know your product or service better than anyone
- Who Your Customers Are – You probably have a good sense of this already
- What Makes You Different – Why would someone choose you over the competition?
Save these for later:
- Executive Summary (this is just a summary of everything else anyway)
- Financial projections (easier once you’ve thought through the rest)
- Market analysis (can be intimidating but gets easier with practice)
This approach keeps you moving forward instead of getting stuck on the “hard stuff” right away.
Step 3: The “Explain It to Your Neighbor” Method
Here’s my favorite trick: write like you’re explaining your business to your neighbor over coffee. No fancy language, no business school buzzwords: just plain English.
Instead of: “Our enterprise leverages innovative solutions to optimize market penetration in the B2B space…”
Write: “We help small restaurants save money on their food costs by connecting them directly with local farms.”
See the difference? The second version actually tells you what the business does.
Step 4: Keep Your First Draft Super Simple
Your first business plan doesn’t need to solve world hunger. It just needs to cover the basics:
The 7 Essential Questions Your Plan Should Answer:
- What exactly are you selling?
- Who’s going to buy it?
- How will you reach these customers?
- What makes you different or better?
- How much will it cost to get started?
- How much money do you expect to make?
- What are your next 3-6 month goals?
That’s it. Really. If you can answer these seven questions in 2-3 sentences each, you’ve got the foundation of a solid business plan.
Step 5: Use the “Good Enough” Financial Section
This is where a lot of people panic, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. For your first plan, focus on these three numbers:
Startup Costs: What do you need to spend to get going?
- Equipment, inventory, licenses, marketing, etc.
- It’s okay to estimate: just be realistic
Monthly Expenses: What will it cost to keep the doors open?
- Rent, utilities, supplies, your salary, etc.
Revenue Projections: How much do you expect to make?
- Start conservative, then add a “best case” scenario
Don’t stress about complex formulas. A simple spreadsheet with basic math is perfectly fine for most small businesses.
Step 6: The One-Hour Executive Summary
Save this for last, even though it goes first in your final document. Once you’ve written everything else, your executive summary becomes easy: it’s just the highlights reel.
Keep it to one page and include:
- What your business does (1-2 sentences)
- Your target customers (1 sentence)
- What makes you special (1-2 sentences)
- Your financial goals (1-2 sentences)
- What you need to make it happen (1-2 sentences)
Real-World Example: Sarah’s Dog Walking Service
Let me show you how this works with a real example. Sarah wanted to start a dog walking service but was intimidated by business plans. Here’s how she tackled it:
What she’s selling: “I walk dogs for busy professionals who work long hours.”
Her customers: “People in downtown condos who have dogs but work 9-5 jobs.”
What makes her different: “I send photo updates during each walk and offer weekend services.”
Her finances: “I need $500 to get started (insurance, supplies, marketing). I can charge $25 per walk and want to do 10 walks per week to start.”
See? Nothing fancy, but it gives her a clear direction and something to build on.
Step 7: Set It and Don’t Forget It
Here’s the thing about business plans: they’re living documents. Your first version won’t be perfect, and that’s exactly how it should be.
What to do once it’s written:
- Review it every 3 months
- Update it when things change (and they will!)
- Use it to make decisions when you’re feeling uncertain
- Share relevant parts with potential partners, lenders, or mentors
Your Next Steps (The 15-Minute Version)
Ready to get started? Here’s what you can do right now:
- Set a timer for 15 minutes
- Open a simple document (even a note on your phone works)
- Answer these three questions:
- What problem does your business solve?
- Who has this problem?
- How will you solve it better than anyone else?
- Save it with today’s date
Congratulations! You’ve just started your business plan. See how easy that was?
The Truth About “Perfect” Business Plans
Here’s what I wish someone had told me when I was starting out: the best business plan isn’t the most polished one: it’s the one that helps you make better decisions and take action.
Your customers won’t see your business plan. Your competition won’t read it. What matters is that you’ve thought through the key aspects of your business and have a roadmap to follow.
Some of the most successful small businesses I know started with plans written on sticky notes. Others began with elaborate documents that got completely rewritten after the first month of operation.
The point isn’t perfection: it’s clarity and action.
Ready to Stop Procrastinating?
You don’t need an MBA, a crystal ball, or a month of free time to write a business plan. You just need a few hours, a simple template, and the willingness to start before you feel completely ready.
Remember: a simple business plan that actually exists is infinitely more valuable than a perfect one that never gets written.
So what are you waiting for? Pick a time this week, grab a template, and just start. Your future self will thank you for taking this first step toward turning your business dreams into reality.
The hardest part is starting. Everything else is just filling in the blanks.
