Do you have your own business or are interested in starting one? A Business Plan can help you! Whether you’re just working on the side or have dreams to build your own Trump-sized empire, a business plan will guide your decision making process as you run your business.
If you’ve never written a business plan before–relax! Here’s a secret: I haven’t either, but I’m here to tell you that there are lots of great resources available to help you succeed.
Library Online & Print Resources
How to Write a Business Plan by Mike P. McKeever
(685.15 McKeever – available at various CCPL libraries)
Like all of the Nolo Pressseries, this book is a great starting point for information about any law-related topic, in this case, starting a business. This book will give you a template and step-by-step guidance through actually writing your business plan. Nolo Press books are hard to beat, but always try to use the most recent edition of this book that’s available to you since advice can change based on changes in the law.
Business Plan Handbook (online & print)
Available in the Main Library’s Business Center at 658.4012 Businessor access this database from home with your CCPL Library card at http://tinyurl.com/ycg4g3
Originally a multivolume reference book and now also available as an eBook, Business Plans Handbookcollects actual business plans used by entrepreneurs to start many different kinds of businesses. Check the index in the most recent volume or use the keyword search online to locate business plans that match the kind of business you’d like to start. You can even find a helpful business plan template in the appendix of each volume (or just search for templatein the eBook).
Small Business Resource Center (online)
Access this database from home with your CCPL Library card at http://tinyurl.com/ycg4g3
This database can help you find current information on just about any small business topic. Like most other databases, you can use keyword searching to find information on your topic. This resource, however, also lets you browse some of the most popular topics. Click one of the large gray buttons to find information on Business Topics (such as pricing, market research, or business planning), Business Types (coffeehouses, restaurants, or specialty stores), Sample Business Plans (drawn from <em>Business Plans Handbook</em>), and How To… articles on some of the most commonly asked small business questions.
Other Business Planning Books
Locations vary, but all of these books may be requested and checked out at any CCPL branch.
- The ABC’s Of Writing Winning Business Plans: How To Prepare a Business Plan That Others Will Want To Read–and Invest In by Garrett Sutton. (2005) 658.4 Sutton
- Anatomy Of a Business Plan: A Step-By-Step Guide To Building a Business and Securing Your Company’s Futureby Linda Pinson. (2005) 658.4012 Pinson
- Business Plan Exampleby Kris Solie-Johnson. (2003) 658.4012 Solie-Jo
- Business Plans For Dummies by Paul Tiffany and Steven D. Peterson. (2005) 658.4012 Tiffany
- Business Plans Kit For Dummiesby Steven D. Peterson, Peter E. Jaret, and Barbara Findlay Schenck. (2005) 658.4012 Peterson
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Business Plans by Gwen Moran and Sue Johnson (2005) 658.4 Moran
- A Short Course In International Business Plans: Charting a Strategy For Success In Global Commerceby Robert L. Brown, Alan S. Gutterman. (2003) 658.4012 Brown
- Write a Business Plan–In No Timeby Frank Fiore. (2005) 658.4012 Fiore
Other Online Resources
Free Online Business Planning Courses from the SBA
http://www.sba.gov/services/training/onlinecourses/index.html
The Small Business Administration’s goal is to help you achieve your business dreams, and they offer lots of great resources to help you. One of the easiest ways to take advantage of their help is to check out these online courses, which not only cover writing a business plan but also include topics like marketing, accounting, international trade, and government contracting. Each course takes about 30 minutes to complete, so it’s easy to fit them into a hectic work day!
Bplans.com
http://www.bplans.com
Bplans.com offers 100 free business plan samples as well as some articles and other information on the startup process.
Personalized Help in the Charleston Area
SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Businesses
http://www.score285.org
SCORE is a nonprofit volunteer association of business people who offer great free counseling services to help you get your business off of the ground. Area businesses who got startup help from our local SCORE counselors include Mary Norton couture accessories, Charleston Cookie Company, and nonprofits such as Footlight Players and the Gibbes Museum of Art. SCORE counselors are available at the Library’s Business Center on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10 – 2 or every weekday at the SCORE offices in the Chamber of Commerce building in North Charleston.
South Carolina Women’s Busincess Center
http://www.scwbc.org
Despite it’s name, the SCWBC isn’t just for women. Open to all SC entrepreneurs, the SCWBC offers free or low-cost confidential business assistance on a wide range of business topics. In addition to individual counseling, our local office offers the How to Start Your Business Step by Step seminar twice a month, which includes a business plan template as well as great information about how get your business started in South Carolina. Information about fees and upcoming dates area available on the website.
http://www.fasttracsc.org
A national nonprofit organization funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and supported by dozens of business assistance organizations in South Carolina, FastTrac offers four different business courses to area entrepreneurs. FastTrac NewVenture is designed to teach you how to evaluate your business idea to see if it is feasible. Designed for the new entrepreneur, this multiweek course includes 31.5 hours of class time. Information about fees and upcoming dates are available on the website.
Parting Advice
Told you there were a lot of resources out there to help you! Once you begin writing, you’ll find that you need to have some other information to complete the plan. We can help guide you to the information you need. Be sure to check our other sections on this site for more research tips.
One last thing: With so many resources and people out there willing to help you do it yourself, resist the temptation you might feel to pay someone to write your plan for you. Think about it: who is going into business? You or someone you’re paying? You, of course! You will not just write this document and file it or hand it to bankers trying to get startup money. Treat the business planning process as what it is: the first step in achieving your dream of owning your business. Writing a good plan will teach you exactly what you need to know in order to be a success.
Good luck!
