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Sample business plans and templates

Sample business plans and templates can help you develop a professional document that will serve as an in-depth marketing tool to convince others of your venture's potential for success. However, creating your own plan can be a complex process, and you may need the assistance of a professional (like an accountant) depending on the type of business you have (or want to run), and what you are seeking in terms of investment.

Business development organizations and Canadian banks have free templates, writing guides, sample plans, and even interactive tools available online. These resources allow you to walk through a plan line by line. You will get a sense of the information you might be asked to provide when you are looking for financing, for example.

While many of these online tools are free, you may choose to purchase software that will help you prepare your plans and forecasts.

Business development organizations

These organizations may provide tools to help their clients prepare professional business plans through their regional offices or via the Web.

• SBC Ontario - What is a Business Plan? Take a free online small business course about various types of business plans and how these might fit your business and intended audience.
• CBDC - Business Plan You can use this fillable business planning tool to prepare your business plan.
• BDC -  Business plan template You can create your own professional business plan with the help of the  BDC  sample plan and business plan template.
• Futurpreneur Canada - Business Plan Writer Are you ready to start your business? You can use this online tool to develop, write, and download your business plan.
• Planning for success: your guide to preparing a business and marketing plan Learn about 9 essential sections of a business plan and what to include in each one.

Canadian banks and lenders

If you approach a bank for help with financing, the bankers will want your business plan to include the specific information they need to make their decision. These requirements may vary from one bank to another, and from one type of business to another. Therefore, if you know which institution(s) you would like to speak with, it's a good idea to see what key sections they would like included.

• Bank of Montreal - Tools and tips for small business owners Find planning resources that can help you start, grow and improve your business.
• RBC Royal Bank - Starting a Business Learn about key sections of a business plan.
• Scotiabank - Business Plan Writer Access an interactive tool to help you create an effective business plan.
• National Bank - My Business Model If you are starting or growing a business, use this business model tool to help with your planning process.
• Farm Credit Canada - Business Plan Tools for Producers Get business plan information specific to farm operations and agriculture businesses.

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Planning a business

Assessing your readiness, choosing a business structure, market research and writing a business plan.

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Developing your business idea.

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A business plan is like a road map. It helps you define your operation’s core objectives and build a detailed plan for how to achieve them.

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We want to help make writing your business plan easier. The FCC business plan bundles were designed specifically for Canadian producers, food and beverage entrepreneurs or anyone involved in Canadian agriculture and food.

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Free PDF Business Plan Templates and Samples

By Joe Weller | September 9, 2020

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We’ve gathered the most useful collection of business plan PDF templates and samples, including options for organizations of any size and type.

On this page, you’ll find free PDF templates for a simple business plan , small business plan , startup business plan , and more.

Simple Business Plan PDF Templates

These simple business plan PDF templates are ready to use and customizable to fit the needs of any organization.

Simple Business Plan Template PDF

This template contains a traditional business plan layout to help you map out each aspect, from a company overview to sales projections and a marketing strategy. This template includes a table of contents, as well as space for financing details that startups looking for funding may need to provide. 

Download Simple Business Plan Template - PDF

Lean Business Plan Template PDF

This scannable business plan template allows you to easily identify the most important elements of your plan. Use this template to outline key details pertaining to your business and industry, product or service offerings, target customer segments (and channels to reach them), and to identify sources of revenue. There is also space to include key performance metrics and a timeline of activities. 

Download Lean Business Plan Template - PDF

Simple 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template PDF

This template is designed to help you develop and implement a 90-day business plan by breaking it down into manageable chunks of time. Use the space provided to detail your main goals and deliverables for each timeframe, and then add the steps necessary to achieve your objectives. Assign task ownership and enter deadlines to ensure your plan stays on track every step of the way.

Download Simple 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template

PDF | Smartsheet

One-Page Business Plan PDF Templates

The following single page business plan templates are designed to help you download your key ideas on paper, and can be used to create a pitch document to gain buy-in from partners, investors, and stakeholders.

One-Page Business Plan Template PDF

Use this one-page template to summarize each aspect of your business concept in a clear and concise manner. Define the who, what, why, and how of your idea, and use the space at the bottom to create a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) for your business. 

Download One-Page Business Plan Template

If you’re looking for a specific type of analysis, check out our collection of SWOT templates .

One-Page Lean Business Plan PDF

This one-page business plan template employs the Lean management concept, and encourages you to focus on the key assumptions of your business idea. A Lean plan is not stagnant, so update it as goals and objectives change — the visual timeline at the bottom is ideal for detailing milestones. 

Download One-Page Lean Business Plan Template - PDF

One-Page 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template

Use this business plan template to identify main goals and outline the necessary activities to achieve those goals in 30, 60, and 90-day increments. Easily customize this template to fit your needs while you track the status of each task and goal to keep your business plan on target. 

Download One-Page 30-60-90 Day Business Plan Template

For additional single page plans, including an example of a one-page business plan , visit " One-Page Business Plan Templates with a Quick How-To Guide ."

Small Business Plan PDF Templates

These business plan templates are useful for small businesses that want to map out a way to meet organizational objectives, including how to structure, operate, and expand their business.

Simple Small Business Plan Template PDF

A small business can use this template to outline each critical component of a business plan. There is space to provide details about product or service offerings, target audience, customer reach strategy, competitive advantage, and more. Plus, there is space at the bottom of the document to include a SWOT analysis. Once complete, you can use the template as a basis to build out a more elaborate plan. 

Download Simple Small Business Plan Template

Fill-In-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template PDF

This fill-in-the-blank template walks you through each section of a business plan. Build upon the fill-in-the-blank content provided in each section to add information about your company, business idea, market analysis, implementation plan, timeline of milestones, and much more.

Download Fill-In-the-Blank Small Business Plan Template - PDF

One-Page Small Business Plan Template PDF

Use this one-page template to create a scannable business plan that highlights the most essential parts of your organization’s strategy. Provide your business overview and management team details at the top, and then outline the target market, market size, competitive offerings, key objectives and success metrics, financial plan, and more.

Download One-Page Business Plan for Small Business - PDF

Startup Business Plan PDF Templates

Startups can use these business plan templates to check the feasibility of their idea, and articulate their vision to potential investors.

Startup Business Plan Template

Use this business plan template to organize and prepare each essential component of your startup plan. Outline key details relevant to your concept and organization, including your mission and vision statement, product or services offered, pricing structure, marketing strategy, financial plan, and more.

‌Download Startup Business Plan Template

Sample 30-60-90 Day Business Plan for Startup

Startups can use this sample 30-60-90 day plan to establish main goals and deliverables spanning a 90-day period. Customize the sample goals, deliverables, and activities provided on this template according to the needs of your business. Then, assign task owners and set due dates to help ensure your 90-day plan stays on track.

‌Download Sample 30-60-90 Day Business Plan for Startup Template 

For additional resources to create your plan, visit “ Free Startup Business Plan Templates and Examples .”

Nonprofit Business Plan PDF Templates

Use these business plan PDF templates to outline your organization’s mission, your plan to make a positive impact in your community, and the steps you will take to achieve your nonprofit’s goals.

Nonprofit Business Plan Template PDF

Use this customizable PDF template to develop a plan that details your organization’s purpose, objectives, and strategy. This template features a table of contents, with room to include your nonprofit’s mission and vision, key team and board members, program offerings, a market and industry analysis, promotional plan, financial plan, and more. This template also contains a visual timeline to display historic and future milestones.

Download Nonprofit Business Plan Template - PDF

One-Page Business Plan for Nonprofit Organization PDF 

This one-page plan serves as a good starting point for established and startup nonprofit organizations to jot down their fundamental goals and objectives. This template contains all the essential aspects of a business plan in a concise and scannable format, including the organizational overview, purpose, promotional plan, key objectives and success metrics, fundraising goals, and more.

Download One-Page Business Plan for Nonprofit Organization Template - PDF

Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan PDF Templates

Use these fill-in-the-blank templates as a foundation for creating a comprehensive roadmap that aligns your business strategy with your marketing, sales, and financial goals.

Simple Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan PDF

The fill-in-the-blank template contains all the vital parts of a business plan, with sample content that you can customize to fit your needs. There is room to include an executive summary, business description, market analysis, marketing plan, operations plan, financial statements, and more. 

Download Simple Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Template - PDF

Lean Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan PDF

This business plan is designed with a Lean approach that encourages you to clarify and communicate your business idea in a clear and concise manner. This single page fill-in-the-blank template includes space to provide details about your management team, the problem you're solving, the solution, target customers, cost structure, and revenue streams. Use the timeline at the bottom to produce a visual illustration of key milestones. 

Download Fill-In-the-Blank Lean Business Plan Template - PDF

For additional resources, take a look at " Free Fill-In-the-Blank Business Plan Templates ."

Sample Business Plan PDF Templates

These sample business plan PDF templates can help you to develop an organized, thorough, and professional business plan.

Business Plan Sample 

This business plan example demonstrates a plan for a fictional food truck company. The sample includes all of the elements in a traditional business plan, which makes it a useful starting point for developing a plan specific to your business needs.

Download Basic Business Plan Sample - PDF

Sample Business Plan Outline Template

Use this sample outline as a starting point for your business plan. Shorten or expand the outline depending on your organization’s needs, and use it to develop a table of contents for your finalized plan.

Download Sample Business Plan Outline Template - PDF

Sample Business Financial Plan Template

Use this sample template to develop the financial portion of your business plan. The template provides space to include a financial overview, key assumptions, financial indicators, and business ratios. Complete the break-even analysis and add your financial statements to help prove the viability of your organization’s business plan.

Download Business Financial Plan Template

PDF  | Smartsheet

For more free, downloadable templates for all aspects of your business, check out “ Free Business Templates for Organizations of All Sizes .”

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Starting your business with a plan and support

On this page skip this page navigation, introduction.

Everyone needs a business plan. It does not matter whether you are starting your very first business or growing an existing one, you always need a plan.

It is also important to know whether entrepreneurship is right for you and where to find the services and support available to help you get started.

In this section you will learn:

• if entrepreneurship is right for you and available support services
• why you need a business plan
• the key elements of a business plan
• how to research the information you need for your plan
• where to find support for your business

Is entrepreneurship right for you?

Take a few minutes to learn more about the reality of being your own boss and what it takes to succeed. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs ( OMAFRA ) and the Government of Canada have information that could help you decide. To learn more, see:

• Starting a Business in Canada

Even experienced business owners can benefit from coaching or counseling. If you are ready to take the next steps and want some support, try these resources:

Business development centres and consultants

Do you need help writing your business plan, doing your research, or developing the skills you need to be a business owner? Small business development centres or a consultant can help. Make sure you do your research and select a consultant that is right for you and your business. You may need to spend some time before contacting a consultant to identify your business needs and your budget for this service.

Here are a few resources to help you get started:

• Small Business Access
• Community Futures Ontario
• Business and Industry
• Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
• Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

You’ll find more resources in Appendix A .

Seminars and workshops

You may be interested in attending seminars or workshops on how to start up a new business. Many are free or cost very little. Topics include taxes, business planning and marketing. To find one, check with groups like these:

• Banks and other lenders (for example, Business Development Bank of Canada or Farm Credit Canada)
• Ontario Small Business Enterprise Centres
• Food sector associations (for example, Food and Beverage Ontario or Baking Association of Canada)
• Industry conferences and tradeshows
• Food festivals and events
• Government agencies
• Regional economic development organizations
• Manufacturing organizations (for example, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters)
• Chambers of Commerce

You may also find other helpful tutorials and webinars by searching the Internet.

Job shadowing

One of the best ways to learn about the food processing industry is to work in it. Consider volunteering, job shadowing or working as an intern. This will give you valuable experience and connections. To find a position, get in touch with an industry association or a career and placement centre.

Business incubators and commercial kitchens

A business incubator is an organization that offers a wide range of services and resources to help grow your new business. These include physical locations, mentoring assistance, management assistance, business counseling and advisory services, technical information, financial advice, training, networks and more.

Some incubators are general in nature and will accept new clients from a variety of sectors, while others focus on specific industries or technologies.

A commercial kitchen is a food production facility that has all the licenses required to produce safe food. It is also inspected regularly by a health authority depending on the type of food that can be produced in the kitchen (that is, municipal, provincial and federal food safety requirements). They generally offer for rent a food production kitchen as well as dry, cold and freezer storage among other services.

To find a business incubator and/or commercial kitchen, see Appendix A .

Think you are ready to run a business? Now it is time to learn more about why you need a business plan.

Why you need a business plan

A business plan is a critical management tool for the creation or expansion of any business. It is a game plan — a concise, written record of objectives and how to obtain them. It describes, at a minimum, a product or service, customers, competition, management and financial arrangements. It should also outline production and marketing plans. It will outline the steps needed to start and grow a successful business, identify necessary resources, resolve potential problems before they occur and highlight areas where you need financing.

Others expect you to have a plan

If you need money to help get your business going, investors, the bank and any government funding programs will require a plan.

Planning takes research — lots of it

Writing your business plan will take a lot of research. The more research you do, the better. Research can show you the hurdles you need to overcome, identify unexpected costs, and help you avoid spending time and money on a project with little or no chance of success.

Research can be the difference between seeing your business being successful or your being business being exposed to risk.

Key elements of your business plan

Business plans come in many different forms and lengths, but they all contain the same core information. You can find many business plan templates online.

Futurpreneur Canada has detailed information and resources on writing a business plan. Also, see Appendix A for links to business planning software available for purchase.

Your business plan should include:

Executive summary

An executive summary of your business plan can be one to two pages in length. Investors especially will look at this section to see if they are interested in learning more about your business. Everything here is detailed elsewhere in your plan, so keep it brief.

The executive summary should include:

• a general description of your product
• the market(s) in which you are entering
• what differentiates your product from your competition
• short-and-long term goals for your business (start up, growth potential, new markets and expected income)
• ownership structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and the management team)
• financial highlights and other financial requirements

The executive summary is the first thing readers see, but it is typically the last piece of the business plan that is written.

Business description

Include a general description about your business, such as:

• vision, mission and values
• goals and objectives — what are the timelines to accomplish your goals and objectives
• ownership structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation) — outline share ownership if multiple investors are involved
• leadership and/or management team — what experience, credential and expertise do they bring to the business and how will they contribute to the success of the business?
• business location — where is the business located? Are facilities being leased or is the business co-packing or just starting and using a commercial kitchen/incubator?

Also, see Setting up your business .

Industry overview

Demonstrate the potential success of your business by discussing the size and growth of your industry and the key markets within it. Be sure to include:

• market research, gap analysis and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the market
• major players in your industry including competitors, your customers and potential consumers of your product
• relevance and key attributes of your product, that is, unique selling proposition ( USP )
• industry and economic trends affecting your industry — this is also sometimes referred to as a PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal) analysis
• certifications, insurance and industry or government regulations required
• overall growth potential of your industry

Also, see Stages of business growth for food and beverage companies.

Product(s) description

Go into details about your product(s) including:

• features and benefits
• competitive advantages
• how and where your products will be produced and packaged
• where your product is going to be sold

Also, see Developing your product prototype .

Marketing strategy

Include the four Ps of marketing — product, price, promotion and place (distribution).

Consider describing:

• competitive advantage — does it fill a niche or specific market demand
• price point — based on costs, competition, or what the market will bear
• SWOT analysis — identify and outline strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relating to the business (internal) and the market (external)
• identify and understand the competitors and consumers of the product(s)
• implications of change, trends, new technologies, new products, different lifestyles, ability of customers to afford the product
• targeted geographic area where marketing tactics will be focused
• product distribution — how will you get your product(s) to customer

Refer to the following sections of this guide:

• Promotion strategy
• Placement strategy
• Pricing strategy

Operations plan

Prepare a brief outline of how you plan to operate your business, including:

• how the product will be manufactured — for example, your own plant, co-manufacturing and commercial kitchen use
• where ingredients and supplies will be purchased and how the product will be packaged, warehoused and shipped
• what, if any, land, buildings and equipment will be needed
• business location — proximity to consumers, suppliers, transportation (include costs) and location of competitors
• production capacity that can be achieved (how you will react to market demand)
• how will the business meet food safety requirements and other mandatory regulations

Human resources plan

Human resources management is a critical component to the success of any business. Consider including details about:

• the key people currently involved in your business — include your management team and outline their experience, credentials and expertise and how they will contribute to the success of the business
• your plan to attract, retain and train employees
• additional skills needed to implement your plan and when you will need them
• how key areas will be handled and by whom. An organizational chart is recommended
• strengths and weaknesses in the management team and a strategy to overcome them
• salary and compensation of managers and employees

Financial plan

Some believe this is the most important part of a plan. The financial plan is an essential part of any business plan and will be a requirement for creditors and/or government agencies when evaluating your business needs and use of funds. Include at least three years’ worth of projected financial statements.

Your financial plan should include:

• income statement — discloses annual revenues and expenses of a business over the time period covered by the plan.
• cashflow summary — forecast how much money will come in and out of the business. This projection will budget what you can afford and predict when expenditures will be made. It will show how to keep the business operating on a month-to-month basis and indicates the projected bank loan requirements during the year.
• balance sheet — describes the assets, liabilities and equity of the business at a point in time. It is a widely used accounting statement that indicates the economic resources of the business organization and the claim on those resources by creditors. This information will allow owners, partners and creditors to compare the estimates against past performance and industry averages.
• capital sales and purchases — supply detailed information on the capital purchases of land, buildings and equipment that are anticipated during the planning period and disclose information on how these assets are to be financed and their life expectancy.
• financing schedule — snapshot overview including name of financial institutions for existing and new loans.

Be sure to document all the assumptions you used in forecasting your revenues and expenses (see Financing your food and beverage business ).

Now that you know some of the key elements required in a business plan, it is time to start your research.

Researching information for your business plan

Invest the time required to research the information needed for your business plan. This is a key step and critical to your success. One great place to start your research is by looking at other food and beverage manufacturing businesses to see what they make, how they make it, their target market and more.

Conduct your own search of trade associations specific to your product or reach out to OMAFRA through the Agricultural Information Contact Centre ( AICC ) via e-mail at [email protected] or phone at 1-877-424-1300 , and the AICC will direct you to an economic and business advisors who will be able to assist you. They can provide you with industry or sector reports or put you in contact with the right players.

For details and statistics on Canada’s food and beverage processing industry, it is recommended that you read the Government of Canada's information about food and beverage processing .

Learn about Ontario’s food and beverage industry on Ontario's Food and beverage statistics webpage .

Also, see Appendix A for links to other online resources and industry information.

Food product databases

Look for research, consumer surveys, business trends and developing technologies from all over the world on a wide variety of food product databases.

You can access some for free on the Internet. Others are available through data services for a fee.

Make a list of key words that describe the industry, the business and the topics you are researching. Examples include:

• company names
• individuals

Learn from example

It helps to know how other entrepreneurs started their businesses. Keep informed through resources such as the Business Development Bank of Canada’s characteristics of entrepreneurs .

Once you have completed your research, you should talk to an expert who can help you finish your plan and provide advice and support for your business.

Finding support

Now that you have done your research, you know about the demand for your product, how to make it unique and what it will take to get it produced. You are ready to speak to experts or others working in the industry for more advice and guidance.

This support can come from a wide variety of sources.

Industry associations

Industry associations are made up of businesses that operate in a specific industry. You can contact the associations for more information about your industry or to become a member to get regular updates on topics that will affect your business and the key factors for success. Some examples include:

• Food and Beverage Ontario
• Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association
• Meat and Poultry Ontario
• Canadian Sugar Institute
• Baking Association of Canada

Advisory board/food industry mentors

Many successful businesses have advisory boards. These are made up of experienced people who give the business owners advice and guidance. You might want to create your own advisory board or find a mentor to advise you. Look for someone with food industry experience who is willing to share what they know with you. Potential mentors, or board members, could be:

• retired/previous owners or managers of similar businesses
• non-competing business owners
• potential customers
• key suppliers
• accountants
• financial planners
• technical experts

Successful businesspeople in non-food related sectors can also provide valuable advice on how to start up and manage your new business. Tips and experience from one type of business often work just as well for another.

Peer networks

Look for local or internet-based business professional and entrepreneurial networks that will share their support and information. These networks do not need to be food related. Peer networks are great for learning best practices, making industry connections, developing potential customers and promoting your business. These are some examples of peer networks:

• local food groups
• women in business networks
• young entrepreneur networks
• I can describe my business concept (what my idea is) in one minute.
• I have set up a folder to file my information.
• I have gathered research information on my market and sector.
• I understand my product positioning ( USP ) and can describe the customer that would buy my product.
• I understand the demand for my product.
• I can list my competition and have begun gathering information on them.
• I know what makes my product better or different.
• I have researched other food and beverage manufacturers to see how they succeeded or failed.
• I have contacted industry associations to find experts who can advise me.
• I have a business plan template and have made progress in filling it in.

Free business plan template

• Download business plan template
• Try Xero for free

Download a business plan template and start bringing your ideas to life. Choose a one-pager, or multi-pager. Or try Xero accounting software for free.

Download the business plan template

Fill in the form to get a free business plan template as an editable PDF. We’ll send a one-pager and a multi-pager to choose from.

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Getting started with the business plan template

We’ll send you two types of business plan template – a one-pager and a multi-pager. Choose the one that’s right for you. They come with instructions to help fill them out.

Doing a business plan will improve your idea. It helps you think about your business from different points of view. The process will flag up unseen risks, but also new opportunities. Aside from helping refine your idea, a business plan will move it forward. It’ll give you a concrete set of steps to go from "I should" to "I did".

Are you looking forward to the bookkeeping and accounting that comes with a new business? Na, we didn’t think so. Xero can automate a lot of that stuff away for you.

One-page business plan template

Great for making a start

Helps you pin down the main idea

Easy to update as things evolve

Multi-page business plan template

Ideal for nailing down the details

Required by most investors and lenders

Good if you face big startup costs

Tips to help with your business plan

Don’t obsess over every detail to start with. That will make the plan long and hard to change. Keep it short and concise initially.

Financing your business

Need cash to get going? Check out our finance guide.

How to finance your business

Starting a business

Check out our guide for information about getting started.

How to start a business

Find a bookkeeper or accountant

Accoutnants and bookkeepers can help build financial resilience into your business budgets.

Find a financial advisor near you

Plan on making business fun

Xero does not provide accounting, tax, business or legal advice. This template has been provided for information purposes only. You should consult your own professional advisors for advice directly relating to your business.

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Access Xero features for 30 days, then decide which plan best suits your business.

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Start selling with Shopify today

Start your free trial with Shopify today—then use these resources to guide you through every step of the process.

Free Business Plan Template for Small Businesses (2024)

Use this free business plan template to write your business plan quickly and efficiently.

A good business plan is essential to successfully starting your business —  and the easiest way to simplify the work of writing a business plan is to start with a business plan template.

You’re already investing time and energy in refining your business model and planning your launch—there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to writing a business plan. Instead, to help build a complete and effective plan, lean on time-tested structures created by other  entrepreneurs and startups. 

Ahead, learn what it takes to create a solid business plan and download Shopify's free business plan template to get started on your dream today. 

What this free business plan template includes

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Products or services offered
• Market analysis
• Marketing plan
• Logistics and operations plan
• Financial plan

This business plan outline is designed to ensure you’re thinking through all of the important facets of starting a new business. It’s intended to help new business owners and entrepreneurs consider the full scope of running a business and identify functional areas they may not have considered or where they may need to level up their skills as they grow.

That said, it may not include the specific details or structure preferred by a potential investor or lender. If your goal with a business plan is to secure funding , check with your target organizations—typically banks or investors—to see if they have business plan templates you can follow to maximize your chances of success.

Shopify's free business plan template includes seven key elements typically found in the traditional business plan format:

1. Executive summary

This is a one-page summary of your whole plan, typically written after the rest of the plan is completed. The description section of your executive summary will also cover your management team, business objectives and strategy, and other background information about the brand. 

2. Company overview

This section of your business plan will answer two fundamental questions: “Who are you?” and “What do you plan to do?” Answering these questions clarifies why your company exists, what sets it apart from others, and why it’s a good investment opportunity. This section will detail the reasons for your business’s existence, its goals, and its guiding principles.

3. Products or services offered

What you sell and the most important features of your products or services. It also includes any plans for intellectual property, like patent filings or copyright. If you do market research for new product lines, it will show up in this section of your business plan.

4. Market analysis

This section includes everything from estimated market size to your target markets and competitive advantage. It’ll include a competitive analysis of your industry to address competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. Market research is an important part of ensuring you have a viable idea.

5. Marketing plan

How you intend to get the word out about your business, and what strategic decisions you’ve made about things like your pricing strategy. It also covers potential customers’ demographics, your sales plan, and your metrics and milestones for success.

6. Logistics and operations plan

Everything that needs to happen to turn your raw materials into products and get them into the hands of your customers.

7. Financial plan

It’s important to include a look at your financial projections, including both revenue and expense projections. This section includes templates for three key financial statements: an income statement, a balance sheet, and a cash-flow statement . You can also include whether or not you need a business loan and how much you’ll need.

Business plan examples

What do financial projections look like on paper? How do you write an executive summary? What should your company description include?  Business plan examples  can help answer some of these questions and transform your business idea into an actionable plan.

Professional business plan example

Inside the template, you'll find a sample business plan featuring a fictional ecommerce business . 

The sample is set up to help you get a sense of each section and understand how they apply to the planning and evaluation stages of a business plan. If you’re looking for funding, this example won’t be a complete or formal look at business plans, but it will give you a great place to start and notes about where to expand.

Lean business plan example

A lean business plan format is a shortened version of your more detailed business plan. It’s helpful when modifying your plan for a specific audience, like investors or new hires. 

Also known as a one-page business plan, it includes only the most important, need-to-know information, such as:

• Company description
• Key members of your team
• Customer segments

💡 Tip: For a step-by-step guide to creating a lean business plan (including a sample business plan), read Shopify's guide on how to create a lean business plan .

Benefits of writing a solid business plan

It’s tempting to dive right into execution when you’re excited about a new business or side project, but taking the time to write a thorough business plan and get your thoughts on paper allows you to do a number of beneficial things:

• Test the viability of your business idea. Whether you’ve got one business idea or many, business plans can make an idea more tangible, helping you see if it’s truly viable and ensure you’ve found a target market. 
• Plan for your next phase. Whether your goal is to start a new business or scale an existing business to the next level, a business plan can help you understand what needs to happen and identify gaps to address.
• Clarify marketing strategy, goals, and tactics. Writing a business plan can show you the actionable next steps to take on a big, abstract idea. It can also help you narrow your strategy and identify clear-cut tactics that will support it.
• Scope the necessary work. Without a concrete plan, cost overruns and delays are all but certain. A business plan can help you see the full scope of work to be done and adjust your investment of time and money accordingly.
• Hire and build partnerships. When you need buy-in from potential employees and business partners, especially in the early stages of your business, a clearly written business plan is one of the best tools at your disposal. A business plan provides a refined look at your goals for the business, letting partners judge for themselves whether or not they agree with your vision.
• Secure funds. Seeking financing for your business—whether from venture capital, financial institutions, or Shopify Capital —is one of the most common reasons to create a business plan.

Why you should you use a template for a business plan

A business plan can be as informal or formal as your situation calls for, but even if you’re a fan of the back-of-the-napkin approach to planning, there are some key benefits to starting your plan from an existing outline or simple business plan template.

No blank-page paralysis

A blank page can be intimidating to even the most seasoned writers. Using an established business planning process and template can help you get past the inertia of starting your business plan, and it allows you to skip the work of building an outline from scratch. You can always adjust a template to suit your needs.

Guidance on what to include in each section

If you’ve never sat through a business class, you might never have created a SWOT analysis or financial projections. Templates that offer guidance—in plain language—about how to fill in each section can help you navigate sometimes-daunting business jargon and create a complete and effective plan.

Knowing you’ve considered every section

In some cases, you may not need to complete every section of a startup business plan template, but its initial structure shows you you’re choosing to omit a section as opposed to forgetting to include it in the first place.

Tips for creating a successful business plan

There are some high-level strategic guidelines beyond the advice included in this free business plan template that can help you write an effective, complete plan while minimizing busywork.

Understand the audience for your plan

If you’re writing a business plan for yourself in order to get clarity on your ideas and your industry as a whole, you may not need to include the same level of detail or polish you would with a business plan you want to send to potential investors. Knowing who will read your plan will help you decide how much time to spend on it.

Know your goals

Understanding the goals of your plan can help you set the right scope. If your goal is to use the plan as a roadmap for growth, you may invest more time in it than if your goal is to understand the competitive landscape of a new industry.

Take it step by step

Writing a 10- to 15-page document can feel daunting, so try to tackle one section at a time. Select a couple of sections you feel most confident writing and start there—you can start on the next few sections once those are complete. Jot down bullet-point notes in each section before you start writing to organize your thoughts and streamline the writing process.

Maximize your business planning efforts

Planning is key to the financial success of any type of business , whether you’re a startup, non-profit, or corporation.

To make sure your efforts are focused on the highest-value parts of your own business planning, like clarifying your goals, setting a strategy, and understanding the target market and competitive landscape, lean on a business plan outline to handle the structure and format for you. Even if you eventually omit sections, you’ll save yourself time and energy by starting with a framework already in place.

Business plan template FAQ

What is the purpose of a business plan.

The purpose of your business plan is to describe a new business opportunity or an existing one. It clarifies the business strategy, marketing plan, financial forecasts, potential providers, and more information about the company.

How do I write a simple business plan?

• Choose a business plan format, such as a traditional or a one-page business plan. 
• Find a business plan template.
• Read through a business plan sample.
• Fill in the sections of your business plan.

What is the best business plan template?

If you need help writing a business plan, Shopify’s template is one of the most beginner-friendly options you’ll find. It’s comprehensive, well-written, and helps you fill out every section.

What are the 5 essential parts of a business plan?

The five essential parts of a traditional business plan include:

• Executive summary: This is a brief overview of the business plan, summarizing the key points and highlighting the main points of the plan.
• Business description: This section outlines the business concept and how it will be executed.
• Market analysis: This section provides an in-depth look at the target market and how the business will compete in the marketplace.
• Financial plan: This section details the financial projections for the business, including sales forecasts, capital requirements, and a break-even analysis.
• Management and organization: This section describes the management team and the organizational structure of the business.

Are there any free business plan templates?

There are several free templates for business plans for small business owners available online, including Shopify’s own version.

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• Business planning and strategy

Business plan writer

The interactive Futurpreneur business plan writer is designed to simplify the business planning process by allowing you to customize your plan. We also provide tips & tricks, and plenty of examples to guide you as you write.

Business plan example

Gain valuable insights from Futurpreneur’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Dominik Loncar, to learn how to articulate your vision with clarity and impact. We understand that writing a business plan can feel daunting, there’s so many pieces it’s hard to know where to start. So, to help you get started we’ve created a business plan example that includes insights and rationale from Dominik Loncar. He’s our Entrepreneur-in-Residence and he’s reviewed 100s of business plans from entrepreneurs.

Business plan essentials

Never written a business plan before? Fear not! With this crash course, you’ll be provided with an overview of the different components that make up a solid business plan ensuring you’re launch-ready and poised for success.

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Need a business plan? Try our template.

Invest in the future of your business by taking the time to create or update your business plan using our free template.

The importance of your business plan

Perhaps the most important document for any new business is a business plan. Yet too many business owners fail to sit down and prepare or update one.

A business without a plan is adrift. Decisions are made reactively based on the owner’s emotions, rather than prudent research. Employees, vendors, investors and other stakeholders (as well as the owner) are unclear about the direction of the company. That lack of focus results in wasted dollars, energies and resources as the company zigzags along instead of following a well-planned straight line to its goals.

Writing a business plan can seem a daunting task. Many entrepreneurs simply don’t have the time, inclination or the proper tools.

Business planning template

We have developed a template that makes creating your Business Plan easy. And it’s free !

This template guides you through all of the steps required to complete a proper business plan. It has explanations of the terms and definitions. It lets you add your own thoughts and comments.

Once you’ve completed the steps, you’ll have a business plan complete with cover page, contact information, financial tables, product descriptions and marketing details. You can save and print the plan, or send it electronically to anyone.

Use your plan to move your business forward with confidence, to motive your team, or to present to investors or lenders.

Depending on how much research and preparation you’ve already completed, creating your plan won’t consume much time at all. While it’s very easy, don’t worry if you get stuck because help is available throughout the process.

Take your plan to the bank

Once you’ve completed your business plan, you may take it to a Scotiabank  Small Business Advisor . The advisor can review your plan, supply feedback, and, if requested, help you to explore your financing options.

Get feedback on your plan

Asking people to review your plan will make it stronger because you’ll receive valuable feedback. Share it with your accountant, lawyer, financial advisor and trusted businesspeople so they can offer their suggestions to improve your plan. If you are really worried about someone reading your secrets, consider attaching a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to the plan. An NDA is a legal document that prevents others from sharing your information with unauthorized parties.

Try our free business plan template

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Title	Summer Company Business Plan Template
Description	The form is a business plan template, for Summer Company, a program of the Government of Ontario which provides mentoring and awards of up to $3000 to enterprising students between the ages of 15 and 29 years. All applicants must complete the business plan template as part of their application to the program.

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Appendix 4 - Developing a Paralegal Firm Business Plan

Developing a paralegal firm business plan.

The Following worksheet leads you through each of the categories of a basic law practice business plan.

• Description of the Law Firm [brief summary paragraph]
• Firm Goals and Strategy [brief statement]  
• Partners and Key Staff [brief statement]  
• Practice Areas [brief statement]  
• Unique Characteristics of the Firm [brief statement]  
• Types of Clients to be Served [brief statement]
• Firm Economics and Profitability [brief statement]  
• Financing Requirements [brief statement]  
• The local Economy and the Need for Legal Services [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• The Firm’s Marketing Plan [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• The Firm’s Practice Areas [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• The Firm’s Start-Up and Growth Strategy [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• Current and Potential Clients [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• Market Size and Trends [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• Competition – Other firms [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• Future Practice Areas [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  

Hourly Fees	$
Contingency Fees	$
Flat Fees	$
Retainer Fees	$
Other Fees	$
Other Revenue	$
	$

Partners	$	$
Associates	$	$
Law Clerks	$	$
Assistants	$	$
Other Staff	$	$
Payroll Taxes	$	$
Insurance	$	$
Parking	$	$
Other	$	$
Advertising	$	$
Bank Charges	$	$
Books	$	$
Other Library Expenses	$	$
Client Development	$	$
Equipment Rental	$	$
Insurance-Gen. Liability	$	$
Insurance-Excess	$	$
Maintenance/Repair	$	$
Office Supplies	$	$
Periodicals	$	$
Professional Fees/Dues	$	$
Rent	$	$
Taxes	$	$
Telephone	$	$
Travel Expenses	$	$
Utilities	$	$

	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$

• Overall Marketing Strategy [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• Billing Rates and Alternative Billing Policies [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• Client Service Initiatives [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  
• Advertising and Solicitation Plan [detailed analysis – may be additional pages]  

[detailed analysis – insert chart or spreadsheet]