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Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Melissa Houston covers financial issues that affect women in business. Creating a successful business starts with a strong plan.

If you are building a startup long enough, someone will ask for your business plan. Sometimes it is an investor. Sometimes it is a bank. Sometimes it is just you, staring at a blank Google Doc at 11 p ...

For the entrepreneur, knowing how to start writing a business plan can be as exhilarating as it is overwhelming. The business plan is a foundational document and the blueprint of your business and is ...

At the foundation of every strong business is a solid business plan. A business plan outlines important information regarding a company's operations and goals and serves as a blueprint for achieving ...

Just like you shouldn’t head down a trail without a map, you shouldn’t launch a new startup without a solid business plan. This document can help guide strategy and keep your company moving in the ...

In 2026, a business plan is no longer a 40-page document built to impress bankers. It is a thinking tool. One that helps founders clarify strategy, test assumptions, and communicate clearly with ...

Elysse Bell is a finance and business writer for Investopedia. She writes about small business, personal finance, technology, and more. Samantha (Sam) Silberstein, CFP®, CSLP®, EA, is an experienced ...

This guide will show you how to use Google Bard to write a business plan. A business plan serves as a blueprint that outlines the core aspects of your enterprise, delineating its mission, objectives, ...

Starting a business is no easy feat, and at the backbone of every business is a solid business plan. Before those words scare you, you'll be happy to know there's a simple way to do this. In this ...

The purpose of an executive summary Common mistakes to avoid The first part of your plan that anybody will see, after the title page and table of contents, is the executive summary. This could be ...

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Running a business can be unpredictable, which is why having a solid business plan as a foundation is vital to surviving and thriving in ...