Business Plan=Plan your Business

Just how important is a written business plan?  Do you really need to spend all that time with a plan, I mean, you know exactly what you want to do, it’s all in your head, right?  Understanding what goes into a business plan is almost as important as the plan itself. If you know you should do a plan but aren’t sure how or where to start, we’ve got a workshop for you.   I would also emphasize that if you are going to be seeking ANY outside funding, a business plan is essential.

Business Plan Basics is the second workshop in our ‘Working Lunch Series’.   If you are thinking about starting a business, these workshops are for you.  Attend one or all of the sessions to learn what you need to get started.  This class will focus on business plans and you will learn the basic components of what goes into a business plan.  Workshops are presented in partnership with the Yakima Valley SCORE Chapter and taught by professionals with real-world business experience.

• Business Plan Basics, Wednesday, February 17th, 2010.  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Financing your Business, Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010.  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Marketing your Business, Wednesday, March 17, 2010.  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Held at the Central Washington Business Resource Center, 10 North 9th Street, Yakima 98901.  Classes are $10.00 each if you pre-register or $15.00 at the door and includes the price of lunch. Register online or for more information, call me at 509.575.1140 or email tammy@ycda.com.

You can also get assistance from  the YVEN Business Plan Assistance Page, meet with a SCORE or SBDC counselor or use a software program.  I was thinking about starting a home-based business on the side a few years ago and ran the projections and numbers through Business Plan Pro and realized that I would be making less than a dollar an hour.  Needless to say, that was quite a bit different than the $50 an hour I thought I would be making!  What are your best tips for preparing a business plan?  In your experience was it necessary and/or helpful?