We work at home, we don't need no stinkin' business plan.... do we?

Your business means a lot to you, it is the way in which you earn the money to support your family and to do the things that you and your loved ones want to be able to do. You work hard to make your business work, but have you created a business plan for it?

What's that you say? You don't plan to borrow money and you are not looking for investors so you don't need a business plan? ::shakes head:: No, wrong. You need a business plan if you are in business. The business plan is not just to tell others about your business, it is to keep you on track when it comes to your business. Take just a moment to get a pen and sheet of paper. In one paragraph write what your business is and what it offers for others. How does it make you money?

Can you clearly define your business? Good. Now, define it in a single sentence. No run on sentences, just a single concise sentence that says what your business is in clear enough terms you could write it in a fortune cookie and someone else would know what you do.

A business plan helps you to keep your vision in a range that you can manage your business effectively. It also helps you to see where you want to be in 5 years and 10 years and what needs to be done to get to those points.

Check the Small Business Administration website and other websites that have information on business plans and write one up. It does not have to be fancy, but it should help you understand your business and plan for the future and things such as marketing your business and expected growth for it.