Business Plans

Find sample business plans.

American Express Small Business: Creating an Effective Business Plan

American Express guidelines present the perspective of a lending institution. This workshop will help you create a business plan to guide your business through the start-up or growth phase, a search for capital, or any other endeavor your small business undertakes.  American Express Small Business has distilled the typical business plan into seven key elements. For each and every element you will find a description and instructions for creation; many also include tips for avoiding common pitfalls. You will also find "Toolboxes" full of samples, worksheets, and glossaries that will clarify and walk you through the process.

bPlans.com

This is a commercial site (they hope that you will buy their software) however, they offer many examples of business plans, categorized by industry. Avoid using a standard template because you will lose the uniqueness that is so important for an entrepreneurial venture, but the examples may be useful.

Business Plans Handbook: A Compilation of Actual Business Plans Developed by Small Businesses throughout North America

Included is a directory of organizations, agencies, and consultants for small business. The last volume in the series provides a cumulative index of all the preceding volumes. Continuously updated.

HD62.7.B865 [location: General Reference shelves; also located at the Dallas Campus Library].
ALSO LOCATED AT THE UNT DALLAS LIBRARY.

Hint:  Consult the index in the last volume for a company in your industry.  Not all industries are included, but if you find a company in your industry, the sample business plan frequently includes a description of the industry, proforma statements (including cost of sales), equipment needed, market analysis, and marketing strategy.

Center for Business Planning

This site offers excellent links and guidelines to various resources. Check their website, especially check the side bar on the left for specific resources for individual components of the business plan.  The Center for Business Planning links to several Award winning plans at this link: http://www.businessplans.org/mootcorp.html

Entrepreneur.com

Includes Business Blog, Slideshows, Podcasts, Business Forms, Special Listings, Resource Centers, Startup Guides, Business Bookstore, Opportunity Finder, Franchise Consultation, Classifieds, Special Offers, Products & Services, Magazine. Click on Tools and Services for a wide range of business startup topics.  Entrepreneur magazine's link to business forms and plans: http://www.entrepreneur.com/formnet/startingabusinessforms.html

SBA - sample plans

Provides extensive links to sample business plans.