How to… write your first business plan

Writing your first business plan can feel overwhelming. But it’s one of the most useful tools you can create. A clear plan will help you focus your energy, attract funding and build a stronger organisation.

Why write a business plan?

A business plan helps you:

• Clarify your idea
• Plan your next steps
• Track your progress
• Communicate with others

Funders, supporters and potential partners will often ask to see your business plan. But more than that, it’s a tool for you — to stay focused and make decisions with confidence.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

What to include in your business plan

Your plan should answer these questions:

1. What’s your idea?

Explain your social enterprise in one or two sentences. Be clear, specific and avoid jargon. This is sometimes called your value proposition: what you offer and why it matters.

2. Who are your customers?

Who will pay for your product or service? Be specific. Understanding your customers is key to your financial sustainability.

3. Who are your beneficiaries?

Who will benefit from what you’re doing? Sometimes they’re the same people as your customers, but not always. For example, you might sell a product to one group in order to support another.

4. How will you promote your organisation?

How will you reach the people you want to support, and the people who will pay for what you offer? Set out how you plan to raise awareness and build relationships.

5. Who else is doing something similar?

Do your research. What are others doing well? What makes your offer different or more suitable for your audience? Learning from others helps you build a stronger approach.

6. What are your next steps?

Break your goals into practical actions. What needs to happen first? What can wait? Clear steps make your plan more manageable.

7. What resources will you need?

Think about the people, skills, materials, tech and space you’ll need. It can be tempting to rely on favours early on — but planning realistically helps you build something sustainable.

8. How much money will come in?

Estimate your income. How many people are likely to buy your offer? What will they pay? Try to base this on research, not just hope.

9. How much money will go out?

Add up your costs. Include salaries, rent, equipment, marketing and delivery. Don’t forget hidden costs like insurance or admin time.

10. Will you make a surplus?

If you have money left over, how will you use it? If you’re not breaking even yet, when do you expect to? Your plan doesn’t need to promise profit — but it should show your path to sustainability.

How to structure your plan

A good place to start is the Business Model Canvas — a one-page tool that helps you map how your idea works. Once you’ve drafted that, you can expand it into a full plan.

“The best business plans are straightforward documents that spell out the who, what, where, why and how much.”
Paula Nelson

Next steps

Once you’ve written your draft:

• Ask for feedback from people you trust
• Be open to suggestions and add more detail where needed
• Keep your plan flexible and revisit it regularly

Your business plan isn’t just for funders — it’s a roadmap for turning your vision into action. Don’t let it gather dust. Keep it live, check in with it often, and let it guide your growth.