Find Business Plans
In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.
Review Sample Plans for Ideas
Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.
Business Plans
Bplans.com
This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.
- Scrapbooking Store Business Plan
- Custom Jewelry Business Plan
- Gift basket Business Plan
- Stained Glass Gallery Business Plan
- Custom Quilt Art Business Plan
- Decorative Pottery Business Plan
- Pottery Studio Business Plan
- Custom Pottery Business Plan
- Home Accessories and Gifts Business Plan
- Specialty Gifts Business Plan
- Gifts and Collectibles Retail Shop Business Plan
TIP: Indigenous craftspeople and artisans can find many tailored business planning resources that center the place-based nature of their work online, such as in the Indigenous Business Planning Workbook by BusinessLink Indigenous Services or the Aboriginal Entrepreneur Toolkit from the Native Women’s Association of Canada. These resources also include marketing information.
Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing
This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.
- Soap Making Business Plan - Felson’s Homemade Soaps, Inc.
- Art Glass Studio Business Plan- Phyllis Farmington Art Glass
- Concrete Art Business Plan- Concrete Creations by Carly
- Craft Glass Jewelry Business Plan- Colorful Creations
- Jewelry Making Business Plan- Liberty Lewis Designs, LLC.
- Arts and Crafts Company Business Plan- 3 Sister Crafts
- Woodburning Business Plan - Carlson Creative Woodcraft
- Handmade Knitted Items Business Plan - Mama Knit Shop
- Cross- Stitch Business Plan - Anika Esperanza Designs
- Etsy Shop Business Plan- Keychain Kaleidoscope LLC
- Laser Engraving Business Plan- Breckenridge Laser Works
- Handmade Greeting Card Company Business Plan- Heartsongs
- Custom Jewelry/ Gift Box Business Plan - Boxes by Benny, Inc.
- Retail Art Furnishings Business Plan- Wood Designs Gallery
SCORE
SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.
Business Plan Template And Cash Flow Forecasting Tool
Our friends at Small Business BC provide two valuable tools in one download: the first is a well-structured business plan template that will help communicate what you plan to do, and how you plan to do it, while the second is a spreadsheet you can fill in to, among other things, project costs and expenses using common line items. These tools will set you on your way to being able to present your business plan to funders.
Marketing Plans
Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business.
BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.
Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.