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A business plan is what moves your idea from a daydream to a realistic vision for the future. It will help you define your goals and outline what you need to do to achieve them. There are many facets of starting a business, so the real value in creating a business plan is that it forces you to research new, unfamiliar areas. You’ll discover your strengths and weaknesses and learn about issues and details you had not previously considered. Finally, you will gain an understanding of the day-to-day reality of operating a perishable food business.

A business plan will also show others that you are serious about your ambitions. A detailed plan communicates your ideas and provides potential financiers with answers. From friends and family to potential backers and suppliers who will be extending you credit, people will respect that your business is based on a rational, thoughtful approach. If you have enough capital to invest in your own business, the plan can help you make the correct choices before putting your savings into a costly new business.

Great ideas come when we’re sitting around chatting with others. When you are writing your business plan, talk with family and friends in both formal and informal brainstorming sessions. These sessions can be useful for solving specific problems and for getting creative ideas in business planning. Make lists, including the pros and cons of working from your kitchen. Is there a market for your product? Are you capable of working from your home kitchen?

You may know immediately how big or small you want your business to be. Maybe you want to keep it small, with enough restrictions to fit your business around your lifestyle. Maybe what you really want is to have a large operation that can support your entire family. Maybe you don’t know yet. It’s good to be aware of your present personal limits and any future options. Once you have created your business plan, keep it close by so you can add to it or change aspects of it as your business grows.

When you create your business plan, make sure it is easy to read, especially if you want investors for your business. Your plan should have separate headings for each section and no typos. Make it as professional as possible.

The following sections are usually included in a conventional business plan.