Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Melissa Houston covers financial issues that affect women in business. Creating a business plan is a critical first step for any ...

If you are building a startup long enough, someone will ask for your business plan. Sometimes it is an investor. Sometimes it is a bank. Sometimes it is just you, staring at a blank Google Doc at 11 p ...

In 2026, a business plan is no longer a 40-page document built to impress bankers. It is a thinking tool. One that helps founders clarify strategy, test assumptions, and communicate clearly with ...

ERGO NEXT reports a comprehensive startup checklist covering viability research, cost estimation, insurance, business ...

Just like you shouldn’t head down a trail without a map, you shouldn’t launch a new startup without a solid business plan. This document can help guide strategy and keep your company moving in the ...

A business plan outlines the what, why, when, and how of business operations. The “what” represents the products or services the business will offer to the market. The “why” denotes the purpose of the ...

A business plan includes details about your company’s goals and methods for achieving them Written By Written by Staff Senior Editor, Buy Side Miranda Marquit is a staff senior personal finance editor ...