Regional Business Assistance Corporation

About Business Plans

RBAC requires a business plan for all start-up ventures. You need a roadmap as much as we need to see how you plan to operate the business and earn a profit to repay the RBAC loan. RBAC is not looking for a lengthy or scholarly document, but we are looking for the basic operating assumptions of your business and how those assumptions are translated into projections of sales, expenses and profits.

Businesses that have been operating at least 12 months need to provide two years of sales projections and expenses.

RBAC staff is experienced and ready to assist you with all aspects of planning your business. For entrepreneurs needing assistance initially putting ideas into a written plan, we recommend that you contact your area Small Business Development Center:

Atlantic County (609) 347-2174

Bergen County SBDC (201) 489-8670

Burlington County College SBDC at (856) 225-6221

Camden County (856) 225-6221

Cape May County (609) 347-2174

Essex County (973 353-5950

Gloucester County (856) 225-6221

Hudson County (201) 200-2156

Hunterdon County (908) 526-1200 x 8516

Mercer & Middlesex Counties (609) 771-2947

Monmouth County (732) 842-8685

Morris County (908) 852-1400 x 2136

Ocean County (732) 255-0468

Passaic County (973) 754-8695

Salem County (856) 225-6221  

Somerset County (908) 526-1200 x 8515

Sussex County (908) 852-1400 x 2136

Union County (908) 737-4220

Warren County (908) 852-1400 x 2136

 

Suggested Outline of Business Plan

1. Cover Sheet

   • Name of business, names of principals, address and phone numbers and fax numbers of business

   • Table of contents

2. Executive Summary

   • Highlights the key points of the entire plan

3. The Business

   • Product or service description

   • Market description and analysis

   • Competition

   • Location of business

   • Management

   • Personnel

   • Planned uses of additional funding

   • Summary

4. Business Overview:
5. Financial Data:

   • Sources and applications of funding

   • Capital equipment list

   • Balance sheet

   • Breakeven analysis

   • Income projections (Profit & Loss statements):

     • Three years of projections of sales, expenses and profits/losses, including the assumptions for projections

   • Cash flow projections: helpful, but optional

   • Historical financial reports for current business:

     • Balance Sheet for past three years

     • Income Statement for past three years

     • Tax returns

6. Supporting Information:

   Personal resumes, personal financial statements, budgets, credit reports, letters of reference, customer and vendor letters, copies of (draft) leases, contracts, letters of intent and any other document which is relevant to the business plan.