Business Plan Template Microsoft Office has some excellent templates available for free downloads. Other popular office suites also include templates that can be customized to create business plans.

When she was starting up in 2003, McManus obtained a $60,000 Small Business Administration loan from the Columbia Bank in Maryland to open her 600-square-foot shop.

Writing a business plan doesn't have to be an intimidating task, but it does require foresight, honesty, and plenty of research. Here is an outline and some smart tips to help get you started.