Bea Joyner talks about her experience of writing her first business plan.
You Need More Than A Good Idea!
Many business owners feel that a business plan isn’t necessary because they’re convinced they have the best idea in the world and everyone will beat a path to their door to buy it. I know, I was one of those owners. My company, Busy As A Bea Productions provides a series of seminars called “Parenting Parties” that are designed to help parents and teens navigate the difficult period of life known as adolescence.
What many business owners don’t realize is how many good ideas there are in the world and they have to find a way to get their message heard. For years I had heard how owners were successful without a business plan, I thought I could do that as well. When the world wasn’t beating a path to my door and the bills weren’t being paid by my profits, I decided I needed to change what I was doing.
I understood the value of having a business plan, it would be my guide in generating business and I had tried to write one with little success. I took classes at the Wharton School of Business (University of PA) and realized how little I knew about business. I have three areas of business, but Wharton made me realize I had to narrow my focus if I wanted to be successful and be aware of my bottom line. I still didn’t develop a business plan but I knew I needed one.
Then I discovered the Women’s Business Development Center business plan writing course and found what I needed, a step by step approach with an instructor to help me interpret this whole new world! I completed the program and was the proud owner of my own business plan and the world began beating a path to my door.
The Business Plan Competition
A friend suggested I enter the “Enterprising Woman Business Plan Competition” sponsored by The Business Center for Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise so I entered the contest. It required me to re-examine and “tweak” my plan before I met the requirements of the contest, but it was worth it. There were prizes involved but more important to me than prizes were the objective opinions of my business plan. I needed to know if it was a good one after all the time and effort it took. I won 2nd place in the “Service Division” for my “Parenting Parties.”
Can you be successful without a business plan, there are those who are, but for me writing the plan gave me an education and guide in how to be successful in my business.
About the author
Bea Joyner, CEO of Busy As A Bea Productions provides seminars that help parents and teens navigate adolescence and improve their relationship by providing practical solutions to common problems. The optimum question to ask a parent is, “Would you want your child to make decisions about your health care or nursing home?” Contact her at beajoyner@aol.com, http://beajoyner.com/
”Learn How to Write a Professional Business Plan
in JUST 3 days”
A step-by-step no non-sense guide to writing a business plan in 3 days or less!
Image: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Related posts:
Pingback: Over $ 40,000 up for grabs at Asia's Largest Business Plan Competition | StartUp Growth Expert
Pingback: Why Participate in a Business Plan Competition? | StartUp Growth Expert