June Said:

where to get numbers for writing business plan?

We Answered:

create a simple spreadsheet... 'business cashflow" you can download one from google. Use graphs too, they are easier on the eye for a quick glance.

Take into account what incomings and outgoings you have at present and REALISTICALLY extend on the figures...

Once your more established - you'll be making more money etc.. just slowly build on these figures... but don't over do it!!

Constance Said:

Is there a difference between a business plan & writing a Federal Grant Proposal? or are they the same thing?

We Answered:

Business plan and grant application are two different things. There is a procedure that needs to be followed with government grants.

However, your best course of action is to focus and concentrate in preparing your business plan. You stand a better chance of getting funding from your business from small business loans or investors, rather than grants

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html…

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALO…

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

Patsy Said:

Are there free business plan and proposal writing tools online that I can download?

We Answered:

Have you tried SBA.gov? It's full of great resources and tools.

http://www.sba.gov/

Elsie Said:

When writing a business plan, should i use in text citations?

We Answered:

You should cite them in the business plan and also at the end, much as you would a college English paper. If you do not cite your sources in your business plan, you are committing a form of plagiarism. We just discussed citations and ethics in my college public speaking class. When in doubt, cite it!

For example: 50% of all people get divorced. (author name)
Then, cite the reference below

OR

According to author name, 50% of all people get divorced.

Juan Said:

Where can I find info for writing business plan for ornamental nursery?

We Answered:

I don't know of any websites for you but I do know that your local county agricultural extension office should be able to help you. They do yearly crop reports for the county and should have that information you need. If they do not have everything you need, they can refer you to an agency that can.

You can also try your state's nursery association. I'm in California and our association is called "California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers." They do have a website and they have this report there: http://www.cangc.org/documents/20080613/…

I know that when we fill out the forms for the county crop report, we have to list detailed information about what plants we are selling and it's pretty extensive so I hope your county is as thorough.

Good luck!

Terry Said:

Does anyone have any experience with business plan writing programs?? Not quite sure which one to try?

We Answered:

Go to http://www.sba.gov , http://www.score.org or http://www.bplan.com for sample business plans and instructions on how to write a business plan.

Then, go to http://www.score.org/ and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor to review your business plan and discuss various loan options available to you.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors.