What are the steps in creating a business plan?

I want to start a dog clothes business out of my home - not open a store. I was wondering what the first steps should be - described in the easiest terms possible. This is something that I really want to do but don't know where to start. Can you please help direct me?


How do I create a business plan to give to the banks when I go to apply for a loan?What are the steps in creating a business plan?
Hello,





Great post. The most important part of business is advertising. This makes or breaks a business. Some of the best ways to advertise I've found are:





1. Offline promoting (business cards, flyers, newspaper and other print advertising).


2. Online promoting (buying banner ads, forum posts, email auto replies).





The best method that's worked for me so far is handing out business cards. I don't do this in the usual way.... I buy them in bulk from a place online (they give the cards for free, I just paid shipping and handling...they also give a really nice free business card holder, it looks impressive). They're really high quality. I just put all of the info about my business on the cards, and I hand them out on cars at bus stations, malls, etc. It's worked out really, really well for me, and it's completely inexpensive =)








http://www.cards-free-to-my-biz.info





Good Luck with your business!What are the steps in creating a business plan?
The main thing you will want to show them is a purchasing plan. But to be honest, I think you should approach the government before you approach a bank. If you are in the USA, it is very hard to get a loan these days with all the problems lately. 2 years ago I took out a loan for $10,000 and paid it all back within 1 year (even though I had 5 years to pay it back). This year I tryed to take out a loan for the same amount and I was turned down. I am still self employed like I was then, and still went through the same people I payed off last time, and was still turned down. The only thing that changed was the economy. So write up a purchasing plan...explaining all business expenses, things that will cost you money such as material, sewing machines, wages for extra helpers etc. and write out who you plan on buying these materials and items from and at what quantities. Then explain how you plan on profiting from it, meaning, how much you plan on selling it all for. It's best to write it all down using an excel spreadsheet to show everything neatly.
The Small Business Administration will help you with a business plan for free. They have great resources and they are made up of retired business people. Follow the link below.