About

Thanks for visiting Start Up Business Planning – I hope you find what you are looking for and, if not, I invite you to let me know!

Over the years I have seen so many startup businesses fail for want of a plan.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting that anyone spends 3 months producing a perfect bound document which never again sees the light of day.

When I talk about business planning I am talking about the production of a road map that consists of the bare minimum of essential documents.

You’ll find my approach practical and down to earth, which results in the production of a business plan that is a living and useful document.

The site not only offers information but also make suggestions regarding actions you can take. One thing I have to say – nothing included on the site or accessed via the site is designed to replace the advice of your professional advisers. Use the information to put together your business plan before having your advisers check it out.

You’ll find sections on finance and record keeping, marketing, clients and YOU.

When you start a small business YOU are the business and your inputs cannot be ignored.

Business planning is not an activity that is confined to large organisations. Even a micro business needs a plan – even if that plan is written on the back of a table napkin.

And who am I to tell you about how to start a business and startup business planning?

I have been involved in the day to day running of small, medium and larger companies for the last 26 years, fulfilling roles in finance, admin, Personnel (HR) and at Board level too.

Since 1993 I have started and worked in my own businesses whilst continuing to offer consultancy to others. For 2 years from 2001-2003 I was also a volunteer business mentor for the Prince’s Trust – an organisation which supports businesses started by people between the ages of 18 and 30.

If I can help even one startup business survive its first 12 months by virtue of the planning process I suggest, I shall be a happy woman.

To help even more would be the icing on the cake.

It is an old adage and I absolutely accept that it is overused – but it is oh so true. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

Starting a business takes a huge amount of time, money and mental and emotional energy. Don’t waste those precious resources. Give yourself and your business the best chance – make a plan!