You’ve got the passion

Setting your goals on the

front end will help you create a solid plan to reach

your finish line.

Why you do your work will

always affect how you do your work.

You’ve got the passion. We’ve got the plan.

Get your project off on the right foot with this simple Quick-Start Business Plan. It will help you ask and answer your most pressing business questions. And before you know it, you’ll be making money doing what you love!

Tier 1 — Build Your Foundation

Define your WHY.Why are you doing this? Why is it important to you? Understanding your why will inform every other decision you make when building your business.

Set your GOALS.Set goals for your business. They need to be specific, be measureable, and have a time limit. Setting goals on the front end will help you create a solid plan to reach your finish line.

Notes

When you stay in your

strengths, you not only have more success,

but you also have more fun!

Your business will grow in

proportion to the amount of time you

commit to it.

Quick-Start Business Plan

Work in your STRENGTHS.You’re going to be the most successful when you stay in your strengths. What are you good at? What do you enjoy? Those are the things you should dedicate most of your time to in order for the business to succeed. For things that you don’t enjoy or struggle with, you can get outside help, delegate, or automate.

Have a plan for your MONEY.The difference between a business and a hobby is that a business makes you money, while a hobby costs you money. You don’t want your business to drain your personal bank account, so it’s important to decide on the front end: How much are you willing to spend on the business before it funds itself?

Have a plan for your TIME.This is where you put your goals into action. How many hours do you spend each week on your business in order to reach your goals? Those hours you want to spend on your business will only happen if you plan them ahead of time. Think about your schedule. What will you have to give up in order to make room for this time?

Tier 2 — Make Your Business Yours

Notes

Plan ahead for the crazies,

because I promise you, in business—

like in life—there will be some!


What are the LOGISITICS of your business?How will you fulfill orders? What processes do you need? Thinking through the logistics of your business will help you run it efficiently. Being efficient means you save time and money!

What is the PLATFORM of your business?This is where your business will live online. It may be an Etsy store, a blog, or a website. Choose something that will be easy for you to use and makes sense for your business.

What are the POLICIES of your business?Set policies, processes, and procedures to protect yourself. Think through difficult customers (because there will be some!) and worst-case scenarios. How do you want to handle last-minute lesson cancellations, refund requests, or multiple order changes? Planning for this now will help you communicate policies to your customer on the front end and avoid complications down the road.

Tier 3 — Get Operational

Notes

GET OPERATIONALTier 3

Your target market isn’t

everyone. It’s one type of person. Figure out who that is and talk

to them—and only to them.


This is your branding. Branding includes your look, tone, and feel that people experience when they interact with your business. Start by brainstorming with adjectives that describe your business (e.g., luxury, necessity, casual). Then you can make decisions about your branding based on the adjectives you chose.

Who is your CUSTOMER? This is your target market. Your target market includes people that want what you have to offer and are willing to pay the price you charge. Think about who they are and where they hang out—then go there. When you know more about your customer, you can build your marketing efforts to reach them with less effort and more impact.

Tier 4 — Put Yourself Out There

Notes

PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE

Tier 4What do you want to be KNOWN for?

o Set your GOALS.Write down the top three things you want your business to do for you:

1.

2.

3.

o Work in your STRENGTHS.List two things you’re good at:

1.

2.

Write down something you don’t enjoy and how you could get outside help for it:

o Have a plan for your MONEY and TIME.What dollar amount are you willing to spend on your business before it brings in any money?

How many hours per week will you dedicate for your business?

o Define your WHY.I love doing this because:

Let’s get going! Use this handy checklist to start your business!

o LOGISTICS, PLATFORM, and POLICIES

Using a separate sheet of paper, take some time to think these through and write them down.

Check off each one once you’ve nailed it down:

☐ Process for filling orders and/or making appointments

☐ Platform where your business will live

☐ Refund policy

☐ Deposit policy, if applicable

o What do you want to be KNOWN for?List ten adjectives that describe your business:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

o Who is your CUSTOMER?

Find out which sites and/or brands they use the most and write them down here:

Checklist continued . . .

Documents

You’ve got the passion