Research Guides: Start Your Own Business: Business Planning

Business Naming

How to Form an LLC in Michigan
Refer to step one: Name your Michigan LLC.
State of Michigan: LARA
Check to see if your chosen business name is available.
LLC or DBA Free Workshop
Free training facilitated by the MI-SBDC Greater Washtenaw Region Office.
How to Start an LLC
This is a step by step guide.

Executive Summary
What is your overall plan?
Business Description
What is your business?
Market Analysis
What is the current state
of your industry? Who is your competition? Who is your target market?
Marketing & Sales
What is your product or service? Why do your customers need or want it?
Management
What is the management plan and structure?
Operations
What labor, facilities, equipment, and materials are required for your product or service?
Finance
How will you fund the company? What are your current and future financial projections?

Bplans
Bplans offers more than 500 free sample business plans in a wide variety of industries.
Business Model Canvas
Map out your business plan. Download templates for creating your own Business Model Canvas.
Entrepreneur Press Start Your Own Series
This series of step-by-step start up guides cover auto detailing, food trucks, lawn care, graphic design, and more.

e-Books (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Search by business (coffee shop) or industry (automotive) to find sample business plans. WCC login required for off-campus use.

The $100 Startup
Try the helpful downloadable PDF's, including the One Page Business Plan, under the Resources tab.

Guide to Starting and Operating a Small Business
Written by the SBDC, this guide is designed for anyone looking to start a small or grow their small business in Michigan.
How to Start an LLC in Michigan
A free guide on starting an LLC in the state of Michigan with links to state agencies and FAQs.
HP Life - Strategic Planning
Learn to use a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis to choose the best strategies to help your business reach its long-term goals.
SBDC Net
SBDC Net is a great resource with links for websites and sample business plans.
SCORE Business Planning
Templates for business plans from the small business start up experts at SCORE.
TRUiC - Business Ideas
Browse business ideas by category to view detailed guides and get inspiration for your new business.
U.S. Small Business Administration
10 steps to starting a business

HP Life Business Skills
These free, online courses helps you gain the real-life IT and business skills needed to start or grow your business, in your own time, at your own pace.
LinkedIn Learning
Free access to WCC students and employees. All others, contact the Entrepreneurship Center for access information.
MIT OpenCourseWare for Entrepreneurs
Free online courses taken from a selection of MIT's entrepreneurship offerings.

Start Your Own Business by The Staff of Entrepreneur Media
Call Number: HD 62.5 .E559 2021
ISBN: 9781642011357
Publication Date: 2021-08-10
Tax Savvy for Small Business by Frederick W. Daily
Call Number: KF 6491 .D35 2021
ISBN: 9781413328165
Publication Date: 2021-01-26
The FT Essential Guide to Writing a Business Plan by Vaughan Evans
Call Number: HD30.28 .E83 2016
ISBN: 9781292085142
Publication Date: 2015-10-01
The Small Business Start-Up Kit by Peri Pakroo
ISBN: 9781413324747
Publication Date: 2018-02-28
Start Your Business Week by Week by Steve Parks
Call Number: HD62.5 .P375 2013
ISBN: 9780273768661