Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Melissa Houston covers financial issues that affect women in business. Creating a business plan is a critical first step for any ...

Think a business plan is just paperwork? Think again. It’s essential for making a success of a venture. 70% of businesses that survive beyond 5 years follow a strategic plan. Aspiring entrepreneurs ...

A home business requires a lot of the same preparation as any other business, but you can skip finding an office or retail space. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our ...

Elysse Bell is a finance and business writer for Investopedia. She writes about small business, personal finance, technology, and more. Samantha (Sam) Silberstein, CFP®, CSLP®, EA, is an experienced ...

The classic business plan writer is an entrepreneur seeking funds to help start a new venture. Many great companies had their starts in the form of a plan that was used to convince investors to put up ...

Why Is a Business Plan Important? Starting a business without a plan is akin to embarking on an arduous journey without a map or compass. Here are the key ways a business plan will help your company ...

Matt Webber is an experienced personal finance writer, researcher, and editor. He has published widely on personal finance, marketing, and the impact of technology on contemporary arts and culture.

Whether you’re searching for a great opportunity or are a business owner trying to choose the best exit strategy, it’s natural to be concerned about risk factors — things such as economic uncertainty, ...

Of all the questions I’m asked by small business owners, most come down to this: “How do I make more money?” Sure, there’s lots of other things you’d like in your small business – to work fewer hours, ...

The U.S. Small Business Administration defines a small business as a firm with revenue ranging from $1 million to over $40 million and an employee workforce of under 500. 5 Based on the SBA’s ...