If you call yourself a planner and love a good to-do list, you probably know that using a system improves efficiency and productivity. But it does more than that! Planning is thinking about the future, and it takes us out of the every day grind as we start to imagine what could be possible, different, or better. It also allows us to revisit why we started the dream of business ownership in the first place. 

You are likely here because you are wondering how to write a business plan that can help you reach your growth goals for your small business. While there are examples of a good business plan out there, many are filled with jargon and buzzwords that fail to provide a clear, actionable path forward. I understand how frustrating it is to feel stuck when you’re trying to build a strong business based on your vision. 

Below, I’ll share my personal example of a good business plan. Don’t worry, it’s not a complicated, 150-page document! Instead, it’s a practical approach that helps me stay focused on achieving my goals for 2025.

Focus on the Big Picture 

As 2025 looms, I am focusing on the big picture using The Guided Small Business Planner. This tool helps me answer key questions: What do I want this year? Where do I need help? Who are my ideal customers in 2025? What marketing efforts will drive growth? What are my sales goals?

Here’s how I’ve used the planner to create an example of a good business plan for my own goals:

Me as the Business Owner (Chapter 1)

As I think about my sales goals, I have to also think about what that means for me as an individual. What do I want my day-to-day to look like in 2025? Do my sales goals align with my personal goals? How do I need to shift or move areas that could be challenging for me to reach both my personal and professional goals? 

I’m not just a business owner and I don’t want to only focus on my business. I want both/and. Can I have my cake and eat it, too? Absolutely! But, I had to be realistic and honest with myself to decide what stays and what goes in 2025.

Thinking Ahead

One major shift I’ve implemented is planning further in advance. For several of the things that I do, it is essential that I plan further out, and that means that I’m looking at 90 days out for many of my in-person events. This is especially true for my speaking engagements. Up until this point, many of my speaking engagements have been scheduled around 30 to 60 days out, but that has proven to be a challenge for a myriad of reasons. By extending my planning window, I am hopeful that this will improve my workflow and productivity.

My Ideal Customers (Chapter 2)

I wrote The Guided Small Business Planner for business founders who find themselves asking, “How do I grow my business in a sustainable way?” When I was coaching business owners, I got the same questions every day about creating an effective marketing plan, how to price their products or services to pay themselves, and how to build a profitable business. My ideal customers are people who understand the value of planning before action–not necessarily because it’s fun, but because it allows them to work forward intentionally. 

I don’t always enjoy the process of planning but it feels so much better than the chaos I feel when I fly by the seat of my pants. My customers are business owners who want to grow with intention and not spend a lot of time guessing how to do something effectively. They want a trusted guide to walk them through the process and they are focused on building a business for the long-term–one that will last. 

My Marketing Plan (Chapter 8)

When I practiced individual business coaching, I often heard, “I'm just not good at marketing,” and that really resonates with me. Marketing is a skill and a talent. It requires grittiness and the ability to ask for help. 

I’ve been in the entrepreneurial world since 2007 and have found that marketing continues to be one of the most important and most challenging parts of building many businesses–especially in the early stages of growth. That’s why I am working with a marketing firm to expand my own marketing efforts in 2025. I’m also asking for help from my informal advisory board, made up of friends and professional acquaintances who want to see my business grow and believe in The Guided Small Business Planner as a tool that helps business owners grow and scale. 

One of my favorite parts about The Guided Small Business Planner is the marketing section, which allows business owners to name and map their marketing touchpoints in a way that intentionally connects with their ideal customer(s). 

Some of my marketing touchpoints are:

• Speaking engagements to small business owners
• Tabling at events where entrepreneurs are present
• Facilitating workshops for those who support entrepreneurs
• Teaching on social media
• Educational blog posts
• Peer referrals

Using these touchpoints, I’ve created a customer journey map (found on page 159 of the planner) and continually refine it based on customer feedback.

Breaking Down the Plan into Daily Actions

After outlining my big-picture goals, I break them down into smaller tasks. I personally need more than one method to track these activities, so I use a paper calendar, a paper to-do list, a software project planner, and my trusty digital calendar reminders. While it may seem like overkill, having multiple systems helps me balance my long-term vision with the day-to-day things without feeling overwhelmed. 

My Example of a Good Business Plan

That’s my business plan for 2025! It’s not super fancy and it’s not perfect, but it’s doable and aligns with my business growth goals for 2025. 

Remember, a good business plan is your roadmap from where you are at to where you want to be. It doesn’t have to follow a one-size-fits-all format, and it can–and should–be something that you are using regularly to guide your process. And The Guided Small Business Planner was designed to be just that. A tool for business owners who want to have a real-time reference for what to do next. What’s your plan for the future? Let’s build it together!

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About Flourish In Growth 

We help business owners navigate the ups and downs of building the business they want. Our rules are: Clear, simple, no-fluff, and actionable! Stop doubting yourself. Meet your small business map — The Guided Small Business Planner™. This is a workbook guide with step-by-step instructions for building a strong business foundation. It's your go-to instruction manual with clear instructions for creating a sustainable business. It's not a calendar. It's a guided workbook.

In my experience, health insurance isn’t always at the top of the “to-do” list for new business owners. This is often because they have a side hustle or access to health insurance through a partner or another job. However, by the first or second year in business, many business owners start to wonder about the best health insurance options for small businesses.

Navigating health insurance options for small businesses as a business owner can seem overwhelming, but it’s a pretty simple process once you walk through it. Below, we’ll explore how to understand and choose small business health insurance options, review average costs, and prepare for 2025 with the coverage you need. Plus, we’ll discuss whether health insurance can be considered a business expense.

Key Dates for Health Insurance Enrollment

Open enrollment for individual health insurance plans runs through January 15, 2025. If you want coverage to start on January 1, make sure to enroll by December 15. Otherwise, you have until January 15 to secure coverage beginning February 1. Additionally, you may qualify for enrollment outside of these dates if you experience a qualifying life event such as marriage, the birth of a child, or losing coverage.

Understanding Your Small Business Health Insurance Options 

Step 1: Choose Your Ideal Coverage 

Before exploring plans, take time to anticipate the type of coverage you’ll need in 2025. You might want a comprehensive plan if you have chronic health conditions or need regular medical care. If you’re generally healthy and don’t expect many medical visits, a less extensive plan might be just what you need. Either way, protecting your health can help protect your business and a health insurance plan is a part of that.  

Consider these questions when you think about your health insurance needs as a business owner: 

• How often do I visit the doctor each year? 
• Do I need coverage for prescriptions? 
• Are there specialists I need to ensure are in-network? 
• Am I expecting any specific procedures or tests (e.g., surgery, mammograms, etc.)? 

Something else you want to make you consider is dental and vision coverage. Feeling overwhelmed? No fear! Consider working with a licensed insurance agent for guidance (more on that, below). 

Step 2: Explore Individual Plans

One of the easiest ways to find health insurance options for business owners is to work with a licensed health insurance agent (for free) through healthcare.gov. Like all insurance agents, their services are free to the consumer and they are trained to help you navigate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, which guarantees coverage for all Americans. To find a free agent, go to https://www.healthcare.gov/find-assistance/. 

I found it more helpful to work with an agent rather than navigating the website on my own, but you can choose whichever approach works best for you!

Additional Plan Details

Plans through the ACA start as low as $10 per month, with costs based on household income. Approximately 80% of enrollees qualify for reduced premiums. Working with an agent can save time and provide peace of mind. I’ve worked with a local agent twice, dedicating about an hour to reviewing options and another hour to selecting a plan and enrolling. The process was efficient and much easier than navigating the system on my own.

Step 3: Consider Medicaid if Needed

If you can’t afford an individual plan, Medicaid might be a better option for you! This public insurance program, funded by federal and state governments, is available to those whose income falls within specific limits. My home state of  North Carolina qualifies adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty line. This can be a great option to explore in the early stages of operating your business. 

Remember, you pay for this benefit as a taxpayer! Each state has a slightly different application process for finding out your eligibility. To check eligibility in your state, search online for “How to get Medicaid in [state name].” For example, “How to get Medicaid in North Carolina.”

Tax Benefits: Deducting Health Insurance Premiums

As a small business owner, you may be eligible to deduct your health insurance premiums as a business expense. Your CPA can provide detailed guidance, but in most cases, premiums are deducted from your income. Additionally, other healthcare-related expenses might qualify for deductions. To make the process smoother, keep detailed and organized records of all healthcare expenses to share with your CPA during tax season.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right health insurance options for small businesses doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you opt for an individual plan, qualify for Medicaid, or explore other small business health insurance options, having coverage provides peace of mind and financial security. Take the time to explore your choices, consult with professionals when needed, and set yourself up for success in 2025 and beyond.

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About Flourish In Growth 

We help business owners navigate the ups and downs of building the business they want. Our rules are: Clear, simple, no-fluff, and actionable! Stop doubting yourself. Meet your small business map — The Guided Small Business Planner™. This is a workbook guide with step-by-step instructions for building a strong business foundation. It's your go-to instruction manual with clear instructions for creating a sustainable business. It's not a calendar. It's a guided workbook.

Black Friday is here, followed closely by Shop Small Saturday!

It probably comes as no surprise that I love a good list—and holiday shopping (and selling!), is no exception.

Help Your Customers Shop Small

1. Post your specials on social media.

Make it easy for your customers to shop–include links and enough details so they immediately see benefit for them. I like to think through the 5W's - Who, what, when, where, why so that my customers don't have to think about how to make a purchase.

2. Send 3 reminder emails.

Share special offers, gift certificates, or bundles in a quick email series. Done is better than perfect—use your inbox as inspiration! We live in a busy world and need more than one nudge. There's often a fear that we are bothering our customers by sending emails, but did you know that email marketing is *still* the most effective way to increase sales?

3. Offer something new!

Bundle a new product or service with a holiday discount. This can be especially helpful if you want customers to purchase an add-on regularly but they haven't experienced the benefit for themselves. For example, let customers add a post-holiday deep clean to their regular cleaning service or try a “Buy 3, Get 1 for 25% off” offer.

4. Host a VIP event.

Whether you sell a product or a service, give customers a special opportunity to shop and enjoy an exclusive perk. This could be online or in-person! 

5. Run a give-back promotion.

Donate a portion of the proceeds to a favorite nonprofit and let customers match that donation to double the impact!

6. Incentivize referrals. 

Ask your top customers to refer you to someone else who is like them and would also find value in what you sell. Remember that we often associate with people who think like us, so your ideal customers likely know other ideal customers! 

7. Personalized recommendations. 

Offer curated gift guides based on budget, interests, or recipient type (e.g., “Gifts Under $25” or “Perfect for Teachers”). This reduces decision fatigue for shoppers. You can do this as a service-based business too! If you are a bookkeeping firm, offer a, "done for taxes," package that customers have to use within a designated window. 

8. Partner with a complimentary business. 

Offer a special that your ideal customers can't refuse when you partner with a business. Some examples could be:

A paint-and-sip studio partners with a local wine shop: “Join a painting class and get a voucher for a bottle of wine.”

Partner a graphic designer with a print shop: “Design your business cards and get 20% off your first print order.”

A pet grooming service teams up with a local pet bakery: “Book a grooming appointment and receive a free done-for-you holiday stocking for your furry friend.”

9. Create a social media contest. 

Run a holiday-themed contest and encourage your customers to highlight your product or service on their platforms by tagging you. Give them a chance to win a prize or gift card, or one of your holiday offers.

10. Sell a holiday limited-edition package. 

Offer an exclusive holiday bundle featuring your best-selling products or services with a festive twist. For example, a spa might create a "Holiday Relaxation Package" with a massage, facial, and holiday-scented candle, or a bakery could sell a "Seasonal Sweets Box" with limited-edition flavors. Market it as a limited-time offer to encourage urgency and make it the perfect gift for customers or their loved ones.

Remember: The average customer needs up to 20 touchpoints before they make a purchase–those reminders matter!

How I’m Shopping Small This Holiday Season

Teacher Gifts: With two kids in elementary school, I’m gifting local shop gift cards and using Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores. My kids are making handmade bookmarks to accompany them! Bookshop.org lets you choose a local independent bookstore where the recipient can choose to shop and they receive a portion of the profits!

Stocking Stuffers: I have multiple well-curated gift shops in my hometown of downtown Apex. So far I have chosen some very cute socks and hand-crafted chocolate mint patties to go in stockings. I’ll be picking up several more small gifts and stocking stuffers over the next few weeks.

Service Gift Certificates: The best gift is sometimes a done-for-you service. This year, I’m giving the gift of house cleaning to someone who deserves a little extra pampering.

Shopping small supports our entire community. Not only can you make an impact on other businesses by shopping small this holiday season, you can also remind customers that your business exists to make their lives easier!

If you are wondering how to plan ahead for your business in 2025, you can start now by purchasing The Guided Small Business Planner! This step-by-step guide includes a customer discovery and marketing chapter so that you can map out (in detail) every single customer touchpoint throughout the year! 

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About Flourish In Growth 

We help business owners navigate the ups and downs of building the business they want. Our rules are: Clear, simple, no-fluff, and actionable! Stop doubting yourself. Meet your small business map — The Guided Small Business Planner™. This is a workbook guide with step-by-step instructions for building a strong business foundation. It's your go-to instruction manual with clear instructions for creating a sustainable business. It's not a calendar. It's a guided workbook.