Are you different from other “online” service providers?

Yes, and for several big reasons.

#1 - Unlike business planners who want to do business with everyone from a small startup to a Fortune 500 company, Christie Karis specializes in small business. Christie has worked in small business development for more than thirty years. Her business planning experience revealed on the Clients page is proof that Christie Karis understands small business.

#2 - Some online planners are prone to use generic “fill-in-the-blank” business plans that rely on flowery language and overstated language. Others show you samples of plans with excessive graphics and an array of pie charts to impress you. Funding agents want to know the facts about you and your business. They are numbers people and not likely to be impressed with graphical hype and overstatements that get in the way of substance. Christie Karis develops business plans that are market specific, strategically sound and resonate with clarity. Most importantly, font enhancements and graphics are used in a manner that accents and does not impede substance.

#3 - Some online planners use a complex multi-planner approach to speed up the process. Christie Karis believes that content integrity is far more important than a seven day turnaround. The single planner approach used by Christie Karis will assure that your market intelligence, communication strategies and financial performance are fully developed, integrated and projected with clarity.

How much does it cost?

Small startups, SBA and Venture Capital business plans have unique issues that affect the cost of a fundable business plan. At the very least, they include:

• Business concept
• Size of market
• Financial complexity
• Funding audience

Fees for business plans are based on a measure of the situation and a flat fee quote. Most business plans fall in the $1,600 to $4,800 range. Contact Christie for a discussion of your situation and a firm quote.

Will my business plan guarantee funding?

Funding sources require a sound business plan for consideration but that does not guarantee funding. Your funding agent will also consider your background, personal credit and the collateral needed to secure the loan. Christie will help you develop a fundable business plan but you do need to meet the other requirements of the lender.

Is money available for small business?

The credit markets have been tight but the situation is slowly changing. The Small Business Jobs act, launched in September 2010, is now providing benefits to small business including a $30 Billion Small Business Lending Fund and incentives to small banks to increase small business lending. However, funding scrutiny is high and this is not a good market for a loosely woven business plans that substitute generic prose for substance.

Do your business plans match SBA/SCORE criteria?

Most online planners say yes, but rarely do they say how. Christie Karis has thoroughly reviewed the SBA/SCORE business plan criteria and financial templates to assure their requirements are woven into the fabric of your business plan. However, be aware of the differences between a business plan used strictly for a loan application and one that defines strategies leading to sustainability. The Business Expansion model is focused on the latter.

How does the process work?

Getting Started - After receiving your signed Agreement and deposit, Christie will arrange to discuss your business plan model and customize the questions to fit your situation. The planning process proceeds by chapters so you are not overwhelmed. Phone interviews are used to gather input. You will be provided with the interview questions so you can be prepared. While the pace is progressive, Christie Karis is flexible and will accommodate for variations in your schedule.

Proofing and Changes - As business plan is developed, you will have the opportunity to proof copy and make additions because new ideas may flow from your expanded perspective. In some cases we may go back and forth several times to fully develop an important topic.

Wrapping Up - At the end of the process, Christie will give you a final draft of a formatted business plan that is ready for presentation. When payment for the remaining balance has been received, Christie will send you a bound hard copy of your business plan along with the pertinent e-files and documentation.