Do You Really Need a Business Plan? Let’s Talk Truth & essentials

When you're launching a new business or passion project, one question always pops up:

"Do I need a business plan?”

The short answer? Maybe.

The real answer? It depends on you.

A business plan can help guide your journey and keep things organized. But don’t let the pressure to have a 20-page PDF stop you from starting. Some of the most successful women I’ve interviewed on Behind the Gloss didn’t have a formal business plan—they had passion, clarity, and the courage to begin. So let’s break it down: what’s actually useful, what’s not, and what you can do instead.

What Is a Business Plan?

At its core, a business plan is just a roadmap. It outlines:

✨ Your goals

✨ Who you serve

✨ How you plan to make money

✨ What you’ll need to get there

It’s especially useful if you’re pitching to investors, applying for a grant, or working with a team. But not all businesses need a formal doc to succeed. A voice note, mood board, or one-page strategy can be just as powerful. You can always build as you grow.

Pros of Having a Business Plan

🧠 Clarity

Writing things down forces you to get clear about your goals, audience, and strategy. It’s like vision boarding, but with numbers.

💸 Funding Friendly

Trying to get a loan, grant, or investor? A solid plan shows you’ve done your homework. According to the SBA, businesses with a written plan are 30% more likely to secure funding.

🚩 Spot the Red Flags

A plan can help you predict bumps before you hit them. For example, if your research shows declining demand in your industry, you can pivot early.

📊 Progress Checkpoints

Setting quarterly goals? Tracking your growth? Your business plan becomes a blueprint you can build from and adjust along the way.

Cons of Overthinking the Plan

⏳ Time Suck

Spending weeks perfecting your plan can delay your launch. Sometimes you just need to start, test, and adjust.

🧱 Too Rigid

Life doesn’t always follow the plan. (Just ask any business that launched right before 2020!) You need room to pivot and adapt as you go.

🤯 Perfection Paralysis

Don’t get stuck trying to make it perfect. The world needs your idea now—not when your font sizes match.

What to Include (If You Make One)

Want to keep it simple? These are the essentials:

✨Executive Summary – Quick snapshot of what your business is and why it matters.

✨Market Research – Who you’re serving, what they need, and who else is doing it.

✨Marketing Strategy – How you plan to get eyes on your biz (social, email, collabs).

✨Money Matters – Rough estimate of what you’ll spend, what you’ll make, and how.

✨Daily Ops – Will you need a VA? A storefront? Just you and your laptop for now?

✨Extras – Graphs, mockups, or other goodies that support your vision.

No Plan? No Problem

If a full business plan doesn’t feel right for you, don’t force it. Start with:

✨A vision board

✨A simple pitch deck

✨A one-page summary

✨A journal entry on your “why”

✨Voice notes outlining your dream day as a CEO

You’re allowed to grow as you go. Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s. Some entrepreneurs thrive on structure. Others? They build magic from messiness.

So ask yourself: Do I need a full plan—or do I just need to take the first step? Whether you write a 15-page doc or start with a sticky note on your mirror, remember: your intention is more powerful than perfection. You got this, boss. 💋