One Two One Two - Get Your Fitness Business Plan In Shape

There are times I feel like a relentless drill sergeant, even to myself. 
One! Two! One! Two!
This is what
You need to do
Three! Four! Three! Four!
Words and numbers,
Nothing more.

If I added some red pom poms and wore a short skirt, others could join in.

The truth is, it is not that easy.  Some of us really latch onto those "words and numbers".  And some of us don't.  So let's make it even simpler than usual.  There are in truth only three things that your business plan needs to demonstrate:


1.  Tell why your business will be successful;
2.  Identify the financing you need; and
3.  Demonstrate how the money will be repaid.

All the rest, as they say, is simply commentary.  Let's use a fitness business plan as an example.  This is a good example because a lot of fitness coaches and gym masters are not truly great with words and numbers.

1.  WHY WILL THIS BUSINESS BE SUCCESSFUL?

Identify just what type of fitness or health related business this is.  Is it a a Fitness Club Business Plan, one geared to serve hundreds, or even thousands, of clients?  Is this one of the many fitness businesses with classes as a focus, like a Yoga Studio Business Plan, or karate, or tai chi, or aerobics, or judo, or any number of other styles of exercise and fitness?  Are you a personal trainer?  or perhaps even a coach who works with kids' gyms? 

What, in short, is your business all about?  And why are you the best person to make this business a success?

Be sure to include, too, information about your client base: age, income level, etc., including any clients who are already signed up.

2.  HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU NEED?

A decent accountant can help you determine this.  You can also work through the worksheets in any of the business plan workbooks noted above, or in Start Up Right Now.  Both options will walk you through step by step.  Of the two, Start Up Right Now is the more detailed in figuring costs.

3.  HOW WILL THE MONEY BE REPAID?

Whatever type of financing you go after -- angel investors, SBA loans or a loan from Aunt Maude -- the loan will be repaid some how, some way.  Some loans get paid  back sooner than others.  Clearly, CLEARLY, show how the company will generate sufficient income to repay the loan.

This in a nutshell in what a business plan does.  There is no magical "formula" to follow.  As long as the presentation is honest and easy to comprehend, it will do the job.  And if you've worked through any of the workbooks noted above, your business plan will be stronger than 90% of your competition's.  And THAT is very, very good.