How to Write a One-Page Business Plan (Template and Examples)

If you've started or are starting a small business, you know there's never enough time. Between managing staff schedules, tracking hours, and serving customers, the last thing you need is a 40-page document that takes weeks to write and nobody will read. That's where a one-page business plan comes in.

Unlike traditional business plans that collect dust on shelves, a one-page business plan gets straight to the point. Whether you're opening a restaurant, launching a retail store, or starting a service business, we'll show you exactly how to create a one-page business plan that works. Plus, we've included a template and some great examples to help small businesses like yours.

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What is a one-page business plan?

A one-page business plan is exactly what it sounds like: your entire business strategy condensed into a single, powerful page. Think of it as your business's elevator pitch in written form. Instead of drowning readers in details, you're giving them the essential information they need to understand and believe in your business.

Why you need a one-page business plan

Every small business needs a plan, but not every business needs a novel. Here's why a one-page business plan makes sense:

• It actually gets read. Investors, lenders, and partners are busy people. Hand them one page instead of forty, and they'll actually read it. Your team members will too, which means everyone stays aligned on your vision.
• It forces clarity. When you only have one page, every word counts. You can't hide behind jargon or pad your plan with fluff. This constraint forces you to think critically about what really matters for your business.
• It's easy to update. Markets change, opportunities arise, and your business evolves. With a one page business plan, you can update your strategy in minutes, not days. This flexibility is crucial for small businesses that need to pivot quickly.
• It saves precious time. You could spend weeks crafting the perfect traditional business plan, or you could create a one-page business plan in an afternoon and spend those extra weeks actually building your business.

The essential components of a one-page business plan

Your one-page business plan needs to cover all the bases without drowning in details. Here are the essential sections every one-page business plan should include:

1. Business summary

Start with a two-sentence overview of your business. What do you do, and what kinds of customers are you going to serve? For example: "Maria's Taqueria brings authentic Mexican street food to downtown Portland. We serve busy professionals fresh, affordable lunch options with 10-minute pickup times."

2. The problem you solve

What specific pain point does your business address? Get specific about your customers' frustrations. Maybe office workers are tired of sad desk lunches. Maybe parents need reliable childcare with flexible hours. Whatever it is, nail the problem in one clear statement.

3. Your solution

How does your business uniquely solve this problem? Focus on what makes you different, not just what you do. This is where you explain why customers will choose you over alternatives.

4. Target market

Who exactly buys from you? Skip the "everyone" trap and get specific. "Parents with children under 5 within a 3-mile radius" beats "families" every time. Include basic demographics and shopping behaviors that matter to your business.

5. Competition and your advantage

List 2-3 direct competitors and what sets you apart. Maybe you're the only bakery open at 6 AM, or the only salon that offers online booking. Your advantage doesn't need to be revolutionary, just grounded in a real problem you identified in your research.

6. Revenue model

How do you make money? Include your main revenue streams, average transaction size, and pricing strategy. Keep it simple: "Haircuts at $45, color services at $120+, retail products with 100% markup."

7. Marketing strategy

How will customers find you? List 3-4 specific tactics you'll use. Social media is too vague. "Instagram posts featuring daily specials" or "partnering with nearby gyms for cross-promotion" gives readers concrete plans.

8. Team overview

Who's running this operation? Include key roles and any special expertise. When you're ready to hire, you'll need systems to manage your growing team. That's where tools like Homebase help you schedule staff, track hours, and run payroll without the headaches.

9. Financial snapshot

Summarize startup costs, monthly expenses, and revenue projections for year one. Use simple numbers and skip the complex spreadsheets. Include your break-even timeline.

10. Timeline

What are your next 3-5 major milestones? Include target dates for securing funding, hiring staff, launching, and reaching profitability.

How to write your one-page business plan step-by-step

You've got a million things on your plate already. Maybe you're writing this plan at your kitchen table after the kids are in bed, or squeezing it in between shifts at your current job. We’ll show you that creating your one-page business plan doesn't have to be another overwhelming task on your endless to-do list.

Block out two hours. That's it. Pour yourself a coffee (or something stronger), silence your phone, and let's knock this out together.

Step 1: Start with what you know

Forget about making it perfect. Open a blank document and brain-dump everything swirling in your head about your business. What keeps you up at night, excited? What problem did you experience that made you think "someone should fix this"? Get it all out first. You'll organize it later.

Step 2: Fill in the 10 components

Now take that brain dump and start dropping pieces into our 10 sections. Don't overthink it. Your first instinct about your target market is probably right. You know who needs what you're offering because you've probably been in their shoes. Keep each section to 2-3 sentences max. If you're writing more, you're overthinking.

Step 3: Add real numbers (even if they scare you)

This is where most people freeze up. "What if my projections are wrong?" They will be. Everyone's projections are wrong by at least a margin. But lenders and partners need to see that you've thought through the money side. Start with what you know: rent costs, equipment prices, what competitors charge. Work backwards from there. A realistic guess beats a blank space every time.

Step 4: Make it visual

One simple chart or timeline can replace paragraphs of text. Show your first-year revenue projections in a basic bar graph. Map out your milestones on a timeline. You don't need design skills. Even a simple table makes numbers easier to digest. Your reader will thank you.

Step 5: Sleep on it, then simplify

Come back with fresh eyes tomorrow. Read it out loud. Does it sound like you, or like you swallowed a business textbook? Cut any jargon. If your neighbor wouldn't understand a sentence, rewrite it. The best business plans sound like a conversation, not a presentation.

Remember: done beats perfect. You can always update your one-page business plan as things change. Right now, you just need something that captures your vision clearly enough to move forward.

Real one-page business plan examples

Seeing actual examples makes everything click. Here's what strong one-page business plans look like for different types of businesses that rely on hourly teams.

Food & beverage one-page business plan

This quick-service restaurant plan focuses on the breakfast rush that others ignore.

• Problem: "Workers starting 7 AM shifts have nowhere to grab quality breakfast and coffee before work except gas stations."
• Solution: "Fresh breakfast sandwiches and premium coffee with 5-minute service, opening at 5:30 AM. Mobile ordering for pickup on the way to work."
• Target market: Construction crews, hospital staff, and retail workers within 2 miles who start work before 8 AM.
• Team overview: Manager plus 3 staff per shift, with overlapping schedules during 6-8 AM rush. Using scheduling software to ensure coverage without overtime.
• Revenue model: Average ticket $8.50, targeting 150 transactions during morning rush, adding lunch service after month 3.

Instead of competing with established lunch spots, this plan targets an underserved time slot. The staffing section shows realistic planning for peak times. Opening hours align perfectly with the target market's schedule.

Beauty & wellness one-page business plan

This salon plan addresses the biggest frustration in the industry: unpredictable wait times and availability.

• Problem: "Working professionals can't book hair appointments during traditional salon hours and hate not knowing if they'll wait 30 minutes past their appointment time."
• Solution: "Evening and weekend hours with guaranteed appointment times. Online booking showing real-time availability, and text reminders the day before."
• Competitive advantage: Open until 8 PM weekdays and Sundays 12-5 when others are closed. Implementing time tracking to ensure appointments stay on schedule.
• Marketing strategy: Partner with nearby offices for "after work" booking promotions, Instagram showing evening transformations, referral program for existing clients.
• Financial snapshot: Average service $75, targeting 25 clients/day with 4 stylists, breaking even at 60% capacity.

The extended hours directly solve the availability problem. The plan shows understanding of stylists' scheduling needs and client flow. Technology does more than follow a trend and actually solves real booking and timing issues.

Home & repair one-page business plan

This HVAC service plan tackles the trust problem in home services head-on.

• Problem: "Homeowners dread calling repair services because of unclear pricing, long wait windows, and techs who push unnecessary upgrades."
• Solution: "Transparent flat-rate pricing online, 2-hour service windows with real-time truck tracking, and techs paid hourly (not commission) to remove sales pressure."
• Team structure: 3 certified techs to start, using time tracking for accurate job costing and fair hourly pay. Scheduling software to optimize routes and minimize drive time.
• Revenue projections: $200 average service call, 5-6 calls per tech daily, targeting 65% billable time.

Every element in this plan builds trust. Flat-rate pricing removes surprise bills. Hourly pay means techs focus on fixing problems, not upselling. The realistic billable time percentage shows understanding of service business realities.

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One-page business plan template

Copy this template and customize it for your business. Remember: keep each section brief and focus on what matters most. You can always add detail later.

[YOUR BUSINESS NAME]

Business Summary: What you do and who you serve (2-3 sentences)

Example: "Fresh Cuts Lawn Care provides reliable weekly lawn maintenance for busy homeowners in Springfield. We handle mowing, edging, and seasonal cleanup so customers can enjoy their weekends instead of doing yard work."

Problem You Solve: The specific pain point your customers face

Example: "Homeowners spend 3-4 hours every weekend on lawn care, time they'd rather spend with family or on hobbies."

Your Solution: How you uniquely address this problem

Example: "Professional weekly service with the same crew every time, using our own equipment. Flat monthly pricing and text alerts when we're coming."

Target Market: Your specific ideal customer

Example: "Homeowners aged 35-65 with household income $75K+ in Springfield's Oak Park and Riverside neighborhoods. Typically dual-income families with kids."

Competition & Your Advantage: 2-3 competitors and what makes you different

Example: "Unlike GreenThumb (focuses on commercial) and Joe's Mowing (unreliable scheduling), we guarantee same-day, same-crew service with easy mobile billing."

Revenue Model: How you make money

Example: "Monthly service at $120/month for standard lots. Seasonal add-ons (leaf removal, fertilization) average $50 each. Target 100 regular customers by year one."

Marketing Strategy: 3-4 specific ways you'll attract customers

Example: "Door hangers in target neighborhoods, NextDoor community sponsorship, before/after photos on Instagram, referral discount program."

Team Overview: Key people and roles

Example: "Owner/operator plus 2 crew members to start. Adding second crew at 75 customers. Using time tracking to manage hours and routes efficiently."

Financial Snapshot: Startup costs, monthly expenses, and year-one projections

Example: "Startup: $15K (truck, equipment, insurance). Monthly expenses: $8K. Break even at 67 customers. Projected year-one revenue: $125K."

Timeline/Milestones: Next 3-5 major goals with dates

Example:

• March: Secure equipment and insurance
• April: Hire and train first crew member
• May: Launch with 25 customers
• August: Hit 75 customers, hire second crew
• December: 100 regular customers

One-page business plan vs. business proposal

These two documents often get confused, but they serve completely different purposes. Knowing which one you need can save you from an awkward meeting where you brought the wrong paperwork.

A one-page business plan is your internal roadmap. It's for you, your partners, your bank, or potential investors. It explains how your business works and where it's headed. Think of it as your business's blueprint that proves you've thought through the details.

A business proposal is for winning new clients. It's an external sales document that says "here's how we'll solve your specific problem." You send proposals to potential customers, not to banks or investors.

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Your plan is done. Time to make it real.

You've got your one-page business plan. That’s more than most people ever do! But the real test isn't in the planning, it's in the doing. Start with the first milestone on your timeline. If that's hiring your first employee or building out your team, you'll need systems to manage schedules, track hours, and run payroll without losing your mind. That's exactly what Homebase does for over 100,000 small businesses like yours.

The gap between planning and launching is where most dreams stall out. Don't let yours. Your one-page business plan is your roadmap, and you've already proven you can get things done. Take the next step, even if it scares you. Every successful restaurant, retail shop, and service business started with someone just like you, staring at their plan and deciding to go for it anyway.

Start managing your team with Homebase for free.

One-page business plan FAQs

How long does it take to write a one-page business plan?

Most small business owners complete their one-page business plan in 1-2 hours. The key is not overthinking it. If you already know your business idea, have a sense of your local market, and understand your basic costs, you can knock this out in an afternoon. Spending weeks perfecting it defeats the purpose.

Can a one-page business plan really include everything important?

Yes, if you're disciplined about what matters. Your one-page business plan covers the essentials: what you do, who buys it, how you'll reach them, and whether the numbers work. Traditional plans include pages of market analysis and hypothetical scenarios. You need action, not theory. Save the novel for later if investors require it.

Will banks accept a one-page business plan for loans?

Many banks and SBA lenders now prefer starting with a one-page business plan. It shows you can communicate clearly and understand your business fundamentals. Some may ask for additional financial documents or a full plan later, but your one-pager often opens the door. Call ahead to confirm what your specific lender needs.

How often should I update my one-page business plan?

Review it quarterly, update it when something major changes. Your one-page business plan is a living document. As you learn what actually works (versus what you thought would work), update your plan to reflect reality. This is especially important for your financial projections and marketing strategies.

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