“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” — Proverbs 21:5
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Explain the purpose of a one-page Lean business plan
- Complete each section of the plan using course work
- Identify free mentoring and planning resources
- Present a business plan clearly and confidently
Lesson Notes
Why One Page?
A Lean plan fits on one page and is updated as you learn. It is a working tool, not a finished book. Lenders may later ask for more, but this page is your foundation.
The Sections of a Lean Plan
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Name and value proposition (M3). 2. Problem and solution. 3. Target customer (M3). 4. Competitors and your difference (M3). 5. Structure and legal steps (M4–5).
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Costs, price, and break-even (M6). 7. Funding plan (M7). 8. Marketing: how customers will find you (CBE 214). 9. Milestones: three dated first-year goals. 10. Faith and mission.
Free Help to Keep Growing
Many communities have free business mentoring programs run by experienced volunteers and small business development centers, often at colleges, offering free advising. Libraries, women's business programs, churches, and re-entry organizations may help too.
Local free mentoring: ________________ (Instructor will help fill in.)
Presenting Your Plan
Practice a two-minute summary: who you serve, the problem, why you, startup cost, and your next step. Speak with confidence and humility: you have counted the cost and committed your plans to the Lord.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Lean plan | A short, one-page business plan that is updated as you learn |
| Milestone | A specific goal with a target date |
| Mentor | An experienced person who gives guidance and accountability |
| Elevator pitch | A short spoken summary of your business |
In-Class Activities
Plan Draft and Peer Review
Fill in the one-page plan template using your assignments from Modules 2–7. Exchange with a partner. She will mark one strength and one question on each section. Revise your plan.
Two-Minute Pitch
Write and practice a two-minute summary of your business: customer, problem, solution, your difference, startup cost, and next step. Present it to the class or a small group.
Assignment: Final Project Submission
Submit your One-Page Lean Business Plan and supporting worksheets (see the Final Project section). Present your two-minute pitch in the final session.
Graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Proverbs 21:5 says the thoughts of the diligent lead to plenty, but haste leads to want. Look back over this course. What have you learned about planning, patience, and trusting God with your dreams? What is your very next step?
Prayer focus: Commit your plan to the Lord and ask Him to establish your thoughts and guide your next step.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Write the Vision
God told Habakkuk, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. A vision written down becomes something you can act on and share. That is what your one-page business plan is.
Look at what you have built over eight weeks: a business idea that fits your gifts, a customer you understand, a structure and legal steps, a startup budget, a fair price, and a funding plan that keeps you free. That is real work, and it is evidence of God's faithfulness and your diligence.
Your plan will change. A Lean plan is meant to be updated as you learn. You will meet mentors, test prices, and discover what customers really want. Keep the page, keep revising it, and keep committing it to the Lord.
Some of you will start soon after release; others will build slowly over years. Both are faithful. Who hath despised the day of small things? Your one page is a small beginning, and God delights in small beginnings that are offered to Him.
Think About It
- What part of your plan are you most proud of? ______________________
- What is the very next step you will take? ______________________
- Who will you ask to keep you accountable? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 8
The Diligent
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.— Proverbs 21:5 (KJV)
Diligent planning leads to fruit; haste leads to lack.
Reflect: Where are you tempted to rush?
Pray: Lord, make me diligent and patient.
Do: Review one section of your plan and improve it.
Make It Plain
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.— Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV)
A written vision helps you and others move forward.
Reflect: Is your vision plain enough to share?
Pray: Lord, make my vision clear.
Do: Read your plan aloud to someone you trust.
Commit Thy Works
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.— Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)
When we commit our work to God, He establishes our thinking.
Reflect: What do you need to commit to the Lord?
Pray: Lord, I commit my plan to You.
Do: Write a prayer at the bottom of your business plan.
He Will Perform It
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:— Philippians 1:6 (KJV)
God finishes what He starts in you.
Reflect: What good work has God begun in you?
Pray: Lord, finish the good work You began in me.
Do: Write down how you have grown in this course.
Arise and Build
The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build:— Nehemiah 2:20 (KJV)
Nehemiah faced opposition and still built, trusting God.
Reflect: What will you arise and build?
Pray: Lord, prosper the work of my hands.
Do: Name your first milestone and its target date.
Module Quiz
- 1.
A Lean business plan is:
- 2.
A milestone is:
- 3.
Where can new owners often find free business advising?
- 4.
A business plan should never change once it is written.
- 5.
Name five sections of the one-page Lean plan.