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*All images and words copyright of Diane Dobson-Barton dba as Barton Studio 2002-2009
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An Artist Business Plan - A Guideline
1. Cover sheet – Tell the reader the name of business and what is the plan for?
2. Statement of purpose / Executive Summary – You will write this last as it says what all the reader is looking
at in a brief summary
3. Table of contents
I. The Business
A. Description of business
Tell reader about your art and the history of your business
B. Marketing
Who will be purchasing your items and how will you let others know of your work?
Will you do t-shirts? Have a webpage? Brochures etc…
Target customer demographic information
C. Competition
Who are they and what do they offer that you can/can not do
better then they are currently offering?
D. Operating procedures
How will the work be done?
Will you be a sole proprietor? Or other?
E. Personnel
Who will do the work?
Job Descriptions
F. Business insurance
How will all business expenses be covered in an emergency
that would be covered by insurance?
II. Financial Data
A. Loan applications
Any that you have applied for, or wish to apply for
B. Capital equipment and supply list
Inventory of all materials
C. Balance sheet
How much money do you have available?
How much money do you owe? Regularly pay out?
D. Breakeven analysis
How much do you need to sell, what you need to pay out
in order to break even
E. Income projections (profit & loss statements)
Three-year summary
Financial Goals for 3 years from now
Detail by month, first year
Financial Goal for each month for the next year from now
Detail by quarters, second and third years
Financial goals for each quarter
Assumptions upon which projections were based
Back up your goals and expectations with facts
F. Cash flow
How will you be sure that there will be enough
money to cover all expenses? Will you keep your
day job?
III. Supporting Documents
A. Tax returns for last three years
If you are a sole proprietor have your last three years taxes on file. If
not a SP, then taxes of all principal personnel responsible for the
financial aspects of the business.
B. Copy of proposed lease or purchase agreement for building space
If you have a separate space to create, other then in home, copy of the
lease or mortgage for space. If is in the home, copies of rent, mortgage
receipts
C. Copy of utility bills
D. Copy of licenses and other legal documents
E. State Business License
F. Property tax information
G. Copy of resumes of all principal parties
If sole proprietors have your own resume on file
H. Copies of letters of intent from suppliers, etc
I. Who will send you supplies?