The primary value of your business plan is to create a written resource that evaluates most aspects of your new business including a description of your target customers and markets, profitability, ...

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Melissa Houston covers financial issues that affect women in business. Creating a business plan is a critical first step for any entrepreneur.

Success does not happen by chance – businesses need to plan for it. The process of business planning helps you describe the state of your business now, what you want to achieve, and the steps you will ...