I'm often asked about what it is exactly that I do and even after I have explained, there are still more questions about how everything works.

This gave me the bright idea to ... write about it!
Why not do what comes most natural to me and help give people a better understanding of what I do in the process.

The first e-book "Planing For Success" explains why you need a Business Plan as an entrepreneur or non-profit leader. The second e-book "Creating A Champion  Plan" is a workbook that helps you brainstorm through the initial phase of your Business Plan writing so that you know exactly what your focus is whether you're talking with your Professional Writing Consultant or you've decided to write your plan yourself.  

Both of the e-books can be purchased at www.creating champions.pulleyapp.com , at purchase you get one electronic copy of the e-book for personal use as your own.

Many organization founders and business owners spend hours writing or consulting with someone to create the perfect business plan. They set goals and create first year budgets and then... a year, 2-years, more has passed.

You've done really well with your business, but you never took the time to go back and reevaluate your plan.

Most business owners think of their business plan as something that you need when you're just starting your business or organization. But, in reality a good plan helps you to stay ahead in your field. 

By taking the time to review your plan, you can see missed opportunities areas for growth, goals achieved and where adjustments can be made. 

Your plan should be updated as often as necessary. That may be annually or every 3-5 years depending on the timeline you laid out for yourself in your initial plan. 

As your business or organization grows, so should your business plan be adjusted. 

So you're getting ready to start your company and you want to formalize your organization but, you're not quite sure what type of corporation you'd like to form.

Well, it all depends on how you plan file your taxes, whether or not you need tax shelters or what your immediate earning potential is.

C-Corp

Protects the owners or shareholders assets from creditor claims. Income and expenses are taxed to the business and not the individual. Profits are distributed to shareholders as dividends that they have to pay taxes on. 

Businesses that choose this option usually: 

Want to keep company earnings in the business.
Want to be able to provide stock options to employees.
Expect the business to own real estate.
Want to lower their risk of IRS audit exposure.

LLC (Limited Liability Company)

LLC's provide personal liability protection for the corporation owner. Business income and expenses are reported on the owners personal tax return.

Businesses that choose this option usually:

Anticipate loss in earnings for at least two years that you can't pass through to themselves and other owners.
Management, Profit sharing and Accounting flexibility is desired.
You want to avoid rigorous formalities like board meetings and ongoing documentation requirements.


S-Corp

In an S-Corp, profits, losses and other tax items pass through your personal tax returns.

Businesses that choose this option usually:

You want the benefits of a corporation type business and of pass through taxation.
Flexibility of accounting methods, and salary setting.
Want lower risk of IRS audit exposure.


All of these options offer the owners personal liability protection. They give the opportunity to raise venture capital easier. Provides access to tax deductions, credibility with potential customers, vendors and partners that sole propreitorships may not. The key differences are in how the owners of the businesses are affected. 

LLC members are self-employed individuals who owe Social Security and Medicare taxes, paid by self-employment tax on their share of business net income. S corporation shareholders are employees of their corporation so Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes apply to compensation they receive, but not to distributions they receive.

• There are several types of grants, and they are each administered for various purposes. They generally fall under 2 - 3 grant types.

The type of grant you apply for will depend on your need and what you plan to use it for as well as how much of an effort you plan to exert.

The grant types include:

1. Categorical Grants - these federal grant funds can only be spent on very specific purposes and the recipient of these funds have to match a portion of the funds received. Categorical grant funds come in two types:
Project Grants, which are grants that fund research projects and the recipients have to have certain qualifications to receive theses grants. And, Formula Grants, only provide funds for certain projects as governed by law.

2. Block Grants - are large federal grants that are allocated to state or local governments to disburse for general use to its constituents.

3. Earmark Grants - are specified by the U.S. Congress in appropriations. They are not competitively awarded. 

Grant programs can fund projects in 20 different categories that inlude:

• Health
• Disaster Prevention and Relief
• Education Regional Development
• Energy
• Environmental Quality
• Agriculture
• Business and Commerce
• Art
• Community Development
• Food and Nutrition
• Employment Labor and Training
• Consumer Protection
• Housing
• Information and Statistics
• Humanities
• Science and Technology
• Law, Justice, and Legal Services
• Transportation
• Social Service and Income Security

Each of these grant types has their own requirements and guidelines that have to be followed and some of them may require you submit a grant proposal before you can even begin the grant application process. Contact me directly for assistance.

Creating Champions is now offering a complete services package.

I will be offering business plan writing, review and updates as well as grant writing services as a plan as well as a la carte'.

Creating Champions can write an extensive business plan, and complete an annual review, and complete any other professional business writing needs for your organization or business over the course of 6 months to a year. 

Creating Champions can also complete a 5-Year Business Plan review and help you assess areas of growth and improvement. 

Contact us today to help set up your annual service contract.

As an entrepenuer we often start our busnisses with our hopes and dreams at the forefront of our goals.

We plan to do great things, and become famous and successful and RICH!
Then reality sets in and we have to figure out how to actually get to successful and rich. That's when we realize we need a plan. Business plans are designed for you to be able to determine your goals, what your strengths are and even.....your weaknesses. 

A business plan is a growth tool.  

Just as it is essential to be honest with your clients and customers it is even more important to be honest with yourself. When you're presenting yourself to potential investors or in a grant proposal and you're dishonest you leave open the possibility of the under believing that what they're offering isn't even needed. It makes you seem as if you have no shortcomings and areas that need improvement. 

And, we ALL do. 

By being honest in your business plan, you can find the areas that need to be focused on as well as the areas that could see the most growth if they became a focus. 
Your business plan is the goal setting tool for your company with the second highest impact on your success. 

You can't plan to succeed, if you never plan.

Your business plan is the vision you have for and of your business made plain for the world to see.

A well written business plan can set the goals you have for the next year or 5 years for your business. It can help you set your budget, narrow your focus and pinpoint your strengths as well as your areas of weakness. 

​Having a business plan can be the difference in being approved or denied for a loan or having investors willing to help fund your venture.

A well thought out business plan can assist you in  planning the necessary steps for the success of your organization. It also helps in setting the tone you wish to create for your brand. First impressions are important and a professional business plan can go a long way in branding your company as professional and organized.