Learn the secrets of an excellent plan from 

two experienced bankers
 

A Business Plan is an important document for raising start-up capital, helping you to monitor progress and achieving your goals. When done correctly, it is a "living" document and tool that will help you manage the business beyond start-up. We will help you prepare a realistic plan that will document your vision, goals and strategy. No business should be started or maintained without a plan. The key is an understanding of what should be included and how to capture the reader's interest in a concise but interesting way.  In addition to developing a successful  business plan, the presenters will help you understand the financial statements and how they relate to risk and performance. You'll also be educated about the SBA qualifications and how to overcome the underwriting obstacles. 

Will discuss:

- Establish the information needed for a detailed business plan.

- Create the environment of the company, product or service that will be the basis of the business plan; identify the operations, marketing approach and financial implications.

- Establish pro forma P&L statements, utilizing three revenue 

- Identify the risks you'll face within each pro forma P&L 

- Develop the expected cash flow from the chosen growth 

- Prioritize your action steps, recognizing those that are absolute musts, very important and less important. In essence, you're creating a time line/calendar for the tasks you'll undertake to accomplish your growth objectives. 

- Create your plan and the last critical item, the Executive 

  Summary; note, this summary must portray your view of the 

  business opportunity as positive, enthusiastic and succinct. 

Michael Knazur joined Ridgestone Bank in January, 2012 as part of its SBA Commercial Lending team. He brings 15 years of commercial lending experience to Ridgestone Bank, having served in senior credit positions at commercial financial institutions throughout the Chicago area. Knazur has provided financing solutions and counseling to small businesses in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana, with an emphasis in manufacturing and distribution. Knazur has been very successful assisting these businesses with SBA's new CapLine loan program.

Knazur is actively involved in a number of organizations in the Chicago Marketplace, including Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC), Valley Industrial Association, Small Business Development Center and SomerCor504.

Margaret Griffin joined Ridgestone Bank's SBA commercial lending team in March, 2012.  She has more than 25 years in banking, 15 of which have been in the turnaround workout industry.  The concentration of her clients has been in the industries of manufacturing, equipment leasing, construction, real estate and healthcare.   Griffin owned her own consulting and financial advising firm for 10 years and provides Ridgestone with expertise in offering finance options to commercial customers.  

Griffin is a member of several banking organizations, including TMA (Turnaround Management Association), ABI (American Banking Institution), IWIRC (International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation), CFA (Commercial Finance Association), ABA (American Bankers Association), and NACVA/IBA (National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts/Institute of Business Appraisers). 

SCORE services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, gender, national origin or disability.