What Must an Entrepreneur Do After Creating a Business Plan

Finishing a business plan feels like crossing a major milestone—and it is. But what happens next?

Many entrepreneurs get stuck right after. The research is done. The numbers are in. The goals are clear. Still, the next move often feels uncertain. Should you raise money? Start marketing? Register the business? The truth is, the business plan is just the beginning.

According to Startup Genome, over 90% of startups fail. One big reason? Poor execution. Having a great plan means nothing if you don’t act on it.

This guide will help you move from planning to doing. Step by step. You’ll learn how to secure funding, register your company, build a team, and prepare for launch—all using what’s already in your business plan.

Let’s get started.

Creating a business plan is a strong start—but it's just the beginning. To turn your idea into a real business, you need to take clear, practical steps. Here are the next steps entrepreneurs take after creating a business plan. These actions help turn a written plan into a working business, one step at a time.

Writing the plan was a big step. Now it’s time to make sure it holds up.

Start by going over each part of your business plan with a clear head. Look at your goals, market analysis, budget, and revenue projections. Are they still realistic? Have there been any changes in your target market or industry?

Markets shift fast. For example, if your plan was made six months ago, your competitors may have launched new features, or customer behavior might have changed. It's worth checking again. Use tools like Google Trends, Statista, or even Reddit to see what your audience is talking about. Stay close to real-time data.

Next, talk to people. This could be a mentor, a former coworker, or another business owner. Fresh eyes can catch weak points. Maybe your pricing is off, or your target audience is too broad. Real feedback helps you fix those gaps before they become problems.

You don’t need to start from scratch. Small tweaks can go a long way. Maybe cut costs in your first quarter, or narrow your launch area to one city instead of five.

But here’s the key: don’t let this step turn into an excuse to delay. Your business plan doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be solid enough to act on.

Refine quickly, and get ready to move.

Your business plan probably includes numbers—startup costs, sales targets, monthly expenses. Now, you need money and tools to bring that plan to life.

Without funding, even the best ideas stay on paper.

Before reaching out to anyone, get clear on your numbers. How much money do you need to launch? What will it cover? Break it down:

Be specific. If you say you need $50,000, explain why. A clear plan builds trust with investors or lenders.

Different businesses need different types of capital. You don’t need millions to start. In fact, 77% of small businesses in the U.S. are started with less than $10,000.

Here are a few options to consider:

Each path has pros and cons. Choose what fits your business type, timeline, and comfort level with risk.

If you're approaching investors or lenders, you’ll need more than just your plan. You’ll need to sell your vision.

Here’s what they usually want to see:

Make sure your pitch matches your business plan. Numbers should align. Assumptions should make sense.

Once funding is in place—or even partially secured—map out how you’ll use it. Create a budget that breaks spending into categories.

For example:

Add a timeline. When will each stage happen? This shows you’re organized and realistic.

It’s time to make things official. Your idea is solid, the plan is ready, and you've started arranging funds. Now, you need to set up your business legally.

This isn’t just paperwork. It builds trust, protects your name, and helps you avoid legal trouble down the line.

The structure you pick affects how you pay taxes, how much personal risk you carry, and how easy it is to grow. Common options include:

Most first-time entrepreneurs go with an LLC because it’s a balance of safety and simplicity.

Your name is part of your identity. Once you’ve picked it, register it with your local or national business authority. This ensures no one else can legally operate under the same name in your region.

Also, grab the matching domain name (yourbusinessname.com) if it’s available. It’s a small step that makes a big difference online.

In many countries, you’ll need a tax identification number for your business. In the U.S., it’s called an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need it to:

It’s free and takes just a few minutes to apply online through the IRS.

Depending on your business type and location, you might need special permits. For example:

Check with your local city or county office. Requirements vary widely. Don’t assume you can skip this—some places fine you for running an unregistered business.

If you’ve created a unique logo, slogan, or product, think about protecting it. You can:

This step matters if you plan to grow your brand or compete in a crowded market.

Even if you’re working with friends or freelancers, use contracts. Clear agreements help prevent misunderstandings. You may also need:

A small legal mistake now can cause big headaches later. You don’t need a full-time lawyer, but speaking to one during setup can save time and stress.

Now that your business is registered and ready on paper, it’s time to build the actual setup. This is the part where you create the systems and tools that will run your daily work.

Whether you're starting small or aiming big, you need structure.

Where will you operate from?

Tip: Don’t overspend early. Many successful founders started from a spare room, garage, or shared space.

You’ll need the right gear to get things moving. This includes:

Even if it’s just you right now, start creating basic systems. These can save you hours later.

Examples:

Documenting these early helps as your team expands. It also reduces errors.

This is one area you can’t ignore.

If numbers aren’t your thing, hire a part-time bookkeeper or accountant. They’ll help with tax filings and keep your records clean.

If you're selling physical goods, ask yourself:

Plan your process from the first order to delivery. Test it out on a small scale before scaling up.

You’ve laid the foundation. Now it’s time to bring in people who’ll help you grow.

Even if you're starting alone, you can’t do everything forever. A smart team—and a strong network—can speed things up and make the work lighter.

Hiring doesn’t always mean full-time employees. In fact, many startups begin with freelancers or part-time help.

Think about:

Examples:

Start small. Quality beats quantity. One skilled person can often do more than three who aren’t the right fit.

Clarity saves time.

Before hiring anyone, write down what you expect them to do. List out the tasks. Be clear on deadlines, tools they’ll use, and how you’ll measure results.

This applies whether you're hiring a friend, a freelancer, or a full-time teammate.

If someone’s job is to manage orders, they should know:

Clear roles help everyone stay aligned.

Even if your team is just two people, the way you work together matters. Treat people with respect. Share your vision. Celebrate wins.

Set the tone now, and it’ll stick as you grow.

A few ideas:

It’s not about big perks—it’s about good communication and trust.

Your team isn’t just employees. You also need people outside your business who can support you.

Here’s where to look:

You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help—if you just ask.

Delegation is a skill. If you try to do everything, you’ll burn out. And your business will suffer.

Hand over the things that slow you down—like admin tasks, design tweaks, or simple updates. Focus your energy on growth, sales, and strategy.

Letting go isn’t weakness. It’s a smart move.

Now it's time to bring your idea to life. The business plan explains what you're offering. This step is about making it real—and making sure people want it.

You don’t need to launch with the final version. Start with an MVP—Minimum Viable Product. It’s a basic version that solves the main problem for your customer.

If you’re building an app, start with just the core feature.
If you’re launching a clothing line, start with a small collection.
If you’re offering a service, begin with one or two packages.

This saves money, speeds up launch, and gives you something to test.

Now comes the part most founders skip—validation.

Get your product or service in front of a small group of your ideal customers. Ask them to use it. Watch how they interact. Listen to their feedback.

You can:

Ask things like:

Even five honest users can show you what needs fixing.

Based on what you learn, make quick changes. This could be:

Don’t overthink it. Adjust and move forward.

Even if it’s simple, it still needs to work well.

First impressions matter. People talk. And a good experience can turn testers into your first paying customers.

This one’s big.

Your product should solve the problem you set out to fix. Go back to your business plan. Read your original value statement.

Then ask:

If the answer is “kind of,” keep improving.

You have a product. You’ve tested it. Now, you need people to notice it. That’s where marketing comes in.

You don’t need a big budget. But you do need a clear plan to reach the right people, at the right time, with the right message.

Your brand is how people see and remember your business. It’s not just a logo or a name—it’s the full picture.

Here’s what you need:

Example:
If you're selling eco-friendly bags, your brand could be clean, nature-inspired, and positive. Your tone could be helpful and warm.

Consistency matters. Use the same style across your website, social pages, packaging, and ads.

Most customers will search for you online before anything else. Make sure what they find builds trust.

Here's your checklist:

If you’re running a local shop or service, this step is extra important.

You don’t have to be everywhere. Pick 2–3 places where your target customers spend time.

Options include:

Start where you feel confident. Focus on quality over quantity.

You don’t need fancy videos or expensive shoots. Start with honest, clear content that helps or excites your audience.

Examples:

People trust content that feels real.

Even small budgets can work if used wisely.

You could:

Track results. If something works, do more of it. If it flops, adjust and try again.

The best marketing speaks directly to a real person.

Create a simple profile of your ideal buyer:

When you write posts or ads, picture that person reading it.

This is the exciting part—going live. But before you press the launch button, take a breath and set the stage.

A messy launch can confuse people. A clear plan helps you get attention, attract early users, and start building trust.

You don’t need a big event or countdown. But you should decide how public you want the launch to be.

Many businesses start soft, fix small issues, then go bigger a few weeks later.

To avoid last-minute stress, prepare ahead. Here's a basic list:

Stick this list somewhere visible and check off each point.

You don’t need thousands of users on Day 1. You just need a few people to try your product, give feedback, and spread the word.

Try these:

Make people feel like they’re part of something new.

A sales funnel helps turn strangers into paying customers. Even a basic one works well for early-stage businesses.

For example:

Make sure the process is smooth. No broken links, slow pages, or confusing forms.

First customers are gold. They’re your first reviews, first testimonials, and possibly first loyal fans.

So be quick to respond, solve problems fast, and ask for feedback. A short message like “Thanks for being one of our first users!” goes a long way.

You don’t need a full support team—just be helpful, honest, and kind.

As your launch unfolds, keep an eye on results.

You’ve launched. Customers are coming in. Things are moving. Now it’s time to make sure everything stays on track—and gets better over time.

A business plan is a guide, not a rulebook. Real progress comes from watching what’s working and making smart changes.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. So first, decide what success looks like.

Some common early-stage metrics:

Pick 3–5 key metrics to focus on. Don’t overwhelm yourself with data. Start small and track consistently.

You don’t need expensive dashboards. Free or low-cost tools can do the job:

Keep things updated weekly or monthly. Just 30 minutes can give you useful insights.

Go back to your original goals. What did you expect to happen in month 1? Month 3?

Check how your actual results stack up. If you’re ahead—great. If you’re behind, that’s okay too. The point is to learn.

Ask yourself:

Be honest, not harsh. This is about fixing and growing, not blaming.

If something’s not working, don’t ignore it. Adjust.

Sometimes, small changes—like rewriting a headline or changing button color—can improve results fast.

Stats are useful. But real conversations are gold.

Check in with users:

Use their words in your marketing. Fix what frustrates them. Turn them into fans by simply listening.

Many successful businesses didn’t follow their first plan exactly. They adjusted as they learned more.

Changing direction isn’t failure—it’s smart. Just make sure you’re changing based on real feedback and real data.

Sometimes that means reworking part of your product. Sometimes it means targeting a different audience. That’s normal.

You’ve launched your business, and the wheels are turning. But this stage brings its own risks. A few missteps can slow progress or drain your energy fast.

Here are some common mistakes new founders make—and how to avoid them.

It's easy to get excited. You’ve done the math, and your forecast looks great. But the reality? Things usually move slower.

Many founders assume high sales in the first few months. But building trust takes time. A CB Insights report showed that unrealistic expectations are a leading cause of startup failure.

What to do:

Hope for growth, but plan for a slower start.

Cash flow can make or break your business.

If you spend faster than you earn, you run out of time. This is called your runway—how long your cash will last at the current spending rate.

Example:
If you have $20,000 in the bank and spend $5,000/month, your runway is 4 months.

What to watch:

Keep a simple spreadsheet or use tools like Xero or Wave. Update it weekly. If your runway is shrinking, cut costs early—not after you’re in trouble.

Hiring too fast or hiring the wrong people can hurt early momentum.

A flashy resume doesn’t mean a good fit. Sometimes, friends or family get hired out of comfort—but that can lead to awkward situations.

Tips:

The right people will save you time. The wrong ones can drain it.

Your first users are valuable. Their input helps you shape a better product and build a loyal base.

But many founders get so caught up in features and marketing, they stop listening.

Make feedback easy:

You don’t need to follow every suggestion. But trends in feedback often point to real issues or missed opportunities.

Everyone wants fast growth. But if your systems aren’t ready, scaling early can break things.

Let’s say you run a handmade product store. Getting 10 orders a week is fine. But if a viral post brings in 100, and you can’t fulfill them, that harms your brand.

Signs you’re ready to grow:

Grow when the business pulls you—not when you push before it’s ready.

Writing a business plan is a big step—but acting on it is what really counts.

You don’t need to have it all figured out from the start. Take one step at a time. Build, test, learn, and improve. Some things will work. Others won’t. That’s part of the process.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

If you're looking for a simpler way to manage your startup—from planning and marketing to sales and team tools—Venturz can help. It’s an all-in-one platform made for entrepreneurs who want to get things done without juggling ten different apps.

With everything in one place, you can focus on what really matters—growing your business.

A business is 2.5 times more likely to launch if the founder creates a business plan, according to research by the Harvard Business Review. Before creating a business plan, an entrepreneur must research their market and audience to improve the plan’s effectiveness.

Q2: Why is the quality of the business plan so critical to an entrepreneur’s success?
A high-quality business plan helps an entrepreneur stay focused, make informed decisions, and attract funding. It clearly outlines goals, strategies, financial needs, and customer value. An entrepreneur must be ready to adjust and open to refining their plan as the business grows, especially when incorporating evolving elements like technical SEO strategies to enhance online visibility and performance.

After developing the business concept, the entrepreneur needs to validate the idea, conduct market research, and begin drafting a business plan. In the process of starting a business, this step ensures that the concept solves a real problem for a specific target audience.

Most marketing entrepreneurs create a marketing strategy, define their target audience, build an online presence, and prepare content or ads. Before creating a business plan, an entrepreneur must research what competitors are doing and what customers need.

Q5: How does an entrepreneur figure out which customers to focus on and which to ignore?
An entrepreneur identifies ideal customers by analyzing buyer behavior, market size, and profit potential. They focus on segments that are most likely to buy and ignore those who don’t align with their value proposition. An entrepreneur would most likely be interested in customers who convert with the lowest acquisition cost.

The management and organization section of a business plan includes current roles and identifies key positions that have not yet been filled. This helps outline future hiring needs and responsibilities.

Q7: What part of product development requires the entrepreneur to consult with an expert first?

The technical or production stage of product development often requires expert input. This includes prototyping, manufacturing, or coding. An entrepreneur must be ready to adjust and open to expert feedback to avoid costly mistakes.

A marketing plan helps an entrepreneur by outlining how to attract and retain customers. It defines target markets, channels, budget, and messaging. This alignment supports sales, brand growth, and long-term business success.