As a nutritionist, you’re passionate about helping your clients achieve health and balance in their life. You have a wealth of knowledge to share, but where should you start? If you want to start a nutrition business, the first step is creating a nutrition business plan.

Don’t worry if you’ve never created — or heard of — a nutrition business plan. This article will cover the first steps in creating yours, including:

  • Why you need a nutrition business plan
  • What goes into creating a nutrition business plan?
  • The 10 sections of a nutrition business plan

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Why you need a nutrition business plan

A business plan is a written document that outlines the goals and objectives that a business sets for itself and how it plans to successfully meet these goals and objections. A successful business plan attracts investors and helps you stay organized, allowing you to track your progress meeting the goals and objectives you set for your nutrition business. Over time, you can evolve your business plan to meet the new needs of your company.

It might seem intimidating to create a nutrition business plan if you’ve never done so before. However, you probably already have most of the information needed for your plan! Once you know what sections to include, the process is pretty straightforward.

What goes into creating a nutrition business plan?

Think of your nutrition business plan as a guide for both your day-to-day and long-term operations. It doesn’t need to be a lengthy manuscript. Instead, focus on creating a professional document that captures your business on paper. The process of creating a plan includes:

  • Developing a timeline for the launch and growth of your business
  • Writing out an action plan for starting your business
  • Mapping out the future of your business in actionable steps
  • Writing out the ideas you have for your business
  • Listing your business objectives
  • Tracking growth

10 sections to include in your nutrition business plan

All business plans consist of several sections that detail the goals and objectives a company wants to meet. Here are 10 sections your nutrition plan should include to ensure success.

1. An executive summary

Writing a great executive summary is the first step in creating your nutrition business plan. It should include:

  • Your brand name
  • A list of the products and services you are offering
  • Your dreams for the business
  • Your values as a business owner
  • Important goals and milestones you’re aspiring to
  • When you created or will create your business
  • Any product or service launch details you can provide

‌Your executive summary should clearly outline your projections about the size of your company. It should also introduce key stakeholders and provide a clear fundraising plan. 

Global Nutrition Report offers a large-scale example of a well-written executive summary. Read the report in full to see how the GNR details the need for the organization and its action plan. Nutritionists can learn from the structure of this long-form summary and apply it to their more succinct plans.

2. A description of your business

Chances are you have been envisioning your nutrition business for a long time. From designing your logo to opening a storefront, you’ve thought of every detail. Your business description is your chance to articulate your vision of the nutrition business to potential stakeholders and clients. To paint a clear picture for the reader, include vivid details such as:

When writing this section, think about who your target market is and how you want your future clients to perceive your business. You will be able to use many of the elements from this section when it’s time to build your business website. 

3. A management plan

By the time you start creating your business plan, you should have a clear idea of how many people you want to hire for your nutrition business. Your management plan section should include this detail. This can be done by providing an organizational chart that lists all of the jobs your company will have, descriptions of each role, and projections of future hires. 

4. A market analysis 

A market analysis shows clients and stakeholders that you’ve researched the nutrition and health industry before launching your business. This section should demonstrate your expertise in the industry by detailing:

  • The current economy
  • Trends in your industry
  • Relevant technological trends 
  • Demographic trends

‌Beyond trends, your market analysis is a chance to clearly envision your ideal client. Consider their age, gender, location, shopping habits, and preferences. Defining a clear niche market is one of the keys to developing a successful marketing strategy for your health business moving forward.

Whenever possible, using infographics to illustrate important trends can help lend authority to your business plan. Again, GNR provides a large-scale example from which you can draw inspiration.

5. Acknowledging your competition

A great business plan outlines the strengths and weaknesses of your industry and identifies your competition. To keep up with competitors, it is important to understand what drives their success, how they perform in your market, and what customers like to buy from them. Take the time to conduct thorough competitive research to include in your plan.

6. Your products and services

At the core of your nutrition business are your products and services. Maybe you’ve already created your online store or launched your service — here’s your chance to describe them in rich detail to your audience. As you craft this section, focus on demonstrating the ways your service will enrich customers’ lives.

Keep in mind that details from this section can later be repurposed for copy in your:

7. A clear timeline and action plan

Before you write this section, you need to develop a set timeline and action plan for your business. When it comes to mapping out the future of your nutrition business, consider details like:

  • Production timelines and processes
  • Location of your business
  • Timeframe for hiring staff and leadership
  • Plans for creating company policy
  • When you plan to launch your business

8. A backup plan

As with any business venture, it is important to create a contingency plan for your nutrition business. Use this section of your nutrition business plan to pinpoint potential challenges within your business and map out prospective backup plans to keep your nutrition business moving forward.

9. Your marketing plan

To draw customers to your nutrition business, you’ll need a solid marketing plan. Health and fitness marketing tips include:

Mapping out your marketing plan can help you consider details like using the right imagery and targeting the right audience for your health business.

10. A financial plan

Finally, you should provide quantitative data to your stakeholders in the financial plan section of your business outline. Writing a financial plan can be intimidating, but the organizational benefits are well worth it. Make sure to include:

  • Reports that show your profits and losses
  • Cash flow and gross margin reports
  • A fundraising plan

Securing the future with a nutrition business plan

Ultimately, your nutrition business plan will serve as the roadmap to your brand’s future. Use it to guide your choices, connect with stakeholders, and introduce your business to clients. Now that you know the importance of a nutrition business plan and how to create it, are you ready to develop your own?

‌If you want to learn more about how to market your nutrition business, check out The Download, a free marketing guide for health and fitness professionals.