Business Plans
We’re business planning specialists with over 25 years of experience. Whether it’s brainstorming from scratch or improving on an existing draft, we know what investors and lenders look for in a business plan. You can take the load of researching, organizing, and wording of your business plan, off your shoulders. If your company isn’t fully formed yet, we can help you refine your business model and target your markets.
Imagine the months you would spend distracted, stretched, mulling, and fretting exchanged for our exceptional service. SAGE business plans are priced at an affordable rate with a reasonably quick turnaround time. Regardless of your background, outsourcing your business plan development to a professional provides a traditionally high return on investment.
Benefits of a Sage Business Plan
You’ll be free to run your business. We do all the research and data synthesis so you can get back to where you provide the most impact.
You’ll pounce on critical growth opportunities. You will submit your business plan with confidence and without hesitation knowing that we put 100% attention into empirical support and nuance.
You’ll receive a completely customized business plan. Stand out and showcase your unique strengths–no templates.
You’ll hear an unbiased, outside perspective. A valuable business consultant will always assert an honest, professional opinion for startup efficiency and growth potential.
You’ll get top quality. While funding is in the hands of investors and lenders, we have a historically high rate of success.
Branding Packages and Marketing Collateral
Our business branding is designed for both new and existing businesses who are seeking to clearly define their message. Our branding packages are unique to set you apart, but durable enough to last through trends and changes in your competitive landscape.
We have EVERYTHING you need in one complete package to gain and maintain the attention of those who you wish to serve.
Logo: Say what you need to say in one picture. With a logo design from SAGE Business Consulting, your customers will be able to identify your business in a memorable way.
Brand guide: The foundation for your business branding will be your brand guide. Our easy-to-use guides are essential for keeping all communication consistent.
Business Cards: Your affordable business card design from SAGE Business Consulting will clearly communicate your contact information to encourage saving and sharing.
Email Signature: Close every email with a personal touch with your cleverly crafted email signature.
Capability Statement: Your lean capability statement will be designed to be easily read and evaluated by government agencies and private sector firms.
Letterhead: Your letter head will help your customers, vendors, and partners clearly identify your communication, and it will build an association between your words and your brand.
Website with Content: Your website will engage its users to bring in more customers and encourage social sharing. All SAGE Business Consulting websites are fully optimized for search engines.
Social Media Covers: Your social media accounts will be visually linked together and consistent with your website and all other marketing collateral.
PowerPoint Template: Your PowerPoint template will enhance your presentations rather than distract. You can be confident that what you say will be easily digested and remembered by your listeners.
Newsletter Template: Whether you need it tangible or digital, your newsletter will be visually appealing, well organized, and modern to earn interest in your business.
Small Business Certifications
Open New Doors as a Certified Minority-Owned Business
The Leverage You Need
Major corporations and government agencies are searching for certified small businesses to add to their vendor lists, could your company benefit?
Public Sector
As a certified small, minority, women, or veteran-owned business, you will have access to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that were previously unattainable. This places you, a minority supplier, in front of decision makers who are committed to providing opportunities to minority-owned businesses. While competing suppliers must be qualified for the contract, small business certifications give added weight in the evaluation process.
Private Sector: Interest from Corporate Buyers
Supplier diversity refers to corporate buyer programs that encourage a diverse range of suppliers. This is not just an act of charity. Interestingly, supplier diversity provides a competitive advantage that contributes to the corporate buyer’s bottom line. In fact, the Hackett Group found that the majority of world class organizations who engage in supplier diversity spend about 20% less on buying operations, and the number of procurement staff is less than half of their counterparts. Supplier diversity does not just help the certified woman or minority-owned business, it helps the corporate buyer as well.
In order to receive a higher chance of winning these contracts, you will need your small business certifications. These include the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone), Women-Owned Small Business (WBE) and (WOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Concern (SDVOSBC), and 8(a) program certifications.
Certifications Available
Gather new opportunities with these certification programs. Which one applies to you?
SBA WOSB and EDWOSB Programs – Set-Aside Government Contracts
If you are a female business owner looking to increase access to federal government contracts, we recommend the Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) program.
The WOSB program is a relatively new initiative set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Made effective in 2011, this is one of the many set-aside programs for small businesses created by the SBA. This program authorizes contract officers (COs), those who bind the Federal Government to contracts, to set aside certain contracts for those who are eligible. Once certified, you can participate in the program indefinitely, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements.
In addition, the SBA has created the Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) program for those who can prove economic disadvantage. Those in the EDWOSB program are considered WOSBs; therefore, they can compete for both EDWOSB and WOSB opportunities.
What Are the Benefits of the WOSB Program?
The Federal Government is required to spend 5% of its contracting dollars each year to small businesses that are owned by women. As an WOSB, you are eligible for set-asides with no restrictions on dollar amounts. WOSBs are also able to participate in joint ventures under certain conditions.
SBA SDVOSBC Program – Sole Source and Set-Aside Government Contracts
The Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Concern (SDVOSBC) program is designed to give service-disabled veterans preferential access to government contracts. Created by the Small Business Administration (SBA), certified businesses can bid on contracts that are set aside especially for them. In addition, SDVOSBCs can be awarded sole source contracts as well.
All government agencies have set aside 3% of the total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards for small businesses controlled by service-disabled veterans. Since the Presidential Executive Order 11360, federal agencies are required to make a significant increase in set-asides for SDVOSBCs; therefore, there is far greater opportunity now than in past years.
What Are the Benefits of the SDVOSBC Program?
If you are involved in the SDVOSBC program, you will have a higher chance of winning set-aside and sole source contracts with government agencies. Set-asides are contracts that are to be fulfilled exclusively by small business concerns. To be automatically set aside for small businesses, a federal purchase must be between $3,000 and less than $150,000. Sole source contracts are awarded to one supplier without a competitive process.
The SBA defines a disability as service-related if it occurred during active duty in military, Navy, or Air Force.
NMSDC MBE Program - Corporate Buyer Contracts
For minority business owners who wish to expand their network in the private sector, we encourage a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification through the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The Federal Government has set aside a minimum of 23% of total acquisition dollars to be spent on diverse businesses. While an MBE certification does not guarantee a contract with a corporate or government buyer, it does serve as a prestigious marketing tool that increases visibility and the chances of winning such contracts.
Supplier diversity programs within corporate institutions require valid MBE certification to meet supplier diversity goals. The NMSDC currently holds twenty-three affiliate offices worldwide with over 1,700 corporate members, including top public and private companies, universities, hospitals, and others.
Upon certification, MBE members are included in the NMSDC database, which corporate buyers use to select suppliers. Everyone in the program has access to networking opportunities with corporate buyers that are eager to partner with diverse enterprises. Other opportunities, such as capital loans and mentor-protégé pairings, are available through higher levels of membership.
What Are the Benefits of the NMSDC MBE Program?
Members of the NMSDC MBE program have access to the following opportunities and services:
- Business opportunity fairs and conferences
- Joint Ventures
- Educational development
- Awards and special recognition
- Request for Proposals (RFPs), business leads, and alerts for procurement opportunities.
Sub-programs include:
- Subscription Services: These paid services provide access to premium events, introductions to national corporate members, professional development fellowships, mentor-protégé pairings, and technical and financial support.
- Corporate Plus® program: Admittance into this program elevates the MBE’s profile among national corporate members. In this sub-program, NMSDC corporate members nominate MBEs who have demonstrated excellence in fulfilling national contracts.
- Growth Initiative: This sub-program Grants MBEs access to equity capital from institutional investors. The MBE’s eligibility for the Growth Initiative is reevaluated annually.
- Centers of Excellence: These modules connect corporate buyers with MBE suppliers in their region. Each module consists of ten corporate members and 16 to 20 MBEs.
SBA HUBZone Program - Sole Source and Set-Aside Government Contracts
The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program is one of the many Small Business Association (SBA) certifications and sole source programs for small businesses that open up opportunities in government contracting. If you are looking to support your community while improving your bottom line, this your certification. Created in response to the Small Business Restoration Act of 1997, this program is designed to reduce unemployment and promote economic prosperity in distressed areas. The HUBZone program is managed by the SBA, and certifications last as long as you meet all of the criteria.
What makes the HUBZone Program so worthwhile is the access that you will receive to federal procurement opportunities. Federal agencies have collectively spent over $1.2 Billion on HUBZone contracts in the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction industry alone. Certified firms have a far better chance of winning both competitive and sole source federal contracts if they obtain a HUBZone certification. The goal of the Federal Government is to award 3% of all contract dollars to businesses in the HUBZone program.
What Are the Benefits of the HUBZone Program?
Here is how your organization can benefit from a HUBZone program certification:
- A 10% price evaluation preference in full and open federal contract competitions
- HUBZone set-aside and sole source contract opportunities
- Branding as a leader in your community’s economic growth
SBA 8(a) Program - Sole Source Government Contracts
Did you know that the government is required by law to provide opportunities for small businesses? Through special sole source programs for small businesses, including the Small Business Association (SBA) 8(a) program, small business owners have exclusive access to opportunities and assistance.
As you win government contracts, you can use the experience to attract valuable human resources and compete more successfully with larger businesses in both the private and public sectors.
The ultimate goal of the 8(a) program is to ensure that socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses thrive in the private sector. Through the (8)a program, small business owners have the opportunity to bid on government contracts with extra weight given during the evaluation process. While the you must be qualified against all evaluation criteria, you will have a higher chance of receiving an award for a particular bid based on your status as an 8(a) firm.
The 8(a) program lasts for nine years and operates in two phases: a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition stage. During this period, the SBA tracks your progress through annual reviews, business planning, and systematic evaluations.
What Are the Benefits of the 8(a) Program?
Upon certification as an 8(a) firm, you can:
- Receive sole-source government contracts with a ceiling of $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing.
- Form teams to bid on larger prime contracts.
- Obtain specialized training, counseling, marketing assistance, and high-level executive development.
- Have possible access to surplus government property and supplies, SBA-guaranteed loans, and bonding assistance.
WEBENC WBE/ WOSB – Women Owned Small Business Program
This program is for women owned businesses in industries where they are underrepresented with the goal to boost the success of women-owned businesses in the US. WSOBs have access to contracts from the Federal Government, and WBE’s can more easily compete in the private sector.
WEBENC WBE/WOSB – The WBE certification standard is the most relied upon certification of women-owned businesses. Certification is administered throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The ongoing goal for WBE certification is to be the most valued certification of women-owned, operated, and controlled businesses, which is recognized by public, private, non-profit and government entities. > The WBE certification is the preferred certification for woman owned businesses looking to do business with large enterprise size firms and local governement agencies.
Management Consulting
At Sage Business Consulting, our business consulting services start with a business ACTION plan to strategically develop and grow your business.
Our business consulting services include a step-by-step guide that enables us to identify where you are now and work with you on the direction your business should go. We also assist you in keeping your business action plan current to help ensure you continue to achieve your business goals and objectives.
The action plan is updated monthly or quarterly, shared with the team as needed, and has due dates for key performance results.
Our business consulting services take into consideration where you are at now, the vision you have for the growth of your company, company culture, staff, office space and financing, your whole business.
When you have a clear vision for the growth of your business and a plan to achieve it, with your whole team focused on the outcome you will be amazed at what you can do.
Call or email Nancy at Sage Business today for a complimentary consultation and take the first step toward raising funds and improving your business.
CONTACT US
- Phone: 714-225-9981
- Email: nancy@sagebusinessconsulting.com
