Business Plan and Financial Projections

Complete Your Additional Credit Hours

This page is for credit students completing the additional documented hours for Business LaunchPad.

You will use this page to:

Watch the financial projections videos
Use NotebookLM to ask questions
Work on your business plan
Work on your financial projections
Track your time
Meet with Andrew for support

Start Here

Follow these steps in order:

Watch the financial projections videos
Use NotebookLM to ask questions
Work on your business plan
Work on your financial projections
Track your time
Meet with Andrew for support

Watch Banker Perspective Video

SCORE Financial Projections Template from a Banker’s Perspective (1hr)

This video provides a longer walkthrough of the SCORE Financial Projections Template from a banking and loan readiness perspective.

Use this video to understand how a lender may review your numbers, assumptions, startup costs, cash injection, debt needs, operating expenses, and break even point.

Suggested use:

Watch the video once for general understanding.
Watch again while looking at the financial projections template.
Pause the video when you reach sections that connect to your own business idea.
Take notes on any terms or sections that are confusing.

Watch this video to understand how an advisor helps a client work through the financial projection template step by step.

Watch SBDC Advisor Video

SCORE Financial Projections from an SBDC Advisor Perspective (45 mins)

This video explains the financial projections process from an SBDC advising perspective.

Use this video to understand how an advisor helps a client move from rough assumptions to a more organized financial planning document.

Suggested use:

Watch the video while reviewing the template.
Identify which sections you understand and which sections need more support.
Write down questions to bring to your one on one advising meeting.

Use this video while working on your spreadsheet.

Using Google NotebookLM for Interactive Learning

This Loom explains how to use a Google Notebook LLM tailored to financial projections and spreadsheet templates. It describes a chat area where users can ask questions about specific inputs such as starting capital, and a studio area that organizes content through a financial mind map with chat that fills based on the selected topic. The Loom also covers interactive learning tools including flashcards with explanations, a financial quiz with step-by-step prompts, and infographics and slides tied to the projection document. It notes that all related materials, including podcast audio, slides, and a video, are available via the link in the YouTube video.

Click here to link to the interactive Learning through Google Notebook LLM

Documents Section

This Financial Roadmap infographic provides a clear, visual guide to mastering your business projections across three essential phases. It walks you through calculating your initial startup capital and funding balance, forecasting your day-to-day operations to prepare for the cash flow "dip," and finally, conducting a feasibility check to find your breakeven point. It serves as a quick, easy-to-understand reference to help you confidently navigate the financial journey from securing funds to making that final "Go or No-Go" decision on your business model.

Mastering_the_SCORE_Financial_Projections_Template.mp4

Understanding Finacial Projections Template

This video provides a step-by-step guide to using the SCORE financial projections template to transform a business concept into a professional, quantified plan. Viewers will learn how to accurately calculate startup costs—including fixed assets and operating capital—while establishing a balanced funding strategy using debt and equity options. The tutorial also demonstrates how to generate automated three-year revenue forecasts by inputting unit sales, profit margins, and conservative growth percentages. By following the critical rule of only entering data into shaded yellow boxes to protect complex formulas, entrepreneurs can build a realistic financial model ready for professional review.1

Financial_Narrative_Dashboard.pdf

Financial Narrative Guide

This document serves as a comprehensive guide to translating the SCORE Projections Template into a narrative that lenders can easily understand. It breaks down complex financial concepts—such as variable versus fixed costs, the "Valley of Death" in cash flow, and the breakdown of payroll taxes—into a visual story of risk and reward. By explaining how automated spreadsheet calculations transform user inputs into vital financial statements, the guide helps business owners prove their financial viability, mitigate risks, and successfully prepare for a commercial loan.1

The_Bankable_Blueprint.pdf

The Bankable Blueprint

The Bankable Blueprint provides a clear guide for using the SCORE Financial Projections Template to evaluate a business model's viability. It walks users through essential steps, including estimating startup costs, calculating true payroll expenses, and forecasting seasonal revenue. By emphasizing the difference between profit and actual cash flow, the document helps entrepreneurs identify their survival threshold and recognize "warning lights" before seeking bank funding. Ultimately, this tool serves as a critical reality check to determine if a business is ready for launch or requires a strategic pivot.1

The Roadmap to Profit infographic breaks down the journey of financial forecasting into three simple, actionable phases. It starts by helping you identify your necessary startup capital and ideal funding balance, then guides you through forecasting day-to-day operations to anticipate seasonal changes and cash flow pivots. Finally, it highlights crucial diagnostic health checks—like identifying your breakeven point and spotting financial red flags—so you can confidently validate your business plan and ensure long-term profitability.