Entrepreneur with red hair working from home, taking notes in a notepad beside a laptop in a bright modern dining room.

How to Write a Business Plan Executive Summary (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Write a Business Plan Executive Summary (Step-By-Step Guide)

The most important page in your business plan – how to write an executive summary that lenders, investors, and partners actually read and say “yes” to.

Updated for 2025 • U.S. small business focus • Works with any SBA-style business plan template

Quick Answer: How do you write an executive summary for a business plan?

To write an executive summary, draft it last, even though it appears first in the business plan. In one to three pages, summarize your business concept, target market, competitive advantage, products or services, key financial highlights, funding needs, and the management team. Focus on the big picture and results, not every detail, and make sure every claim in your summary is supported by the sections that follow.

Think of it as a “movie trailer” for your plan: a fast, compelling overview that makes lenders, investors, and partners want to keep reading.

Every lender, investor, and underwriter reads one part of your business plan for sure: the Executive Summary. It’s the page that decides whether they lean in and keep reading — or quietly set your plan aside.

The challenge is that most entrepreneurs either overwrite it (“mini book”) or underwrite it (“we’re passionate!” and not much else). The goal is a tight, clear, convincing summary that matches the structure outlined in:

This guide shows you exactly how to write an executive summary that fits that blueprint — with specific examples from real-world business plan templates for auto repair shops, bounce house rentals, bed & breakfasts, and more.

What an Executive Summary Really Is (And Why It Matters So Much)

An executive summary is a short overview of your business plan, usually one to three pages long, that highlights:

  • What your business does and who it serves
  • The size of the opportunity and why now
  • What makes you different from competitors
  • How you’ll make money (and your key numbers)
  • How much funding you’re requesting and how it will be used
  • Who is leading the business and why they can pull it off

It’s not just an introduction. For many decision-makers, it’s the only section they read before deciding whether to:

  • Move your plan forward in their process
  • Ask follow-up questions or request more documents
  • Decline politely without reading further

That’s why BPlanMaker templates bake the executive summary into the same lender-ready structure you see in the 7-section blueprint. Your job is to tailor that summary to your specific business while keeping the professional framing intact.

When to Write Your Executive Summary (And How Long It Should Be)

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to write the executive summary first. It feels logical, because it appears first in the plan, but it actually makes everything harder.

Rule #1: Write It Last

Always draft your executive summary after you’ve completed the other sections of your business plan — or after you’ve filled in an industry-specific template. That way:

  • Your summary is grounded in the real numbers from your financial projections.
  • Your description of the market and competition matches the research you’ve already done.
  • You’re not guessing — you’re summarizing.

Rule #2: Keep It 1–3 Pages

For most small businesses, lenders expect an executive summary to be no more than 1–3 pages, depending on the complexity of the deal. Shorter is usually better, as long as you touch all the key points.

If your summary is running 5–7 pages, you’re probably repeating content that belongs in the Market Analysis, Operations, or Financial sections. Trim it down so each paragraph earns its place.

The 7 Core Elements Every Executive Summary Should Include

While each business is unique, most strong executive summaries follow a similar structure. Here are the seven core elements you should cover, in order:

  1. 1. Business Overview
    Who you are, what you’re starting or expanding, your business model (retail, service, subscription, etc.), and where you’re located.
  2. 2. Products or Services
    A short description of your main offerings, with emphasis on what customers actually pay for and how you deliver value.
  3. 3. Target Market & Opportunity
    A snapshot of who your ideal customers are, where they are, and why there is enough demand to support your business.
  4. 4. Competitive Advantage
    The 3–5 reasons customers will choose you instead of existing competitors or substitutes.
  5. 5. High-Level Financial Highlights
    Key revenue, profitability, and cash flow metrics (for example: year-1 revenue, break-even timing, 3-year sales trajectory).
  6. 6. Funding Request & Use of Funds
    How much money you’re requesting, what type (loan, line of credit, equity), and exactly how the funds will be used.
  7. 7. Management Team & Execution Plan
    Who is leading the business, what experience they bring, and why they are qualified to execute the plan.

These seven elements line up with the deeper sections covered in your full plan. If you’d like a refresher on that full structure, revisit: The 7 Sections Every Business Plan Template Needs and How to Write a Business Plan Step-by-Step.

Step-By-Step: How to Draft Your Executive Summary in the Right Order

Here is a practical sequence you can follow once your main business plan sections are drafted or your template is mostly filled in.

Step 1: Start with Your Financial Highlights

It might sound backwards, but start with the numbers. Look at your 3-year projections and identify:

  • Projected revenue in Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3
  • When you expect to break even
  • Expected net profit margin by Year 3
  • Any major funding events or debt pay-downs

If you’re still working on your projections, pair this article with your 3-year forecasting guide so everything lines up financially.

Step 2: Summarize the Business in One Strong Opening Paragraph

Your first paragraph should give a clear, plain-English answer to: “What are you doing and for whom?” For example:

“[Business Name] is a proposed full-service auto repair shop in [City, State], serving local families, commuters, and fleet accounts with diagnostics, repairs, and preventative maintenance. The company will operate from a [X]-bay facility on a high-traffic corridor and will emphasize honest estimates, same-day service on most jobs, and transparent communication.”

Step 3: Add 1–2 Paragraphs on Products/Services and Target Market

Next, write short paragraphs that summarize:

  • Your primary revenue streams (what people pay you for)
  • Who your main customer segments are
  • Why those customers need your solution now

Step 4: Describe Your Competitive Advantage

Use 3–5 concise bullet points to explain what sets you apart. For example, a bounce house rental company might highlight:

  • Newer, commercial-grade inflatables inspected before each rental
  • Online booking with transparent, flat-rate pricing
  • Same-day delivery and pick-up options
  • Higher insurance coverage and safety training than competitors

Step 5: Layer in Key Numbers, Funding, and Use of Funds

Once the narrative is in place, bring in your financial highlights and funding request. For example:

“The company projects Year 1 revenue of $450,000, growing to $725,000 by Year 3 as brand awareness and repeat business increase. [Business Name] is seeking a $275,000 SBA-backed term loan to fund equipment, initial inventory, leasehold improvements, and working capital. The business is projected to reach break-even by Month 15 and generate a net profit margin of approximately 15% by the end of Year 3.”

Step 6: Close with the Team and Execution Snapshot

Your final paragraph should briefly introduce the owners or management team and reinforce why they can execute the plan. You don’t need full resumes here — just enough to show credibility.

Real-World Executive Summary Examples (By Industry)

To make this concrete, here are short executive summary examples inspired by several of BPlanMaker’s industry-specific business plan templates. You can adapt the structure and language to your own concept.

Example 1: Auto Repair Shop Executive Summary

The Auto Repair Shop Business Plan template is built around a high-traffic, bay-based service model with a mix of preventative maintenance and repair work.

“[Shop Name] is a proposed full-service auto repair and maintenance facility in [City, State], serving local commuters, families, and light-fleet accounts. The company will operate from a 6-bay facility located on a major commuter route and will specialize in diagnostics, brakes, suspension, and preventative maintenance services. Our target market consists of approximately 18,500 households within a 5-mile radius, along with small businesses that require dependable vehicle uptime.

Unlike many competitors that rely on upselling and opaque pricing, [Shop Name] will emphasize honest estimates, same-day service on most jobs, digital inspection reports with photos, and clear communication. The company projects Year 1 revenue of $480,000, growing to approximately $760,000 by Year 3 as repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals expand. [Shop Name] is seeking a $325,000 SBA-backed loan to fund shop build-out, lifts and diagnostic equipment, initial inventory, and working capital. The business is expected to reach operational break-even by Month 15. The company will be led by [Owner Name], an ASE-certified technician with 12+ years of experience managing high-volume shops.”

Example 2: Bed & Breakfast Executive Summary

The Bed & Breakfast Business Plan template focuses on occupancy, ADR (average daily rate), and guest experience.

“[Inn Name] is a proposed 8-room bed & breakfast located in a restored historic home near [Tourist Destination] in [City, State]. The property will combine modern amenities with locally inspired décor, offering guests a quiet, high-touch alternative to chain hotels and short-term rentals. Our primary guests will be couples, weekend travelers, and small groups seeking a curated, boutique lodging experience within walking distance of downtown attractions.

Based on tourism data and current occupancy levels, we project an initial occupancy rate of 52% in Year 1, increasing to 65% by Year 3, with an average daily rate of $185. This translates to Year 1 revenue of approximately $280,000, growing to $350,000+ by Year 3 as our brand and online reviews build. [Inn Name] is seeking a $475,000 combination of bank financing and equity investment to fund property acquisition, renovations, furnishings, and pre-opening costs. The business will be owned and operated by [Owner Names], who bring prior experience in hospitality, event planning, and local tourism marketing.”

Example 3: Bounce House Rental Business Executive Summary

The Bounce House Rental Business Plan template centers on party rentals, delivery logistics, and weekend utilization.

“[Brand Name] is a proposed bounce house and inflatable party rental company serving families, schools, churches, and event planners in [Metro Area]. The company will offer a curated inventory of commercial-grade bounce houses, combo units, water slides, and interactive inflatables, delivered and set up for single-day or weekend events. Our service area includes approximately 160,000 residents within a 25-mile radius, with a strong base of families and youth organizations hosting parties, carnivals, and fundraisers.

[Brand Name] will differentiate itself through newer, cleaner equipment; online booking with transparent pricing; and a strong focus on safety training and insurance coverage. The company projects Year 1 revenue of $165,000 with a lean, owner-operator model, growing to $260,000 by Year 3 as the inventory expands and weekday rentals increase. We are seeking a $95,000 equipment and working-capital loan to purchase inflatables, delivery vehicles, storage, and launch marketing. The business will be led by [Owner Name], who has experience in logistics, customer service, and event coordination.”

Example 4: Call Center Service Executive Summary

The Call Center Service Business Plan template highlights seat capacity, service SLAs, and B2B contract structure.

“[Company Name] is a proposed outsourced customer support and inbound call center in [City, State], providing phone, email, and chat support for small and mid-sized e-commerce and service companies. Launching with a 20-seat facility and scalable cloud-based telephony, the company will offer month-to-month and contract-based plans with defined service level agreements (SLAs) for response times and customer satisfaction.

Our target market includes niche online retailers, subscription box brands, and professional services firms that have outgrown in-house support but are not large enough to partner with major BPO providers. [Company Name] projects Year 1 revenue of $680,000, scaling to $1.1M by Year 3 as seat utilization and average revenue per client increase. We are seeking a $425,000 financing package to fund facility improvements, technology infrastructure, training, and working capital. The management team includes [Names], who bring prior experience in call center operations, workforce management, and client services.”

You can repeat this pattern for almost any industry, including specialized concepts like: Carpet Cleaning Service, Boat Storage Facility, Chocolate Candy Store, and Airbrush Face Painting Business. The structure is the same — the details are tailored to your market and model.

Common Executive Summary Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Before you finalize your executive summary, watch out for these common pitfalls that can quietly hurt your credibility with lenders and investors.

  • Being too vague: Saying “huge demand” or “unlimited potential” without specific numbers or examples. Fix by adding concrete data and ranges.
  • Overloading with jargon: Lenders want clarity, not buzzwords. Fix by using plain English wherever possible.
  • Ignoring risks: Pretending everything is guaranteed. Fix by briefly acknowledging key risks and how you plan to manage them.
  • Misaligned numbers: Revenue claims in the executive summary that don’t match your financial statements. Fix by cross-checking every number.
  • Writing it like a pitch deck: An executive summary isn’t a motivational speech. Fix by focusing on facts, structure, and specific next steps.

A good final test: if someone only read your executive summary and nothing else, would they understand what you are doing, why it works, how big it can get, how much money you need, and why they should believe you? If yes, you’re close.

Using Templates, Checklists, and Deep-Dive Guides to Polish Your Summary

Many entrepreneurs find it easier to start from a professional template and then customize. That’s why BPlanMaker offers industry-specific business plan templates that already include executive summary language aligned with lender expectations.

For extra depth and cross-checking, you can also layer in focused blog resources such as:

Use these as “companion guides” while you refine your summary and the rest of your plan, especially if you’re editing an existing template or revising a plan you’ve used before.

Skip the Blank Page: Use a Lender-Ready Executive Summary Template for Your Industry

If you’d rather not start from scratch, you can choose a BPlanMaker business plan template that already includes a professionally written executive summary and 3-year financial forecast – all you have to do is customize it with your numbers and local details.

Popular options include:

Each template is designed around the same 7-core-section blueprint used throughout this article, so your executive summary, market analysis, operations plan, and financials all line up in a lender-friendly format.

Frequently Asked Questions About Executive Summaries

How long should an executive summary be for a small business?

For most small businesses, one to three pages is plenty. Banks and SBA lenders want enough detail to understand the opportunity and the numbers, but not a full recap of every section. Focus on clarity, not page count.

Do I really have to write the executive summary last?

You can jot down rough ideas early, but the final version should almost always be written last. That way, your summary reflects the actual numbers, strategy, and details in the rest of your plan instead of guesswork.

What’s the difference between an executive summary and an elevator pitch?

An elevator pitch is usually spoken and very short (30–60 seconds). An executive summary is written, more detailed, and must line up with your financial projections, market research, and operating plan. Both should be clear and compelling, but the executive summary is more formal and data-backed.

Can I use the same executive summary for different lenders or investors?

You can start from the same core version, but it’s smart to make small adjustments depending on who will read it. For example, banks may care more about collateral and debt service, while investors may focus more on growth potential and exit opportunities.

Do I need a professional writer to create my executive summary?

Not necessarily. Many entrepreneurs write their own executive summaries using a structured template and guides like this one. The key is to stay organized, use plain language, and make sure every claim is backed by the detailed sections and numbers in your plan.

Back to blog