The start of your business plan can be as simple as a paragraph you write down so you don't forget your brilliant idea, but a finished and complete business plan should be a well-thought-out document that illustrates the purpose of your business, as well as how your business will operate.Tom Scarda, CFE, CEO, and Founder of The Franchise Academy, spent 13 years as a NYC subway conductor before resigning to start his own businessâand he now advises others on making a similar move.Creating your business plan won't be a quick task. Brady Kirkpatrick, Founder of Gun Made, a website for gun enthusiasts, recalls spending a significant amount of time on his business plan, and he says that you'll need to evaluate how much time you're willing to commit to the task."You will spend countless hours creating a business plan and making it all happen," Kirkpatrick says. "And if you aren't willing to put in the time, you will end up wasting a lot of money and effort on something that most likely won't come to fruition," he adds.