Contents
- 1 How to Write a Company Overview for a Business Plan
How to Write a Company Overview for a Business Plan
What does your business structure look like? Who is involved? What’s your history?
These questions can be answered in the company overview section of your business plan.
We’ll explain how to write it and provide examples for reference.
What is a company overview?
The company overview section of your business plan briefly explains the legal structure, management team, and history of your business.
This section is important if you’re seeking investment as it explains how the business is legally structured and who is involved from an ownership and management perspective.
However, you likely don’t need a company overview if you don’t plan on sharing the plan with someone outside of your business.
What to include in the company overview
What’s included in your company overview depends on how you intend to use your business plan.
If you don’t intend on sharing your plan with anyone outside of your organization, you can likely skip documenting simple legal information.
For this guide, we’ll cover the basics that most businesses should include.
Business structure
First, define what type of organization your business is registered as. The most common business structures in the US include:
Take some time to understand the differences. Your business structure will impact how you file your taxes, your liability for business debt, and the type of insurance you’ll need.
Consider adding an explanation of why you chose this specific structure and how it impacts your business.
Ownership
Outline the ownership stake in your company. List who owns what percentage of your business.
It may also be useful to include how each individual is involved in your business.
If an investor or equity holder is involved in day-to-day operations, you may want to go more in depth on the management portion of your company overview, detailing each member’s experience and qualifications
Location(s)
Include basic logistical information about where your business is located, additional locations the business owns, and any locations that may be acquired in the near future.
You will cover the details of each location’s facilities and operational functions in the operations section of your business plan.
Company history
Your company background or history is the “Once upon a time…” of your business plan. At a minimum, include:
- When it was founded
- Who was involved
- Major milestones
The details in this section will vary depending on who the business plan is being presented to and the stage of your company.
For example, if you’re a relatively young business, include the history of who came up with the idea, how they came up with it, and how and why other people joined.
If you share your plan with a third party, focus on presenting a strong track record of success and good decision-making. Include highlights and key points without overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
Management team
Showcase your team and their qualifications, including:
- Work experience
- Past successes
- Degrees or other credentials
Professional gaps and planned hires
If there are team members you don’t yet have but plan to hire, mention these roles and your plans to fill them.
Include people who might take on multiple responsibilities to fill the current gap. If you have specific people in mind, include them, even if they aren’t currently on staff.
Refer to your personnel forecast in your financial plan for supporting data.
Board of advisors
If you have mentors or board members who offer guidance with your vision and overall strategy, mention them. This can boost your credibility by association.
Include their name, position, credentials, experience, and any other important information that showcases why their involvement is valuable.
Similarly, if you are working with a lawyer, accountant, or other supporting professional—include them.
How to write your company overview
The company overview is a straightforward section. Start by organizing your business information into appropriate sections.
Depending on your plan’s purpose, this may be all you need for now. Focus on brevity and include additional documents in the appendix if necessary.
List the high points of your company history without creating a vague or overly long narrative.
Adjust your overview based on your target audience. Add context or reasoning for why your business is structured the way it is.
Company overview examples
Review completed business overview examples to confirm you’re on the right track.
Agriculture farm company overview example
Ownership & structure
Botanical Bounty is an Oregon L.L.C. owned by David and Susan Nealon. This structure shields the Nealons from personal liability.
Company history
Botanical Bounty has been in operation for two years. It started as a hobby for Susan to use her plant biology skills while covering some costs. The Nealons got serious about the business after two years and made an effort to become profitable.
Botanical Bounty has chosen the Willamette River Valley and owns 10 acres of land for production. They employ a drip irrigation system for all of the plants.
Management team
The husband and wife team of David and Sue Nealon lead Botanical Bounty. David has business and project management skills, while Sue has a background in plant biology and leads the sales department.
Nursing home company overview example
Ownership & Structure
Bright House is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) corporation in Middletown, CT. It provides holistic and respectful assisted living and skilled nursing home care to elderly residents.
The primary location is the old Wayfield Bed and Breakfast on Farmer’s Road, converted into a nursing home facility.
Management Team
Bright House has a unique management structure where primary caregivers work as a self-managed team. The Medical Director oversees health and well-being and collaborates with the nursing and caregiving staff.
Financial Management
Madeleine Morgan has been overseeing the financial management of nonprofit organizations in Connecticut for 27 years. She manages all financial operations at Bright House.
Advertising and Marketing
Janice Ruthers, a retired ad executive, volunteers to help with advertising and marketing efforts at Bright House.
Management Team Gaps
Bright House is currently recruiting to fill one LPN and one Elder Assistant position.
Explore more business plan examples
Review our library of over 550+ sample business plans or download a free business plan template for assistance in writing your company overview and the rest of your plan.
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