Plan Your Future: Small Business Action Plan for Growth
Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of careful planning. Plan Your Future Small Business goals today.
Meet the Experts
Dana Ampy
Dana Marie Ampy is a lifelong dancer, beginning her training at age four and continuing through professional programs in Philadelphia. She honed her skills at institutions like Philadanco and Temple University, and now channels her passion into Amped To Dance, her own dance studio in Maple Shade, NJ. With a master’s in Early Childhood Education, she’s dedicated to bridging the arts and education for young people. As the Director of the F.O.C.U.S Mentoring Program, she empowers youth through dance and creative expression.
Viridiana Ponce
is a Business Consultant and Financial Expert dedicated to helping small business owners plan for sustainable growth. As the founder of VP Consulting, she has spent 11 years supporting thousands of entrepreneurs in accessing funding, building financial roadmaps, and developing strategies that drive long-term success. With deep expertise in guiding businesses from hustle to sustainability, Viridiana brings practical, no-fluff strategies that help entrepreneurs plan for the future, increase profitability, and make smarter financial decisions—without the overwhelm. Sign up for Viri’s newsletter here.
Plan Your Future: Small Business Strategy
One of the biggest challenges business owners face when planning for growth is scaling up effectively while maintaining control and clarity. Many entrepreneurs get overwhelmed by all the moving parts involved in scaling—whether it’s managing increased demand, hiring the right people, or figuring out how to finance expansion. Another common challenge is not taking the time to create a clear, written growth plan, which leads to reactive decisions rather than strategic ones. Without a plan, it’s hard to stay focused on your long-term vision.
To get on track, start by writing a short growth plan—just 3-5 sentences that outline your key goals, how you’ll achieve them, and how they’ll impact your bottom line. Then, take time to write out all expenses related to those goals, line by line, even if you think they’re small. Planning thoroughly allows you to avoid underestimating costs. Give yourself enough time to execute your plan without being rushed. Secure funding ahead of time so you’re not scrambling when opportunities arise. Check out the Goals and Growth learning path on the Learn with AOF platform to help you plan your future small business goals.
In the early stages of Amped to Dance, Dana envisioned herself doing everything—from taking out the trash to teaching classes to managing finances. But this left her burned out and unable to focus on long-term growth. A key moment in her journey was realizing that she needed to delegate tasks that others could do just as well, like cleaning and bookkeeping, so she could focus on strategy and creativity. By freeing up her time, she could boost her business’s impact, revenue, and growth. Dana’s experience highlights the power of working smarter, not harder.
Map Your Growth Plan
Business plans can feel overwhelming, but mapping out a growth plan doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by doing a vision check-in: What’s your goal for the next year? The next three years? Then write a simple 3-5 sentence plan that outlines your goal and how you’ll achieve it.
Before jumping into expansion, check in on your current pricing and products. Are they profitable and aligned with your growth goals? Make sure your foundation is solid before adding new locations or product lines. Identify what resources you’ll need to reach your goals—whether that’s funding, staff, or mentorship.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a mentor for guidance. Use tools like the Business Model Canvas or the AOF Growth Plan Template to bring structure to your ideas.
Track Your Growth Progress
Tracking progress is essential to staying on course. Dana recommends regular check-ins on your growth plan to avoid drifting off track. Keep your “why” at the center of everything you do. It helps ensure your actions align with your goals and keeps you motivated.
Finding the right tech and team combo is key. For example, if social media is a pain point but critical to your growth, invest in a management tool or hire help. Your growth plan and SWOT analysis aren’t just documents—they’re living tools that need regular attention. And don’t get distracted by what others are doing on social media. Stick to your well-thought-out, researched plan. Tools like GoDaddy Social can help with tracking metrics and measuring success.
Project Your Business Growth
Forecasting can feel intimidating, but smart projections don’t require advanced math. The key is using real data, not guesses. Day-to-day numbers, not just big-picture figures, offer valuable insights. Compare your numbers to industry benchmarks so you can adjust expectations and goals realistically.
Break down your goals into smaller, achievable units. For instance, if your goal is to increase revenue by 10%, determine how many new customers or sales you need to hit that target. And remember, you don’t have to do this alone—get support from tools and templates like the Business Forecasting Worksheet from SCORE.
Simple Steps Towards Growth
If time and money are tight, start with one impactful step today. Take it one small step at a time. You don’t need a 10-year plan—just consistent, forward movement. Look for small, high-impact strategies like partnerships or local collaborations that help you grow without large investments.
Mindset is everything. Be ready to pivot and adjust. Collaboration and community can help you stretch limited resources and move the needle.
Dana learned the power of thinking outside the box and building community partnerships. When faced with growth challenges, she worked with local businesses to sponsor scholarships for dancers. This allowed her to meet her goal of increasing class enrollment, while also serving underserved communities. The businesses got exposure, the dancers got access, and Dana met her growth goals. Community and collaboration can open doors to unexpected solutions.
Budget for Unexpected Expenses
Build cash reserves and consider setting up a line of credit. Viri recommends adding 10% to your growth budget for the unexpected—every business owner needs this. Start saving now with small weekly automated savings—even $25. Increase it when possible to build your working capital.
Fail forward and fail fast. Things won’t always go as planned, but don’t let that stop you. Get back up, adjust, and keep moving.
Top Tips for Small Business Growth
Free up your time. Don’t just read this and do nothing—take action. Delegate, streamline, and make space to focus on growth. Don’t get stuck working in your business when you should be working on it. Take the time to plan your future small business goals and implement them today!
Also, evaluate one of your products or services. What does it cost to offer it, and what are you charging? If it’s not profitable, you need to adjust. Charge more, reduce costs, or let it go. Only keep what drives profit and growth. That’s how you take control of your future.
