One of the worst things about starting a business is wondering how you can be different from everybody else. This isn’t a usual worry for franchise businesses like 7/11—they have regulated services and products that are the same no matter what branch you step into. Starting your own business—and making sure that it sticks and is remembered is risky and exciting. This is where a great business plan comes in.

If you’re anything like me, who has a vague idea of organization and planning, this can be a daunting process. What business plan? Can’t I just wing it? Of course you can, but even people who wing it have a plan in the back of their heads.

A business plan is simply an outline for what you want your business to become. My father makes business plans for everything—even his garden. That’s going a bit overboard, but you get the picture. It’s a bit like a rough guide for you. If this is the first time, start simple and follow these tips to make your day care the one most talked about in the block.

See a need, fill a need. Familiar? This is great advice from Mr. Bigweld in the animated movie Robots. Find a need that you can fill in your neighborhood or community.

Incorporate your passion. Do you like to do crafts, paint, draw or sing? This can be something valuable that you can combine with your day care for a unique spin on child care. Take your day care kids beyond finger painting.

Get people to chip in. Ask around; see what people want from their neighborhood day care. Cheaper prices? Better care, longer hours? This can possibly give rise to great idea. For example, if a lot of the parents in your neighborhood can’t drive the hour to your day care, why not provide a day care pick up like a school bus or van?

Logo, motto and mission. Create a logo, motto and have a mission that will get people to remember you. This can help fix your business plan as well. Your motto and mission will determine the scope of your day care, as well as contribute to any ideas that you might have in the future.

Plan the small things. Think about how you want to run your day care. What time will you open? What time will you close? Think of what programs you can use. Plan your menus and activities. Plan the big things. Where do you want your business to be in a year? In two years? Do you want to start small and work your way up or try it all for a one time, big deal thing? Set a goal. Do you want to be the biggest day care center in your state by the year 2010? It can be as big as that or you can simply say: I want the kids to love going to my day care center.

Be flexible because no matter how you plan things, you have to have some breathing room for yourself and your business.

A business plan is like your battle strategy, without the giant world map and little pins stuck in various places. Having your business plan can help you immensely, even just with the little things. Take some time, have a cup of coffee or tea and sit down to write it out. You’ll be amazed at what you can come up with.

More Info: How to start a daycare center