February 27th, 2025 | by Mary Windham | This post may contain affiliate links
How I Built a Fundable Business Plan for The Thomas Manor
Creating a business plan isn’t just about putting ideas on paper—it’s about building a clear, fundable strategy to turn your vision into reality. When I decided to launch The Thomas Manor, an Entrepreneurial Retreat and Education Center, I knew I needed more than just passion. I needed a solid business plan to guide my decisions, attract funding, and set up a sustainable revenue model.
In this post, I’ll take you inside my actual business plan, breaking down:
✔ Why a business plan matters
✔ The key sections I focused on
✔ How I positioned it to secure financing and future members
If you’re building your own business and need a structured plan, keep reading—I’m sharing actionable tips to help you craft a compelling strategy!
Why a Business Plan Matters
A business plan is more than a document—it’s your roadmap to success. It helps you:
Clarify your vision so you know exactly what you’re building
Secure funding by proving your idea is viable
Stay focused as you grow and scale
For The Thomas Manor, my plan had two main goals: secure financing for construction and operations and to clearly define my membership-based business model.
No matter what business you're launching, your plan should answer these key questions:
What problem are you solving?
Who are your customers?
How will you make money?
Structuring The Thomas Manor Business Plan
Here’s how I structured my business plan to make it clear, compelling, and fundable.
Executive Summary: The Elevator Pitch
The executive summary is the first thing investors and banks read, so it must be clear and concise. For The Thomas Manor, I framed it as:
✔ An exclusive executive retreat center and member-based business community
✔ A space for strategic retreats, masterminds, and professional development
Tip: Your executive summary should quickly answer:
What problem are you solving?
Who is your business for?
Why does it matter?
Company Overview & Vision
I outlined exactly what The Thomas Manor is and how it operates. Unlike traditional venues or coworking spaces, it’s a hybrid retreat center + business incubator. Members get access to private workspaces, mastermind sessions, and concierge-level support.
Tip: Make sure this section paints a clear picture of your business—what it offers, how it works, and why it’s unique.
Revenue Model: How Will It Make Money?
I designed a membership-based revenue model, offering private workspaces, business strategy & concierge services, and mastermind programs.
Since the physical space is still under development, I launched virtual mastermind classes to generate revenue in advance and build a strong community.
Tip: When designing your revenue model, think about long-term sustainability—how will your business consistently generate income?
Industry Analysis: Proving Demand
A great idea isn’t enough—you have to prove there’s demand. That’s why I did deep market research:
Washington, D.C. metro area lacked high-end, small retreat spaces.
Many professionals struggled to find a space not in a hotel, noisy restaurant, or generic coworking space.
The Thomas Manor fills this gap by offering a luxury, distraction-free retreat for business growth.
Tip: Use facts, stats, and industry trends to back up your business idea and show why it’s needed.
Customer & Competitive Analysis: Defining My Market
I identified my target audience: Entrepreneurs, executives, small business owners, and creatives who need a private, productive retreat space.
I also defined The Thomas Manor’s competitive edge:
Membership-based model creates a strong business community
Exclusive strategy sessions and premium workspaces for high-level networking
Tip: Knowing your audience and competition is key—position your business as the best solution in the market.
Operations Plan: Running & Scaling The Business
To ensure long-term success, I focused on:
✔ Leveraging my experience (using my event management company to handle logistics)
✔ Building a strong team (business strategy experts, facilitators, and operations staff)
✔ Planning for growth (expanding membership, adding B&B services, hosting executive retreats)
Tip: Investors want to see that you’re not just launching a business—you’re building a long-term, scalable operation.
Financials: Securing $1.37M in Funding
I outlined exactly how much I needed and where the money would go:
Construction & property improvements
Marketing & branding
Hiring key staff & launching programs
I also included detailed financial projections showing revenue growth over five years.
Tip: If you’re seeking funding, be specific—investors want to know how their money will be used and when they’ll see returns.
How I Tailored My Plan for Funding
Once my plan was structured, I focused on making it fundable. Here’s how:
1. Clear Financials: Numbers Speak Louder Than Words
Detailed cost breakdowns showing exactly where funding would go
Realistic revenue forecast proving when The Thomas Manor would become profitable
Membership-based revenue model providing predictable income
Tip: If you're raising capital, be specific. Investors want to know how much you need, where it will be spent, and how you’ll make their investment worthwhile.
2. Leveraging My Network: Relationships Matter
Securing funding isn’t just about the plan—it’s about who you know. I leveraged:
Bankers & financial institutions
The SBA’s Emerging Leaders program
My business network (past clients & industry partners)
Tip: Investors fund people they trust. Build relationships and show a strong track record.
3. Highlighting Key Advantages: Why The Manor Was a Smart Investment
I positioned The Thomas Manor as a low-risk, high-value opportunity:
I owned the property (reducing startup costs)
Minimal direct competition (filling a market gap)
Multiple revenue streams (already generating income from masterminds & programs)
Industry trends show increasing demand for high-end private business retreats
Tip: Investors don’t just invest in ideas—they invest in long-term, profitable opportunities.
Final Takeaway: Your Business Plan is Your Strategy
A business plan isn’t just a document—it’s your strategy for building, funding, and growing your dream.
Make sure it clearly outlines your vision, financials, and growth plan.
If you need help, book a 1:1 strategy session at The Thomas Manor!
Grab my free Business Plan Checklist—download it below!
If you found this helpful, subscribe for more insights—next week, I’m sharing how I’m building relationships with bankers to secure funding!
Now… let’s get to planning! 📝✨
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