In Episode 16 of the Good Money Moves podcast, “What Is a Business Plan and Why You Need One,” host Jenna Taubel - AVP of Marketing at First Alliance Credit Union, sits down with Mark Thien - Regional Director of the Southeast Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Mark brings decades of experience helping entrepreneurs and startups turn big ideas into sustainable realities. In this episode, Mark breaks down:

• What a business plan actually is and why every startup needs one

• The key sections of a business plan, including the narrative and financials

• How to use a business plan to grow strategically and avoid costly mistakes

• Common missteps people make when writing their first plan (and how to fix them)

• Real tools and free resources from the SBDC and SCORE to get started fast

• How financial institutions use your business plan when deciding to lend

Whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur with a dream or already side-hustling your way to self-employment, this episode gives you the clarity, confidence, and tools to write a plan that works—without getting overwhelmed.

First Alliance Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender.