An Example of Company History in a Business Plan

A company history in a business plan is like telling your business's origin story—it's a crucial element that can set the tone for your entire plan. Let me break this down for you and provide an example to illustrate.

What is Included in a Company History?

The company history section typically includes:

The founding story Major milestones and achievements Changes in leadership or ownership Significant product launches or pivots Key partnerships or acquisitions

The Importance of Company History

When writing your own company history, remember to:

Keep it concise but informative Focus on significant events that shaped your business Use specific dates and numbers to add credibility Showcase your company's values and mission through its history

An Example: Green Thumb Gardening Supplies

Key milestones:

2010: Launched online store with 10 products 2012: Opened first brick-and-mortar store in Portland, Oregon 2014: Expanded product line to include organic seeds and fertilizers 2016: Partnered with local schools to create community gardens 2018: Acquired SunGrow Greenhouses, expanding into commercial supplies 2020: Reached 5 million in annual revenue and expanded to 5 locations across the Pacific Northwest

Today, Green Thumb Gardening Supplies is a leader in sustainable gardening solutions with a team of 50 employees and plans for nationwide expansion. This example provides a clear timeline of the company's growth, highlighting important achievements and changes. It gives potential investors or partners a sense of the company's journey and its potential for future success.

Personal Journey into Entrepreneurship

When starting a new business, it's important to share where you came from and what principles guide your company. Understanding our history and core values builds trust with customers and provides insight into why we make certain choices.

My personal journey into entrepreneurship began over 15 years ago when I first witnessed the power of a small business to positively impact a community. As a child, I frequented my uncle's locally-owned hardware shop in our small hometown. Through friendly customer service and reliable products, his store became a cornerstone of our neighborhood. This made me appreciate how small businesses fill needs while creating jobs and strengthening communities.

After earning my business degree and gaining experience at top companies, I knew I wanted to run my own purpose-driven venture. I teamed up with a fellow graduate and longtime friend to start ABC Company in 2010.

We built ABC Company on the values of sustainability, ethical products, and personalized customer care. As we grew from a tiny online store to a thriving ecommerce company with 10 employees, we never lost sight of our founding ideals. Our B-Corp certification reflects those sustainable business practices.

As ABC Company launches new divisions this year, we feel proud of our beginnings even as we look ahead to the future. By sharing our origins and vision, we hope to maintain the trust and rapport our customers have come to expect. Understanding where we came from allows you to appreciate how we plan to grow.