Show me the money

(FSB Online) -- Dear FSB: I am interested in opening a car wash/gas station/coffee shop in a nearby town that lacks the essentials of suburbia. I have a location in mind but need to know how to get the funds for land, buildings, machines, licenses, etc. Got any brilliant ideas?

- Joshua Beller, Westlake Village, Calif.

Dear Joshua: To get funding for your project, you will need to put together a simple business plan that describes how much money you need to raise. It should provide potential investors with key information:

1. A brief overview of your business. Tell what type of business you intend to build and how you expect it to make money.

2. Your financial model. What will your start up costs be? How much business do you expect to receive? What are your projected profits?

3. Your planned use of the funds. How will you make your project come to fruition?

4. What is in it for investors? How and when will you repay those who bet on your business? And how much of a return should they expect?