Unleash Your Inner Business Titan: Strategies to Empower Yourself and Your Company

Start Smart: 90-Day Business Plan for Success

Nearly 48% of private ventures shut down within their first five years, with 70% of startups collapsing between years two and five. The biggest culprits? Misreading market demand (42%) and running out of funds (29%).

With stats like these, it’s easy to wonder—should anyone even start a business? Feel like dropping your gloves before the fight begins?

Well, what if we changed the perspective? Instead of focusing on the failed businesses, let’s look at the ones that succeeded.

What’s different about them?

Successful ventures share several commonalities: a clear vision, well-defined goals, an actionable business plan, and a mindset that fosters learning and agility. Conversely, businesses that fold often lack clarity, burn out their teams, and lose momentum due to founder fatigue and a lack of direction.

So, how do you avoid becoming another statistic?

The truth is that most founders are too deep in the daily grind to step back and see the bigger picture. Business coaching may sound like a luxury—but what if we broke it down into something simple and actionable?

Let’s start with just the first 90-day business plan

Because how you begin can define where you go. And that can be a game changer. Let’s take a closer look to understand how.

Month 1: Lay the Foundation Before You Launch

The first month of your entrepreneurial journey isn’t about rushing to market—it’s about building strong roots. It is the time to be clear on your why, what, who, and how.

Very often, ventures start with a casual idea over coffee or drinks, catch momentum within a friend circle, and before we know it, we’re sprinting toward launch.

But hold up. Before you jump in, ask yourself:

• What is our offering? ( product/ service and its features & scope)

• Who is it meant for? (your target audience)

• What problem are we solving that others aren’t? (Your USP)

• Is there real market demand for it?

• What’s our mission? (Mission)

• How do we plan to achieve it? (Vision)

• What do we want to stand for? (Core values)

These aren’t just lines for your website—they’re your north star. A clearly articulated mission not only builds your brand identity but also fuels internal motivation. In fact, studies show that 63% of employees feel inspired when their company has a defined mission—compared to just 31% in businesses that don’t.

Lay the foundation of your culture. Define your core values—they’re your business’s immune system. Culture influences how your team solves problems, handles setbacks, and works together.

Core values also serve as a compass for hiring: skills can be taught, but attitude and alignment can’t. Create a team that aligns with your vision from day one.

Once your purpose is defined, it’s time to dig into market research. Understand your industry landscape, customer pain points, and competitor moves. Undertake a SWOT analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. They enable you to highlight your edge and identify areas that need attention and improvement.

From there, it’s time to validate.

Build a basic version, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)— of your offering to test assumptions and gather feedback fast. Think of MVPs not as a shortcut but as a smarterstart.

Take Dropbox, for instance. Founder Drew Houston didn’t build the product first. He created a simple explainer video showing how Dropbox would work.

The response? 70,000+ signups in just one day. That video proved there was a demand before the product even existed.

Finally, define your business model and pricing strategy.

What will your go-to-market strategy be for direct sales, online sales, subscriptions, licensing, or freemium? Your revenue model should align with your customer’s journey and expectations—price wisely—balancing perceived value, competition, and profitability.

These early decisions aren’t just tactical—they’re foundational. When done right, they become your compass for every future milestone.

Building a Strong Operational Framework

With your why and what well defined, it’s now time to answer the most crucial question—how.

The next 30 days (31-60) are all about defining the execution.

Start by creating a 90-day business plan that outlines revenue goals, marketing strategy, customer acquisition targets, and expected expenses. Think of this as your execution playbook—it brings clarity, keeps your team aligned, and holds everyone accountable.

Next, establish your core business functions: finance, operations, sales, and HR.

Keep it lean. Overbuilding too soon can cost you time and money. Instead, focus on streamlined systems and business automation tools to do the heavy lifting.

Implement CRMs, project management tools, and automated billing software to manage your pipeline, deliverables, and cash flow efficiently, without needing a large team.

Did you know that 82% of small businesses are known to fail due to poor cash flow management? So, it’s important to stay financially sharp.

Monitor every rupee in and out. Maintain cash buffers. Build habits of financial discipline early, whether you’re bootstrapping or preparing for investor backing.

This is also the time to build your core team. Don’t just hire for skills—hire for fit.

Look for people who align with your mission and are ready to roll up their sleeves. In the early stage, versatility is gold. You want team members who can adapt, take ownership, and wear multiple hats.

The systems and people you put in place now will shape how well your business can scale—and how resilient it will be when things get tough.

Days 61–90: Scaling and Preparing for Sustainable Growth

With your operations in motion, the final leg of your 90-day business plan sprint should focus on scaling smartly—not just quickly.

Start by sharpening your sales and marketing strategy. While acquiring new customers is exciting, retention is just as critical. Invest in digital marketing, content that builds trust, and consistent customer engagement. Your goal: turn early adopters into loyal brand advocates who sell for you.

Next, build your tribe. Surround yourself with a mentor/business coach, peer entrepreneurs, and industry experts. Their guidance can help you dodge pitfalls and spot hidden opportunities.

Consider Airbnb’s early journey—initially struggling, they leaned on Paul Graham’s mentorship at Y Combinator. The founders visited hosts in person, took high-quality photos of listings, and improved the platform’s trust factor. This hands-on strategy caught investors’ attention and propelled them to a global scale.

Now, get analytical. Track your key performance indicators (KPIs):

• Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)

• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

• Churn Rate

• Revenue Growth

These metrics offer a dashboard view of your health and scalability. Use them to assess, adapt, and accelerate.

Lastly, look ahead. Are there adjacent markets you can enter? Can your offering be diversified without diluting the core?

Scale isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what works better and wider.

In a nutshell: Focus on Foundations, Not Perfection

The goal of the first 90 days of a business kick-off is not about building the perfect business—it’s about laying the foundation with a well-drafted business plan.

Structure, discipline, and adaptability will take you farther than any flawless launch ever could.

The first three months are about defining your company’s DNA. Once you get this right, and as your business grows, you and your team will be well-equipped to handle challenges with clarity and confidence. Your DNA sets the tone for how you solve problems, build relationships, and deliver value.

Long-term success doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built on intentional choices made early and executed with conviction.

The bottom line is that if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, do start a business, but treat your first 90 days with purpose.

Build smart. Build lean. Build to last.