The real reason entrepreneurs struggle is because they skipped the most important step of all
They didn't build a sustainable business model that can also request funding or support on demand. The Business Plan Benchmark™ is a straight-forward, proven framework that dramatically shortcuts the path to one NOW.
Build a Truly Sustainable Business Model
Swiftly and Without the Guesswork
Especially If Funding Is Needed
What many new entrepreneurs don't know is that there is a paradox at play.
Having all the resources you need doesn't ensure success without having a sustainable business model in place. And having a run-of-the-mill (AKA non-sustainable) business plan doesn't ensure funding and support.
The only solution is to have a sustainable business plan locked and loaded at all times.
Whether it's time to scale or resources are needed to execute strategies for getting to the next level—big or small—having a formal (and sustainable) business plan not only guides the way, it is used as a marketing tool to request multiples levels of funding and support on demand.
Getting support is critical to maintaining momentum as your business grows. Whether just starting out and a little boost is needed to get the ball rolling or business is ready to scale to new heights, having the resources available is crucial to keep the needle moving in the right direction.
Have you ever thought to yourself,
"Wow, I thought things would be so different by now,"
"I thought I'd be a successful entrepreneur by now,"
"I thought I'd have more money in the bank by now,"
And "I thought that I wouldn't have to work so hard just to pay my bills"?
Most entrepreneurs have those thoughts and they are not alone, but it’s time to move forward because that's exactly why The Business Plan Benchmark™ was created.
This is a topic that I am super passionate about because I have been there too, and I know how to help.
The critical piece that you’re missing happens to be one of the main reasons why you see so many failing businesses today—and I am not talking about recent economic events.
In fact, all a negative economy does is accelerate failure for the businesses that were already on a path to fail. Seems counter intuitive doesn’t it?
SBA data shows that businesses that start in expanding economies, those that start just before a downturn, and those that start just after a downturn have almost identical survival paths.
In a healthy economy, businesses still fail at a staggering rate.
After helping entrepreneurs in various industries from manufacturing, health & wellness, ecommerce and business services, what I have found is that most people are surprisingly not aware of their funding options, and even if they are, they have trouble acquiring it because they’re missing some very basic things that no one ever taught them.
I want to share something important with you, especially with what we've experienced socially and economically.
The economy needs small businesses to thrive. Getting money and support for your business is not the problem. The resources you need are all waiting for you—but—it is also not the solution if you don't already have a sustainable business model in place.
Progress and business growth still happens even in down-turned economies.
But it happens for those who have a sustainable plan in the first place.
Believe it or not—for those that take intelligent action—their time is now.
“Waiting to see what happens” is not a strategy.
Failing to plan is planning to fail. I bet you’ve heard that one.
So then why don’t more entrepreneurs follow a proven system?
I'll tell you why.
Because most entrepreneurs think they can wing it.
They get excited (or desperate) and dive into the unknown
- without asking for enough funding
- without doing their financial projections
- without mitigating their risks
That’s the equivalent of trying to assemble an expensive piece of machinery without reading the manual or asking for help.
The business owners that are thriving (especially in times of crisis) are the ones who
- diversify their revenue streams
- create a digital version of their product (if possible)
- build a proper sales funnel and invest in digital marketing
- And—my personal favorite—save a ton of time and money by using automation
The economy needs small businesses to thrive
So if you have a sustainable business plan, then you’re going to get funded. Period.
Having one ensures that business cash flow is never a problem.
Not only will you get funded once—you will get funded repeatedly.
If you need funding
but don’t know how to get it,
you received funding in the past but now you need more,
Or
you have funding, but now you need to know how to scale so that you don't lose it
I want to share a very special offer with you.
I will show you how to move from uncertainty to rock-solid confidence (not overconfidence, there is a difference!).
Now is the time to use this strange time in history to build your business — the right way.
I want to introduce you to a proven system ...
Join the action-based workshop created from the award-winning business plan that 18 top executives and CEOs all agree is sustainable and fundable.
When you join us you'll get our limited offer to receive all of our time-tested resources including individualized guidance and support directly from our coaches.
If you’re ready to take proven action, then join now and finally start living the life you were meant to live.
We'll help you to create a sustainable business plan that is so powerful, you can get the funding you need—whenever you need it—and that's half the point. Did you know that having a sustainable business plan increases your growth rate by 30%?
In reality, the more entrepreneurs that execute this knowledge, the better it is for all of us.
I hope you'll join us.
Warmly,
Melissa Montalvo
Founder of The Academy of Human Potential
Our Founder is Your Mentor
Melissa is a conscious entrepreneur, Forbes Business Council Member, and subject-matter expert in ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and ISO 26000 with a background in business development and quality engineering. She consults for ISO certified companies and has generated impressive results for the highly regulated medical device, aerospace, and holistic health industries. She and her team coach conscious entrepreneurs and business owners on how to develop sustainable business models that gain immediate buy-in from stakeholders — and now she wants to help you.
"The first thing you will notice about Melissa is her devotion to her cause... Collaborating with her is a privilege because it's rare to find someone who can extract the right level of action that's required for a sustainable outcome. And it's such a joy to watch her work out all the details that help entrepreneurs learn the true impact of their decisions. As an entrepreneur herself, Melissa knows precisely what it takes to make a visionary entrepreneur an active learner and a conscious leader."
Leticia Mendonca
Arctic HOWLs, Founder
"Melissa has an intuition and a depth of knowledge that was of extraordinary value to me. Being a bit of an out-of-the-box thinking entrepreneur and sometimes guilty of allowing my ideas to get ahead of me, she saw the vision in my plans and it was obvious to her where I needed to focus and streamline to forge a path to a successful outcome. She is an indispensable ally and her selfless drive to help others succeed is something which I’m very grateful for being one of the recipients of."
Robert Alcock
Green Building Products, EVSE & Commercial Lighting
"Working with Melissa has completely streamlined my organization. She brings so much skill and talent to the table that transformed how I ran my company. Not only does she personally care about you, she approaches issues with a calm and authentic attitude. She has been a gamer-changer allowing me to relax and grow my company with clarity."
Jessica Baum, LMHC
Relationship Institute of Palm Beach, Author, Psychotherapist & Relationship Coach
"Thanks to Melissa our company's performance has improved significantly in a short period of time. We've never been so organized and can now track our metrics confidently knowing that the strategies we implemented—specifically for lead generation—are producing a return on our investment. She's also a patient trainer and an excellent person overall. We're simply grateful to have her in our corner!"
Luz Nelly Serna
Mercedes-Benz Outlet, International Auto Parts Distributor
".... [Melissa] is a highly skilled
and valuable source of information
...
I would recommend her for any project you are considering
using her services for and would be happy to speak further about her skills."
Wayne Nelson
Benchmark Connector Corporation, Aerospace Manufacturing
"… I've had the opportunity and privilege to work directly with such an exceptional individual whose professional attributes and qualities have greatly contributed to the success of our organization while positively creating an impact on the rest of the team. Melissa's leadership, solid work ethics, and communication skills can certainly be of benefit to any professional organization."
Marisol Rivero
PHB Laboratories, Skin Care for Medical Spas & Oncology Professionals
"[Melissa] helped to improve our internal processes and personally helped me to validate our document control software. Before she arrived we didn't have an EHS policy. She implemented one that secured one of our biggest clients. It was an absolute pleasure working with her... "
Maricela Montenegro
Acuderm, Surgical Instruments & Medical Devices
"Melissa is by far the most consummate professional I have ever worked with. She is the person who you have always needed, but never knew how to find. She helps you get organized in a way that enhances and streamlines your vision and makes it more accessible ... Whether you are just beginning your journey or are further along she helps you reach that next level effortlessly in both your business and sense of self-actualization ... [She] has this ability to make you feel seen, heard and understood and seems to be able to know your needs before you can even articulate them. I feel blessed to have found someone that is as kind and patient as she is talented. She is the light that helps you find yourself out of the tunnel of your so called dreams and helps make them a quick reality."
Esin Pinarli, LCSW, CAP
Eternal Wellness Counseling, Family & Couples Therapy and Trauma Treatment
Join the Workshop Now
The last thing anyone wants is for you to waste your precious time, money and energy trying to figure it out on your own. It's time to use a proven framework that works.
We can guide you because we've traveled this terrain before — so let us help you.
This program is for you if you are:
✓ An entrepreneur or business owner who wants a sustainable and deeply fulfilling business model
✓ Committed to following a winning process and want to save precious time, money, and energy
✓ You've spent time or money on your business without seeing an ROI
✓ You want a business plan that stakeholders want to invest in
This program is NOT for you if you:
- Cannot follow a step-by-step system
- Are not coachable and like to "wing it"
- Do not want to be held accountable
- Are not an action-taker
After this program, you will:
✓ Be in full alignment and have clarity on your primary aim in life
✓ Possess a winning business plan that clearly showcases a sustainable business model
✓ Have a solid road map for how to build, grow, and manage your business
✓ Finally have a cash flow weapon that gets funding and support whenever you need it
Workshop Schedule
There is a specific process for building a sustainable business model that gets funded on demand and THIS IS IT:
This module is the foundation for all others that follow.
→ You will know the five key concepts for developing a sustainable business model.
→ This is the critical moment where you will uncover your primary aim in life.
→ Upon completion, you will have a clear vision and direction for how to run your business - so that you can live a deeply satisfying life filled with purpose.
This module will show you how to integrate social responsibility into your business model.
→ You will discover the real reason why investors look for socially-conscious leaders.
→ You will demonstrate awareness and control of your social performance in the market.
→ You will learn how social responsibility, quality management, and risk management are integrated as a single offer.
Before embarking on the development of your business plan, it is essential that you are aware of the current state of your endeavor.
→ This is the Assessment module to determine the state of your business.
→ You will articulate your thoughts and act on your mountain of knowledge and experience.
This module is specifically designed for content flow preparations.
→ You will set your business model up for continued success by discovering the burning need of your market.
→ You will know the five tactics you must apply and the five mistakes you must avoid when writing your business plan—and more.
This module covers all of the major aspects required in a comprehensive plan.
→ You will see first-hand the anatomy of an award-winning business model.
→ You will know the key elements that must not be left behind.
→ You will discover three critical steps to help you generate momentum and stay on point.
This module will guide you in making sure you include what investors and lenders are looking for in a sound financial plan.
→ You will detail your revenue model and make feasible assumptions.
→ You will determine your milestones, funding requirements, and use of funds.
→ You will develop and finalize your financial projections.
In this final module, you will take what you have learned and apply it.
→ This is the synthesis module and your opportunity for comprehensive feedback on your business plan draft.
→ This module awards the opportunity for deep reflection of your learning journey and gives you a clear direction on how to move forward! You will be provided with valuable resources from our team to get you to the next level.
This is where you will get access to The Business Plan Benchmark Model.
→ An award-winning business model that was presented to 18 top executives in leading biotech companies, financial service institutions, major media, and other regulated industries
→ Among 60 teams of competitors, this business plan was awarded and announced as a Winner at the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in Miami, Florida.
→ This is your comprehensive guide to a funded, sustainable, and conscious business model. To this day, we use this example as a benchmark for all of our projects, and its return on investment never fails us.
What else do you need to make this a successful and satisfying journey?
→ Our program comes fully loaded with a powerful Trello board that lays out every step to take for populating the 11 sections of your Sustainable Business Model Canvas that will go into your business plan!
There is no reason to re-invent the wheel. Save your precious time by using this bonus.
→ We will provide you with a pre-formatted business plan template fully linked to a dynamic financial model in Excel.
→ Your business plan template has questions, prompts, and exercises to help you properly articulate your thoughts and ideas on paper.
→ Once you have completed your financial projections, all you have to do is "refresh" your charts and they will automatically populate in your business plan.
How complex is your business model?
If your business model happens to be operationally intensive such as in special cases of manufacturing, high-level distribution, or complex system services, then you would benefit from having a more in-depth financial model.
It's here if you need it!
"Your course has already started
having a really positive effect
on my life! Thank you!!"
Robert Alcock
Business Owner, Green Building Products
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida
"The book really helped my team!!"
David Foster
Business Development
Monsey, New York
"I thoroughly enjoyed your book and have since incorporated and am
in the process of filing for 501c3 designation. Thank you for your
assistance with that ;)"
Garridon Grady
Founder, Gnascor Inc.
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
"I can't believe how easy it was to implement what I learned here. I just received my first round of funding and now I can finally move forward with my life. Without your guidance I think I'd still be chasing my tail. I'm forever grateful! Thank you!!!"
Jan Jackson
#1 International Best Selling Author & Faith-based Coach
Palm Beach, Florida
"The book has been very helpful!
Thanks again!"
Freida Sahady
Founding Member, Myomi
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
"I needed help with financial projections for my business plan because I was afraid to do them by myself .... I really appreciate how much support I’m getting right now and I’m looking forward to this journey!"
Amanda Morrison
Entrepreneur, Real Estate Development
Atlanta, Georgia
"Melissa's course is great not only for entrepreneurs, but also for anyone who seeks more clarity and structure in their life in general. The concepts in the course apply to running your own life like a business – you need to have a vision for what you want your life to look like, strategic objectives, a plan for making it happen, and systems to make your business (or life) more efficient. She relates the material with such heart and soul – you can tell she has a passion for helping entrepreneurs attain their goals. I learned a lot in this course and it is worth every penny."
Romina Raffo
Principal Proposal Coordinator & Technical Copy Editor
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
PLUS Edition Student
Why should you join Now?
Creating a sustainable business model is the first step to making a real impact and to living a deeply satisfying life. We believe that you'll want us to be a lasting partner of your entire business journey once you've experienced our workshop — and there is never a better time to start than right now.
*Due to the amount of time and effort that is required by our team to deliver this program, our space is very limited. Depending on our existing promotions, enrollment can close without notice, so be sure to lock in your spot today.
Investment Options
Select a program package and sign up!
PLUS
$475 USD
(VALUED AT $5K)
✓Full, Legacy Access to the Program with Updates
✓Step-By-Step Video Guides Per Section
✓Fillable Project Files & Downloads
✓The Business Plan Benchmark Book
✓The Sustainable Business Model Canvas Trello Board
✓Your Business Plan Template With Step-By-Step Guided Prompts + Linked Financial Model
✓Operationally Intensive Financial Model in Excel
✓The Sustainable Business Model Canvas Checklist — this will help you develop your Canvas in Trello!
✓Personalized feedback of your Sustainable Business Model Canvas to make sure you are on the right track
✓Access to any template or resource that we have specific to your next step (winning pitch deck, access to capital sources, VC & Angel lists, and more!)
X Personalized feedback of your exercise responses and support to ensure that you are heading in the right direction
X One complete round of feedback and edits to your business plan by one of our professional coaches
X 6 weeks of email coaching (Q&A with video)
X Private Voxer access for extra 1-on-1 coaching and support
CLICK HERE for 3 monthly payments of $175
OR Pay In-full
COMPLETE
$1495 USD
(VALUED AT $12K)
✓Full, Legacy Access to the Program with Updates
✓Step-By-Step Video Guides Per Section
✓Fillable Project Files & Downloads
✓The Business Plan Benchmark Book
✓The Sustainable Business Model Canvas Trello Board
✓Your Business Plan Template With Step-By-Step Guided Prompts + Linked Financial Model
✓Operationally Intensive Financial Model in Excel
✓The Sustainable Business Model Canvas Checklist — this will help you develop your Canvas in Trello!
✓Personalized feedback of your Sustainable Business Model Canvas to make sure you are on the right track
✓Access to any template or resource that we have specific to your next step (winning pitch deck, access to capital sources, VC & Angel lists, and more!)
✓Personalized feedback of your exercise responses and support to ensure that you are heading in the right direction
✓One complete round of feedback and edits to your business plan by one of our professional coaches
✓6 weeks of email coaching (Q&A with video)
✓Private Voxer access for extra 1-on-1 coaching and support
CLICK HERE for 6 monthly payments of $267
OR Pay In-full
Frequently Asked Questions
Both program levels come with personalized feedback of your Sustainable Business Model Canvas and basic email support.
The Complete level gives you personalized feedback of your exercise responses to ensure that you are heading in the right direction and private Voxer access for additional premium support. You will also get one round of feedback and edits to your business plan and 6 weeks of email coaching with video.
Of course! And it doesn't expire.
All you have to do is complete the program, which includes full completion of the modules and submission of your deliverables. This is one of our ways to hold you accountable.
You're either fully satisfied with the result or we'll happily refund you 100% of your investment. But, it's highly unlikely that you'll be disappointed ;)
Each module contains an average of 5 lessons. Some have less, some have more.
We are constantly improving your experience so, new, content-specific lessons are added whenever needed, which means that with your lifetime access you will never miss out on our latest content.
We did our best to give you the exact information you need to develop and execute a sustainable business plan that gets the funding and support you need whenever you need it. Every lesson has a specific purpose necessary for your overall success — there is no fluff or any space fillers.
This program gives you everything you need to know, delivered in a way that is easy to understand. Although we recommend that you take your time, you can consume all of the content in less than 7 hours and start implementing it immediately.
The Business Plan Benchmark™ works for any business in any niche. The beauty of this framework is that it is meant to help you build a sustainable business model that serves your primary aim in life. This is actually our mission at The Academy of Human Potential. The more truly sustainable businesses there are, the better it is for all of us.
That's no problem!
We have clients who skip the program altogether and sign up directly with private coaching because they feel that they will need more personalized attention and support. If you begin with the PLUS or COMPLETE program levels and find that you end up needing more help along the way, just contact us directly for more information!
Upon completion of the modules, the upper tier levels are granted access to any template or resource that our team has specific to your next step:
Examples are:
- Pitch Deck
- VC & Angel Lists
- Access to Capital File
- Term Sheet
- Bylaws
- and other legal templates
Are you ready?
Imagine what it will feel like to finally have a business plan that gets the funding and support you need — whenever you need it. More importantly, imagine the feeling of having a sustainable business that is personally fulfilling and actually works!
