Small Business Resources

From GRPLpedia

1 Featured Resource
2 New Titles
3 Getting Started
4 Resources By Topic
5 National and Local Organizations
6 Databases
7 Web Resources
8 Related Pages

Featured Resource

BusinessDecision provides professional level capabilities that combine state of the art interactive GIS mapping technology with the highest quality consumer market data such as the Tapestry Lifestyle Segmentation system, consumer spending data, demographic and housing data, population estimates and forecasts and Census 2000 data on a web-designed platform. A reference database with sophisticated mapping tools and technology that revolutionizes the way small business owners access data critical to their business through their public library.

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New Titles

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Getting Started

Featured books from our catalog:

Start Your Own Business

The Small Business Start-up Kit

Small Business Sourcebook (Ref.)

Links

SBA Small Business Planner -- Provides concise guides ranging from business plans to paying taxes and everything in between!

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) -- The State of Michigan's one-stop resource for businesses seeking to grow in Michigan

Guide to Starting a Small Business -- From the MI-Small Business & Technology Development Center and MEDC. Also available in print.

SCORE Business Templates -- Use these templates to construct your business plan, create a cash flow statement, project your profit and loss balances and more.

CCH Business Owner's Toolkit -- Practical help getting started from CCH Tax and Accounting.

My Own Business -- A course on how to start a business.

Starting a Small Business Resource Guide Printable

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Resources By Topic

Business Plans search the catalog

Business Plans Handbook (Ref.)

SBA Business Plan Tutorial

Canada Business Interactive Business Planner -- business planning software program.

Bplans.com - Business plan software and free sample business plans.

Financing a Small Business catalog

SBA Financial Assistance -- a great introduction to the various types of funding and ideas on where to look for loans and grants.

MI-SBTDC Financing Resources and Tips -- look for Financing topics under New Ventures or Existing Businesses.

Michigan Certified Development Corporation -- non-profit corporation certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer SBA 504 financing throughout Michigan.

Economic Development Foundation -- a non profit company dedicated to assisting businesses in obtaining financing.

Finance Resource Guide Printable

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Marketing Your Business catalog

Best Customers: Demographics of Customer Demand (Ref.) -- Analysis of household spending figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

SRDS the Lifestyle Market Analyst (Ref.) -- Lifestyle and purchasing patterns by state and household type.

Market Guide (Ref.) -- Quality of Life and Census Data by Metropolitan Area.

HispanSource.org -- Your one-stop source for information on the rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino community.

Franchising catalog

Franchise Zone from Entrepreneur.com -- Top franchises and opportunities.

Books on Franchising

Home-based Businesses catalog

Home Business Magazine Online

Going International catalog

@rating Country Experience

CIA World Factbook

Global Corruption Report

Global Edge from Michigan State Univeristy

International Monetary Fund

NationMaster.com

The World Bank's Data & Research Center

Legal Aspects catalog

IRS Publication 583 -- What business owners need to know about federal taxes.

How to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Legal Information Resource Guide Printable

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Resources for Women and Minorities

National Minority and Women-Owned Business Directory (Ref.)

Minority Business Development Agency -- from the Department of Commerce

Office of Women's Business Ownership -- from the SBA.

National Minority Business Council

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National and Local Organizations

Small Business Administration (SBA) -- Content on small business planning, including business plans, financing, taxes, marketing, risk assessment and much more.

Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center -- The MI-SBTDC offers workshops and one-on-one counseling for starting and running a small business.

SCORE Grand Rapids -- Free face to face, telephone, or e-mail business counseling.

Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women -- GROW provides training and on-going counseling, plus support services for sustaining or expanding your business.

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce -- Offers networking and program benefits to members.

Local First -- An organization committed to promoting local businesses and sustainability. Offers an online directory of members.

The Employers' Association -- Resources dedicated to enhancing employer-employee relations.

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Databases

The Grand Rapids Public Library provides free access to research databases. Databases are available at the Library or from home with Internet access and your Grand Rapids Public Library card.

Associations Unlimited -- Contact information and trade publications for nonprofit organizations in your type of business.

BusinessDecision -- Specialized maps and reports that aid in understanding your market.

Business & Company Resource Center -- Company and industry information, including company profiles, histories, brand information, investment reports and articles.