Small Business Resources
From GRPLpedia
Contents |
New Titles
Getting Started
Featured books from our catalog:
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
Resources By Topic
Business Plans search the catalog
Business Plans Handbook (ref.)
Business Plans Handbook -- view hundreds of actual business plans.
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.
City Financing/Abatements -- from the Grand Rapids Economic Development Office.
City Economic Development Incentives -- more from the Grand Rapids Economic Development Office.
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
Legal Aspects catalog
Kent County Clerk's Office -- Register your "Doing Business As" (DBA) name within Kent County.
State License Search -- Find out if your new business needs a state license.
IRS Publication 583 -- what business owners need to know about federal taxes.
How to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Choosing a Business Structure -- the SBA's guide to deciding the best form of business ownership.
- Legal Information Resource Guide Printable
Customer Demographics catalog
Demographic Profile for Grand Rapids and Lakeshore Areas (ref.)
Community Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics (ref.)
Best Customers: Demographics of Customer Demand (ref.)
SRDS the Lifestyle Market Analyst (ref.) -- lifestyle and purchasing patterns by state and household type.
Community Research Institute -- community profiles and local demographics for West Michigan.
The Right Place, Inc. Regional Statistics -- a collection of reports and statistics on the greater Grand Rapids Area.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation County Economic Profiler -- broad or defined economic profiles by county.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns
HispanSource.org -- your one-stop source for information on the rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino community.
- Market Research Resource Guide Printable
Marketing Your Business catalog
Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide
Small Business Adminstration Market and Price -- links on marketing and pricing.
KnowThis.com Marketing -- how to write marketing plans, with samples.
American Marketing Association -- resource library, conferences and networking opportunities.
National Federation of Independent Business -- small Business Pricing.
- Marketing Your Business Resource Guide Printable
Going International catalog
Global Edge from Michigan State University
The World Bank's Data & Research Center
- International Business Resource Guide Printable
Franchising catalog
Franchise Zone from Entrepreneur.com -- top franchises and opportunities.
International Franchise Association -- information on selecting and starting a franchise; plus news, events and resources.
- Franchising Resource Guide Printable
Resources for Women and Minorities
National Minority and Women-Owned Business Directory (ref.)
Minority Business Entrepreneur (periodical) -- a nationwide forum for minority and women business owners, click here for their website.
Minority Business Development Agency -- from the Department of Commerce
Office of Women's Business Ownership -- from the SBA.
National Minority Business Council
National and Local Organizations
Small Business Administration (SBA) -- content on small business planning, including business plans, financing, taxes, marketing, risk assessment and much more.
City of Grand Rapids Economic Development -- Contacts and information on tax abatements, registering a business name, business licences, Rennaissance Zones and more.
Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center -- the MI-SBTDC provides counseling, workshops and market research 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 in-depth training classes, counseling and support services to help start or grow 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.
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce -- working to advance Hispanic owned businesses and to assist in the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders.
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.
- General Business File ASAP -- Articles from business magazines, especially useful for finding recent industry stories.
- ProQuest -- Articles from selected Michigan newspapers.
- Reference USA -- Multi-faceted business directory for gathering competitor information.
- Small Business Resource Center from Gale -- Sample business plans, articles on market research and other overviews.
Browse the full list of GRPL Databases
General Web Resources
Startup Journal from The Wall Street Journal
Kauffman eVenturing -- entrepreneurial resource for starting and growing businesses.
Entrepreneur.com -- Entrepreneur Magazine's website
Idea Cafe -- Inspiration and ideas for business owners.
Inc.com -- Online version of the magazine plus internet-exclusive content.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers of Michigan -- Help in obtaining government contracts.
Related Pages
Small Business Resource Center Homepage



