Small Business Resources

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New Titles

Getting Started

Featured books from our catalog:

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.)

Business Plans Handbook -- view hundreds of actual business plans.

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.

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.

State Guide to Business 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

How To Write a Marketing Plan

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

CIA World Factbook

Global Corruption Report

International Monetary Fund

@rating Country Experience

NationMaster.com

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.

WomenEntrepreneur.com

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.