Money Money Money Money. We are all looking for it. To even approach investors or banks successfully one must have a plan, and have some research to back it up. Dare I say we need…a BUSINESSS PLAN! Grand Rapids Public Library Small Business Resource Center is an excellent place to plug into some significant research for your invention or business. You will also find an excellent reference librarian, like Amy Cochran, to help you navigate around the stacks of information and help you decipher what it all means. Amy helped me with my business plan and I know she could help others so, I thought I should ask her a few questions:

Amy,

1) Where is the money? How does the library help an entrepreneur?

I’d say that in order to make money in your business, you need to know ahead of time that your idea is workable, there’s a market to support it, and that you are offering a product or service not already offered by your competitors. Working out these answers requires research and access to all sorts of business information not found for free on the internet. This is where the Library comes in. We’ve got general books on starting a business, business plan samples, and lots of current and reliable information on your industry, competitors and potential customers. We subscribe to electronic databases and magazines so you don’t have to, plus our staff is available to help you figure out where to look first. And finally, we offer workshops and classes in research and small business start-up. The Library provides all of these amazing and valuable services at no harge to you.

2) What if you don’t even know what you are looking for?

I often talk to entrepreneurs who have a great idea but aren’t sure where to start. I can sit down with you and help you decide what research path has the most potential for your planning process. And if you are in the middle of working on your business plan, I can suggest the resources likely to provide just the data you were looking for.

3)Do I have to be a “small business” or from Grand Rapids, Michigan to use this library? What are the hours? Can I access information from home?

No matter where you live, you are welcome to come in to the Library, attend a class or make a one-on-one appointment. We have 2 computers and workspace dedicated to business research, but also plenty of other computers and materials. If you live in the City of Grand Rapids, your library card number will allow you to access our electronic databases from home or work. Even if you don’t live within the City, check out our small business page at www.grpl.org/sbrc and look at the resources page for plenty of helpful website suggestions.

Grand Rapids Public Library Downtown Main Library hours: 9-9 Mon-Thur and 9-5:30 Fri Sat.

4) Any last words or advice?

Planning your small business takes dedication and a willingness to do the research and analysis needed for a solid start. But you don’t have to do it all alone! As you are looking for business information, remember that your library has amazing proprietary electronic and print resources and librarians who are experts in finding the right quality information and in pinpointing what type of research would be most helpful to you.

Tags: Add new tag, business, business Plan, entrepreneur, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Library Small Business Resource Center, money, research