IN FOCUS: March 2011
Building Your Business Step By Step
Starting your own business can seem like a huge challenge, one that will require a nearly magical alignment of the stars to pull off properly. Of course, striking out on your own is both daunting and difficult, but by breaking the start up process down into its various parts you will find that it really is possible - even for mere mortals like us.
Consider the maxim, made famous by Grammy-winning music producer Brian Eno, "not building a wall but making a brick." It's good advice. Sometimes it helps to turn your attention away from your ultimate goal and work on the details or various parts of a project as a way to move forward.
In this issue you will find tips for researching your business plan, putting together financial projections, suggestions of where to turn for help, and learn how the Free Library can connect you to the services you need to turn all those small details into one successful whole. Let's get started! |
MARCH PROGRAMS
Marketing Research 101: Basics for the Entrepreneur
Tuesday, March 8th, 6:30 PM
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St 19103
Everything small business owners need to know about marketing research.
We will explore primary versus secondary, as well as quantitative versus qualitative research, research methodology, and how to find the right research techniques for your needs. This session will show the business professional how sound marketing research can guide good decision making.
Our presenter, Steve Levine, is the owner of Strat360, a marketing research consultancy based in suburban Philadelphia. Steve has worked with Fortune 500 companies and has been a guest lecturer at Temple University's School of Communications. Presented in partnership with SCORE Philadelphia.
Click here to register or call 215-686-5394.
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How to Start a Small Business
Wednesday, March 9th, 11:00 AM
Widener Branch, 2808 West Lehigh Avenue 19132
The Temple University Small Business Development Center invites aspiring entrepreneurs to this midday program. The workshop will cover the basics of starting your own business and introduce you to the services provided by this Fox School of Business affiliated SBDC.
For more information call 215-685-9798.
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Know Your Business: An Entrepreneur's Q&A
Thursday, March 10th, 6:00 PM
Andorra Branch, 705 East Cathedral Road 19128
Someday you'll have a team of lawyers, an army of accountants, and the very best banking and finance experts at your beck and call, but for now, why not use ours?
The Free Library and SCORE invite you to meet our panel of experts and get answers to your small business questions.
Click here to register or call 215-231-9880.
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Child Care CENTER Licensing
Saturday, March 12th, 10:00 AM
Welsh Road Branch, 9233 Roosevelt Boulevard 19114
FAMILY Child Care Licensing (For 1-6 children in your home)
Saturday, March 26, 10:00 AM
Welsh Road Branch, 9233 Roosevelt Boulevard 19114
These free workshops cover everything you need to know to obtain a license to provide child care. The first program covers the requirements for a full day program, an after school program, or a faith-based child care program at a center or facility. In the second program, we will discuss licensing to provide child care in your own home for 1-6 children (1-4 children in City Council Districts 6 and 10). Sponsored in cooperation with the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement and funded by the City of Philadelphia, Deputy Mayor's Office of Health and Opportunity, Department of Human Services and the Southeast Regional Key.
Pre-registration is required for these programs.
To register for the Child Care CENTER program email
mbrown@nimphilly.org or call 215-475-3030.
To register for the FAMILY Child Care program email ckreilick@nimphilly.org or call 215-475-3031.
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Tools of the Trade: Turn Your Bright Idea into a Successful Start-up
Tuesday, March 15th, 5:00 PM
Bushrod Branch, 6304 Castor Avenue 19149
This popular workshop, presented with Empowerment Group, continues to make the rounds of Philadelphia's libraries. This month, join us in the Lower Northeast at the Bushrod Branch Library.
Tools of the Trade is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs ask the right questions about starting a business, discover valuable resources, and clearly define their business idea and personal goals. The session will introduce the essential skills needed for starting a business and evaluating personal finances. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with others in the start-up stage of business development.
Click here to register or call 215-685-1471.
For information on upcoming Tools of the Trade workshops being held throughout Philadelphia this winter and spring, click here or call 215-686-5394.
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Building A Business: Your Legal Structure Step-By-Step
Tuesday, March 22, 6:30 PM
Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street 19103
So you've got a great product or an idea for a much needed service, but before you can turn your business aspirations into a reality there are some important decisions to be made. The legal structure you choose for your business will have repercussions on your operations and taxes.
LLC? S-Corp? C-Corp? It pays to get it right. Join us as we walk you through the process of choosing a legal structure for your business. Presented by Gregory Sutton, J.D.
Click here to register or call 215-686-5394. |
As we consider the various aspects of starting your own business, one area in which the library can really help is in the search for information. ReferenceUSA OneSource is a subscription database that the Free Library provides to the public.
ReferenceUSA OneSource includes company information and industry profiles, but perhaps what makes it most valuable and unique are the RMA Industry Norms. These data sets describe the finances of businesses in various industries. Interested in the assets to liabilities ratio of a nail salon, a restaurant, or a car dealership? ReferenceUSA OneSource has it and it's all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere with an internet connection. To access this resource you must have your library card number and PIN. Visit our database page and select ReferenceUSA to get started. Once logged in, choose OneSource from the menu on the ReferenceUSA home page. |
SCORE at the Library: Business Advice & Counseling
Free and confidential one-on-one business advice and counseling is now available at Free Library locations throughout the city. Counseling is provided by SCORE Philadelphia. Reservations are required. Contact SCORE online or call 215-231-9880 to schedule your appointment.
Business Research with a Librarian
The librarians of the Business, Science & Industry Department are available for individual research training sessions by appointment. Our librarians can help you research your industry, learn how to find competitors and demographic information for your business plan by using our databases, as well as acquaint you with our many resources for entrepreneurs. To schedule an appointment email us or call: 215-686-5394. |
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FEATURED BUSINESS
Building Your Business: Taking the Right Steps
D'Agostino Fashion Textile Design
Melissa D'Agostino has been honing her craft as a textile designer for over ten years, but she still looks to the basic building blocks to maintain a fresh perspective as a start-up business person. "Taking the right steps early on... while striving to maintain a creative voice as the owner of a local handmade fashion textile design business presents many exciting opportunities as well as challenges... [R]esearch and planning are key to balancing such challenges during the early growth of my business." On a recent visit to the Parkway Central Library with her classmates from a WORC small business development course, Melissa discovered our BusinesssDecision database. By focusing on a fundamental like market demographics, Melissa was able to go "all the way back to the beginning to find the solution" to her current challenges. The fruits of such dedication are plain to see in Melissa's work. Take a look at www.melissadagostino.com and come visit us to see what the Free Library can do for your business! 
Do you have a success story with a Free Library connection? Email: erefbsi@freelibrary.org; we may feature your business. |
MAKING CONNECTIONS: BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS STEP BY STEP
The librarians of the Business, Science & Industry Department have assembled a few links to help you find the resources you need to tackle each step of the start up process with confidence.
Nolo Legal Information - From Nolo, our favorite publisher of accessible, down-to-earth legal information, comes this excellent guide to small business legal structures (corporation, LLC, sole proprietor, etc.) to help you choose the right option.
City of Philadelphia Business Services - This is the one-stop site for doing business in Philadelphia. Find information on licensing, zoning, financing and special incentives for small business. |
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Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business
by Fred Steingold 
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Small Time Operatorby Bernard Kamoroff  ...................................... The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki  ...................................... So, You Want to Start a Business? : 8 Steps to Take Before Making the Leap by Edward D. Hess 
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The 250 Questions Every Self-Employed Person Should Ask
by Mary E. Mihaly
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