Use this guide to research starting a small business in Monroe County, New York. If you have questions after consulting these resources, contact a librarian by visiting your local Monroe County Library System library, calling a reference librarian (use the Member Library Directory to find phone numbers), or by completing the Ask a Librarian online form.

This guide answers the following questions:

	Should I start a small business?
	How do I create a business plan?
	Are grants available for my small business?
	What library resources are available to start a small business?
	What local resources are available to help me?
	What Internet resources should I use?

SHOULD I START A SMALL BUSINESS?

There are many things to consider when starting a small business. To help you decide if you would be successful as an entrepreneur, consult the Are You Ready? page from the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) website. Then take the Get Ready Quiz from the New York Loves Small Business website.

HOW DO I CREATE A BUSINESS PLAN?

Writing a business plan is an important step in starting your small business. Your plan will serve as your guide. In the plan is included, among other things, a description of your product or service, calculated start-up and operational costs, and details on how you will market your product or service. Your business plan will be reviewed when you apply for financing.

Along with the web pages listed below, there are many library resources (see What Library Resources Are Available) to help you write your business plan. You also may obtain help from local organizations (see What Local Resources Are Available To Help Me).

	Business Plan Basics from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
	Writing a Business Plan from the New York Public Library
	Planning Your Business from the CCH Business Owner's Toolkit

ARE GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR MY SMALL BUSINESS?

There are very few grants given to individuals to start a small business. Most grants are given to local governments and nonprofit organizations, who, in turn help local businesses. Check the Loans, Services and Grants booklet from the City of Rochester and the Economic Development Programs page from Monroe County for more information. Consult the Start-Up Resource Program from the Rochester Business Alliance (click on the Economic Development links) to determine if your business would qualify for up to 30 hours of free service.

Also look into other ways to finance your business. Getting Financing for Your Business outlines several different options. Financing Your Business also gives an overview on how to obtain financing.

WHAT LIBRARY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP START A SMALL BUSINESS?

Every library in the Monroe County Library System has numerous books, magazines, CD-ROMs, etc. on starting and running a small business. To find these materials, search the library catalog, LIBRAWeb, by using the keywords: small business. Add additional keywords for a more specific search, such as:  small business insurance. (The LIBRAWeb Tutorial is a good starting place to learn how to do a keyword search.)

Two libraries have special business collections: 1) the Business and Government Division at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County and 2) the Small Business Resource Center at Fairport Public Library. In addition, the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County offers classes through its Small Business and Library Resources Program Series.

You can view a list of Selected New Small Business Books recently acquired by the Business and Government Division at the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County.

WHAT LOCAL RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP ME?

	SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) offers free counseling and low-cost workshops for small business owners.
	SUNY Brockport Small Business Development Center offers free counseling and low-cost workshops for small business owners.
	SBA (Small Business Administration) Buffalo District Office has a Rochester Branch Office
	Monroe County Planning and Development
	City of Rochester Business Services
	Rochester Business Alliance
	High Tech Rochester
	NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Greater Rochester Chapter

WHAT INTERNET RESOURCES SHOULD I USE?

	Rochester Business Journal
	Small Business Guide from the CCH Business Owner's Toolkit
	Small Business Administration
	New York Loves Small Business
	Starting a Business - Tips from the NYS Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform -- This site includes information on licensing and permits, legal structure and employer responsibilities.
	SBA Women's Business Center
	Virtual Reference Desk for Small Business - websites selected by Monroe County Library System librarians

Search the Internet for other small business websites

Search the Internet with the search engine Google using the phrase: small business. Combine this phrase with specific topics, such as: marketing small business.  (The Google Tutorial is a good starting place to learn how to do a search on Google.)