Due to flooding Mobile Services is canceling all Books to Go deliveries and all afternoon Bookmobile stops for the week of Monday, July 21st.
Our Small Business Engagement Specialist is here to help small businesses and entrepreneurs get connected to the resources and partners they need. We have books and electronic resources that will help you write a business plan, enhance your marketing, develop your staff, and network with local agencies and organizations that support entrepreneurship.
Hadiza Sa-Aadu is the Small Business and Nonprofit Specialist and she is here to assist you with any of the digital tools that can help you with aspects of your business or non-profit from idea stage to operation. If your work falls into any of the below categories, Hadiza can help! Visit with our Small Business Engagement Specialist during office hours or schedule a one-on-one appointment.
Hadiza can also refer you to a variety of local Entrepreneur and Nonprofit Support Organizations that may be able to provide more assistance.
To schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss your business or nonprofit use scheduling link.
For self-guided learners please click on the button below for the Digital Resource List and Guide which includes links to different virtual programs in the Small Business and Nonprofit Virtual Library.
Check out these additional services and agencies to accomplish your small business goals.
One of the single best agency for entrepreneurs in Kansas City is KC SourceLink. KC SourceLink supports a network of more than 200 nonprofit resource organizations that provide services for small businesses. KC SourceLink links these organizations to one another and to new and established small businesses in Kansas City. Check their calendar for frequently updated learning and networking events.
SourceLink’s Resource Navigator is a great tool to connect with a organization that will meet your current business needs. The Resource Navigator organizes hundreds of agencies into key topics, such as business planning, financing, marketing, training, and research.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has supported entrepreneurship in Kansas City with programs and services for decades. Here are a few of their leading programs.
One of your first steps to starting a business should be to write a business plan. A plan will help you organize your ideas to present to funders (such as banks and venture capitalists). Do your homework to get these startup dollars. Your business plan should include
Community Reference services has several resources to assist with industry and market information (see above). We also have business plan samples in electronic format in several resources:
The website Bplans also has many good sample business plans.
There are several steps to take to turn your business idea into reality. Here are some resources and services to help.
Check out these additional services and agencies to accomplish your small business goals.
One of the single best agency for entrepreneurs in Kansas City is KC SourceLink. KC SourceLink supports a network of more than 200 nonprofit resource organizations that provide services for small businesses. KC SourceLink links these organizations to one another and to new and established small businesses in Kansas City. Check their calendar for frequently updated learning and networking events.
SourceLink’s Resource Navigator is a great tool to connect with a organization that will meet your current business needs. The Resource Navigator organizes hundreds of agencies into key topics, such as business planning, financing, marketing, training, and research.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation has supported entrepreneurship in Kansas City with programs and services for decades. Here are a few of their leading programs.
The ease and quantity of information you are able to find on a company depends a lot on whether it is a public or private company, large or small, local, national or international, as well as a number of other factors. It also depends on what kind of information you are trying to find.
The first thing you need to determine is if the company is publicly held. Of the millions of companies in the United States, only a small handful are public companies.
There are several resources you can use to determine if a company is publicly held.
It is relatively easy to find information on publicly held companies, as they are required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports in turn are made available to the public.
Publicly held companies for the most part are the largest and most influential companies. Consequently, their actions and products are well covered by newspaper and magazine reporters. The library subscribes to several databases that can help you find articles about the company you are researching.
It is much more difficult to find information about private companies as they are not required to make information about themselves public. The size of the company often determines how much information is going to be found.
If the business you want information on is a smaller local company, there are specific resources that could be of help to you. Take a look at the guide on Local Business and Economic Information in the Business and Career Center.
Don’t forget to look at a company’s own website. A Google search will help you find a business’s website. Often you can learn a great deal about a company (products, services, locations, contact names, history) from their website. Remember though, this is not unbiased information.
Use the website Glassdoor to learn about different aspects of a company as an employer. This includes salary information, company reviews, and the company’s interview process.
Demographics are statistics about people: How many people live in a specific area, where they work, what they buy, and how they live. These statistics can shape the delivery of a new product or service, or where a business is located.
It is mandated that every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau count all of the people in the United States and Puerto Rico. Along with counting the people, the Census Bureau also collects certain economic and social characteristics about everyone. Rather than doing the long form every 10 years, the Census Bureau is now taking an annual American Community Survey which provides an estimated count of many socioeconomic characteristics. The questions asked are those that help federal and state agencies carry out the services they provide as mandated by Congress. This mandate is a benefit to business owners, social service agencies and others who need demographic information. The following information can get you started on your research.
An online source you should consult first is Census Business Builder. CBB is an interactive website that provides access to useful demographic and economic data from the Census Bureau and other reliable sources in an easy-to-use, map-based format.
If you are looking for basic demographic information, use Census Bureau Data, a website created and maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau. Very quickly, you can pull up a fact sheet on:
Statistics are given for more than 40 variables, including:
Demographics Now provides detailed demographic reports. Assess business viability, perform market and site location analysis, create sales leads and/or marketing mailing lists, find potential sponsors and donors to grow a non-profit, prepare a small business plan and much more.
The American Community Survey (ACS) was created to give not just federal programs more timely data, but to also help you, the business owner, student, activist, and community organizer, the current demographic, social, economic and housing data that you need. The ACS:
The ACS will give you more detailed data than what is found in Census Bureau Data but only for larger geographical areas. The annual statistics are provided for places with populations of 65,000 or more, while the 3-year estimate data is provided for geographic populations of 20,000 or more. The geographic breakdowns include:
Data found in ACS but not on the Factfinder Factsheets include:
The Community Reference area on the third floor of the Central Library also has several print resources that may help you with your demographic research.
Statistics are used to prove points, bolster arguments, support needs, justify an existence and much more. What we buy, where we work, what we do in our spare time, and our health all get translated into statistics that are studied by businesses, governments, and academicians. Statistics are a part of our everyday life yet they can be baffling to understand and difficult to find.
As you start your statistics research, ask yourself these questions:
An online source you should consult first is Census Business Builder. CBB is an interactive website that provides access to useful demographic and economic data from the Census Bureau and other reliable sources in an easy-to-use, map-based format.
The Census Bureau also completes a survey of businesses every five years. The Economic Census gives the number of businesses, employment, and payroll figures broken down by industry type (NAICS) and by geography.
Another good starting point is FedStats, the federal government’s comprehensive statistics portal.
In addition to the Census, other federal agencies that provide useful statistics include
Other government agencies collect data related to their area of responsibility. Statistics regarding education, health, labor, crime, food, housing, transportation and other topics are available.
Although federal statistical sources provide some local data, there are additional sources. The Mid-American Regional Council (MARC) is the regional planning organization for nine counties and 120 cities. MARC maintains a website called Metro Dataline that includes some Census data as well as a wealth of metro-level economic, demographic and transportation statistics.
During difficult and uncertain times finding resources to plan, seek funds or otherwise navigate changing realities can help you manage today and prepare for the future. With an abundance of information available to you online this guide is an overview of the resources available to you as we continue to adapt to new ways of working and communicating.
Immediate Funding and Financing Emergency financing, low interest loans and grants are available to businesses and employees impacted through various organizations and collectives. Quick action is recommended as there is high demand for all forms of funding and financing.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans, administered directly from the Small Business Association are low interest loans for businesses impacted by Covid-19.
LISC Small Business Relief Grant is currently open for applicants who are seeking an alternative to financing. Be sure to read the online FAQ for updated information about the current and future rounds.
LISC Paycheck Protection Program assists small business owners who were unable to receive SBA loans during the first round. The application is open to minority, veteran and women owned small businesses and business owners receive assistance navigating the PPP application process.
Foundation Directory Online is now available to you at home through the digital collection with your library card. Search for available grants for 501c3s and individuals.
Charlotte Street Rocket Relief Fund is available and accepting applicants on a rolling basis. The first notifications of grantees will start May 1 and each following week ten artists and notified until all funds are distributed.
Artist Relief grants are available for artists dedicated to their careers who demonstrate financial impact due to COVID-19. Read through the website for additional eligibility criteria and to apply.
Seed Commons Worker Response Fund currently available to impacted co-ops across the Giving Compass Network.
Missouri Department of Labor: If you’re an impacted gig worker, independent contractor or self-employed check the Missouri Department of Labor website often for updates on applying for and receiving unemployment benefits.
The Professional Beauty Association COVID-19 Relief Fund is currently available for beauty professionals who haven’t been able to work due to COVID-19.
Organizations like Midwest Music Foundation, National Restaurant Association, and Freelancers Union are raising funds to make available to restaurant workers and freelancers respectively. Sign up for updates or check the websites to stay current on the availability of funds.
For business owners seeking guidance during turbulent times, free resources are available to help you pivot to digital, learn more about your existing customers and speak with an expert one-on-one.
If you’re facing the decision to close your business there are resources available to you to help specifically with the transition.
KC Sourcelink constantly updates the resources, learning opportunities and networking events available for business owners affected by COVID-19 and people working on pre-operational ideas. Set up an appointment with a resource navigator to connect directly with business resources from funding to counseling.
US Census: COVID-19 Demographic and Economic resources Impact of COVID-19 Crisis: Insights from Global Startup Survey with the Voice of the Entrepreneurs
Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia: Which Workers Will Be Most Impacted?
John’s Hopkins University Coronavirus Map: world map and national map(s) with state/province and county detail.
Gensler: Retail Re-Opening Guide
Start Us Up Now: Rebuilding Better
Sometimes sudden changes create opportunities to bring fresh ideas closer to life. For entrepreneurs thinking about the next step or anyone thinking about getting into small business ownership these resources are for you.
Digital Sandbox is available for proof-of-concept stage startups seeking commercialization and scaling assistance to receive funding and other resources.
KC Collective provides access to a plethora of digital resources to entrepreneurs. Membership is available to early stage active startup founders in Kansas City.
FranNet is an online network providing access to free learning materials and counseling for those who may be interested in franchise ownership.
Ready to learn more about your legal options as a new business owner? Use Legal GPS with your library card to help you gain clarity on tax structures, state structures and much more.
