You are here: Home → Research + Answers → Business → Small Business Resources
 

Small Business Resources

Resources, links and pointers to relevant information for your small business.

Getting Started

  • Reference Books

 

  • Books
  1. Small Business, Big Life: Five Steps To Creating A Great Life With Your Own Small Business ~ Louis Barajas
  2. The Small Business Start-Up Kit ~ Peri Pakroo
  3. Steps To Small Business Start-Up: Everything You Need To Know To Turn Your Idea Into A Successful Business ~ Linda Pinson
  4. Legal Forms for Starting & Running A Small Business ~ Fred Steingold

 

  • Websites
  1. Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center
  2. State of Michigan’s Guide to Starting a Business in Michigan
  3. Michigan Business One-Stop New!
  4. Library of Michigan's eLibrary (MeL): Business & Career Gateway
  5. City of Lansing Economic Development Corporation
  6. Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan (formerly Lansing Community Microenterprise Fund)
  7. Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
  8. Service Corp of Retired Executives Retired executives providing free assistance to anyone starting a business or those that want to improve/ grow existing businesses. Local SCORE office at Lansing Regional Chamber 517-487-6340.
  9. U.S. Small Business Administration

Researching Market Demographics

  • Reference Books
  1. Business Statistics of the United States ~ Bernan Press
  2. County and City Data Book, 2007: A Statistical Abstract Supplement ~ U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census
  3. American Generations: Who They Are & How They Live ~ New Strategist Publications
  4. Household Spending: Who Spends How Much On What ~ New Strategist Publications
  5. American Incomes: Demographics Of Who Has Money ~ New Strategist Publications
  6. Dun & Bradstreet’s Regional Business Directory (Mich. Metros excluding Detroit) ~ Dun & Bradstreet Corporation
  7. Harris Michigan Industrial Directory ~ Harris Publishing Company
  8. State Profile: Michigan ~ Woods & Poole Economics

 

  • Books
  1. eBook: Know! Market Research And Analysis: The Fundamentals by Knowledge inForm
  2. eBook: Know! Market Research And Analysis: Intermediate by Knowledge inForm
  3. eBook: Know! Market Research And Analysis: Advanced by Knowledge inForm
  4. eBook: Know! Competitive Intelligence: Human Source Collection by Knowledge inForm
  5. eBook: Know! Competitive Intelligence: Published Source Collection by Knowledge inForm
  6. Market Research Made Easy by Don Doman, Dell Dennison, Margaret Doman
  7. Guerrilla Marketing Research: Marketing Research Techniques That Can Help Any Business Make More Money by Robert J Kaden

 

  • Databases
  1. Business and Company Resource Center   Company profiles, brand information, rankings, investment reports, articles and an associations directory.
  2. BusinessDecision, grow your business using these reports and maps of business, demographic, and consumer househould data. Better understand your market, find new customers, evaluate competitors, find new store locations, and target media and direct mail.  Need help using BusinessDecision?  Click here --> Business Decision Help
  3. First Research New!  – Detailed industry information. Library use only  (Best viewed in Internet Explorer)
  4. General Business File– Articles on companies and also includes directory and financial information.
  5. Hoover’s New!   – Detailed  business and industry information. Library use only (Best viewed in Internet Explorer)
  6. Market Research.com  New!   –  Competitive analysis, market trends, buyer behavior and much more.  Library use only

 

  • Websites
  1. U.S. Census data
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  3. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
  4. Michigan State University globalEDGE - Country, State profiles and trade data
  5. Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
  6. Your Economy by Edward Lowe Foundation

 

Writing a business plan

Need to see what a business plan looks like?  Check out the eBook version of our Business Plans Handbooks to find a business plan that is similar to your business. Download, print or email a template to yourself.

 

  • Reference Books
  1. Business Plans Handbook ~ Gale Research

 

  • Books
  1. The Entrepreneur's Guide to Writing Business Plans and Proposals ~ K. Dennis Chambers
  2. Anatomy of a Business Plan: The Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Business and Securing Your Company's Future ~ Linda Pinson
  3. Bankable Business Plans ~ Edward G. Rogoff
  4. Tips and Traps for Writing an Effective Business Plan ~ Greg Balanko-Dickson
  5. How to Write a Business Plan ~ Brian Finch
  6. Building A Successful Business Plan: Advice From The Experts ~ Socrates Media
  7. Business Plans For Dummies ~ Paul Tiffany
  8. The Complete Idiot's Guide To Business Plans ~ Gwen Moran
  9. Business Plans Made Easy ~ David Bangs
  10. The Complete Book of Business Plans: Simple Steps to Writing Powerful Business Plans ~ Joseph A. Covello
  11. How To Write A Business Plan ~ Mike McKeever
  12. Writing & Presenting a Business Plan ~ Carolyn Boulger

 

  • Websites
  1. Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center - Sample Business Plans View a variety of different business plans and a business plan outline.
  2. bplans.com from Palo Alto Software. View their selection of 100+ free sample plans.

License Search

  1. Need a license to start your business or collect sales tax?  Check out the State of Michigan License Search.
  2. Verify a Health Professional's license through the Michigan Dept of Community Health.

Attorney/Accountant Search

  1. Verify an Attorney’s record at the Attorney Discipline Board website.
  2. Is your CPA licensed?  Verify this at the at the MI-DELEG Bureau of Commercial Services site.

Selecting Company Structure

  • Books
  1. Form Your Own Limited Liability Company ~ Anthony Mancuso
  2. LLC or Corporation?: How to Choose the Right Form for Your Business ~ Anthony Mancuso
  3. How to Form a Non-Profit Corporation ~ Anthony Mancuso
  4. How to Start a Business in Michigan ~ Entrepreneur Press
  5. Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business ~ Fred S. Steingold
  6. Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business ~ Fred S. Steingold

 

  • Websites
  1. Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth (MI-DELEG)
  2. Bureau of Commercial Services & Corporations The Bureau of Commercial Services serves to protect the health, welfare and safety of Michigan citizens and to encourage the growth of business in Michigan, while at the same time protecting consumers. They provide business, licensing and consumer services.
  3. Corporation Division The Corporation Division promotes economic development and growth by facilitating the formation of business entities in Michigan. The Division provides services that enable corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships to be formed, and for foreign entities to obtain a certificate of authority to transact business. Find forms, conduct a business entity search, file certain forms online or via fax and much more.

Funding: For-Profit Entities

Typically grants are ONLY available for non-profit organizations, NOT for-profit organizations.

What Is a Non-Profit Organization?  The status pertaining to an organization or company established for charitable, educational, or humanitarian purposes and not for making money.

What Is a For-Profit Organization?   An organization established or operated with the intention of making a profit.

 

  • Reference Books
  1. Entrepreneur Magazine’s Financing Your Small Business ~ Dwayne Moyers

 

  • Books
  1. Finance & Grow Your New Business: Get a Grip on the Money ~ by Angie Mohr
  2. Finance for Non-Financial Managers and Small Business Owners ~ by Lawrence W. Tuller
  3. Financial Management 101: Get a Grip on Your Business Numbers ~ by Angie Mohr
  4. Small Business Cash Flow: Strategies for Making Your Business a Financial Success ~ Denise O'Berry
  5. Angel Financing For Entrepreneurs: Early Stage Funding For Long Term Success ~ Susan L. Preston
  6. Raising Venture Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur ~ Dermot Berkery
  7. Financing Your Business Made Easy ~ Entrepreneur Press
  8. Attracting Investors: A Marketing Approach To Finding Funds For Your Business ~ Philip Kotler

 

  • Websites
  1. U.S. Small Business Administration Loan Programs
  2. U.S. Government loans

Grant & Foundation Resources for Non-Profits

  • Reference Books
  1. The "How-To" Grants Manual: Successful Grantseeking Techniques for Obtaining Public & Private Grants ~ David G. Bauer
  2. The Foundation Center’s Guide to Proposal Writing ~ Jane Geever
  3. The Foundation 1000 ~ Foundation Center
  4. The Foundation Directory ~ Foundation Center
  5. The Michigan Foundation Directory ~ Council of Michigan Foundations
  6. Foundation Grants to Individuals ~ Foundation Center

 

  • Books
  1. The Complete Guide to Writing Effective & Award Winning Grants: Step-by-Step Instructions ~ Dianne Harris
  2. Grant Proposal Makeover: Transform Your Request From No To Yes ~ Cheryl A. Clarke
  3. Grant Writing For Dummies ~ Bev Browning
  4. Winning Grants: Step-by-Step ~ Mim Carlson
  5. The Everything Grant Writing Book: Create The Perfect Proposal To Raise The Funds You Need ~ Nancy Burke
  6. The Complete Idiot's Guide To Grant Writing ~ Waddy Thompson
  7. The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need ~ Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox

 

  • Websites
  1. Grants.gov A single point of access to grant programs offered by Federal grant-making agencies. Find and apply for grants. Be sure to read the profile of who is eligible for a grant.
  2. MSU Funding Center A collection of funding resources available at the MSU Libraries and tools to help identify funders including private foundations, community foundations, corporations, government agencies, associations and individuals.

Marketing: Getting Started

  • Books
  1. Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through The Roof by James Stephenson with Courtney Thurman
  2. Maximum Marketing, Minimum Dollars: The Top 50 Ways To Grow Your Small Business by Kim T. Gordon
  3. Small Business Marketing For Dummies ~ Barbara Findlay Schenck
  4. Marketing Kit For Dummies ~ Alexander Hiam
  5. Marketing Without Advertising ~ Michael Phillips & Salli Rasberry
  6. 401 Killer Marketing Tactics To Increase Sales, Maximize Profits, And Stomp Your Competition ~ Tom Feltenstein
  7. Buzz Marketing With Blogs For Dummies ~ Susannah Gardner

Marketing: Marketing Plans

  • Books
  1. Marketing Plans: How To Prepare Them, How To Use Them ~ Malcolm McDonald
  2. Malcolm McDonald On Marketing Planning: Understanding Marketing Plans & Strategy ~ Malcolm McDonald
  3. Powerhouse marketing plans: 14 outstanding real-life plans and what you can learn from them to supercharge your own campaigns ~ Winslow Johnson
  4. Marketing Your Business: A Guide To Developing A Strategic Marketing Plan ~ Ronald A. Nykiel

 

  • Websites
  1. mplans.com View 21 free sample marketing plans

Marketing: Low Cost Marketing Ideas

  • Books
  1. Big Business Marketing for Small Business Budgets ~ Jeanette Maw McMurtry
  2. Guerrilla Marketing: Easy And Inexpensive Strategies For Making Big Profits From Your Small Business by Jay Conrad Levinson with Jeannie Levinson And Amy Levinson
  3. Guerrilla Publicity: Hundreds Of Sure-Fire Tactics To Get Maximum Sales For Minimum Dollars ~ Jay Conrad
  4. Guerrilla Marketing In 30 Days: All The Powerful, Proven Tactics Boiled Into A 30-Day Plan ~ Jay Conrad
  5. The Ultimate Guide To Electronic Marketing For Small Business: Low-Cost/High Return Tools and Techniques That Really Work ~ Tom Antion
Document Actions