Identifying Small Business Resources

There is a very large pool of resources for small business owners and prospective owners to choose from, though identifying the right resource can prove to be a danting task.  Do you need help with an initial start-up, forming a business plan, understanding legal and tax issues, or developing a budget?  What if you are looking to grow an existing small business or need help with recruiting and training employees?  Are you looking for a mentor, grant writing, or getting involved with network and referral organizations?  There are numerous resources and organizations that aim to help small businesses in the greater Kansas City region.  Below is a list compiled from various sources, though it is in no way intended to represent a full and complete listing of available resources.

• Visit your local library!  While almost all of us have visited the library for story time with the kids, help with that pesky research paper or to check out the latest crime novel, we forget that the library is also a vast resource for business.  Databases, Databases, Databases!  Would area consumer statistics by zip code help you target your marketing dollars best?  What about researching your competition or developing lead lists?  Your library can give you access to national databases that large businesses bay top dollar for.  Need tax and legal forms?  The library probably has them on-line for you to download.  Don't forget about the many business books they offer - from how-to's to inspiration - there is sure to be a subject that can improve your business.  And best of all - most of them cost nothing to join and many of the fabulous resources can be accessed from the convienence of your home or work laptop! 
• Mid-Continent Public Library:  http://www.mymcpl.org/
• Kansas City Public Library: http://www.kclibrary.org/
• Johnson County Library:  www.jocolibrary.org/business
• State Career Centers offer much more than unemployment checks.  Career centers offer employment recruiting and training to meet your demands, including job postings, referrals, screenings, assessments, training strategy development, job fairs, internship development and on-the-job training reimbursement programs. Many of them also offer resource areas with computers, printers, faxes and copiers for your use.  There are special state and federal programs that you or your business may qualify for as well.
• Missouri Career Center(s):  http://www.feckc.org/
• KansasWorks:  http://www.kansasworks.com/
• Development, Counseling, Mentorships, Resource Centers, Networking & the list goes on!  There are so many valuable organizations in the KC area offering help to small businesses, how can you not take advantage of their experience?  Consulting services, equipment and software usage, network of large, medium, small and non-profit organizations, mentors, and so much more.
• SCORE: http://www.scorekc.org/
• Small Business Development Centers:  KS 913-469-3878/ MO 816-235-6063
• Business Resource Center: 816-235-6675
• Missouri Enterprise Business Assistance Centers: http://www.missourienterprise.org/
• SourceLink: http://www.sourcelink.com/
• Small Business Administration:  http://www.sba.gov/
• Women's Business Resources.  Many woman owned businesses face special struggles when starting a new business.  Be sure to utilize the many resources targeted to help with these struggles.
• Women's Business Development Center:  http://www.wbdc.org/
• Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network:  http://www.moccrrn.org/
• eWomenNetwork, Inc.:  http://www.ewomennetwork.com/
• Office of Equal Opportunity:  wwww.oa.mo.gov/oeo
• Missouri Women's Council:  http://www.womenscouncil.org/
• SBA Women's Business Center KS: 913-492-5922/ MO:816-235-6146

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