Thousand Oaks, CA
Home MenuStarting a Small Business
Databases (Library card is required to access the databases outside the library.)
- Gale Business: Entrepreneurship
Mapped to four key business stages—plan, fund, start and manage, this resource covers all major areas of starting and operating a business, including financing, management, marketing, human resources, franchising, accounting, and taxes.
- Gale eBooks (formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library)
Presents sample plans taken from businesses in the manufacturing, retail, and service industries which serve as examples of how to approach, structure, and compose business plans.
- Gale General OneFile
Full-text articles from magazines, journal and scholarly publications about all aspects of starting up and running a small business.
- Legal Information Reference Center
Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business from NOLO Press on all aspects of starting and running a business including printable legal forms by state.
- Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA)
Information on over 10 million US businesses. A good resource for compiling and downloading lists of businesses based on a variety of criteria.
-
Small Business Reference Center
Provides up-to-date information on starting, operating and managing a business. Includes access to the popular NOLO Press business publications.
Web Resources
- Business Plan: A business plan is an essential roadmap for business success. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBC) resources will provide you with all the information you need to present the route your company plans to take to This living document generally projects 3-5 years ahead and outlines the route a company intends to take to grow revenues.
- Business Law: You don’t have to be a lawyer to open and run a small business. Find out how to handle day-to-day legal issues that could affect your small business with legal resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- IRS: Tax information for small businesses and the self-employed.
- SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business: Free one-on-one counseling sessions with successful business people, both retired and active.
- Small Business Development Center National Information Clearinghouse: Getting started, buying and selling a business, e-commerce, industry outlook trends, and reports.
- Startup Digest: The personalized insider newsletter for all things startups around the world.
- Trade Show News Network: Search for trade shows and resources for managing your exhibits.
- Up Global: A non-profit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, grassroots leadership, and strong communities.
Business Permits and Licenses
- CalGOLD: This website assists you in finding appropriate permit information for your business. It also provides contact information for the various agencies that administer & issue these permits.
- SBA.gov: To run your business legally, there are certain federal and state licenses and permits you will need to obtain. These resources will help you understand the requirements for your small business.