What's the link between entrepreneurship & libraries, anyway?
Libraries Represent a Small Business Support Infrastructure for Everyone
"Libraries meet the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, in every part of our nation. Regardless of past experience, an individual seeking to launch an enterprise can use library resources, technologies and staff expertise to engage in business planning, perform market research, seek capital investments, explore community connections, learn about intellectual property practicalities, prototype products and conduct day-today operations" (Wapner 1).
​Wapner, Charlie. The People’s Incubator: Libraries Propel Entrepreneurship. Washington D.C.: American Library Association. 2016.
Practical Steps
- Research your clients and locationSmall Business Edition is built primarily for small business owners who need key data for their business plan or to better understand their potential market. It presents data for a single type of business and geography at a time.
Business License & Zoning
Name Registration
- Openforbusiness.wi.orgRegister your business name with the county clerk where your business is located. If you're a corporation, also register with the state.
Tutorials on LinkedIn Learning
Note: To access LinkedIn Learning content, you should never have to sign up for a free month, or enter any payment information. For more information on how to create your free Madison College LinkedIn Learning account, visit: https://libguides.madisoncollege.edu/LiL
Business Case for Racial Equity
- The Business Case for Racial Equity: A Strategy for GrowthNational Report from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Idea Generation
Business journals and newspapers for trend-spotting and articles about new products/services. Selected journals include: Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Industry and Innovation, Business Week, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and MIT Technology Review. (Check to see if the library has an electronic copy of a journal/newspaper.)
Lists of companies ranked by various criteria. Many publications such as Forbes, Inc. and Fast Company track fastest-growing and “top” companies in different locations or industries. Search library article databases such as Business Source Complete or Business Insights Essential to find coverage of how other firms have made their mark.
- Business Source Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
- Business Insights: Essentials (Gale) This link opens in a new window
Patents. Reviewing recent patents can be a goldmine of ideas.
- Entrepreneurship Corner (Stanford)A collection of freely available videos, podcasts, and articles from Stanford.
The Madison College Challenge
The Madison College Challenge
If you are dreaming of owning your own business or need guidance for your current business take the Madison College Challenge!
The Annual Madison College Challenge is a three phase business plan competition. Finalists have a chance to win upwards of a $5,000 cash prize. For more information, directions on how to enter, and information on past winners, check out the Challenge page:
- Kauffman Business Plan TemplateThe Kauffman Business Plan template is a great template to use when creating your small business plan
Teaching Entrepreneuship
- Network for Teaching EntrepreneurshipThe Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship's mission is to provide programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities and to plan for successful futures.
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