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Following Your Dreams
Bruce Springsteen gave some good advice to dreamers in
his song, “Follow That Dream,” when he wrote the lyrics:
“Well, if a distant dream is
a callin’ you
Then there’s just one thing that you can do
Yeah, you gotta follow that dream
wherever that dream may lead you.”
For those who are dreaming about opening their own businesses and becoming
their own bosses, the Small Business Information Center at the Cecil County
Public Library is available to provide assistance and support. Help is also
available to established business owners faced with challenges or problems
through a variety of services: free consultations with SBIC staff, training
opportunities, programs, business databases, the Business Webpage, a variety
of business materials, and referrals to our business partners including
SCORE and the Cecil Business Resource
Partners.
History of the
Small Business Information Center
Several years ago, a patron asked a branch librarian
for help in finding demographic statistics for a business plan he was
writing to get funding for a new restaurant. A recent immigrant, the
gentleman had come to this country with a dream of one day owning his own
business. He pursued that dream by finding information at the Cecil County
Public Library, and he was rewarded for his efforts by a bank, which
recognized that he had done his homework and proven he was ready to start a
new enterprise.
Within a short time, another patron called the library,
asking for help. She and her husband had started a home improvement
business, but, within the first year, they were struggling to make it. They
needed information on how to market their business.
Inquiries like these prompted CCPL to write a federal
grant to receive funds to establish a proactive business center in which a
small business librarian would go out into the community to promote the
library as an excellent starting point for researching business start-ups or
handling business problems or challenges. The librarian would also provide
business information, resources and training to prepare prospective and
established small business owners to successfully start, manage and expand
businesses in Cecil County.
The project began on June 23, 2003 when CCPL received a
federal LSTA grant of $47,088.00. In October, 2003 the first small business
librarian was hired, and the SBIC immediately offered individual business
consultations and programs to help prospective entrepreneurs get started.
The grant period lasted through August 31, 2004, and because of the enormous
demand for this service and the excellent response to the information and
assistance provided, the Small Business Information Center has assumed an
important role in preparing entrepreneurs to succeed in business endeavors.
Testimonials to the SBIC Service
Feedback from satisfied customers reveals how the SBIC
has helped them to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to handle
businesses more effectively and efficiently.
“The information was very helpful.”
“Your lady was wonderful; it was a pleasure learning
and getting the information I needed.”
“Monday’s meeting produced clarification, results and
enlightenment. Clarification as to capitalization and investment issues,
motivation to contact complimentary business partners, enlightenment from
introspection-leading questions. All actions that were underway have been
improved through discussion and guidance.”
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What kind of information does the
SBIC provide to patrons to enable them to make informed choices about
starting a business or handling business problems?
Competitive business concepts
Business plans
Licensing requirements
Comparisons of legal entities
Identification of unique products or services
Market strategies
Targeting customers
Analysis of competitors
Calculation of start-up costs and cash flow
Typical Questions Posed
to the Small Business Librarian
How do I start to plan for a new business?
How do I put a business plan together?
How do I market my services and establish a reputation
to build on?
Where can I find start-up collateral?
What kind of insurance will I need for my business?
How do I compile a mailing list?
How do I allocate limited resources?
How do I find manufacturers of certain products?
Accomplishments of the SBIC
The Small Business Librarian has met with 156 clients
in individual consultations.
566 people have accessed 2 business databases for
information.
2668 people have accessed business information on the
SBIC website.
The business website averages 171 hits a month, and it
has risen in popularity from 34th to 16th.
78 people have attended programs sponsored by the SBIC.
At least 10% of clients have successfully established
businesses.
Unique Opportunity
Demand is growing for more business consultations and
website information to make the process of developing and growing businesses
easier and more understandable.
We are helping entrepreneurs to successfully start,
manage and expand small businesses. Our success stories are the county’s
success stories as well as we enhance Cecil County’s economic development
through our support of prospective and established business owners.
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