Whether you are just starting your business or had it for a while and need to improve it, there are a few resources to help you.
A good place to start is The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center (Located in: The Stables KCK, Address: 1303 Central Ave, Kansas City, KS 66102. tel. (913) 386-5020). The Toolbox is the go-to resource for everything small business in Wyandotte County, Kansas. All services are free to Wyandotte County residents. Their help includes planning, registering, funding, operating, and growing small businesses. Translation services are available by appointment.
KCSourceLink provides new business owners with information, resources, and services available in the 18-county Kansas City region.
If you need personalized help, reach out to Kansas City Score, which pairs business owners with mentors who can offer practical advice and answer your questions.
When it comes to funding your business, a couple of options available to business owners to obtain initial financing are AltCap and Justine Petersen.
Wyandotte County Economic Development Department’s Small Business Liaison connects business owners with external resource partners. Contact them at edevelopment@wycokck.org or (913) 573-5730. They award a one-time reimbursable grant to qualified applicants. For more information, read this document https://www.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/community-development/documents/ug-small-business-grant.pdf or go to their website.
Kansas City, Kansas Public Library offers a variety of free digital databases. All you need is a KCKPL library card or Kansas eCard to access these resources. Simply put your card number and your PIN to log in; go to kckpl.org to obtain a digital library card for databases only, or ask at the front desk about obtaining a Kansas eCard.
Search Businesses, People, Mailing Lists and Sales Leads, Jobs, and more.
Information and analysis from top management and marketing journals.
Provides comprehensive full-text coverage for regional business publications.
Small Business Reference Center
Offers a wide variety of information on small business and entrepreneurial subject areas, common business types, a help and advice section, and provides information on how to create business plans that lead to successful funding.
And last but not least, KCKPL offers Your Next Skill service. Tell us what skill you want to learn, and you will get a list of resources approved by librarians. Your personalized learning plan can be used for your business, school, work, or hobbies.
Available books from KCKPL:
Anatomy of a business plan a step-by-step guide to starting smart, building the business and securing your company’s future by Pinson, Linda, Jinnett, Jerry. Format: Continuing Resources Call Number: 658.4012 PINSON 7TH.ED 2008 Publication Date:2023
The legal guide for starting & running a small business by Randolph, Mary, Warner, Ralph (Ralph Jake), Nolo Press, Format: Continuing Resources Call Number: 346.7306 LEGAL 17TH.ED 2021 Publication Date: 2023
Legal forms for starting & running a small business by Steingold, Fred, Format: Continuing Resources Call Number: 346.7306 LEGAL 11TH.ED 2020 Publication Date: 2023
Starting & running a business all-in-one for dummies by Matthews, Dan. Format: Continuing Resources Call Number: 658.11 STARTING 3RD.ED 2017 Publication Date: 2023
Starting a business all-in-one for dummies by Allen, Kathleen R., John Wiley & Sons Format: Continuing Resources Call Number: 658.11 STARTING 3RD.ED 2022 Publication Date: 2023
The entrepreneur’s starter kit: 50 things to know before starting a business by Christopher, Paul J. Format: Book Call Number: 658.11 CHRISTOP
So you want to be an entrepreneur?: how to decide if starting a business is really for you by Gillespie-Brown, Jon. Format: Book Call Number: 338.04 GILLESPI
Start an online business: in easy steps by Smith, Jon, 1975- In Easy Steps (Firm), Format: Continuing Resources Call Number: 658.872 START 2ND.ED 2019 Publication Date: 2023