Prior to starting a business, entrepreneurs can diminish risks, and thereby increase the chance of success, with planning and preparation. A host of resources are available for entrepreneurs seeking general information.

The City of Seattle’s Public Library system provides considerable resource materials for entrepreneurs, such as information on market research and how-to books on a variety of businesses and industries. The Library system also maintains a Business Information Service which provides library cardholders information related to demographics, market research and financial information as well as access to online business and financial databases.

Seattle Public Libraries

www.spl.org

(206) 386-4636

Business Information Service

(206) 386-4645

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a series of online resources available for entrepreneurs. The Small Business Resource Guide includes pages of ideas, references, and suggestions covering issues related to starting a business and provides a listing of financing options available through SBA. A PDF version of the resource guide is available at: http://www.sba.gov/wa/seattle/

RG2006webSDO.pdf.

SBA Seattle District Office

www.sba.gov/wa/seattle

(206) 553-7310