SBDC Expands at Kettering!

Library Partner Expands @ Kettering University

 

GDL's Business Librarian and Head of Marketing were both in attendance yesterday as the I-69 Corridor Region of the Michigan Small Business Development Center celebrated their expansion. Having previously shared office space with 2 other organizations, this grand opening marked their first purpose-built space at Kettering University. Pictured below: Flint Mayor Walling, SBDC Regional Director Marsha Lyttle, Kettering University President McMahan (rear) , and University Provost Dr. James Zhang.  

 

President McMahan & Director Marsha Lyttle



The SBDC office has been an essential partner for Genesee District Library as we continue to connect our community to available business resources. Check out the TV coverage on  ABC12 and WNEM 5 that appeared yesterday night!

 



Fall Event Schedule Announced

Show Your Library Card and Save!

Our September promotion and other Fall events

September is National Library Sign-Up month and this year we have partnered with local businesses to offer our card holders a chance to save money by simply showing your GDL library card. That's right, show you card and save money at local businesses such as Great Harvest Bread Company, The Laundry in Fenton, plus the Flint Institute of Arts and many more!  

You can't beat saving 10% when dining out!  

Look for information at GDL branches and our homepage coming soon!

In addition to this exciting promotion, we have been working on our Fall program schedule and below are is list of programs at the Grand Blanc branch scheduled through the Business Center. As always, check our event calendar for the complete list. 

All events below are held in the McFarlen Library Community Room

515 Perry Road, Grand Blanc 

Genesee County Bar Association, Attorney Alex Nasser

Wills / Trusts / Estate Planning Seminar, Wednesday, September 10
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Morningstar Investment Research Center (both events at 6:00 PM)

Financing a College Education Seminar, Thursday, September 25

End-of-Year Portfolio Check-Up, Thursday, December 11

FranNet, Franchise Information, co-sponsored with Vet Biz Central

Franchise Informational Seminar, no obligation

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, hosted by Linda Belford

Greenpath Debt Solutions 

 (all events at 6:00 PM)

Be Credit Wise, Wednesday September 24

What is credit, how does it work? Plus establishing and re-establishing good credit. 

Understanding Your Credit Report, Wednesday, October 1 

What does my credit report mean, how do I access it for free? Plus, how to understand your credit score and its impact on your financial health. 

Money Management Through a Job Transition, Wednesday, October 8

Take control of your finances during a career change, layoff, or period of reduced income. 

SCORE Business Counseling returns to the Business Center this fall starting on Tuesday, September 9th, and the second tuesday of each month following. To secure an appointment with our business mentor, please contact the business librarian directly at 810-694-5310. You must have an appointment at least 24 hours in advance.

New Year, New Business Resources!

2014 Brings Additional Resources for Our Patrons

Last year was a great year for Genesee District Library and the Business Center. Our electronic books and music service through Overdrive continues to grow in popularity and many more are discovering this new service each month. If you received a tablet or e-reader over the holidays, check out GDL's Digital Branch to search our e-book collection and download your next great read. It's available 24/7 using your library bar code and PIN. The Business Center became a certified Business Resource Center through the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) through Kettering University, and we have continued to partner with local organizations to provide free business counseling to local entrepreneurs.

This year looks to be even better, as GDL has several exciting new resources coming available for the business owner / entrepreneur and investor, in addition to free online access to your favorite magazine. 

First, for business owners and entrepreneurs completing their business plan, we will being offering access to two Mergent resources: Key Business Ratios and First Research. Key Business Ratios (KBR) was purchased to facilitate more accurate price and cost estimating and provide industry benchmarks. Estimating costs and determining a sensible pricing structure is essential to any well-written business plan and this database will aid in this process.  

First Research, also beneficial to the aspiring business owner, provides market-specific information for more than 900 industries. Currently having access to industry trends for large sectors through Mergent Archives, First Research will help business patrons hone their research by individual industry, in addition to Census information which is currently available.These Mergent products should be available starting mid-January; links to each will be available via the Business Center Resources page.

Second, and for the investor, GDL has added the Newsletter module to our Morningstar Investment Research Center database. The Business Center does stock several investment newsletters in print, but these newsletters from Morningstar are especially valuable for the investor, as they give access to analysis from one of the most trusted, unbiased sources, Morningstar, written by the experts in the field, CFPs and CFAs. 

Sample first page of DividendInvestor Newsletter

 There are 4 newsletters, one each for Funds, Stocks, Dividends, and ETFs. And we're not talking a couple pages, no, each newsletter published monthly is 15+ pages of analysis, and is yours to download and keep. In addition to ValueLine, and the information you're already using from Morningstar, you're in a terrific position to make wise financial decisions, or make time with your investment professional all the more efficient. Access to each newsletter, available via the Personal Finance Resources page, should begin February 1. 

Last, as mentioned at the start, GDL also now provides access to your favorite magazines electronically and at no cost to you. Beginning with the last couple of  issues, begin reading your favorite magazine through the Zinio link from our homepage. Login with your library bar code to gain free access, then create a Zinio account to begin. Download and read any of the 60+ magazines at your convenience and with no check out dates. You download and keep any magazine(s) you choose. No limit. This service is available now, so check it out.

For more information stop by the Business Center at the Grand Blanc branch and speak with Trevor, the Business Librarian, or for help with Zinio see any GDL staff member at your local branch.

Happy New Year!

So You Want to Start a Business...

 You Have an Idea - Now What? 

Starting a business is a challenge. 

Where do I start? 

Is my idea viable?

What's a business plan?

Luckily, there is a wealth of information available to Michigan entrepreneurs looking for advice and guidance. You don't have to do it alone! See full post for more information. 

SCORE counseling comes to GDL!

Business Center now hosting FREE monthly business counseling

SCORE (previously Service Corps of Retired Entrepreneurs) is a national organization that offers free business counseling to current and prospective business owners. Each mentor is a current or former business owner and is available for hour-long counseling sessions. 

FREE Business Counseling

There are numerous resources for the small business owner, whether prospective or established. One such resource is SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives. And just as it sounds, it is a group of retired executives spread across the Unites States who volunteer their time and expertise counseling small business owners free of charge. If you need some advice from experienced business professionals please contact me by phone (810-694-5190) or email (twinn@thegdl.org) and I can put you in contact with a member of the Ann Arbor Area Chapter. They also regularly host free seminars, so please take advantage of this great resource. 

The business world has long been referred to as a "boys club," but there are also resources specifically for female entrepreneurs. The Michigan Center for Empowerment and Economic Development, lead by award-winning Executive Director Michelle Richards, created Michigan Women's Marketplace, a site where women can network with one another; over 6,000 have joined so far. Ms. Richards is also the founder of the Women's Expo, which is taking place next weekend, October 5th and 6th. 

Financial Expert Liz Weston, who will join us here at the Grand Blanc branch on Friday, October 5th will also appear at the Expo on Saturday, October 6th. Check out the video below for details.