Exciting Events for Fall 2016!

Source:USDA

After a fantastic Summer of reading that saw more people than ever participate in GDL's Summer Reading Challenge, it's now time to look to Fall and the fantastic programs planned for our community. As always, the Grand Blanc-McFarlen branch and the GDL Business Center will be bustling with activity and I want to highlight some of the upcoming FREE opportunities.

Genesee/ Shiawassee/Thumb MichiganWorks! Career Counseling

Join us for another counseling / career services workshop with our local Michigan Works office right here in the Grand Blanc library.  Be sure to bring your resume and look your best as Michigan Works is actively seeking to fill open positions in our area. Also bring your resume and interviewing questions, as staff will be on hand to help you through the application and interview process and explain what is most important to potential employers. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Date: Thursday, September 29, 2016

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Arrive at 2 PM)

Registration available here via Genesee District Library calendar.

 

Fall Legal Series

 The Genesee County Bar Association's Speaker's Bureau has made available three practicing attorneys for our series coming in October and November. Focusing on Estate Planning & Trusts, Starting a Small Business, and Social Security, each session will include plentiful time for Q&A with the attorney after and during the presentation. These lawyers are here to help you navigate these complex issues, so please take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights from legal experts. each session will last approximately 1 hour. Register for each session by clicking on the topic(s) of your choice below.

Topic: Estate Planning & Trusts

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attorney: Sherri Frame, JD, LLM
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch (515 Perry Rd.)

Topic: Starting a Small Business
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Attorney: James Trembley, JD
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch

Topic: Social Security
Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attorney: Brian Barkey, JD
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch

Genealogy 101 Classes

I will again be offering Genealogy 101 this Fall here at the Grand Blanc branch, once each in October and November. This is an introductory class and every resource discussed is freely available. This class is a lot of fun and whether you're new to genealogy or been working your lineage for years, you'll enjoy this discussion-based workshop exploring genealogical resources. To register for either class (they are the same) click on the desired date below. Wifi will be available should you wish to explore the resources during the session, but bringing a PC or tablet is not required.

Genealogy 101:

Session A: Thursday, October 6, 2016: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Session B: Saturday, November 5, 2016: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

We hope to see you this Fall and, as always, please call us with questions about these or any other programs at Genesee District Library branches!

June Events @ GDL Grand Blanc!

 SCORE, SBDC, Morningstar, 

and Franchise Network

Summer is finally here and GDL has several programs scheduled for June you won't want to miss. All programs are taking place at the Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch, 515 Perry Road, unless otherwise noted.

SCORE Business Counseling

Tuesday, June 10

1-on-1 meeting  available at 6:00 PM

FREE

GDL offers SCORE business counseling on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4PM to 7PM. Three 1-on-1 sessions are available, and as of the May 30th, only the 6 PM time is available. Please call 810-694-5190 or email the business librarian at twinn@thegdl.org to make an appointment.

Morningstar Investment Research Center Seminar:

Dividend Investing

Thursday, June 19, 6:00 PM

FREE

Learn from the experts! Morningstar has long been a trusted source of unbiased investment information this free seminar will focus on dividend investing and is hosted by Josh Peters, editor of DividendInvestor, one of four newsletters included in the library's Morningstar subscription. Click HERE to make a reservation.  

Small Business Development Center Seminar:

How To Write A Business Plan

Wednesday, June 11, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Location: Kettering University

FREE

Join the I-69 Corridor Region for this free seminar to kick-start your business plan. Attendees should have previously taken SBDC's "How to Start a Business" class. Registration is required, click HERE for more information or make a reservation. NOTE: This event is held at Kettering University. 

FRANNET Franchising Seminar

Thursday, June 26, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

FREE

Join Franchise Placement Specialist Linda Belford as she explains the processing of franchising and the options available to the prospective owner. No specific franchise will be promoted, and there is no obligation in attending the meeting. Linda does not work for any specific franchise so her goal is to find the best possible fit for you. 

For more information on any of these events please contact the business librarian at 810-694-5190.

What's a Business Center, anyway?

Robert T. Bolo, Jr. Business Center

When you hear "business center" what comes to mind? My mind immediately goes to the business centers you see in airport terminals or hotels. These places are used by "business people" to print, fax, scan, make use the wireless internet, or simply use an electrical outlet to charge their phone while they are traveling. Generally self-serve and unstaffed, these locations bear little resemblance to the GDL Business Center in Grand Blanc.

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. 

New Resource!

New Database Helps Local Entrepreneurs

Genesee District Library patrons now have access to DemographicsNOW, a powerful database that includes a business directory, plus national and state demographic information. See full post for complete list of capabilities and videos.

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. 

Partnership with SBTDC!

Genesee District Library's Business Center has partnered with the Michigan SBTDC!

On Wednesday, January 30th at 2:30 PM, the Robert T. Bolo, Jr. Business Center will officially become a certified "Business Resource Center" for the Michigan chapter of the Small Business and Technology Development Center. Housed locally at Kettering University, and directed by Marsha Lyttle, MI-SBTDC has an excellent reputation of educating small businesses and investing in our community. 

All are welcome to the Business Center on Wednesday, January 30th for the short ceremony, and click over to MLive for an article posted today about the collaboration!

As always, the Business Center is here to serve your information needs so do not hesitate to contact us with questions. 

Write Your Business Plan with SBA's Help

Build Your Business Plan with the SBA

If you or someone you know is looking to start a business, chances are you will need a business plan. While the business center has many resources for the start-up business, the Small Business Administration also has an online tool to aid those writing a business plan. 

The 7 parts of the business plan you can choose to write are:

1. Cover Page

2. Executive Summary

3. Company Description

4. Market Research

5. Product/Service Line

6. Marketing & Sales

7. Financial Projections

Please click HERE for this free online resource. Your newly minted plan can be saved and exported once it is completed. And be sure to explore other aspects of the SBA's site.

Market Your Business with Our Help!

A Targeted Marketing Approach is Critical...We Can Help!

The Genesee District Library Business Center wants your business to thrive. Engaging the community can be daunting, and professional marketing can be expensive! Over the past few weeks I have demonstrated one of our online resources, ReferenceUSA, to business owners interested in attracting professional clientele. 

How can ReferenceUSA help your business grow?

1. Locate local, regional, and national competition, and see how they're doing

2. Locate companies with which you'd like to partner

3. Use the mapping function to target areas in which your services might be needed

So I know an area in which I'd like to market my services, now what?

This is where Bresser's, a print reference guide becomes invaluable. It is similar to a phone book, but instead of listing individuals by Last Name, First Name by city, it is organized by street name. This will allow you to collect the mailing addresses for a given area should you wish to contact individuals or businesses. This publication is library-use only, but well worth your time if direct-mail marketing is your goal.  

If you'd like more information about our online resources, please click on "contact us" at the top of this page to call the Business Center or email a librarian. Feel free to drop by and we will be happy to show you how to best search the database.

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.