Research & Resources

Starting a Business

Find valuable information from the City of Tucson, U.S. Small Business Administration, business research checklist, and more!

Getting Started

Startup Basics
Provides practical, authoritative guidance for the new entrepreneur. Take the SBA Entrepreneurship Online Course which focuses on the most important areas of business for start-up and already operating businesses to achieve success, including deciding on a business, financing and accounting, buying a business or franchise, and more.
Arizona Commerce Authority Small Business Services
Help for starting or expanding a business with a website where you can find information on business licensing, statewide resources, certification, procurement opportunities, and much more. See business assistance for information on other business development programs from the Arizona Commerce Authority.
Small Business and Self Employed One-Stop Resource
Provides information and a checklist for starting a new business. Learn about operating a business with employees, deductions and credits, recordkeeping and accounting methods.
Business Research Checklist
Offers a list of Main Library resources and Internet sites you can use to identify industry associations, trade shows, consumer trends and industry analysis.

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Business Plans

Reference Books

More books on how to write a business plan can be located in the library's catalog by doing a subject search for "business planning".

RMA Annual Statement Studies
Provides a point of comparison to businesses in the same industry based on income statements and selected financial ratios.

Web Sites

Business Plan Basics
This site offers an excellent outline of a business plan. A Spanish version is also available.
Business Plan Links
From the Small Business Development Center's National Information Clearinghouse. Includes a variety of links providing sample business plans and templates.
Business Plans Handbook
An 11-volume ebook collection of actual business plans for the manufacturing, service, and retail industries.
Business Plan Templates
From SCORE (Counselors to America's Small Business).

Business to Business Supply Chain

AZBusinessLINC
Southern Arizona's Supplier Network. Promotes business-to-business transactions by making it easy for buyers to locate local suppliers. For assistance in developing buyer-seller relationships with Tucson and Southern Arizona businesses contact AzBusinessLINC at 243-1900.

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Franchising

U.S. Small Business Administration Guide to Buying a Franchise
Step by step guide will help you determine the advantages and disadvantages of franchising. Also find links to directories with franchising opportunities.

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Law

BusinessLaw.gov
Federal, state, and local regulatory information for business.
Complying with Arizona and federal labor posting requirements
Federal and Arizona laws require specified notices be posted in a conspicuous places frequented by employees and/or applicants. Copies of the listed posting notices can be obtained for a fee from the Arizona Employers' Council, Inc., by calling (602) 955-7558 or (800) 437-9262.
United States Department of Labor
Helps workers and small business understand their rights and responsibilities.

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Naming Your Business

Arizona Corporation Commission: Corporation Name Search
Search existing corporate names, limited liability companies, trade name or marks, or other business entities on file.
Arizona Secretary of State
Includes trademark and tradename application information.

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