Researching Your Industry
Where can you go to find out more information about the costs of starting a
particular type business? The following is a list of our favorite sources:
- Federal information resources—
governments, both federal and state, spend billions of dollars on research.
Here's where to look for it and hopefully keep from getting lost in the maze
of government publications.
- SCORE,
Service Corps of Retired Executives— SCORE is a national organization
sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) of over 13,000
volunteer business executives who provide free counseling, workshops, and
seminars to prospective and existing small business people.
- Customized
economic research— there are countless methods of research and
resources available. Research may be as simple as sitting in your car and
watching people walk by a specific location or it may go all the way to
hiring a professional research firm to do your market research and analysis.
- State
and local agencies— state agencies and nonprofit organizations also
help small business people. These agencies and organizations provide
valuable information on the local area that they serve.
- Information
on exporting— if you're interested in selling overseas, these
government agencies are eager to help.