Business Center

Woman at laptop working through business documents

Opening and maintaining your own business can be easy or difficult, depending on how much research you do.

For instance:

  • Do you know your competition?
  • What kind of forms do you need to file?
  • How can you effectively market your product?
  • What role does the IRS play?

Research it @ Winter Park Library.

Recommended Reads

Business Start-Up

Books
Dewey Decimal browsing numbers: 346.065, 650.03, 658.022

You can search for other books and materials on your topic by visiting the Library catalog at www.winterparklibrary.org. Recommended subject searches are small business and entrepreneurship.

Magazines
Economist    -    Forbes

BPlans Business plans and advice for all steps of a new business.

Florida Deptartment of State - Division of Corporations File business entities, trade and service marks, judgment liens, and fictitious name registrations.  This is a registry and information resource for almost all business activity in Florida.

Small Business Administration The government's detailed guide to starting, financing, & managing a business and much more.

Start-Up Basics All the basics neatly organized from the US government’s Small Business Administration.

UCF’s Small Business Development Center Fee-based seminars, and free one-on-one counseling for Central Florida small business owners.

Company Information

Better Business Bureau: Includes a searchable index to all BBBs in the U.S. and Canada. 

Big Charts: Includes quotes, news, industries, markets, historical quotes, big reports and more.

(Edgar) United States Securities and Exchange Commisions: Registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms of all foreign and domestic companies.

Florida Trend Top Lists: The magazine's TopRank Florida lists tells you which companies lead in their respective industries.

PR Newswire: Full-text news on companies with a one-year archive.

Forms & Trademark

Dewey Decimal browsing numbers: 346.7304, 346.7306

You can search for other books and materials on your topic by visiting the Library catalog at www.winterparklibrary.org. Recommended subject searches are small business, trademarks, intellectual property.

Copyright Crash Course This U of Texas site offers info on copyright, fair use, intellectual property, digital content, and more. Includes a copyright tutorial.

Find Law: Forms & Contracts An A to Z list of 100+ business-related forms.

Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz.org) All Division of Corporations' forms are available for download in PDF format.

Microsoft Office Template Gallery Download free business templates from Microsoft

U.S. Copyright Office  The U.S. Copyright Office provides registration forms, key publications, etc.

Marketing

Dewey Decimal browsing numbers: 658.8, 658.022

You can search for other books and materials on your topic by visiting the Library catalog at www.winterparklibrary.org. Recommended subject searches are marketing, small business management.

Ad*Access 7,000+ advertisements from 1911-1955, ranging from beauty and hygiene, radio, television, transportation, & WW II.

The Advertising Age Free articles and info on demographics, Hispanic marketing, news, blogs, etc.

Behance: See branding from all over the world on this website to gain inspiration.

Coppyblogger Articles with helpful tips and hints for copywriting. Tons of articles to help enhance copywriting skills. 

Entrepreneur.com Offers free how-to guides and articles on the most popular marketing topics.

Florida Trend Top Lists The magazine's TopRank Florida lists tells you which companies lead in their respective industries.

The Inspiration Blog Great articles for anyone interested in marketing. They cover things like design, Power Point, logos, and so much more.

Marketing Eye  A blog that features so many helpful articles for different marketing ideas, situations, pricing, budgets, and much more.

Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission The latest info about relocating or building a business in the metro area. Explore industry sectors, regional data on topics from education to transportation and much more.

Tax Issues

Dewey Decimal browsing numbers: 343.7305

You can search for other books and materials on your topic by visiting the Library catalog at www.winterparklibrary.org. Recommended subject searches are small business taxation, tax planning, home-based businesses taxation, tax deductions.

1040.com Find news and general tax informaiton. Also includes forms.

Best Tax Software of 2021 NerdWallet gives a list and information on different tax software, which includes ratings, prices, review, and links. They even include a side-by-side comparison.

Internal Revenue Service Forms and information for filing tax returns.

Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center This IRS site tells you what you need to know about IRS reporting standards. Includes tax forms and links to other related sites.

State of Florida Department of Revenue Download the most commonly requested forms from the Florida Department of Revenue. 

Digital Resources

Business Plans Handbooks

Gale Business Plans Handbooks

Search hundreds of business plans compiled by entrepreneurs North America. Includes templates, fictional business plans, and a listing of organizations, agencies, and consultants.

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DemographicsNow Library Edition

Demographics Now Library Edition Logo

A comprehensive web-based solution offering up-to-date resources on demographics and extensive market level information. Online tutorial available.

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Gale Legal Forms

Gale Legal Forms Logo

Thousands of legal forms available. Official, State Specific, Federal, Business, Personal, Real Estate and General forms covering hundreds of legal subjects and issues. Online tutorial available.

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Reference Solutions

Reference Solutions

Offers verified details on 20 million U.S. businesses and 222 million U.S. residents. Research executives and companies, news articles, conduct market research and much more. Online tutorial available.

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