Starting a Small Business: About - NYPL's Resources

Are you thinking of starting a small business? It may seem like a great idea. However, it may also be an overwhelming process. This research guide includes library resources to help you start, run, and grow a successful business. Thomas Yoseloff Business Center staff are here to assist you. Book a virtual consultation with our Business Librarians. 

Use the NYC Business Wizard or the New York State Business Wizard for a customized list of requirements for opening and running your business.

If you are searching for the City, State, and Federal regulations (such as licenses and permits) needed to start a business in New York City, visit the following sites:

• NYC Business License and Permit Index                                                        
• NYC Business Lookup Your License and Permit                                    
• NYC Small Business Services - Certify with the City                                   
• How to Get a Small Business License in New York - NOLO   

If you are searching for specific business forms, visit the following sites:

• Businesses - Resources - Forms - DCWP - NYC                                              
• Business & Excise Tax Form - NYC Department of Finance                    
• Current Business Corporation Tax Forms
• Form a Corporation or Business | Department of State - New York State
• Blumberg Forms (Fee-Based)
• Findlaw's Legal Forms for Professionals (Fee-Based)

NYPL Resources for Legal Forms

• Borrow the book Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business (2023) from the library.
• Access the Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business (2023) and The Small Business Start-Up Kit (2024) ebooks using the Small Business Source (formerly the Small Business Reference Center) database. This database is accessible outside the library using your NYPL card number and PIN. You may download one chapter a day from the ebook.
• Use the Westlaw NextPatron Access - New York Form Finder -  New York Forms Legal & Business database in the Business Center or book a virtual consultation with our librarians. You must know which business forms you need before using Westlaw. Our librarians will help you navigate the database but cannot tell you which forms you need.

For business plan templates for your type of business, use the Gale E-Books (Formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library) database to access the Business Plans Handbook and view samples of business plans. This database is accessible outside the library using your NYPL card number and PIN. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) site has information on how to write your business plan, and SCORE has a downloadable business plan template. Our Business Plan Sources research guide has additional suggestions. 

For tips on developing marketing strategies for your business, check our Marketing Research and Planning for Your Business research guide.

For information on grants and funding resources, check our Financing Your Business research guide.

Lastly, to become a prosperous entrepreneur, take advantage of the free entrepreneurship video courses offered by the LinkedIn Learning Lynda database, accessible outside the library using your NYPL card and PIN.

Do You Have a Research Question?

*** Book Your Video Consultation Today with Our Business Librarians! ***

*** Email us at bizcenter@nypl.org ***

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