Research and Course Guides: Small Business: Getting Started

Welcome

In this guide, you'll find resources on entrepreneurship and starting a business.

About OSF & Keffer Libraries

O'Shaughnessy-Frey Library
651-962-5494 (Circulation)
651-962-5001 (Reference)
651-962-5400 (Hours)
2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Directions & Parking
Library Hours

Charles J. Keffer Library
651-962-4642 (Circulation)
651-962-4664 (Reference)
651-962-4640 (Hours)
MOH 206, 1000 LaSalle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Directions & Parking
Library Hours

Essential Resources

NAICS: North American Industry Classification System
Replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system in 1997; it's a 5- or 6-digit number. You can search by keyword, and there are tables to convert from NAICS to SIC, and SIC to NAICS. The NAICS was developed jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to compare statistics about business activity across North America.

Reference Solutions from Data Axle (Formerly ReferenceUSA) This link opens in a new window
- This link opens in a new window
Contains information on over 14 million U.S. public and private companies, including contact information, estimated financials for private companies, industry codes, and more. Exporting of data is limited to 100 items on-campus or 50 off-campus.
Mergent Intellect This link opens in a new window
Information on millions of public and private companies from around the world.
Use of the Mergent data and service are intended for non-commercial academic purposes only.

Business Plans Handbook (Gale Virtual Reference Library)
A collection of real business plans compiled by entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses throughout North America.

Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota

The Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota covers the major issues faced by those starting a business in the state, published by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Business Librarians

Marianne Hageman (St. Paul)
mdhageman@stthomas.edu
651-962-5404

Andrea Koeppe (Mpls.)
andrea.koeppe@stthomas.edu
651-962-4647

Research consultations

Professional reference service is available via phone, e-mail, and in-person at both the St. Paul and Minnepolis campus libraries. While walk-in service is often available, we recommend that you make an appointment for lengthy consultations or tutorials. Contact one of the business librarians for an appointment.