Text of Research Center Video Clip
Welcome to the Arkansas Small Business Development Center's Research Center. Hi! I'm Betsey Martin. You know, owning a small business is the American dream. It doesn't just happen though. It takes planning. Take the advice of this small business "expert."
"The benefits of planning really stem from the opportunity for an entrepreneur to look at the situation before they jump. Far too often entrepreneurs jump into a situation and don't realize what they are getting themselves into. When we create resources for entrepreneurs that are readily available, make it a convenient opportunity to go look at those things, I think it really helps the potential for that business venture to succeed." Joe Black, Professor
The library is located in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development on the UALR campus in Little Rock.
Free parking is available in front of the Reynolds Building. Be sure to ask our staff for a parking permit. Additional parking is available across 28th Street in Lot 13.
The library is located on the first floor of the Reynolds Building. Once
you arrive, we'll meet with you one-on-one to determine where you are in the
business planning process. After determing your needs, we'll recommend some
resources ...
from our periodicals room ...
to our book collection, which includes publications not normally available
through other libraries,...
to our public computers.
Someone, who's made the most of what the Research Center has to offer, is Judy.
"My first resource is the SBDC. I always go there first, because even if I can't get the answer to my question here, SBDC leads me to the right person to get my answer." Judy Marendt, Entrepreneur
Judy began the process by using our extensive collection of sample business plans. So did Jennifer.
"That was one of the best things I could have done. For the money I spent for a half day seminar and then coming to the Research Center and looking at all the resources that are available." Jennifer Fairchild, Small Business Owner
But, one of the biggest challenges is knowing who your customers are and how to reach them. Catrita has owned a massage therapy business for years.
"I just opened my business and didn't really do the planning I should have and, once I started working, I realized that I needed to do a bunch of marketing." Catrita Sparks, Small Business Owner
We can even help you with the purchase or sale of a business.
"Research, market research, counseling relative to the types of businesses I was looking at. We did some work on valuations and how small businesses are valued versus large corporations." Phillip Sawyer, Buying A Business
However, the information you need may only be available on-line. We can help you navigate our website and gather industry specific information.
"To have the resources available that are here and the databases and the knowledge of the people that are here, it is invaluable." Judy Marendt, Entrepreneur
The Research center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments aren't needed, but if you could let us know when you plan to visit and what your needs are, you'll get much more out of your visit.
We're a non-lending library and offer free photocopying.
You're likely to face many challenges as you develop your new venture or grow your own business, so plan to make the Research Center part of your path to business success.
