If you are planning to start your own business or non-profit organization, you will want to check out the Digital Library’s newest database.

Gale Small Business Builder is a step-by-step online planning tool for starting, managing and optimizing a business or nonprofit. The program’s intuitive dashboard walks users through five areas of exploration in order to develop a business plan focused on long-term success.

Areas include:

Entrepreneur Profile This tool helps users explore what they can bring to the table as an entrepreneur and assess where they stand in preparing to start a business. A one-page summary of them as an entrepreneur is generated.

Business Ideation Users can employ tools such as Lean Canvas, SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, and more to plan the high-level framework in which their business will operate.

Break-Even Analysis Delivers insight to determine when a user’s business will be able to cover expenses and begin to realize a profit.

Business Plans Creates a plan that can be presented to potential investors and lenders, including Executive Summary, Lean Business Plan, Full Business Plan, and Strategic Marketing Plan.

Financial Projections A robust analysis of a company’s financial future encompassing capital expenditures, sales, equity, and inventory.

For patrons exploring the idea of small business ownership, this resource provides a gradual introduction to entrepreneurial concepts and elements. For seasoned business persons or those progressing through the recommended workflow, the focus shifts toward outcome-based activities to support the management and growth of an operation, such as getting a loan, seeking investors, buying new equipment, and opening new facilities.

Additionally, check out our Start Your Own Business page for more entrepreneurial resources.

Written by Anne Nowak