Researching Your Industry

Where can you go to find out more information about the costs of starting a particular type business? The following is a list of our favorite sources:

• Federal information resources— Governments, both federal and state, spend billions of dollars on research. Here's where to look for it and hopefully keep from getting lost in the maze of government publications.
• SCORE, Service Corps of Retired Executives— SCORE is a national organization sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) of over 13,000 volunteer business executives who provide free counseling, workshops, and seminars to prospective and existing small business people.
• Customized economic research— There are countless methods of research and resources available. Research may be as simple as sitting in your car and watching people walk by a specific location or it may go all the way to hiring a professional research firm to do your market research and analysis.
• State and local agencies— State agencies and nonprofit organizations also help small business people. These agencies and organizations provide valuable information on the local area that they serve.
• Information on exporting— If you're interested in selling overseas, the government is eager to help.