If you’re an entrepreneur with a big idea for a small business, the Indianapolis Public Library offers a series of free workshops, starting Sept. 9.
The series includes 10 sessions from Sept. 9 to Oct. 1 at the Central Library, on topics like reaching your target customers, dealing with the legal parts of starting a business and how to understand financial statements. Each session is open to the public.
You don’t have to attend all the sessions to participate, you can pick what you want to learn about most. Walk-ins are welcome, but you’re encouraged to register. You can also sign up for one-on-one sessions with librarians who have business expertise.
Small business workshop series:
Data Axle Training
3-4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9
Data Axle Reference Solutions is a research tool available for free through the library, which lists businesses and information about them.
The Legal Aspects of Starting a Small Business
6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9
Topics include how to choose the legal structure of your business.
Reach Your Target Customer: Creating a Marketing Plan for Your Business
6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9
Learn practical strategies to connect with your audience.
Start Strong
6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16
Learn basic information about Indiana business taxes.
Stay Strong
6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17
This presentation is for small business owners who are just starting out or growing their business and have questions about state tax requirements.
Small Business & Intellectual Property Legal Clinic
4-6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23
Do you have questions about the legal aspects of starting a business or trademarks and patents? Drop by for a 15-minute appointment with an attorney. Appointments will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up outside the Riley Room at Central Library.
Protecting Your Business: An Intellectual Property Masterclass for Entrepreneurs
6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23
Learn how to protect your ideas with patents, trade secrets, trademarks and copyrights.
Don’t Fear the Spreadsheet: Small Biz Setup, Financial Statements, & Reporting Requirements
6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24
Learn about different types of financial statements – including how to use them to manage your business and make smart business decisions.
Certification of MBE/WBE/DOBEs in the City of Indianapolis
6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30
Get an overview of how Indianapolis’ Minority, Women, Veteran, and/or Disabled-Owned Business Enterprise program works. Learn about the benefits and requirements of certification, the application process and recertification.
AI and the Entrepreneur: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Your Business
6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1
Learn about the power and possibilities of integrating AI tools into your business. Learn how AI works and see demonstrations of AI tools.
Free help from librarians with business expertise
Jim Mladenovic, a librarian at Central Library, is teaching the last workshop of the series, “AI and the Entrepreneur,” on Oct. 1. He’s also one of the three librarians who offer free one-on-one consultations to aspiring entrepreneurs or small business owners.
Each librarian who offers consultations has a specialty: Mladenovic’s is small businesses; Ryan Donnelly’s is patents and trademarks; and Leah Kim’s specialty is nonprofits.
What to expect when you meet with a business librarian:
Mladenovic typically spends 50 minutes with entrepreneurs and shares knowledge on 12 to 15 topics. He takes notes and will compile a list of resources for you.
How to set up a one-on-one session:
- You can walk into the library and request information about starting a business, or reach out to Mladenovic, Donnelly or Kim directly. Their email addresses are:
- Jim Mladenovic, small business expert: jmladenovic@indypl.org
- Ryan Donnelly, patent and trademarks expert: rdonnelly@indypl.org
- Leah Kim, non-profit expert: lkim@indypl.org
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