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Government departments, particularly those devoted to small-business development, can be another helpful source of information. In the United States, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers publications covering topics such as budgeting, market research, legal structures, marketing, and financing. Call your local office and ask a counselor what is available. In Canada, these departments are the responsibility of each province. The department that handles small-business development can provide information on start-up assistance and point you to federal programs that may be helpful.

Both federal and provincial or state governments are increasingly using “portal” technology to better guide their online users. Through these portal websites, governments direct you by your area of interest to the relevant resources and portfolios available, both online and in print. These sites offer reliable links to business sites within government. Go to <www.state.gov> or <www.whitehouse.gov> for the us government portals. The Government of Canada’s portal is at <www.gc.ca>.

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) <www.bdc.ca> conducts seminars on business topics, which are very informative to anyone new to business. It also offers books and pamphlets. (Go to <http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms.html> on the internet for a complete listing of the topics covered.) There is a charge for most of these publications. If you do not have a bdc office near you, write to the nearest regional office.

If you need demographics, the bdc’s online computer service has it all. Again, if you do not use a computer with an internet connection, you should get set up now. Otherwise, you can engage the services of a research firm to help you with your search, but keep in mind that these services can be expensive.