Celebrate Small Business Week with PPL!

April 28-May 4, 2024 is National Small Business Week, and the library is here to support you and your small business. Keep reading to learn more about the amazing webinars, programs and resources available to develop and grow your own business.

Business is a key component of our community, providing products, services, experiences and jobs. Opportunity takes different forms for entrepreneurs, small business owners, larger companies or individuals looking for meaningful work.

Upcoming Business Workshops

Platforms to Sell – April 28 at 2pm at Schimelpfenig Library
Join us for an overview of available eCommerce websites to determine which works best for various products

Reference Solutions: Market Research – April 30 at 6:30pm at Parr Library
Learn how to use Reference Solutions to gather information about consumer needs and perform a competitive analysis to support your business

Choose Your Own Business Venture (Grades 6-12) – May 4 at 3pm at Davis Library
You’re the CEO of this business. Choose from infinite possibilities. Apply your skills, invest your time, check your profits. Each decision has consequences, will your business succeed or fail? Choose wisely. This is a ticketed event – tickets available in-person beginning at 2:30pm

Design to Sell – May 9 at 3pm via Zoom
Have a product you want to sell? Apply trends and market research to product development and sales timing

Team Up for Entrepreneurial Success: Platforms to Sell – May 28 at 6:30pm at Haggard Library
Learn what to know about selling online at our monthly business networking meeting. Register

Youth Entrepreneurship Academy (Grades 9-12) – June 4-6 from 1-4pm at Haggard Library
Learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur and sell your idea in a pitch contest format. Attendees will be assigned to groups, create a business idea, write a business plan and pitch to a panel of business professionals. Prizes provided. Please only register if you can attend all three sessions. Space is limited – registration opens May 20 at all PPL locations

---

Business Center

All five Plano Public Library locations have a business center to help you print projects, submit applications and forms and apply for financing:

• Computers (with Internet Access)
• Wi-Fi (Requires a Plano Public Library Card)
• Copier and Printing Services (Cost) 
• Scanners
• Fax – Outgoing (Cost)

---

Business Mentoring

Connect with a Dallas SCORE Mentor to receive free small business advice. Highly successful and experienced business professionals and entrepreneurs serve as SCORE mentors, delivering valuable, timely and practical advice on every aspect of business. This is a free service for start-ups or existing businesses.

Mentoring appointments meet at Schimelpfenig Library, by appointment only. Make an appointment by calling SCORE at 214-987-9491 or email Don Walter.

---

Networking

Team up with like-minded business people, start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs at our monthly TUES Community – Team Up for Entrepreneurial Success. Meetings offer opportunities for networking, problem-solving, access to resources and coaching with SCORE Mentors, subject matter experts and Plano Library staff. Group discussion follows a brief business-focused presentation. Bring your challenges to the group for input, resources and solutions.

TUES meets on the fourth Tuesday at Haggard Library from 6:30-8pm. See the schedule.

---

Business Classes

PPL offers monthly classes on a variety of business topics, including workshops for teens. See the schedule.

You can watch previously recorded virtual workshops for business on the library’s YouTube channel. Check out the Business & Career playlist.

---

Business Databases and eLibrary

Access the latest information about entrepreneurship, economics, business, industries, tourism, leadership, legal, investments and so much more – all with your library card. The Research & Learn page of the library website has all available databases listed, so click on the Business tab to find ones specific to business.

LinkedIn Learning and Udemy are personal and professional skill-building libraries. You can take virtual classes from experts, all from the comfort of your home, at the library – wherever you are!

Stay on top of business news and technology development with newspapers, magazines and the latest business books. Our eLibrary, available with your PPL card, is invaluable. Learn more on our eBooks & More page.