Entrepreneurship & Small Business

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Getting Started

Thinking about starting a business? The Wall Street Journal spoke with entrepreneurship researchers, academics and psychologists and came up with a list of questions you should ask yourself before taking the plunge.

If becoming an entrepreneur is still your goal after reading and answering the questions,take a look at the resources available through the tabs above to help you investigate your options and get your business started.

Industry Analysis

For a quick overview of an industry, try one of these library databases.
IBISWorld Industry Research Reports
More than 700 industry categories covered here--select by keyword or industry code.

NetAdvantage

Select Industries from the blue menu bar across the top and choose one of about 60 Industry Surveys from the drop-down box.
more...
MarketResearch.com Academic
A collection of full-text market research reports that may include extended profiles and data about narrow and highly specific industry segments.
Business Source Complete
Search an industry name or the name of a company within the industry; then from the results, click Industry Profiles on the left menu bar.

Know Your Industry Codes

Do you know the NAICS or SIC codes for the industry you are researching? These numeric codes were initially assigned to business segments of the U.S. Government when collecting statistical data about industries. The NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes were adopted in 1997 to replace the older Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system that is still used by some publishers.

Many business databases allow searching by these industry codes--a quick way to get industry related information.

Find NAICS and SIC codes for a specific industry by using one of these resources:

Competitors: Business Directories

Start by determining the major players in the industry; then identify and research smaller competitors. Locating and researching the smaller companies is likely to be more time-consuming. It may also involve talking directly to people within the local community who are familiar with the industry. The sources listed here will provide starting places for your research. For additional information sources of competitor information, see the Company Research guide.
Mergent First Research
First Research provides industry profiles covering over 900 industry segments. Updating on a quarterly basis, the industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts.
IBISWorld Industry Research Reports
IBISWorld contains reports on 723 industries by North America Industry Classification System. These reports contain trends, statistics and analysis on industry growth. Each study examines details such as entry barriers, operating cost structure, technology and systems. (UT Libraries only have access to US Industry Reports module).
Plunkett Research Online
Plunkett Research Online provides industry analysis and market research for vital industry sectors. For each sector, the database gives market research and trend analysis,
statistic information, profiles of leading companies, association and organizations lists. Remember to click Logout when finished.
Million Dollar Directory (MMDI) now is Mergent Intellect
Directory of U.S. companies with 20+ employees or at least $1 million in sales. Listings include public, private, subsidiaries, headquarters, and branch companies. This directory is now within Mergent Intellect. Data before 2012 can be found in Mergent Archive.
ThomasNet
A directory of U.S. manufacturers searchable by company name, product, or brand. Includes brief company information and product catalogs.