Prepare for Success

Ideas are everywhere. Successful entrepreneurs know that not every idea is a good business opportunity. Before you bet the ranch on your idea, take the time to research who will buy your product or service and what competition you will face.

Ten Tips For Starting a Business That Will Succeed (Entrepreneur Magazine)
Evaluate Your Idea checklist (Princeton Creative Research)
Guide to Buying a Franchise (Business News Daily)
FAQs About Franchising (International Franchise Association)
Buying an Existing Business (SBA)

Research

While preparing your startup endeavor, be sure to research and understand the market that you will be entering. Use the Resource Navigator to find a programs that provide market research assistance. Local libraries are a great place to start.

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Baltimore City Small Business Resource Center

Baltimore Small Business Resource Center is the City of Baltimore’s One-Stop-Shop for persons seeking to start and grow a business. We provide training, counseling and resources to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Lisa Edwards

Phone: (443) 451-7160
Website

3000 Druid Park Drive
Suite 3000B
Baltimore, MD 21215

Baltimore County Small Business Resource Center

The SBRC is a free service to help you establish, grow and improve your business through one-on-one sessions.

Kimberly Taylor

Phone:
Website

102 W. Pennsylvania Ave. #101
Towson, MD 21204

Baltimore Metropolitan Council

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) is a nonprofit organization that works with the region’s elected executives to identify mutual interests and develop collaborative strategies, plans and programs that will help improve the quality of life and economic vitality. BMC is a resource for the region.

Todd Lang

Phone: (410) 732-0500
Website

1500 Whetstone Way
Suite 300
Baltimore, MD 21230

Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance, Jacob France Institute

The Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance-Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore (known as BNIA-JFI) is a nonprofit organization whose core mission is to provide open access to meaningful, reliable, and actionable data about, and for, the City of Baltimore and its communities.

Cheryl Knott

Phone: (410) 837-4377
Website

1420 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore is a community development organization focused on making Downtown a more vibrant place to work, live, and play.

Shelonda Stokes

Phone: (410) 605-0461
Website

20 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Enoch Pratt Free Library

The Enoch Pratt Free Library is the free public library system of the City of Baltimore, Maryland. Our mission is "to provide equal access to information and services that empower, enrich, and enhance the quality of life for all."

Katy Troeschel

Phone: (410) 396-5317
Website

400 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

Mayor's Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development

MWBD serves as the City of Baltimore’s advocate for small, local, minority and women-owned companies including prime contractors, subcontractors, and joint venture partners.

Lisa Edwards

Phone: (410) 396-3818
Website

3000 Druid Park Drive
Suite 3000B
Baltimore, MD 21215

Pigtown Main Street

We provide assistance to business owners and commercial property owners along the 700-1300 blocks of Washington Blvd in Historic Pigtown.

Kim Lane

Phone: (443) 908-7038
Website

763 Washington Blvd
Baltimore, MD 21230

University of Baltimore Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The center directs assistance and support to students interested in building or growing an enterprise.

Henry Mortimer

Phone: (410) 837-5975
Website

11 W. Mt. Royal Ave
Baltimore, MD 21201

US Commercial Service

The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service is dedicated to helping U.S. companies; especially small and medium-sized enterprises compete and win in the global marketplace.

Aisha Jones

Phone: (410) 962-3097
Website

300 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21239

Will Holmes Consulting WHC

Will Holmes Consulting is an award-winning, MBE DBE SBE certified, business management and technology consulting firm serving government agencies, financial institutions, universities and thousands of growing companies across the globe.

Will Holmes

Phone: (410) 914-7730
Website

555 President St
Baltimore, MD 21202

Classes

Many support organizations have classes and workshops for all types of entrepreneurs. Be sure to explore the Calendar of Events to find an event near you.

Counseling

The Small Business Development Centers and Small Business Technology Development Centers offer no charge one on one business appointments to the public. To find your nearest office, use the Resource Navigator.