Starting Your Own Business

Starting a business is an exciting opportunity to share your passion and skills with the community. HCPL is here to connect you to resources as you research, plan, and set goals for your business. Read on to learn more about upcoming programs, library databases, and local organizations that can help support your entrepreneurial endeavors.

HCPL is excited to host Henrico EDA, which is offering its pop-up business mentoring program at the library. The award-winning PUMP series can connect you to a rotating list of SCORE Richmond mentors who offer in-person coaching, personalized insights, and advice catered to you unique needs. No registration is required. Just drop in!

• Fairfield Library
  • 9:30 – 11:30AM, second Wednesdays of the month

• Libbie Mill Library
  • 5 – 7PM, fourth Wednesdays of the month

HELPFUL DATABASES

Browse professional development videos; research different industries, businesses and consumers; find legal forms; learn how to create a marketing plan; and more with our Research and Learning Databases. Access is free with an HCPL library card!  

• Accel5 Business Library
• Business Insights Essentials
• Gale Legal Forms
• Reference Solutions

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

• Small Business Branding: Tips and Strategies
  • Tuesday, June 4, 6-7:30PM at Fairfield
  • Explore the fundamentals of building a strong brand identity, messaging, and understanding your audience. This class is great for those starting a new brand or those looking to enhance their understanding of branding principles. Presented by Carra Roots, a creative consultant who helps businesses and brands make their content connect.

• How to Start a Business
  • Thursday, June 20, 6-8PM at Libbie Mill
  • Turn your business idea into a reality. This workshop, presented by the Henrico Economic Development Authority, will provide the necessary tools to lay the foundation for business success. Guidance will be provided on the business licensing process, and foundational materials needed to start your business on the right track.

• Small Business Legal Workshop
  • Wednesday, July 10, 6:30-7:30PM at Tuckahoe
  • The Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will present a workshop focused on starting and running a small business. Learn the basics of how to set up a business, legal filings, and entity status, and get assistance identifying local legal resources.

BRANDING & MARKETING

• Product Photography
  • Wednesday, June 26, 6:30-8:30PM at Fairfield
  • Wednesday, August 14, 6:30-8:30PM at Libbie Mill
  • Learn how to take professional-looking photos of your products. We'll learn how to use light boxes, green screens, and more to enhance your photos. Please bring your personal camera device or phone to class, or use one of ours.

Learn about Canva, an online graphic design tool that can create an array of projects, including cards, stickers, flyers, social media posts, and presentations. Our upcoming Canva workshops include:

• Introduction to Canva
  • Tuesday, June 18, 6:30-8:30PM at Twin Hickory
  • Wednesday, July 10, 2-3:30PM at Varina
  • This instructional workshop will provide an overview of what Canva offers, as well as the opportunity to practice the basics by designing a card.

• Canva Basics: Social Media & Marketing
  • Thursday, August 1, 6-7:30PM at Varina
  • This instructional workshop will focus on using Canva for social media posts and marketing.

• Canva Basics: Print Marketing
  • Thursday, August 29, 6-7:30PM at Varina
  • This instructional workshop focuses on using Canva for print marketing, like flyers, business cards, posters, and brochures.

ADDITIONAL LIBRARY RESOURCES

With an HCPL library card, you also have access to public computers with Microsoft Office, scanning and printing services, reservable meeting spaces, and Digital Media Labs (Fairfield, Libbie Mill, Tuckahoe, Twin Hickory, and Varina locations). Digital Media Labs are equipped with Adobe software (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere), green screens, and audio and video recording equipment.

View the Job and Career Resources page on our website to learn more about how the library and local organizations can support you.