Build your small business with the help of industry experts and market research data, free with your library card.
About Grow Academy
What is Grow Academy?
Grow Academy is a 10 month program for those hoping to start or strengthen a small business. Classes will cover everything you need to know to build a business plan. Each class will be split between advice from industry experts and instruction on how to utilize free library resources to gather vital data needed for a business plan and market research.
What is the time commitment?
Classes occur one Saturday each month with a break in December for the holidays. Each class will be two hours from 10 am-noon.
How much will it cost?
This program is being offered at no-cost to Tulsa City-County Library card holders.
How can I get in?
Grow Academy classes are open at limited registration. Reserve your seat here: https://events.tulsalibrary.org/events.
How many people will be accepted into the program?
We currently have space to accept 15 people each class.
Who will be the Industry Experts?
Experts include but are not limited to representatives from Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, Northeastern State University, , and Oklahoma Small Business Development Center, 36 Degrees North, SCORE, Tulsa Tech, OU-The Mine and REI Women's Business Center. Students will have access to Tulsa City-County Library’s Business Knowledge Specialists.
What will the classes cover?
Classes will cover the following topics:
- Dreams on Paper: Mapping Your Journey- Business Plans/ Finding Funding
- Guides of the Entrepreneurial Expedition- Mentorships and Networking
- Set your Sites- Online stores vs. Retail Spaces
- The Super Market- Market Research
- So On Brand- Marketing and Branding
- You’re Worth It- Sales and Pricing
- World’s Best Boss- Staff
- Tending Your Garden: Weeding Out Distractions- Productivity and Prioritization
- Putting Pen to Paper- Forms and Permits
- Money matters- Taxes/Money Management
Can I go to just one class?
Yes! If you see a class your business can benefit from, please join us. Those attending one class will not be part of the cohort discussion sessions or receive a certificate of completion. Registration is limited and will be available at tulsalibrary.org/events
Class Calendar
Business Class Calendar
Discussion Topics
Dreams on Paper
Business Plans/ Finding Funding
October 28, 2023
Guides on the Entrepreneurial Expedition
Networking and Mentors
November 18, 2023
Super Market
Market Research
January 20, 2024
So on Brand
Branding
February 24, 2024
Set Your Sites
Retail Space vs. Online Stores
March 23, 2024
You’re Worth It
Sales and Pricing
April 27, 2024
World’s Best Boss
Staff
May 25, 2024
Tending Your Garden: Weeding Out Distractions
Productivity and Prioritization
June 22, 2024
Putting Pen to Paper
Forms and Permits
July 27, 2024
Money Matters
Finances and Business
August 24, 2024
Additional Business Classes
November 13, 2023 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm - LinkedIn 101 for Entrepreneurs with Clarene Mitchell from TCM Communications
December 11, 2023 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm - Intellectual Property 101: An Overview of Patents, Trademarks, and More with Kate Sullivan from Black Dog Law
January 8, 2024 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm - Canva 101 for Entrepreneurs
February 12, 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm - Catering and Events Startups: What you need to know! Part One
March 11, 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm - Catering and Events Startups: What you need to know! Part Two
April 8, 2024 - from 5:30pm-6:30pm - PowerPoint 101 for Entrepreneurs
May 13, 2024 - from 6:00pm-7:00pm - Pitch Presentations 101
June 15, 2024 - from 10am-11:30am - Page Masters: A Family Book Club
July 12, 2024 - fr4om 6pm-8pm at NEFF Brewing - Brewing Adventure: A History of the Oklahoma Beer Industry - "Oklahoma Beer: A Handcrafted History" Meet-Up
Tools and Resources
Grow Academy students will receive instruction on library tools:
D&B Hoover
Data Axle
Demographics Now
First Research
Gale Small Business Builder
Legal Forms
Mergent Intellect
Plunkett Research
A curated list of classes is available with your library card:
LinkedIn Learning
Universal Class
Business Book List
https://tccl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/170730561_rcdisplay/2134629669_grow_academy
State and Local Business Resources
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
https://www.okcommerce.gov/
Oklahoma Tax Commission
https://oklahoma.gov/tax.html
Oklahoma Secretary of State
https://www.sos.ok.gov/business/infoSB.aspx
Build in Tulsa
36 Degrees North
PartnerTulsa
Federal Resources
Small Business Administration
https://www.sba.gov/
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
https://www.eeoc.gov/
US Department of Labor
https://www.dol.gov/
IRS Starting a Small Business
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/starting-a-business
Better Business Bureau
https://www.bbb.org/
General Services Administration
https://www.gsa.gov/small-business
Small Business Programs from the US Department of Treasury
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/small-business-programs
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization- US Department of Treasury
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/small-business-programs/small-and-disadvantaged-business-utilization-0
US Government
Instructors
Instructors will be joining us from the following organizations:
Northeastern State University
https://www.nsuok.edu/brokenarrow.aspx
Oklahoma Small Business Development Corporation
https://www.oksbdc.org/
Northrop Grumman
https://www.northropgrumman.com/
Tulsa Economic Development Corporation
https://tedcnet.com/
SBA
https://www.sba.gov/district/oklahoma
36 Degrees North
SCORE
REI Women's Business Center
Tulsa Tech
https://tulsatech.edu/workforce-training-and-development/
Oklahoma University- The Mine
https://www.ou.edu/iccew/for-community-members/entrepreneurial-resources
OSU Patent and Trademark Resource Center
https://info.library.okstate.edu/patent-and-trademark-resource-center
The Branning Group
Fulton Street Books and Coffee
https://www.fultonstreet918.com/
Canyon Trail
Application
Applications for the 2023-24 cohort are now closed. Check back next year for applications to the 2024-25 cohort.