CCPL’s Small Business Resource Center Helping Dreams Come True

Loud-and-Clear-1If you ask the owners of Selah!, LLC, Temple Image and CleanNGoFast, LLC, they will tell you that the library’s Small Business Resource Center was instrumental in them starting and maintaining their businesses.

“At one time our computers were down and we didn’t have the money to get them fixed; so we started to use the library computer,” said Dion Roseboro. Dion and his twin brother Derek began using the library in 2008 to help launch their cleaning business. When they were hit by the bad economy, they took advantage of the Small Business Resource Center to get back on their feet.

“The library was very helpful,” said Dion. “We used the library’s computer to develop our website, develop our brochures, the marketing information, business letterheads, business cards, everything,” said Derek.

CCPL’s Small Business Resource Center has become an integral part of the library system. The goal is to be a one-stop shop for business owners or aspiring entrepreneurs. The center offers a wide variety of resources, including scanners, printers, computers, specialized books, programs and workshops. Customers can also make appointments with experts for one-on- one assistance and receive information tailored to their needs.

“You get a lot done, you meet people, and you’re exposed to classes: just by coming here you get access to many resources,” said Delores Klyvert, owner of Temple Image. Delores’ company conducts paternity tests and provides health and wellness education. Delores says as the owner of a home-based business, there are distractions, and the library provides a place for her to focus and get the job done.

CCPL continues to expand its offerings in response to customers’ needs. The library partners with experts in business creation, such as Greater Richmond GATE and RVAworks. SHiRL, owner of Selah, LLC, a company that provides support for female veterans, attended one of the library’s RVAworks workshops.

“I went through two entrepreneurial programs and out of those two programs, I fine-tuned what I wanted to do,” said SHiRL. “If I didn’t have the Small Business Resource Center, I would be totally lost.”

Learn more by reading Loud and Clear Magazine on the Chesterfield County Public Library web site.