Small Business & Entrepreneur Services

One-on-One Business Coaching

Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Pace University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering weekly, free, in-person one-to-one business advisement by appointment every Thursday at Brooklyn Public Library’s Business & Career Center! Get help on access to financing, marketing and sales strategies, government procurement, and business planning. These business advisement sessions are available to existing for-profit businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. They do not provide assistance to nonprofits (see SCORE NYC instead) or cannabis based businesses (see Business Solutions Brooklyn Center instead). To see a schedule of upcoming sessions, visit: https://bklynlib.org/sbdc . To contact Pace SBDC, call 212.618.6655 or email sbdc@pace.edu

Step-by-Step Instructions for SBDC Counseling Appointments - NYSBDC eCenter Direct (1).pdf

To make an appointment for a free one-to-one session, sign up and complete the online counseling request using the new SBDC eCenter system, NYSBDC eCenter Direct.
- You will be prompted to create an account user name and password in order to complete your counseling request.
- In the “Area of Assistance” section please indicate that you would like to schedule an in-person session at the Brooklyn Public Library, the date you are requesting, and what you would like assistance with.
- After your account is created and counseling request submitted, an SBDC counselor will be in touch to confirm your appointment date and time.

City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP)

City Bar Justice Center’s Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) partners with the Brooklyn Public Library Business & Career Center and the Pace SBDC to offer virtual small business legal clinics. These clinics, conducted by NELP, are an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet with a team of pro bono attorneys to discuss legal issues related to their small businesses, such as intellectual property rights, contracts/agreements, business structure and incorporation, commercial leasing and more. Click here for future clinic dates and programming.

To contact the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project, call 212.382.6633 or email nelp@nycbar.org

Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Certification Clinics and Office Hours

In New York City, MWBE certification provides access to valuable resources, including government contracting opportunities, financial assistance programs, and networking events.

Join our MWBE clinics and learn about:

Certification program overview
Registering in the Payee Information Portal (PIP)
Registering for product service (NIGP) codes
Starting a MWBE certification application

Participants will also have the opportunity to work with someone one-on-one after the informational presentation to begin the application process or address specific questions.

To register for an upcoming clinic at one of our local branches: https://bit.ly/MWBEatBPL
To make an appointment to get one-one help at MWBE Office Hours, available on the SECOND Tuesday of the month in the Business & Career Center, email brooklyn-bsc@nycbusiness-solutions.com. Office hours are ongoing and scheduled through the end of December 2026.

Brought to you by the Business & Career Center in partnership with NYC Small Business Services (SBS), the Staten Island Business Outreach Center (SIBOC) and Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Multilingual Business Help

Start or grow your business - in your language!

Brooklyn Public Library offers free, one-on-one support for multilingual entrepreneurs of all origins, backgrounds and industries. Whether you're just getting started or already running a small business, we can help you find the resources to:

Register your business
Access loans or grants
Apply for permits
Market your services
Learn new tech tools
Manage your finances

All industries are welcome, including:

Fashion
Restaurants
Childcare
Cleaning
Delivery (Doordash, Uber, etc.)
Consulting
Retail
Street vending - and more!

No appointment needed!

View the list of upcoming sessions on our calendar.

Can’t make it to our sessions? Questions?

Complete this quick form to receive a free, customized list of business resources tailored to your needs.

Local Business Assistance Providers

Business assistance providers are nonprofit organizations that offer suggestions to small businesses on a wide range of planning, financial and operational issues. If you are looking to start a business, these are the places you would turn to for practical counseling, business mentoring and coaching. Appointments need to be made with the agencies directly.

Download a list of business assistance providers that serve Brooklyn, New York.

Check Empire State Development's Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, including their directory of Entrepreneurial Assistance Centers. for additional organizations that offer services to individuals wishing to start or expand their business in New York State.

For online guidance for on how to start a business in New York or New York City, accessing financing programs and contracting opportunities, check the NYC MyCity Business Portal.

Other Resources and Programs

Subject Guides

Useful Subject Guides on the resources you need to be a successful entrepreneur, created by our business librarians. Check the "Subject Guides" box to see our most up to date Subject Guides.

Online Resources

Online databases with authoritative information about your industry, competitors, and target customers. Download our list of business, personal finance, and career development databases.
Subscriptions to the leading trade magazines and business newspapers in print and online.

Events and Classes

Expert led events and classes on all aspects of starting, running, and growing your business.
Librarian led events on how to utilize all of the library’s business resources and where to look for additional help.
Go to our Events Calendar to see all of our upcoming business events and classes.
Be sure to also check the NYC Business Solutions, Brooklyn Center on Eventbrite for free small business programs on starting, financing and marketing your business in Brooklyn!

PowerUP Business Plan Competition

Annual business plan competition for Brooklyn entrepreneurs that awards finalists with seed capital and feedback from our qualified judges.
Competition includes free workshops on:
- Writing your business plan.
- Implementing marketing strategies
- Determining financial projections.
- Researching your customers, competitors and market.
Go to our PowerUP page for more information.