Business and Investing

Local Veteran’s Brewery Business Set to Make History Twice

Ten years ago, Christopher Harris made history when he opened the first Black-owned brewery in Northwest Ohio. During our Entrepreneurship Week kickoff event on November 12 he’ll share more about how his Black Frog Brewery was uniquely sought out to open a second location, and the first of its kind in Northeast Ohio.

Intentional Choices, Endless Rewards

Read about local educator and lifelong learner Dondra Coleman’s path to building two successful businesses centered on supporting families. She will be a featured panelist during our Entrepreneurship Week kickoff on November 12.

Riding the Wave: Meet the Owners of Two Ohio-based Small Businesses Arising Out of Uncertain Times

After reassessing their career trajectories during times of turmoil, a local photographer and chef founded small businesses and found success.

Meet the Entrepreneur: Owner of Lavish Me Spa to Join Entrepreneurship Week Panel at Toledo Library

With help from the Toledo Library, entrepreneur Angela Hansard’s Lavish Me medical spa is celebrating three years in business. Hear from her at our upcoming Entrepreneurship Week panel in November.

Women-Owned Businesses Represent 42% of all U.S. Businesses

During National Women's Business Week, join in celebrating them with ideas from our Small Business and Nonprofit team.

Black Philanthropy Month with Artisha Lawson of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation

Black Philanthropy Month acknowledges the power behind African-descendant giving and the impact behind the dollars. Artisha Lawson of the Toledo Community Foundation shares three call to action activities to commemorate the occasion.

Small Business Partner Spotlight: The Arts Commission – Recognizing Talent, Fostering a Vibrant Community

"The Arts Commission’s emphasis is, as far as I can tell, on fostering Toledo as a healthy and vibrant art community, and the most important element of that community is its people. I appreciate the Arts Commission’s robust investment in people."

Small Business Partner Spotlight: Accelerate Your Creative Endeavors – Apply for Funding Via The Arts Commission

The Accelerator Grant is The Arts Commission’s competitive program offering financial support for local artists. Eligible categories of support include equipment and supply support, which attracted one local photographer to apply…

Small Business Partner Spotlight: The Arts Commission’s Grant Opportunities Provide Safety Net For Local Creatives

Obtaining grants to for-profit businesses can be extremely competitive and hard to come by. However, for working artists, one local organization is making a major difference and that’s The Arts Commission.

Small Business Launch: The Easy Jump by Eddie Jones

Though the Easy Jump is only one of Eddie Jones’ many mechanical or engineering pursuits, it is his first foray into entrepreneurship. What he has found most surprising about this new small business journey is people’s reactions. From his initial drawings to today, only about a year and a half has elapsed – remarkable progress for a product of significant size that takes some manufacturing know-how…

Small Business Launch: Building Up Seniors in Tech by Alondria Wright

Before becoming a small business owner, Alondria Wright fielded support requests for a local technical service provider. “People were upset and frustrated, and I felt like as I listened to more and more senior citizens to call into my line, I felt rushed to get them the help that they needed.” Feeling limited by the extent to which she could help seniors in that role, Wright got an idea…

5 Books To Celebrate 25 Years of ‘Office Space’

25 years ago, the world learned just how annoying it is to file TPS reports.

10 Must Read Books for the Aspiring Entrepreneur

If you're thinking of starting a business but don't know where to get started, these 10 titles can help you build a solid foundation.

9 Must Read Books for Fans of Ted Lasso

The improbable football coach returns for another season on Apple TV+. If you're cheering on AFC Richmond, here are the books you need to read.

Toledo Library Offers Support for Growing Natural Hair Product Business

Through her small business, and the support of TLCPL's free services and resources, Megan Davis is educating her community about the heritage and history of African American hair.

Elevate your nonprofit: Fundraising

Nothing is more challenging for nonprofits than continuously asking for money. Fundraising is essential to every nonprofit agency, but fundraising is also the most difficult and competitive part of operations. You’ll find some individuals that love it and are very successful fundraisers, while others would rather get a root canal than solicit money from strangers (or worse – people they know).

Elevate your nonprofit: Leadership and management

I often mention to Library customers that grant writing is a holistic process in which the entire nonprofit organization is evaluated from its leadership to its long-term sustainability and everything in between. More than just the grant proposal is considered in the funding decision.

Elevate your nonprofit: Prospect Research

Fundraising is difficult, no matter who you are. I’ve done it both as my job and as a board officer and neither is easy. What helps the most is preparation - know your talking points and your organization’s strengths and highlights. But more importantly, know your prospect. Being able to reach your donor in a meaningful way will ensure you are not wasting both your time and the donor’s.

Blog: Business and Investing