Find Your Customers

Finding out who—and where—your customers are before you open your doors can be the difference between success and failure. And it's not nearly as scary or difficult as it sounds.

Do your research.

See if your idea will survive and thrive in the market. Who will buy what you’re selling? And are there enough of them?

Ask your librarian.

• Block Business and Career Center at the Kansas City Public Library
• Johnson County Public Library
• Kansas City, Kansas Public Library

The business librarian can guide you through databases that show you important demographic information about your potential customers—from where folks buy there pizza to how many people get married in July in Johnson County.

They can also guide you to the books and databases you need to develop a business plan, answer your tax questions, or complete your own market research.