Library Can Help Your Business, Too

Liz Allen

Trish Digliodo, president of Paramount Pursuits, credits many Erie leaders for the decision she and her husband, Paramount Pursuits CEO Marcos Digliodo, made to expand in Erie.

Those leaders include Rachel Stevenson, programming director for the Erie County Library, which is part of the Beehive Network and helps entrepreneurs in a variety of ways.

"We offer them support when they want to learn to construct something, whether that is by 3D printing, cutting it with a vinyl cutter or Cricut, or producing music, videos, or podcasts in our media lab. We also have photography equipment so entrepreneurs can take good quality shots of items they'd like to sell or use to seek investment in their companies," said Stevenson.

The library's CO-STARTERS program offers two one-day workshops and two 10-week courses. The "Get Started" workshop is for people who want to decide if they are ready to start a business. "Refocus" is for business owners who might need to rethink their structure, delivery methods, or other things due to a variety of circumstances, including the impact of COVID-19.

The 10-week courses build on the workshops, she said. "The 'CORE Cohort' takes you through the process of starting a business and has practical advice for both product- and service-based industries, while 'Rebuild' teaches businesses to change their tactics to survive in an ever-changing business market," said Stevenson. 

The library caters to "kitchen table" businesses, she said. "They are the businesses that might not be huge into technology or innovation but are needed just as much. They could be a jewelry line, a clothing store, a photography business, or a human resources business you run from your kitchen table."

She continued: "In the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Erie, the Erie County Library gets you started. Paramount Pursuits gives you one-on-one attention to succeed, and the Small Business Development Center is there to help you through the whole process as you continue to grow. It's a really lovely ecosystem and each entity has its own part to play in keeping Erie's economic development bright by helping to create new businesses. All three together are a powerful force for any entrepreneur getting started."

Visit www.erielibrary.org for more information.