This is a great database that you can access from home for FREE through your local library. You need to first call your local library and ask them if they have access to Reference USA. Get a library card and ask the librarian to show you how to get access from home and how to use it.

Search Tips

You can search the database by putting in a city or zipcode, type of business, # of employees. Keep it simple in your search parameters and work the area close to where you live. You would be surprised at how many small businesses there are within 1-10 miles of your house.

Once you locate a businsess there is a box at the bottom of the page to give you neighboring businesses.

You also get personal info on the owner, HR contacts and more.

When searching the business databases for a specific person by executive title, you might try adding similar titles. People performing similar functions at different companies may have different titles. For example, if you are looking for John Smith and you believe he is the plant manager, also select "manager" and "operations executive."

If you are having trouble determining if a location is a company’s headquarters, add "president" or "owner" with an executive selection. You may also consider just searching for "president" or "owner." Small businesses with a single location may not consider themselves to be the headquarters when in fact they are.