About Grow Academy

What is Grow Academy?

Grow Academy is a 5-month program for those hoping to start or strengthen a small business. Classes will cover everything you need to know to build a business plan. Each class will be split between advice from industry experts and instruction on how to utilize free library resources to gather vital data needed for a business plan and market research.

What is the time commitment?

Classes occur one Saturday each month from February to June. Each class will be two hours from 10 am-noon. 

How much will it cost?

This program is being offered at no-cost to Tulsa City-County Library card holders.

How can I get in?

Grow Academy classes are open at limited registration. Reserve your seat here: https://events.tulsalibrary.org/events.

How many people will be accepted into the program?

We currently have space to accept 55 people to the cohort. 

Who will be the Industry Experts?

Experts include but are not limited to representatives from Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, Northeastern State University, , and Oklahoma Small Business Development Center, 36 Degrees North, SCORE, Tulsa Tech, OU-The Mine and REI Women's Business Center. Students will have access to Tulsa City-County Library’s Business Knowledge Specialists.

 

What will the classes cover?

Classes will cover the following topics:

  1. Dreams on Paper: Mapping Your Journey- Business Plans/Finding Funding
  2. The Super Market- Market Research
  3. So On Brand- Marketing and Branding
  4. You’re Worth It- Sales and Pricing 
  5. Money Matters- Taxes/Money Management

Can I go to just one class?

Yes! If you see a class your business can benefit from, please join us. Those attending one class will not be part of the cohort discussion sessions or receive a certificate of completion. Registration is limited and will be available at tulsalibrary.org/events

Class Calendar

Business Class Calendar

Discussion Topics

Dreams on Paper
Business Plans/ Finding Funding
February 22, 2025

Super Market
Market Research
March 22, 2025

So on Brand
Branding
April 26, 2025

You’re Worth It
Sales and Pricing
May 24, 2025

Money Matters
Finances and Business
June 28, 2025

Additional Business Classes

TBA

Tools and Resources

State and Local Business Resources

Oklahoma Department of Commerce
https://www.okcommerce.gov/

Oklahoma Tax Commission
https://oklahoma.gov/tax.html

Oklahoma Secretary of State

https://www.sos.ok.gov/business/infoSB.aspx 

Build in Tulsa

https://www.buildintulsa.com/

36 Degrees North

https://www.36n.co/ 

PartnerTulsa

https://partnertulsa.org/  

 

 

​​​​​​​Federal Resources

Instructors

Instructors will be joining us from the following organizations:

Northeastern State University
https://www.nsuok.edu/brokenarrow.aspx

Oklahoma Small Business Development Corporation
https://www.oksbdc.org/

Northrop Grumman
https://www.northropgrumman.com/

Tulsa Economic Development Corporation
https://tedcnet.com/

SBA
https://www.sba.gov/district/oklahoma

36 Degrees North 

https://www.36n.co/

SCORE 

https://tulsa.score.org/

REI Women's Business Center

https://reiwbc.org/

Tulsa Tech 

https://tulsatech.edu/workforce-training-and-development/

Oklahoma University- The Mine

https://www.ou.edu/iccew/for-community-members/entrepreneurial-resources 

OSU Patent and Trademark Resource Center

https://info.library.okstate.edu/patent-and-trademark-resource-center

The Branning Group

https://branninggroup.com/

Fulton Street Books and Coffee

https://www.fultonstreet918.com/

Canyon Trail 

https://canyon-trail.com/

 

Application

Check back in December for applications to the 2024-25 cohort.