"Money is important," said Katy Curnyn, director of retail and market access for WREN, a Bethlehem-based group that primarily supports women entrepreneurs in rural areas. "But creativity and thinking outside the box will get you a long way."

Making use of the services available to small firms, many of which are free, will also help. Agencies from the U.S. Small Business Administration to the state Division of Economic Development were on hand to describe how they could offer assistance, from guaranteeing business loans to helping with international trade issues.

Another important key to small-business success, those at the event said, was staying disciplined, particularly when it came to small firms' business plans.

"Many people say it's passion that starts a new venture. I would emphasize that really means focus, because it's very easy in this fast-paced world to get distracted," said Deborah Osgood, vice president of The Knowledge Institute Inc. in Exeter.

Osgood's company runs buzgate.org, an on-line resource which provides information about free assistance available to small firms, as well as other information. It was one of the prime organizers of yesterday's event, which was being held as part of Entrepreneurship Week USA, a week-long national program on entrepreneurship.

The workshop attracted plenty of small business owners, as well as those that are just starting up their businesses or considering starting their own firms.

"I'm working on my business plan and marketing strategies -- just finding my niche in the market here. These workshops are great," said Debra Walsh, who owns Mommy Matters LLC, a Manchester-based startup that offers personal chef services and other services to help families eat healthier.

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