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A friend of mine, who is interested in starting her own business, recently asked me where she could find a list of local businesses owned by women.

My first reaction was to suggest researching Google or Craigslist online or better yet contacting ACCION New Mexico or WESST Corp., because they cater to small, disadvantaged businesses owned by women.

But then I remembered that New Mexico Woman magazine publishes the Women in Business Directory both in print and online at nmwoman.com/directory.

My friend's call prompted me to do some research to see what other directories are out there.

I found more than 50 waiting for your next inquiry or question. The following is a short review of some of the more interesting ones to help you build your prospect database and grow your business.

First up, of course, are our well-known phone directories such as Dex and Yellowbook, both segmented by area and residential versus commercial businesses, and available in paper or online.

But did you know that there is a Kirtland Air Force Base Guide & Directory? It is available in print or online at kirtland.baseguide.net.

I'm sure you know about the local chamber's membership directories, including the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce's list that you can access online at abqchamber.com.

It includes a searchable database with references by business name, business category and location. And then there's the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce's eMercadoNM program, a B2B portal which connects local businesses, community organizations and government agencies.

You don't actually have to be chamber member to sign on to the portal. See the link at ahcnm.org or go directly to emercadonm.com.

The Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce also provides access to its member information online at rrchamber.org.

Less mainstream is the Sandia Out Professional Alliance with information on local businesses that support the gay and lesbian community. See sopanm.org.

Probably one of the most popular local lists is the New Mexico Business Weekly's Book of Business Lists with hundreds of listings ranking companies by size within different industry groups or types of businesses.

Key to its success, the book provides the names of key decision-makers along with their titles and complete contact information.

The books are available at some local bookstores. However, I suggest picking one up at the NMBW's office or online at bizjournals.com/bookoflists/albuquerque.

Other directories include the Children's Guide to Albuquerque by Gwynne Spencer (which is available at Amazon.com), the Consumer Resource & Legal Services Directory (available through the New Mexico Attorney General's Office), the New Mexico Commercial Real Estate Directory (naiopnm.org), the Albuquerque Meeting Planner Guide chock full of hotel information, events, etc. (It's published by the Albuquerque Convention & Visitor's Bureau at itsatrip.org).

There are also the New Mexico Funding Directory for fund-raisers (which is available online at research.unm.edu/publications/nmfd_book), a list of registered New Mexico Lobbyists that the Secretary of State office publishes online at ethics.sos.state.nm.us/lobby/LOB.HTM, the United Way of Central New Mexico's United Way 2-1-1 with a comprehensive list of community service nonprofit organizations (see uwcnm.org), and many, many more.

There is even a directory for aspiring actors or actresses, or probably more practical, for companies that want to provide products and services to our burgeoning film industry here.

Contact the New Mexico Film office at nmfilm.com to access its New Mexico Film Business Directory and Web site.

There are number of lists and directories available in New Mexico just for the asking and I'm sure there will be more to come.

Sacco is the vice president of marketing at Kirtland Federal Credit Union and an adjunct professor at UNM's Anderson School of Management and Webster University.