Are you starting a business in Akron, Ohio? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Akron.
Choosing a business that is right for you is very important. You might get some good ideas about what kind of business to start by reading Good Business Ideas.
Don't forget that your new startup will be located in Akron. Think about what needs are currently being underserved in Akron. Only by spending some time analyzing Akron demographics can you decide if there will be strong demand for your business idea.
Akron has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Akron demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Akron.
As a new Akron entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Akron for each business category. By looking at this chart, you can get
a general sense for how much competition there is in the business niche that
you are pursuing.
| Business Type |
# of
Businesses |
| Adhesive Manufacturing |
5 |
| Advertising Agencies |
24 |
| Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
1 |
| Ambulance Services |
4 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
2 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
5 |
| Architectural Services |
25 |
| Armored Car Services |
3 |
| Art Dealers |
6 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
2 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
13 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
9 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
42 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
13 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
2 |
| Barber Shops |
3 |
| Beauty Salons |
101 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
30 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
4 |
| Book Publishers |
5 |
| Book Stores |
14 |
| Bowling Centers |
7 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Mills |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
3 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
1 |
| Business Associations |
12 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
2 |
| Cafeterias |
6 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
4 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
2 |
| Car Washes |
24 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
10 |
| Caterers |
15 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
9 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
10 |
| Child Day Care Services |
63 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
8 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
61 |
| Claims Adjusting |
6 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
11 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
11 |
| Collection Agencies |
7 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
3 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
23 |
| Commercial Photography |
4 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
3 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
1 |
| Commodity Contracts Dealing |
1 |
| Community Food Services |
5 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
8 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
32 |
| Computer Training |
2 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
4 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Consumer Lending |
6 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
4 |
| Convenience Stores |
33 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
5 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
| Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
2 |
| Couriers |
7 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
7 |
| Credit Unions |
20 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
2 |
| Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins |
3 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
42 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
2 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
7 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
2 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
4 |
| Digital Printing |
4 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
7 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
6 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
13 |
| Discount Department Stores |
5 |
| Display Advertising |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
6 |
| Drafting Services |
3 |
| Drilling Oil and Gas Wells |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
109 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
16 |
| Educational Support Services |
11 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
17 |
| Electrical Contractors |
44 |
| Electronic Shopping |
7 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
24 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
2 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
4 |
| Engineering Services |
60 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
11 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
7 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
12 |
| Facilities Support Services |
2 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
22 |
| Family Planning Centers |
3 |
| Farm Product Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
9 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
15 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
18 |
| Flight Training |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
18 |
| Flooring Contractors |
14 |
| Florists |
20 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
10 |
| Food Service Contractors |
18 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
1 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
3 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
5 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
10 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Canning |
1 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
158 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
21 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
7 |
| Furniture Stores |
27 |
| General Automotive Repair |
63 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
18 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
3 |
| General Rental Centers |
8 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
10 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
24 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
6 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
10 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
13 |
| Graphic Design Services |
22 |
| Greeting Card Publishers |
1 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
6 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
9 |
| Hardware Stores |
12 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
1 |
| Historical Sites |
1 |
| HMO Medical Centers |
3 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
13 |
| Home Centers |
4 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Home Health Care Services |
26 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
5 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
3 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
12 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
7 |
| Industrial Design Services |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
2 |
| Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
18 |
| Industrial Pattern Manufacturing |
6 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
133 |
| Interior Design Services |
14 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
3 |
| Internet Service Providers |
4 |
| Investigation Services |
2 |
| Investment Advice |
29 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Iron Foundries |
4 |
| Janitorial Services |
58 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Jewelry Stores |
46 |
| Junior Colleges |
1 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
2 |
| Land Subdivision |
12 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
7 |
| Landscaping Services |
73 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
4 |
| Libraries and Archives |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
250 |
| Limousine Service |
5 |
| Linen Supply |
1 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
4 |
| Locksmiths |
3 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
41 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
4 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
1 |
| Marinas |
4 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
23 |
| Masonry Contractors |
23 |
| Mattress Manufacturing |
1 |
| Meat Markets |
6 |
| Medical Laboratories |
3 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
10 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
2 |
| Metal Stamping |
3 |
| Metal Window and Door Manufacturing |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
1 |
| Mobile Food Services |
4 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
25 |
| Motion Picture and Video Distribution |
1 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
7 |
| Motor and Generator Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping |
5 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
13 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
5 |
| Museums |
4 |
| Music Publishers |
1 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
7 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
5 |
| Nail Salons |
15 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
23 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
9 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
2 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
5 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
13 |
| Nuclear Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
21 |
| Office Administrative Services |
28 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
11 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
7 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
57 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
34 |
| Offices of Dentists |
116 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
233 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
29 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
7 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
9 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
10 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
2 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
20 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
4 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
1 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
2 |
| Packing and Crating |
3 |
| Paging |
1 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
3 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
12 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
31 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
34 |
| Passenger Car Leasing |
3 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
5 |
| Payroll Services |
9 |
| Periodical Publishers |
4 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
8 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
4 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
4 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
39 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
16 |
| Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Plate Work Manufacturing |
1 |
| Political Organizations |
5 |
| Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Port and Harbor Operations |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
16 |
| Power-Driven Handtool Manufacturing |
1 |
| Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
2 |
| Private Mail Centers |
6 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
7 |
| Professional Organizations |
10 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
6 |
| Quick Printing |
6 |
| Radio Stations |
2 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
2 |
| Real Estate Credit |
21 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
2 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Residential Property Managers |
30 |
| Residential Remodelers |
50 |
| Resilient Floor Covering Manufacturing |
1 |
| Retail Bakeries |
10 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
4 |
| Roofing Contractors |
22 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
2 |
| Sales Financing |
6 |
| Savings Institutions |
11 |
| Schiffli Machine Embroidery |
1 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
24 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
10 |
| Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
3 |
| Sewage Treatment Facilities |
1 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
4 |
| Shoe Stores |
26 |
| Siding Contractors |
5 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
7 |
| Silverware and Hollowware Manufacturing |
1 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
20 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
44 |
| Soft Drink Manufacturing |
1 |
| Software Publishers |
4 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
7 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
2 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
2 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
19 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
11 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
1 |
| Spring (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply |
1 |
| Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
23 |
| Taxi Service |
3 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
3 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
10 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
3 |
| Television Broadcasting |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
38 |
| Temporary Shelters |
4 |
| Testing Laboratories |
10 |
| Textile Bag Mills |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
3 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
3 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
11 |
| Tire Dealers |
21 |
| Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) |
3 |
| Tire Retreading |
3 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
19 |
| Tobacco Stores |
8 |
| Tour Operators |
1 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
12 |
| Used Car Dealers |
32 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
9 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
23 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
14 |
| Veterinary Services |
23 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
23 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
17 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
8 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
2 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
51 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
3 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
34 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
39 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
3 |
| Zoos and Botanical Gardens |
1 |
Visit the business district of Akron and it's apparent that franchising has become a very popular way to start a business. Should you be giving franchising serious consideration?
Our advice is to consider franchising as an option. We have many articles on franchises, such as Franchise Due Diligence. Get a thorough education on franchising by browsing all of our Articles on Franchising.
Making the right decision when choosing a company name is very important. There are many decisions you'll make now that you can change later, but changing a company name years down the road is not very easy. So, choose a good company name at the outset.
We strongly advocate that you make sure the ".com" domain name is available for your company name. Every business needs a strong Web presence these days, and having a non ".com" domain means somebody else may outrank you in the search results for your own company name.
To get up to speed on what makes for a good company name, we encourage you to read this useful article: Branding Advice.
As a final piece of advice, remember that because you are planning on starting a business in Akron, it's critical that you ensure that no other Ohio company is using the business name you want to use.
Getting your Akron business the capital it needs to succeed is very difficult due to the ongoing business credit crunch. To obtain business financing, you will need to hear a lot of rejections before you finally find a funding solution that works for you.
Do you know how to sell? In order to attract customers to your new Akron business, you need to focus on sales.
The key to selling is to set sales goals goals and monitor your progress towards those goals. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
As an entrepreneur in Akron, you won't be working for the boss anymore. You are the boss.
Owning your own business will be a daunting task, but you can do it.
Our goal here is to promote the vitality and growth of small businesses in Akron and throughout the United States . We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Akron entrepreneur who is just getting started or you are already up and running with your new venture.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Akron.
