Are you starting a business in Alameda, California? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Alameda.
Is Becoming an Entrepreneur Right for You?
Before you get too far along in the process, take inventory of your entrepreneurial instincts and capabilities.
Before you move forward with starting a business, be sure to do these three things:
- Grab a meal or cofee with other entrepreneurs in Alameda. Get their take on what it's really like to be an entrepreneur.
- Take a look at Starting a Company. It's a short article but it's a good reality check for those are about to jump into the world of entrepreneurship.
- Talk it over with a close friend or partner. That's the best way to get a truly objective assessment as to whether others think you have what it takes.
Alameda, California Demographic Information
Alameda has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Alameda demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Alameda.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
2734 |
| 5-9 Employees |
851 |
| 10-19 Employees |
549 |
| 20-49 Employees |
348 |
| 50-99 Employees |
135 |
| 100-249 Employees |
75 |
| 250-499 Employees |
12 |
| 500-999 Employees |
6 |
| 1000+ Employees |
6 |
| All Alameda Businesses |
4716 |
As a new Alameda entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Alameda 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 |
| Advertising Agencies |
2 |
| Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries |
1 |
| Amusement and Theme Parks |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
2 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
4 |
| Art Dealers |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
4 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
2 |
| Barber Shops |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
16 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
7 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
1 |
| Boat Building |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
8 |
| Book Publishers |
1 |
| Book Stores |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Business Associations |
5 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
1 |
| Car Washes |
1 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
4 |
| Caterers |
8 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
2 |
| Child Day Care Services |
31 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
2 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
9 |
| Claims Adjusting |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
1 |
| Commercial Gravure Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
5 |
| Community Food Services |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
2 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
23 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
2 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
1 |
| Convenience Stores |
2 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
2 |
| Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Couriers |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
4 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
24 |
| Deep Sea Freight Transportation |
2 |
| Dental Laboratories |
2 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
1 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
1 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
1 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
1 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
1 |
| Distilleries |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
1 |
| Drafting Services |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
10 |
| Educational Support Services |
4 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
19 |
| Electronic Shopping |
2 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
5 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
3 |
| Engineering Services |
20 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
7 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
3 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
3 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
2 |
| Farm Product Warehousing and Storage |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
1 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
3 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
8 |
| Flooring Contractors |
6 |
| Florists |
4 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
2 |
| Food Service Contractors |
2 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
2 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
63 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
2 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Furniture Stores |
2 |
| General Automotive Repair |
19 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
1 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
1 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
1 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
1 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
4 |
| Graphic Design Services |
2 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Hardware Stores |
2 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
2 |
| Home Health Care Services |
2 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
5 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
1 |
| Hydroelectric Power Generation |
1 |
| Inland Water Passenger Transportation |
2 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
17 |
| Interior Design Services |
1 |
| International Trade Financing |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
2 |
| Investment Advice |
7 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Iron Foundries |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
10 |
| Jewelry Stores |
6 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
1 |
| Landscaping Services |
6 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
65 |
| Locksmiths |
2 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
3 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
2 |
| Marinas |
9 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
3 |
| Masonry Contractors |
2 |
| Meat Markets |
4 |
| Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
2 |
| Mobile Food Services |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
4 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
1 |
| Museums |
1 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
2 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
2 |
| Nail Salons |
10 |
| Navigational Services to Shipping |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
3 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
1 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
2 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
11 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
6 |
| Office Administrative Services |
13 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
19 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
11 |
| Offices of Dentists |
46 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
35 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
7 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
4 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
1 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
2 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
7 |
| Pen and Mechanical Pencil Manufacturing |
1 |
| Periodical Publishers |
2 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
2 |
| Petroleum Refineries |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
8 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
1 |
| Port and Harbor Operations |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
3 |
| Prepress Services |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
2 |
| Professional Organizations |
5 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
3 |
| Quick Printing |
2 |
| Real Estate Credit |
9 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
| Remediation Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
9 |
| Residential Remodelers |
23 |
| Retail Bakeries |
1 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
2 |
| Roofing Contractors |
9 |
| Sales Financing |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
4 |
| Securities Brokerage |
10 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
4 |
| Ship Building and Repairing |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
7 |
| Siding Contractors |
2 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
23 |
| Software Publishers |
12 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
1 |
| Specialty Canning |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
5 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
6 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
9 |
| Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
9 |
| Temporary Shelters |
2 |
| Testing Laboratories |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
2 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
2 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
3 |
| Tobacco Stores |
1 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
2 |
| Tour Operators |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
2 |
| Used Car Dealers |
3 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
2 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
4 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
2 |
| Veterinary Services |
4 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
4 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
1 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
8 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
1 |
| Wineries |
1 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
1 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
4 |
| Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
Choosing a Business Name
A good company name can give a big boost to a new startup. It might seem like an easy thing to do, but there are many things to consider when naming a business.
Companies like Starbucks, Apple, Target, Microsoft and Intuit all have strong company names that are easy to remember and have become well-loved brands. Wouldn't it be nice if your new company name got on a similar track?
For other considerations regarding naming a company, we recommend this article: Naming a Company.
On a final note, given that you are planning on starting a business in Alameda, it's very important that you make sure no other California company is using the business name you want to use.
Company Formation in Alameda, California
It's essential that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Among other things, forming a legal entity for the business limits your liabilities.
The entity you form can be a corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership or other structure.
Incorporation is a very popular way to form a business. A key decision is whether to form and S-Corp or a C-Corp, and you also must decide in which state you will incorporate. Just because you are starting a business in California, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in California. In fact, you can incorporate in any state you would like to. For example, it's very popular to incorporate in Delaware, and incorporating in Nevada has become very trendy as well. Don't forget, though, that you will have to register as a foreign entity in all states that you do business in.
There's a lot to know about forming a company. To learn the fundamentals of company formation, browse articles on our site, such as C Corp Versus S Corp. You should also consider getting professional assistance from your business lawyer. Finally, if you are starting a business in Alameda, California, our information on Incorporating in California may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in California.
Getting Money to Start a Business
Getting your Alameda business the capital it needs to succeed is a difficult chore. If you don't have a rich uncle to fund you, you'll need to be creative in how you approach your fundraising efforts.
Take advantage of our many articles on raising money, such as Business Credit Evaluation.
For Alameda entrepreneurs on the hunt for startup funding, you'll want to take a look at our List of California Angel Investors and our List of California Venture Capital Firms.
Getting the Word Out About Your New Company
Whether your goal is to attract Alameda customers or you plan on selling elsewhere, you'll need to have a good marketing plan.
There are myriad resources on this site to help you with your marketing plan. Typical Direct Mail Response Rates is a good read to get your marketing juices flowing. There are many more articles on marketing on our site. Visit our Small Business Marketing resource section to see them all.
Moving Forward
You have a dream -- starting a business in Alameda. To achieve your dream, you have to persevere, even when the odds are against you.
If you choose the right business and love what you do, you will greatly increase your odds of success.
This site is all about helping entrepreneurs in Alameda and elsewhere to achieve real success. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Alameda, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Alameda, California
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Alameda.
- Resources for Alameda, California Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Alameda entrepreneurs.
- California Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in California.
- Fresno, California Small Business Development Center - The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network assists Central California entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling, training and business information.
- Los Angeles, California Small Business Development Center - The Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network (LA SBDC Network) is part of the national, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) effort to provide free one-on-one customized consulting services and low-cost training workshops to growing businesses and start-up businesses.
- Sacramento, California Small Business Development Center - As Northern California continues to grow demographically and economically, the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center (NECSBDC) at CSU, Chico is committed to helping communities prepare and plan for future growth.
- San Diego, California Small Business Development Center - The Small Business Development & International Trade Center (SBDITC) at Southwestern College is part of the California SBDC San Diego and Imperial Regional Network. The SBDITC provides no-cost business assistance to start-up & existing businesses.
- San Francisco, California Small Business Development Center - The Northern California Network of Small Business Development Centers helps individuals start, manage and grow their businesses.
- Santa Ana, California Small Business Development Center - The Tri-County Lead Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the Santa Ana District provides oversight and support for SBDCs located in the Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The Santa Ana SBDC Network is a leader in providing consulting, training, and technical assistance to the small business community.
- Alameda, California Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Alameda, California newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Alameda area.
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