Contemplating starting a business in Arlington, Texas? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Arlington.
Arlington has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Arlington demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Arlington.
As a new Arlington entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Arlington 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 |
3 |
| Advertising Agencies |
21 |
| Ambulance Services |
4 |
| Amusement and Theme Parks |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
2 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
4 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
3 |
| Architectural Services |
26 |
| Art Dealers |
3 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
2 |
| Automobile Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
5 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
9 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
42 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
10 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
7 |
| Barber Shops |
6 |
| Beauty Salons |
75 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
3 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
6 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
2 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
3 |
| Boat Dealers |
2 |
| Book Publishers |
5 |
| Book Stores |
12 |
| Books Printing |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
3 |
| Building Inspection Services |
10 |
| Business Associations |
17 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
1 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
4 |
| Cafeterias |
14 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Car Washes |
19 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
12 |
| Caterers |
4 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
4 |
| Child and Youth Services |
7 |
| Child Day Care Services |
72 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
9 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
39 |
| Claims Adjusting |
5 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
7 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
11 |
| Collection Agencies |
13 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
3 |
| Commercial Flexographic Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
7 |
| Commercial Photography |
3 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
7 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
1 |
| Commodity Contracts Dealing |
1 |
| Community Food Services |
2 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
18 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
3 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
51 |
| Computer Training |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
3 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Consumer Lending |
16 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
5 |
| Convenience Stores |
31 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
5 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
5 |
| Couriers |
6 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
3 |
| Credit Unions |
20 |
| Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
39 |
| Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planing |
1 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Deep Sea Freight Transportation |
3 |
| Dental Laboratories |
8 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
10 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
7 |
| Digital Printing |
4 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
8 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
4 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
19 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
4 |
| Discount Department Stores |
2 |
| Display Advertising |
5 |
| Document Preparation Services |
4 |
| Drafting Services |
5 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
37 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
12 |
| Educational Support Services |
6 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
49 |
| Electronic Shopping |
7 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
17 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
16 |
| Engineering Services |
75 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
15 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
8 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
20 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
21 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
8 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
10 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
23 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
8 |
| Flooring Contractors |
6 |
| Florists |
10 |
| Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
22 |
| Food Service Contractors |
13 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
2 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
12 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
10 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
3 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
207 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
6 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
9 |
| Furniture Stores |
27 |
| General Automotive Repair |
83 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
18 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
3 |
| General Rental Centers |
6 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
8 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
30 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
9 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
2 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
10 |
| Graphic Design Services |
10 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
5 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
17 |
| Hardware Stores |
6 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
13 |
| Home Centers |
4 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Home Health Care Services |
42 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
11 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
12 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
2 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
2 |
| Industrial Design Services |
2 |
| Industrial Gas Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
2 |
| Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
160 |
| Interior Design Services |
11 |
| International Trade Financing |
1 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
2 |
| Internet Service Providers |
3 |
| Investigation Services |
11 |
| Investment Advice |
13 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Iron Foundries |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
51 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Jewelry Stores |
35 |
| Junior Colleges |
2 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
1 |
| Land Subdivision |
12 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
4 |
| Landscaping Services |
59 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
7 |
| Libraries and Archives |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
245 |
| Limousine Service |
5 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
5 |
| Locksmiths |
7 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
2 |
| Machine Shops |
17 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
6 |
| Manifold Business Forms Printing |
2 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
1 |
| Marinas |
1 |
| Marine Cargo Handling |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
20 |
| Masonry Contractors |
12 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
1 |
| Meat Markets |
5 |
| Media Representatives |
5 |
| Medical Laboratories |
3 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
8 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
1 |
| Metal Stamping |
5 |
| Metal Window and Door Manufacturing |
4 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
4 |
| Mobile Food Services |
3 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
21 |
| Motion Picture and Video Distribution |
1 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
12 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
6 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
5 |
| Museums |
1 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
2 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
5 |
| Musical Instrument Manufacturing |
1 |
| Nail Salons |
13 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
6 |
| New Car Dealers |
34 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
12 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
2 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
18 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
15 |
| Office Administrative Services |
71 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Office Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
8 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
62 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
72 |
| Offices of Dentists |
164 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
159 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
33 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
5 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
5 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
17 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
2 |
| Open-End Investment Funds |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
17 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
1 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
3 |
| Paging |
1 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
2 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
11 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
29 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
1 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
10 |
| Payroll Services |
6 |
| Periodical Publishers |
8 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
6 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
9 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
3 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
43 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
23 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil |
1 |
| Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Political Organizations |
4 |
| Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
7 |
| Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Prepress Services |
2 |
| Printing Ink Manufacturing |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
11 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
4 |
| Professional Organizations |
3 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
6 |
| Quick Printing |
12 |
| Radio Stations |
10 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
3 |
| Real Estate Credit |
31 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
8 |
| Record Production |
1 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
4 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
1 |
| Remediation Services |
2 |
| Repossession Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
45 |
| Residential Remodelers |
33 |
| Retail Bakeries |
5 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
5 |
| Roofing Contractors |
20 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
2 |
| Sales Financing |
6 |
| Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
10 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
1 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
4 |
| Securities Brokerage |
40 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
8 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
2 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
6 |
| Shoe Stores |
42 |
| Siding Contractors |
5 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
9 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
17 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
50 |
| Software Publishers |
13 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
16 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
3 |
| Specialty Canning |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
21 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
17 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
1 |
| Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
45 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
2 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
6 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
3 |
| Television Broadcasting |
2 |
| Temporary Help Services |
59 |
| Temporary Shelters |
2 |
| Testing Laboratories |
5 |
| Textile Bag Mills |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
4 |
| Thread Mills |
1 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
8 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Tire Dealers |
18 |
| Tire Retreading |
1 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
8 |
| Tobacco Stores |
6 |
| Tortilla Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tour Operators |
4 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
16 |
| Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing |
2 |
| Used Car Dealers |
42 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
4 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
16 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
8 |
| Veterinary Services |
33 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
21 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
3 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
1 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
4 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
69 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
2 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
22 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
41 |
| Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
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.
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?
On a final note, given that you are planning on starting a business in Arlington, it's very important that you make sure no other Texas company is using the business name you want to use.
It's very important that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Doing so will protect you from personal liability for business debts and obligations.
The entity you form can be a traditional C-corporation, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), or an S-corporation.
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 Texas, you don't necessarily have to incorporate in Texas. In fact, you are allowed to incorporate in any state you would like to. However, if you do incorporate in another state, you'll have to register as a foreign corporation in your home state.
There's a lot to know about forming a company. We recommend you read some of the educational articles about company formation that are availabe on our site, such as Piercing the Corporate Veil. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. Finally, if you are starting a business in Arlington, Texas, our information on Incorporating in Texas may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Texas.
Getting your Arlington business the capital it needs to succeed requires strong organization skills and perseverance. If you don't have a rich uncle to fund you, you'll need to be creative in how you approach your fundraising efforts.
Recognizing this challenge, this site contains dozens of articles on raising money, including one we recommend entitled Getting a Small Business Loan.
Being able to sell is essential to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Arlington or are selling to customers throughout Texas, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
Why should customers buy from you instead of buying from competitors? Let us help you refine your selling techniques through our many useful sales advice tips.
You have a dream -- starting a business in Arlington. 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 Arlington and elsewhere to achieve real success. We have a wealth of experience in business start-ups, financing, marketing, sales and more...and we've made all of our knowledge available to you.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Arlington.