Thinking about starting a business in Beverly, Massachusetts? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Beverly.
Is Becoming an Entrepreneur Right for You?
Most startup businesses fail, in part because the business owner did not have the perseverance and abilities that are necessary to succeed. So, before jumping into the world of entrepreneurship, consider all of the implications of being an entrepreneur.
Here are three things we recommend you do before you fully commit to starting a new business of your own.
- Grab a meal or cofee with other entrepreneurs in Beverly. 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.
Beverly, Massachusetts Demographic Information
Beverly has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Beverly demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Beverly.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
9365 |
| 5-9 Employees |
3415 |
| 10-19 Employees |
2145 |
| 20-49 Employees |
1425 |
| 50-99 Employees |
450 |
| 100-249 Employees |
420 |
| 250-499 Employees |
75 |
| 500-999 Employees |
30 |
| 1000+ Employees |
30 |
| All Beverly Businesses |
17355 |
As a new Beverly entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Beverly 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 |
1 |
| Ambulance Services |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
5 |
| Art Dealers |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
2 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
1 |
| Barber Shops |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
18 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
1 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
10 |
| Book Publishers |
1 |
| Book Stores |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Business Associations |
2 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
2 |
| Car Washes |
3 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
1 |
| Caterers |
6 |
| Child Day Care Services |
12 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
7 |
| Claims Adjusting |
2 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
2 |
| Collection Agencies |
2 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
2 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Photography |
2 |
| Community Food Services |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
3 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
2 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
11 |
| Computer Terminal Manufacturing |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
1 |
| Convenience Stores |
7 |
| Credit Unions |
2 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
7 |
| Dental Laboratories |
1 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
3 |
| Digital Printing |
1 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
3 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
5 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
3 |
| Educational Support Services |
1 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
14 |
| Electron Tube Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Connector Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
1 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
9 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
4 |
| Engineering Services |
11 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
3 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
1 |
| Family Planning Centers |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
1 |
| Finfish Fishing |
1 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
4 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
3 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
13 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
1 |
| Flooring Contractors |
4 |
| Florists |
6 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
3 |
| Food Service Contractors |
7 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
2 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
4 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
25 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
3 |
| Furniture Stores |
1 |
| General Automotive Repair |
9 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
3 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
1 |
| General Rental Centers |
1 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
6 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
1 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
1 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
2 |
| Graphic Design Services |
5 |
| Hardware Stores |
2 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
5 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
1 |
| Home Health Care Services |
4 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
3 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
1 |
| Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
2 |
| Inland Water Passenger Transportation |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
16 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
2 |
| Internet Service Providers |
2 |
| Investigation Services |
1 |
| Investment Advice |
2 |
| Janitorial Services |
5 |
| Jewelry Stores |
1 |
| Junior Colleges |
1 |
| Land Subdivision |
1 |
| Landscaping Services |
17 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
38 |
| Limousine Service |
3 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
8 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
1 |
| Marinas |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
8 |
| Masonry Contractors |
3 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
1 |
| Media Buying Agencies |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
1 |
| Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing |
2 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
2 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
3 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
1 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
2 |
| Museums |
1 |
| Nail Salons |
2 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
3 |
| New Car Dealers |
4 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
3 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
3 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
1 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
5 |
| Office Administrative Services |
7 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
7 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
8 |
| Offices of Dentists |
27 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
17 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
2 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
2 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
3 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
2 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
2 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
9 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
1 |
| Payroll Services |
1 |
| Periodical Publishers |
6 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
4 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
6 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
3 |
| Portfolio Management |
4 |
| Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Prepress Services |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
2 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
1 |
| Quick Printing |
2 |
| Radio Stations |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
3 |
| Repossession Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
3 |
| Residential Remodelers |
18 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
1 |
| Roofing Contractors |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
12 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
1 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
1 |
| Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
1 |
| Shellfish Fishing |
5 |
| Shoe Stores |
3 |
| Siding Contractors |
1 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
1 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
5 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
11 |
| Software Publishers |
13 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
6 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
3 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
3 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
2 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
5 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
1 |
| Tobacco Stores |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
2 |
| Used Car Dealers |
1 |
| Veterinary Services |
3 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
1 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
1 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
2 |
| Web Search Portals |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
11 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
2 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
1 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
1 |
Is Franchising a Better Option?
As you drive around Beverly, it becomes clear that purchasing a franchise is a common way to get started as an entrepreneur. Is it perhaps smarter to franchise a business instead of doing it from scratch.
Our recommendation is that you consider franchising as an option. This site has dozens of articles on franchising, such as Opportunities in International Franchising. Get a thorough education on franchising by browsing all of our Articles on Franchising.
You can review hundreds of franchise opportunities by browing our Franchise Directory.
Sample franchise opportunities include Baby Power / Forever Kids and Bogart Golf. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Training and Education Franchises and Cell Phone Franchises.
Note on Beverly Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Beverly.
Naming the Business
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.
Before you decide on a company name, run it by some prospective customers and see what they think. If they don't like it, it's probably a good idea to go back to the drawing board.
For other considerations regarding naming a company, we recommend this article: Naming a Company.
There's one other important factor when naming a business. Since you are opening a business in Beverly, it's imperative that you check now that no other Massachusetts company is using the business name you want to use.
Make Sure You Have a Business Plan
A business plan is critical in laying a solid foundation for your business success. Simply put, your business plan is your game plan for how you hope to grow your business. Failure to write a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
To learn more about business plans, read Business Plan Contests. A great resource for business planning assistance is the free counseling sessions provided by your local SCORE chapter in Massachusetts.
The Art of Selling
Mastering the art of selling is a must if you want your new Beverly business to do well.
Clever sales techniques can transform any business from good to great. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
Selling Products on eBay offers some helpful tips on how to sell. It's one of several good articles on our site regarding Entrepreneurial Selling.
Moving Forward
Most new Beverly businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
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 Beverly and throughout the United States . 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.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Beverly, Massachusetts
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Beverly.
- Resources for Beverly, Massachusetts Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Beverly entrepreneurs.
- Massachusetts Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network provides one-to-one free comprehensive and confidential services focusing on, business growth and strategies, financing and loan assistance as well as strategic, marketing and operational analysis.
- Beverly, Massachusetts Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Beverly, Massachusetts newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Beverly area.
- Beverly, Massachusetts Radio Advertising Prices - To help you in your marketing efforts, we've gathered radio advertising rates for Beverly, Massachusetts area radio stations.
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