Thinking about starting a business in Bridgeport, Connecticut? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Bridgeport.
Are You Sure You Want to Do This?
Before you get too far along in the process, take inventory of your entrepreneurial instincts and capabilities.
Because entrepreneurship is not for everyone, we recommend you do the following to help you assess whether you should move forward with starting a business:
- Talk to other entrepreneurs in Bridgeport. Ask them candidly what it's like to run a business.
- We recommend reading Should You Become an Entrepreneur?. For aspiring new entrepreneurs, it's a must read article.
- Have a candid conversation with friends and family. The people who know you best are often in the best position to tell you bluntly whether you will be a good entrepreneur.
What Type of Business Should You Start?
Choosing a business that is right for you is very important. To help you decide on a business type, we encourage you to read Business Ideas That Don't Make Sense.
For in-depth how-to guides on how to start specific businesses, browse our Good Businesses to Start section of our site. For example, you might be interested in our How to Start a Moving Labor Services Business guide or our Opening a Commercial Wallpaper & Wallcoverings Installation Business guide.
Don't forget that starting a business in Bridgeport has some implications. The business you want to start may already be well-represented in Bridgeport. Only by spending some time analyzing Bridgeport demographics can you decide if there will be strong demand for your business idea.
Bridgeport, Connecticut Demographic Information
Bridgeport has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Bridgeport demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Bridgeport.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
44052 |
| 5-9 Employees |
15516 |
| 10-19 Employees |
11340 |
| 20-49 Employees |
7272 |
| 50-99 Employees |
2592 |
| 100-249 Employees |
1332 |
| 250-499 Employees |
324 |
| 500-999 Employees |
108 |
| 1000+ Employees |
108 |
| All Bridgeport Businesses |
82644 |
As a new Bridgeport entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Bridgeport 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 |
| Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
1 |
| Ambulance Services |
2 |
|
Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
3 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
2 |
| Architectural Services |
3 |
| Armored Car Services |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
3 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
2 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
15 |
|
Automotive Transmission Repair |
4 |
| Barber Shops |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
24 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
16 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
1 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
3 |
|
Business and Secretarial Schools |
1 |
| Business Associations |
1 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
3 |
| Cafeterias |
2 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
2 |
| Car Washes |
6 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
1 |
| Caterers |
8 |
|
Cemeteries and Crematories |
3 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
6 |
| Child Day Care Services |
14 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
13 |
| Claims Adjusting |
1 |
| Clay Refractory Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Clothing Accessories Stores |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
8 |
| Collection Agencies |
1 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
1 |
| Commercial Flexographic Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Gravure Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
9 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
3 |
|
Community Food Services |
1 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
2 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
7 |
| Computer Training |
1 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
1 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
1 |
| Convenience Stores |
18 |
|
Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
3 |
| Copper Wire (except Mechanical) Drawing |
2 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Couriers |
1 |
| Credit Card Issuing |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
9 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
4 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
6 |
|
Dental Laboratories |
4 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
3 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
3 |
| Display Advertising |
2 |
| Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
13 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
5 |
|
Electrical Contractors |
19 |
| Electronic Connector Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
1 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
10 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
1 |
| Engineering Services |
9 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
2 |
|
Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
1 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
2 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
5 |
| Family Planning Centers |
2 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
1 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
11 |
|
Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
9 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
6 |
| Flooring Contractors |
4 |
| Florists |
4 |
| Food Service Contractors |
9 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
2 |
|
Freight Transportation Arrangement |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
67 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
9 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Furniture Stores |
4 |
| General Automotive Repair |
35 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
1 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
2 |
|
General Rental Centers |
2 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
1 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
1 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
2 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
9 |
| Graphic Design Services |
2 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Hardware Stores |
5 |
| Hat, Cap, and Millinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
13 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
1 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Home Health Care Services |
3 |
|
Homes for the Elderly |
5 |
| Ice Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Design Services |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
2 |
| Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
4 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
27 |
| Interior Design Services |
1 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
1 |
|
Internet Service Providers |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
1 |
| Investment Advice |
3 |
| Janitorial Services |
32 |
| Jewelry Stores |
2 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
1 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
3 |
| Landscaping Services |
21 |
|
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
2 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
79 |
| Limousine Service |
6 |
| Linen Supply |
1 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
2 |
| Locksmiths |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
17 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
2 |
|
Manifold Business Forms Printing |
1 |
| Marinas |
4 |
| Marine Cargo Handling |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
2 |
| Masonry Contractors |
10 |
| Meat Markets |
5 |
| Medical Laboratories |
1 |
| Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Men's Clothing Stores |
5 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
1 |
| Metal Stamping |
3 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
3 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
1 |
| Motor and Generator Manufacturing |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping |
1 |
|
Motor Vehicle Towing |
1 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
1 |
| Museums |
2 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
1 |
| Nail Salons |
5 |
| Narrow Fabric Mills |
1 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
11 |
|
New Housing Operative Builders |
2 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
8 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
5 |
| Office Administrative Services |
6 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
3 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
|
Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
8 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
6 |
| Offices of Dentists |
39 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
110 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
3 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
6 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
4 |
|
One-Hour Photofinishing |
2 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
1 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
4 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
15 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
9 |
| Payroll Services |
1 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
1 |
|
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
14 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
1 |
| Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
3 |
| Printing Ink Manufacturing |
1 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
1 |
| Professional Organizations |
2 |
|
Quick Printing |
4 |
| Racetracks |
1 |
| Radio Stations |
3 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
5 |
| Remediation Services |
3 |
| Residential Property Managers |
16 |
| Residential Remodelers |
19 |
|
Retail Bakeries |
7 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
5 |
| Roofing Contractors |
7 |
| Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
11 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
2 |
| Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Septic Tank and Related Services |
4 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
3 |
| Shoe Stores |
6 |
| Siding Contractors |
2 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
4 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
5 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
12 |
| Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Software Publishers |
1 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
7 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
7 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
4 |
| Taxi Service |
3 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
2 |
|
Temporary Help Services |
3 |
| Temporary Shelters |
3 |
| Testing Laboratories |
2 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
4 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
3 |
| Tire Dealers |
3 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
1 |
| Tobacco Stores |
1 |
|
Tour Operators |
1 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
7 |
| Used Car Dealers |
16 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
5 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
5 |
| Veterinary Services |
4 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
2 |
|
Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
9 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
4 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
2 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
7 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
8 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
3 |
| Zoos and Botanical Gardens |
1 |
Naming the Business
A big decision when starting a company is choosing a company name. Believe it or not, choosing a good company name can be a big contributor to your business success.
Pick a company name that isn't too generic. If you do a search engine search for your proposed name and a billion results come up, you may want to reconsider the name. It's much easier to come up in the search engines when your name is fairly unique.
Numerous company naming issues are discussed in more detail in this article: Branding Advice.
On a final note, given that you are planning on starting a business in Bridgeport, it's very important that you make sure your company name has not already been claimed by another Connecticut business.
Ramping Up Sales
Being able to sell is fundamental to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Bridgeport or are selling to customers throughout Connecticut, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
Good selling involves demonstrating that your wares meet your customer's needs. The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.
Why Salespeople Fail is worth reading, as it may give you some good ideas on how to sell your products or services. We have many more good articles on selling that you may enjoy reading.
Increase Your Entrepreneurial Knowledge
The best business owners recognize that they don't know everything.
Given that you are starting a business in Bridgeport, Connecticut, you should investigate some of the many programs available at nearby Connecticut universities, colleges and community colleges. You should also check if there are any networking organizations for Bridgeport entrepreneurs.
Next Steps
You have a dream -- starting a business in Bridgeport. To achieve your dream, you have to persevere, even when the odds are against you.
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 Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport, Connecticut
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Bridgeport.
- Resources for Bridgeport, Connecticut Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Bridgeport entrepreneurs.
- Connecticut Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Connecticut.
- Connecticut Small Business Development Center - Central Connecticut State University's Institute of Technology and Business Development (ITBD) supports Connecticut businesses and business-related organizations with training, technology assistance, conferencing services, procurement services and business incubation.
- Bridgeport, Connecticut Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Bridgeport, Connecticut newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Bridgeport area.
- Bridgeport, Connecticut Radio Advertising Prices - To help you in your marketing efforts, we've gathered radio advertising rates for Bridgeport, Connecticut area radio stations.
- Bridgeport, Connecticut Payroll Services - This list includes Bridgeport, Connecticut payroll services, national payroll services for Bridgeport, and helpful information on choosing a Bridgeport payroll service.
- Bridgeport, Connecticut Businesses for Sale - This list includes resources for buying a business in Bridgeport, Connecticut, such as business brokers in Bridgeport and other helpful information on how to buy a Bridgeport business.
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