Thinking about starting a business in Burnsville, Minnesota? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Burnsville.
Will You Be a Good Entrepreneur?
Most startup businesses don't make it, in part because the founder did not have the perseverance and abilities that are necessary to succeed. So, before you start your business, consider all of the implications of being an entrepreneur.
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 Burnsville. They are usually very willing to share their insights on the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur.
- 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. Others sometimes know you better than you know yourself.
Burnsville, Minnesota Demographic Information
Burnsville has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Burnsville demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Burnsville.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
13260 |
| 5-9 Employees |
4872 |
| 10-19 Employees |
3768 |
| 20-49 Employees |
2580 |
| 50-99 Employees |
804 |
| 100-249 Employees |
624 |
| 250-499 Employees |
84 |
| 500-999 Employees |
12 |
| 1000+ Employees |
24 |
| All Burnsville Businesses |
26028 |
As a new Burnsville entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Burnsville 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 |
5 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
3 |
| Art Dealers |
2 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
3 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
5 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
2 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
| Barber Shops |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
26 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
9 |
| Boat Dealers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
4 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
3 |
| Business Associations |
2 |
| Cafeterias |
1 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
4 |
| Car Washes |
3 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
2 |
| Caterers |
2 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
2 |
| Child Day Care Services |
21 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
4 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
4 |
| Claims Adjusting |
1 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
4 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
1 |
| Collection Agencies |
4 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
3 |
| Commercial Photography |
3 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
1 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
6 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
1 |
| Computer Storage Device Manufacturing |
1 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
28 |
| Computer Training |
4 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
4 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
1 |
| Convenience Stores |
2 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
7 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
| Couriers |
1 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
2 |
| Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
29 |
| Dental Laboratories |
1 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
1 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
2 |
| Digital Printing |
1 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
3 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
3 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
2 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
1 |
| Discount Department Stores |
3 |
| Display Advertising |
2 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drafting Services |
3 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
5 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
11 |
| Educational Support Services |
1 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
2 |
| Electrical Contractors |
14 |
| Electronic Shopping |
2 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
1 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
2 |
| Engineering Services |
21 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
1 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
10 |
| Family Planning Centers |
1 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
3 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
11 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
9 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
5 |
| Flooring Contractors |
9 |
| Florists |
2 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
4 |
| Food Service Contractors |
4 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
1 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
3 |
| Framing Contractors |
8 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
5 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
40 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Furniture Stores |
16 |
| General Automotive Repair |
11 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
3 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
1 |
| General Rental Centers |
2 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
4 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
8 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
1 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
2 |
| Graphic Design Services |
8 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Hardware Stores |
6 |
| Hazardous Waste Collection |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
5 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Health Care Services |
9 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
3 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
2 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
52 |
| Interior Design Services |
2 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
3 |
| Internet Service Providers |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
2 |
| Investment Advice |
8 |
| Janitorial Services |
21 |
| Jewelry Stores |
16 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
1 |
| Land Subdivision |
6 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
1 |
| Landscaping Services |
23 |
| Lead Pencil and Art Good Manufacturing |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
3 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
40 |
| Limousine Service |
1 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
3 |
| Machine Shops |
17 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
3 |
| Manifold Business Forms Printing |
1 |
| Marinas |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
5 |
| Masonry Contractors |
9 |
| Meat Markets |
1 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
2 |
| Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
14 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
4 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
1 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Nail Salons |
6 |
| New Car Dealers |
12 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
7 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
1 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
2 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
2 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
1 |
| Office Administrative Services |
8 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
12 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
28 |
| Offices of Dentists |
31 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
30 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
2 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
1 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
10 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
10 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
4 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
4 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
17 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
1 |
| Payroll Services |
1 |
| Periodical Publishers |
2 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
6 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
3 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
6 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
9 |
| Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Political Organizations |
1 |
| Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
2 |
| Private Mail Centers |
2 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
2 |
| Professional Organizations |
2 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
2 |
| Quick Printing |
1 |
| Radio Networks |
1 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
2 |
| Real Estate Credit |
15 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
8 |
| Residential Remodelers |
23 |
| Retail Bakeries |
2 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
1 |
| Roofing Contractors |
6 |
| Sales Financing |
2 |
| Savings Institutions |
2 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
2 |
| Securities Brokerage |
10 |
| Shoe Stores |
14 |
| Siding Contractors |
6 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
3 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
4 |
| Skiing Facilities |
1 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
17 |
| Soft Drink Manufacturing |
1 |
| Software Publishers |
6 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
2 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
12 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
5 |
| Storage Battery Manufacturing |
3 |
| Support Activities for Forestry |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
10 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
1 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
6 |
| Temporary Shelters |
3 |
| Testing Laboratories |
2 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
3 |
| Tire Dealers |
5 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
6 |
| Tobacco Stores |
1 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
5 |
| Used Car Dealers |
11 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
2 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
6 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
2 |
| Veterinary Services |
7 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
2 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
2 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
40 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
2 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
7 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
18 |
| Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
Have You Considered Buying an Existing Burnsville Business?
We've created a handy website page for those who want to Buy a Business in Minnesota. Follow that link and you may find several good businesses for sale in Burnsville.
If you are intent on buying a business, you may want to read this article: Buying a Business.
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.
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.
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 starting a business in Burnsville, it's imperative that you check now that no other Minnesota company is using the business name you want to use.
Forming a Company in Burnsville, Minnesota
It's very important 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 traditional C-corporation, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), or an S-corporation.
Incorporation is a very common way to legally create a business entity. Of course, you have to decide which type of corporation to form and where to incorporate. If you are starting a business in Minnesota, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in Minnesota. In fact, you can incorporate in the state of your choosing. However, if you do incorporate in another state, you'll have to register as a foreign corporation in your home state.
There are many nuances to forming a company. We recommend you read some of the educational articles about company formation that are availabe on our site, such as Nevada Incorporation. You should also consider getting professional assistance from your business lawyer. Finally, if you are starting a business in Burnsville, Minnesota, our information on Incorporating in Minnesota may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Minnesota.
Getting Money to Start a Business
Getting your Burnsville business the capital it needs to succeed is not an easy task. Bootstrapping, which means growing the business without outside funding, is the best alternative, but that's not a viable option for many startup plans.
Take advantage of our many articles on raising money, such as Bank Credit Lines.
For Burnsville entrepreneurs who need startup capital, browse our List of Minnesota Angel Investors and our List of Minnesota Venture Capital Firms.
How to Sell
Mastering the art of selling is essential if you want your new Burnsville business to do well.
Why should customers buy from you instead of buying from competitors? Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
Hiring Good Sales People 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.
What's Next?
Most new Burnsville businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
From this point on, you control your own destiny.
We are here to help Burnsville businesses to be successful. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Burnsville entrepreneur who is just getting started or you are already up and running with your new venture.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Burnsville, Minnesota
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Burnsville.
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