Maine Business Startup Guides
Starting a Business in Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Thinking about starting a business in Cape Elizabeth, Maine? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Cape Elizabeth.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine Demographic Information
Cape Elizabeth has an active business community that includes small businesses, mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Cape Elizabeth demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Cape Elizabeth.
Businesses
As a new Cape Elizabeth entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Cape Elizabeth 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.
Businesses
Should You Franchise?
As you drive around Cape Elizabeth, you'll notice that many local entrepreneurs have gone the franchising route. But is franchising the right option for you?
We advise the entrepreneurs we work with to consider franchising as an option. We have many articles on franchises, such as Franchising Pros and Cons. Become a franchising expert of sorts by reading more of our Articles on Franchising.
You can find franchise opportunities by browsing our Franchise Opportunities Directory.
Sample franchise opportunities include Subway Franchises and Starbucks Franchises. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Accounting Franchises and Moving Franchises.
Note on Cape Elizabeth Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Cape Elizabeth.
Should You Buy an Existing Cape Elizabeth Business?
We've created a helpful website page for those who want to Buy a Business in Maine. Follow that link and you can assess several good businesses for sale in Cape Elizabeth.
Before buying a business, be sure to read this article: Hold Harmless Agreements When Buying Businesses.
Don't Skip the Business Plan
A business plan is critical to the health of your new business. Simply put, a business plan describes what you plan to do with the business and how you plan to do it. Not having a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
To learn more about business plans, read Expert Advice on Business Plans. You can also get face-to-face free consulting available from your local SCORE chapter in Maine.
Getting Money to Start a Business
Raising money to fund your new Cape Elizabeth business is a difficult chore. In fact, financing your new business may be the hardest challenge you ever face.
Take advantage of our many articles on raising capital, such as Bank Credit Lines.
For Cape Elizabeth entrepreneurs on the hunt for startup funding, check out our List of Maine Angel Investors and our List of Maine Venture Capital Firms.
Building Up Your Sales
Being able to sell is a key enabler to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Cape Elizabeth or are selling to customers throughout Maine, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
So what does it take to bring in more prospects and close more business? Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
Compensating Sales People is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.
Now It's Up To You
You have a dream -- starting a business in Cape Elizabeth. 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 Cape Elizabeth 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 Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Cape Elizabeth.
- Resources for Cape Elizabeth, Maine Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Cape Elizabeth entrepreneurs.
- Maine Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Maine.
- Maine Small Business Development Center - Maine Small Business Development Centers and its technology-focused group, the Maine Small Business & Technology Development Centers, provide comprehensive business management assistance, training, resource and information services to Maine's entrepreneurs and small business owners.
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