Are you starting a business in Cape Girardeau, Missouri? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Cape Girardeau.
Are You Sure You Want to Do This?
Before you get too far along in the process, assess 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 Cape Girardeau. Ask them candidly what it's like to run a business.
- We recommend reading Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs. For aspiring new entrepreneurs, it's a must read article.
- Seek the advice of somebody who knows you well. The people who know you best are often in the best position to tell you bluntly whether you will be a good entrepreneur.
What Business Are You Starting?
An important decision is what kind of business you want to start. To stir your creative juices on what kind of business to start, take a look at Finding Your Niche in Life.
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 Opening a Cabinet Hardware Business guide or our How to Start an Optical Goods Wholesale & Manufacturers Business guide.
Remember that your new business will be in Cape Girardeau. The business you want to start may already be well-represented in Cape Girardeau. A critical consideration is whether Cape Girardeau demographics mesh well with your startup concept.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri Demographic Information
Cape Girardeau has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Cape Girardeau demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Cape Girardeau.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
2287 |
| 5-9 Employees |
1101 |
| 10-19 Employees |
765 |
| 20-49 Employees |
549 |
| 50-99 Employees |
174 |
| 100-249 Employees |
99 |
| 250-499 Employees |
18 |
| 500-999 Employees |
9 |
| 1000+ Employees |
9 |
| All Cape Girardeau Businesses |
5011 |
As a new Cape Girardeau entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Cape Girardeau 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 |
3 |
| Ambulance Services |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
|
Apprenticeship Training |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
8 |
| Art Dealers |
2 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
2 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
4 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
9 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
4 |
|
Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
14 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
1 |
| Book Stores |
4 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills |
1 |
|
Building Inspection Services |
1 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
1 |
| Business Associations |
3 |
| Cafeterias |
1 |
| Car Washes |
4 |
| Cement Manufacturing |
1 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
1 |
| Child Day Care Services |
11 |
|
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
3 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
4 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
3 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
4 |
| Collection Agencies |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
1 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
7 |
|
Computer Systems Design Services |
2 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
2 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
10 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
1 |
| Convenience Stores |
1 |
|
Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
1 |
| Couriers |
1 |
| Credit Bureaus |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
1 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
2 |
| Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
3 |
| Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planing |
1 |
|
Dental Laboratories |
3 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
6 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
2 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
1 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
3 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
1 |
| Discount Department Stores |
3 |
| Display Advertising |
1 |
|
Document Preparation Services |
1 |
| Drafting Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
8 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
2 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
7 |
| Electrical Contractors |
12 |
| Electronic Shopping |
1 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
4 |
|
Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
2 |
| Engineering Services |
7 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
2 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
2 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
5 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
10 |
| Farm Management Services |
1 |
|
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
2 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
5 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
7 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
4 |
| Flooring Contractors |
2 |
| Florists |
5 |
| Flour Milling |
1 |
|
Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
4 |
| Food Service Contractors |
2 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
4 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
2 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
45 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
4 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
|
Furniture Stores |
6 |
| General Automotive Repair |
16 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
3 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
3 |
| General Rental Centers |
4 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
3 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
11 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
1 |
|
Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
2 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
2 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
4 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Home Health Care Services |
6 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
2 |
|
Homes for the Elderly |
1 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
6 |
| Ice Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
1 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
47 |
| Investigation Services |
1 |
| Investment Advice |
2 |
|
Janitorial Services |
8 |
| Jewelry Stores |
9 |
| Junior Colleges |
1 |
| Land Subdivision |
3 |
| Landscaping Services |
11 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
5 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
45 |
| Linen Supply |
1 |
|
Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
1 |
| Locksmiths |
2 |
| Machine Shops |
2 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
1 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
3 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
2 |
| Masonry Contractors |
4 |
| Medical Laboratories |
4 |
|
Men's Clothing Stores |
3 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
3 |
| Mobile Food Services |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
5 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
1 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
5 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
2 |
|
Nail Salons |
1 |
| Navigational Services to Shipping |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
14 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
1 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
6 |
| Office Administrative Services |
6 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
1 |
|
Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
15 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
10 |
| Offices of Dentists |
27 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
32 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
7 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
2 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
2 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
4 |
|
One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
5 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
2 |
| Paging |
2 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
3 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
6 |
| Paper (except Newsprint) Mills |
1 |
|
Passenger Car Rental |
2 |
| Payroll Services |
1 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
2 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
4 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
9 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
7 |
| Plate Work Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Political Organizations |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
2 |
| Professional Organizations |
3 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
2 |
| Quick Printing |
3 |
| Radio Stations |
5 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
3 |
| Real Estate Credit |
1 |
|
Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
2 |
| Remediation Services |
1 |
| Repossession Services |
2 |
| Residential Property Managers |
4 |
| Residential Remodelers |
10 |
| Retail Bakeries |
1 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
1 |
| Roofing Contractors |
6 |
|
Sales Financing |
1 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
1 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
5 |
| Securities Brokerage |
9 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
2 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
1 |
| Sewage Treatment Facilities |
1 |
| Ship Building and Repairing |
1 |
|
Shoe Stores |
14 |
| Siding Contractors |
3 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
5 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
4 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
3 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
7 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
4 |
|
Taxi Service |
1 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
1 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
1 |
| Television Broadcasting |
2 |
| Temporary Help Services |
3 |
| Temporary Shelters |
1 |
| Testing Laboratories |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
1 |
|
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
2 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
6 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
3 |
| Tobacco Stores |
2 |
| Tour Operators |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
3 |
| Used Car Dealers |
13 |
|
Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
2 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
7 |
| Veterinary Services |
5 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
4 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
6 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
3 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
2 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
1 |
|
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
6 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
11 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
12 |
Is a Franchise Opportunity Right For You?
As you drive around Cape Girardeau, you'll conclude that many business owners have opted to buy a franchise, rather than starting a business on their own. But is franchising the right option for you?
We advise the entrepreneurs we work with to consider franchising as an option. On our site, you can read many articles about franchising, such as Franchise Marketing Support. Gain a solid understanding of franchising by scanning all of our Articles on Franchising.
You can review hundreds of franchise opportunities by browing our Franchise Directory.
Sample franchise opportunities include Ovenu Oven Detailing Service and Altoids Gum Vending Machines by Candy King. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Retail Franchises and Frozen Yogurt Franchises.
Note on Cape Girardeau Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Cape Girardeau.
What About Buying an Existing Cape Girardeau Business?
An excellent way to get started in business is to Buy a Business in Missouri. Follow that link and you might discover several good businesses for sale in Cape Girardeau.
If you are going to be buying a business, you may want to read this article: Hold Harmless Agreements When Buying Businesses.
Selling Tips
Being able to sell is essential to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Cape Girardeau or are selling to customers throughout Missouri, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
The key to selling is to set sales goals goals and monitor your progress towards those goals. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
The Art of Customer Referrals 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.
Advancing Your Entrepreneurial Skills
Good business owners recognize that what they know now may not be enough to ensure their future success.
As an entrepreneur who lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, you should get information on some of the learning programs at local Missouri educational institutions. You should also check if there are any networking organizations for Cape Girardeau entrepreneurs.
Next Steps
You have a dream -- starting a business in Cape Girardeau. 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 Cape Girardeau and elsewhere to achieve real success. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Cape Girardeau, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Cape Girardeau.
- Resources for Cape Girardeau, Missouri Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Cape Girardeau entrepreneurs.
- Missouri Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Missouri.
- Missouri Small Business Development Center - Missouri Small Business Development Center business specialists are uniquely qualified to help small businesses get started, develop and thrive.
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Cape Girardeau, Missouri newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Cape Girardeau area.
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri Radio Advertising Prices - To help you in your marketing efforts, we've gathered radio advertising rates for Cape Girardeau, Missouri area radio stations.
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri Payroll Services - This list includes Cape Girardeau, Missouri payroll services, national payroll services for Cape Girardeau, and helpful information on choosing a Cape Girardeau payroll service.
- Cape Girardeau, Missouri Businesses for Sale - This list includes resources for buying a business in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, such as business brokers in Cape Girardeau and other helpful information on how to buy a Cape Girardeau business.
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