Contemplating starting a business in Corvallis, Oregon? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Corvallis.
Do You Have Entrepreneurial Drive and Passion?
Before announcing to the world that you are going to start your own business, assess your entrepreneurial instincts and capabilities.
Here are three things we recommend you do before you fully commit to starting a new business of your own.
- Speak with other entrepreneurs in Corvallis. Get their candid feedback on what it takes to start a successful business.
- You should read The Entrepreneurial Personality. It's a good read for those who are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur.
- Reach out to a trusted acquaintance. A support network of family and friends can be a great sounding board for good advice before you decide for sure to go into business.
Corvallis, Oregon Demographic Information
Corvallis has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Corvallis demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Corvallis.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
5428 |
| 5-9 Employees |
2178 |
| 10-19 Employees |
1416 |
| 20-49 Employees |
948 |
| 50-99 Employees |
198 |
| 100-249 Employees |
156 |
| 250-499 Employees |
18 |
| 500-999 Employees |
6 |
| 1000+ Employees |
12 |
| All Corvallis Businesses |
10360 |
As a new Corvallis entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Corvallis 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 |
| Architectural Services |
3 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
2 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
6 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
2 |
| Barber Shops |
1 |
|
Beauty Salons |
20 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
2 |
| Boat Dealers |
1 |
| Book Publishers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
6 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Breweries |
1 |
|
Building Inspection Services |
4 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
1 |
| Business Associations |
3 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
1 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
2 |
| Cafeterias |
3 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Car Washes |
4 |
|
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
4 |
| Caterers |
3 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
5 |
| Child Day Care Services |
16 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
14 |
| Claims Adjusting |
1 |
|
Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
2 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
2 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
3 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
2 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
2 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
2 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
13 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
1 |
|
Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
2 |
| Consumer Lending |
4 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
2 |
| Convenience Stores |
5 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
1 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Couriers |
1 |
|
Credit Unions |
5 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
11 |
| Dental Laboratories |
5 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
1 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
3 |
| Discount Department Stores |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
3 |
| Drafting Services |
1 |
|
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
4 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
3 |
| Educational Support Services |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
9 |
| Electronic Computer Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
3 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
3 |
|
Employment Placement Agencies |
2 |
| Engineering Services |
39 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
17 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
2 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
2 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
6 |
|
Finish Carpentry Contractors |
4 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
8 |
| Flight Training |
3 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
5 |
| Flooring Contractors |
2 |
| Florists |
6 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
2 |
|
Food Product Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food Service Contractors |
4 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
1 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
6 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
1 |
| Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Canning |
1 |
|
Full-Service Restaurants |
41 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
2 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Furniture Stores |
6 |
| General Automotive Repair |
15 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
1 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
2 |
| General Rental Centers |
1 |
|
General Warehousing and Storage |
1 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
4 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
1 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
4 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
3 |
| Graphic Design Services |
5 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Hardware Stores |
2 |
|
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
4 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Health Care Services |
2 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
1 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
13 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
3 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
3 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
1 |
|
Industrial Launderers |
2 |
| Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
1 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
28 |
| Interior Design Services |
1 |
| International Trade Financing |
1 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
1 |
| Internet Service Providers |
1 |
|
Investment Advice |
6 |
| Janitorial Services |
12 |
| Jewelry Stores |
9 |
| Land Subdivision |
1 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
2 |
| Landscaping Services |
26 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
5 |
|
Limited-Service Restaurants |
55 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
2 |
| Locksmiths |
1 |
| Logging |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
5 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
3 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
3 |
| Masonry Contractors |
1 |
|
Meat Markets |
3 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
3 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
3 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
2 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
1 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
1 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
4 |
|
Musical Instrument Manufacturing |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
6 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
1 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
2 |
| Office Administrative Services |
5 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
16 |
|
Offices of Chiropractors |
9 |
| Offices of Dentists |
31 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
31 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
3 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
3 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
4 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
1 |
|
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
2 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
2 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
5 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
1 |
| Payroll Services |
1 |
| Periodical Publishers |
5 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
4 |
|
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
3 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
6 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
3 |
| Portfolio Management |
1 |
| Poultry Processing |
1 |
| Prepress Services |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
3 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
1 |
|
Professional Organizations |
2 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
2 |
| Quick Printing |
1 |
| Radio Networks |
1 |
| Radio Stations |
1 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
2 |
| Real Estate Credit |
4 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
|
Remediation Services |
2 |
| Residential Property Managers |
16 |
| Residential Remodelers |
17 |
| Retail Bakeries |
2 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
2 |
| Roofing Contractors |
2 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
29 |
| Savings Institutions |
4 |
|
Sawmills |
1 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
1 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
12 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
3 |
| Shoe Stores |
5 |
| Siding Contractors |
1 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
4 |
|
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
22 |
| Software Publishers |
5 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
2 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
10 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
4 |
| Support Activities for Forestry |
6 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
7 |
|
Taxi Service |
2 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
2 |
| Television Broadcasting |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
5 |
| Temporary Shelters |
1 |
| Testing Laboratories |
4 |
| Timber Tract Operations |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
5 |
|
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
2 |
| Tobacco Stores |
1 |
| Tour Operators |
1 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
3 |
| Used Car Dealers |
3 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
3 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
6 |
|
Vending Machine Operators |
2 |
| Veterinary Services |
8 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
5 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
4 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
3 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
2 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
2 |
| Wineries |
2 |
|
Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
2 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
9 |
Is Franchising a Better Option?
Visit the business district of Corvallis and you'll notice that many local entrepreneurs have gone the franchising route. Should you be giving franchising serious consideration?
Our recommendation is that you consider franchising as an option. To help you learn more about franchising, we've gathered a ton of articles on franchising, including Franchising Scams. Gain a solid understanding of franchising by scanning all of our Articles on Franchising.
A comprehensive list of franchisors is available via our List of Franchise Opportunities.
Sample franchise opportunities include eSellables and Mini-Tankers Canada LTD. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Senior Care Franchises and Meal Preparation Franchises.
Note on Corvallis Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Corvallis.
Is Buying an Existing Corvallis Business a Good Strategy?
We've created a handy website page for those who want to Buy a Business in Oregon. Follow that link and you may find several good businesses for sale in Corvallis.
For anybody who wants to buy a business, we recommend reading this useful article: Buying a Business.
Make Sure You Have a Business Plan
Having a business plan is vital in maximizing the prospects of your new company. Indeed, a business plan is a written description of the future you envision for your business. Not having a business plan makes you more prone to becoming a business failure statistic.
To learn more about business plans, read Business Plan Outsourcing. You can also get free business counselors available to you through your local SCORE chapter in Oregon.
Bring in Revenues
Being able to sell is critical to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Corvallis or are selling to customers throughout Oregon, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
Not knowing how to sell can result in lost customers and minimal market share. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
Closing Sales offers some helpful tips on how to sell. It's one of several good articles on our site regarding Entrepreneurial Selling.
Now It's Up To You
You have a dream -- starting a business in Corvallis. 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.
We are here to help Corvallis businesses to be successful. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Corvallis 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 Corvallis, Oregon
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Corvallis.
- Resources for Corvallis, Oregon Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Corvallis entrepreneurs.
- Oregon Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Oregon.
- Oregon Small Business Development Center - Oregon Small Business Development Centers use a client-centered approach to deliver counseling, training, information and technical assistance in all aspects of small business management. There is no fee for their assistance.
- Corvallis, Oregon Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Corvallis, Oregon newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Corvallis area.
- Corvallis, Oregon Radio Advertising Prices - To help you in your marketing efforts, we've gathered radio advertising rates for Corvallis, Oregon area radio stations.
- Corvallis, Oregon Payroll Services - This list includes Corvallis, Oregon payroll services, national payroll services for Corvallis, and helpful information on choosing a Corvallis payroll service.
- Corvallis, Oregon Businesses for Sale - This list includes resources for buying a business in Corvallis, Oregon, such as business brokers in Corvallis and other helpful information on how to buy a Corvallis business.
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