Thinking about starting a business in Durham, North Carolina? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Durham.
An entrepreneurial life is hard work, much more challenging than working as an employee. Are you sure you want to start a business?
While entrepreneurship has become a popular career choice, we recommend you do the following before you take the plunge:
Durham has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Durham demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Durham.
As a new Durham entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Durham 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 |
9 |
| Ambulance Services |
2 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering |
2 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
4 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
28 |
| Armored Car Services |
1 |
| Art Dealers |
4 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
3 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
8 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
23 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
10 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
3 |
| Barber Shops |
3 |
| Beauty Salons |
62 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
2 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
11 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
2 |
| Boat Building |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
3 |
| Book Publishers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
13 |
| Bottled Water Manufacturing |
1 |
| Bowling Centers |
2 |
| Building Inspection Services |
6 |
| Business Associations |
13 |
| Cafeterias |
7 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
2 |
| Car Washes |
9 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
4 |
| Caterers |
10 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
4 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
2 |
| Child and Youth Services |
15 |
| Child Day Care Services |
94 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
8 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
11 |
| Claims Adjusting |
3 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
10 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
7 |
| Collection Agencies |
7 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
3 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
12 |
| Commercial Photography |
2 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
7 |
| Community Food Services |
3 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
8 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
11 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
42 |
| Computer Training |
6 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
4 |
| Construction Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
8 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
4 |
| Convenience Stores |
28 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
6 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
2 |
| Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
2 |
| Couriers |
6 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
3 |
| Credit Bureaus |
2 |
| Credit Unions |
19 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
77 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
1 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
11 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
5 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
2 |
| Digital Printing |
2 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
10 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
3 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
3 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
2 |
| Discount Department Stores |
7 |
| Display Advertising |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
6 |
| Drafting Services |
5 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
15 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
13 |
| Educational Support Services |
7 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
2 |
| Electrical Contractors |
65 |
| Electronic Computer Manufacturing |
3 |
| Electronic Shopping |
3 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
32 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
9 |
| Engineering Services |
45 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
13 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
4 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
10 |
| Facilities Support Services |
7 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
29 |
| Family Planning Centers |
1 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
10 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
12 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
26 |
| Flight Training |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
15 |
| Flooring Contractors |
11 |
| Florists |
16 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
13 |
| Food Service Contractors |
53 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
2 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
5 |
| Framing Contractors |
6 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
7 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
2 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
189 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
8 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Furniture Stores |
32 |
| General Automotive Repair |
69 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
8 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
3 |
| General Rental Centers |
2 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
7 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
15 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
3 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
9 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
13 |
| Graphic Design Services |
14 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Hardware Stores |
5 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
3 |
| Historical Sites |
3 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
10 |
| Home Centers |
5 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Home Health Care Services |
22 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
14 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
3 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
2 |
| Industrial Design Services |
2 |
| Industrial Gas Manufacturing |
2 |
| Industrial Launderers |
7 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
82 |
| Interior Design Services |
7 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
2 |
| Internet Service Providers |
4 |
| Investigation Services |
1 |
| Investment Advice |
13 |
| Janitorial Services |
67 |
| Jewelry Stores |
45 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
4 |
| Land Subdivision |
11 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
6 |
| Landscaping Services |
56 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
3 |
| Libraries and Archives |
2 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
227 |
| Limousine Service |
2 |
| Linen Supply |
3 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
6 |
| Locksmiths |
3 |
| Logging |
1 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
5 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
4 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
2 |
| Marinas |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
17 |
| Masonry Contractors |
8 |
| Meat Markets |
2 |
| Medical Laboratories |
8 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
6 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
4 |
| Mixed Mode Transit Systems |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
12 |
| Motion Picture and Video Distribution |
2 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
13 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
13 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
4 |
| Museums |
3 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
4 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
4 |
| Musical Instrument Manufacturing |
1 |
| Nail Salons |
4 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
16 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
11 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
2 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
6 |
| Nonferrous Forging |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
6 |
| Nonwoven Fabric Mills |
2 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
15 |
| Office Administrative Services |
27 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
11 |
| Office Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
8 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
39 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
23 |
| Offices of Dentists |
103 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
157 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
15 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
6 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
5 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
13 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
2 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
10 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
4 |
| Outerwear Knitting Mills |
1 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
3 |
| Paging |
1 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
9 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
29 |
| Paper (except Newsprint) Mills |
1 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
10 |
| Passenger Car Leasing |
3 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
4 |
| Payroll Services |
2 |
| Periodical Publishers |
10 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
6 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
10 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
29 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
14 |
| Portfolio Management |
9 |
| Prepress Services |
4 |
| Private Mail Centers |
6 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
2 |
| Professional Organizations |
12 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
2 |
| Quick Printing |
6 |
| Radio Networks |
2 |
| Radio Stations |
1 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
4 |
| Real Estate Credit |
26 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
3 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
1 |
| Remediation Services |
4 |
| Repossession Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
54 |
| Residential Remodelers |
35 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
13 |
| Roofing Contractors |
10 |
| Sales Financing |
3 |
| Savings Institutions |
6 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
25 |
| Sheer Hosiery Mills |
1 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
3 |
| Shoe Stores |
34 |
| Siding Contractors |
6 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
5 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
21 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
30 |
| Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing |
1 |
| Soft Drink Manufacturing |
1 |
| Software Publishers |
25 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
8 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
4 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
10 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
10 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
3 |
| Support Activities for Forestry |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
21 |
| Taxi Service |
2 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
6 |
| Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Television Broadcasting |
2 |
| Temporary Help Services |
60 |
| Temporary Shelters |
4 |
| Testing Laboratories |
6 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
6 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
7 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Tire Dealers |
22 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
3 |
| Tobacco Stores |
4 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tour Operators |
2 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
16 |
| Used Car Dealers |
15 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
10 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
14 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
2 |
| Veterinary Services |
22 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
12 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
3 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
5 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
20 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
2 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
58 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
37 |
| Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
Visit the business district of Durham and it's apparent that franchising has become a very popular way to start a business. But is franchising the right option for you?
Our advice is to evaluate the possibility of your buying a franchise opportunity. We have many articles on franchises, such as Buying an Existing Franchise. Become a franchising expert of sorts by reading more of our Articles on Franchising.
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.
To get up to speed on what makes for a good company name, we encourage you to read this useful article: Branding Advice.
On a final note, given that you are planning on starting a business in Durham, it's critical that you ensure that your company name has not already been claimed by another North Carolina business.
Having a business plan is essential in laying a solid foundation for your business success. Simply put, a business plan describes what you plan to do with the business and how you plan to do it. Failure to write a business plan makes you more prone to becoming a business failure statistic.
Raising money to fund your new Durham business requires strong organization skills and perseverance. If you don't have a rich uncle to fund you, you'll need to be creative in how you approach your fundraising efforts.
To learn about raising money, we recommend you read the fundraising articles on our site, such as Getting a Small Business Loan.
To rise above the crowd in Durham and build your business, having an excellent marketing plan is fundamental to your beating the competition.
As an entrepreneur in Durham, you won't be working for the boss anymore. You are the boss.
Owning your own business will be a daunting task, but you can do it.
This site is all about helping entrepreneurs in Durham and elsewhere to achieve real success. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Durham, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Durham.
