Contemplating starting a business in Eden Prairie, Minnesota? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Eden Prairie.
Choosing the Right Company to Start
There are many businesses that you can start. How do you know which type of business is right for you? To stir your creative juices on what kind of business to start, take a look at Business Ideas That Don't Make Sense.
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 How to Start an Adhesive & Glues Wholesale & Manufacturers Business guide or our Starting an Adult Foster Care Business guide.
Always keep in mind that starting a business in Eden Prairie has some implications. Some businesses will do better in Eden Prairie than others. A critical consideration is whether Eden Prairie demographics mesh well with your startup concept.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota Demographic Information
Eden Prairie has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Eden Prairie demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Eden Prairie.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
3641 |
| 5-9 Employees |
972 |
| 10-19 Employees |
876 |
| 20-49 Employees |
681 |
| 50-99 Employees |
318 |
| 100-249 Employees |
183 |
| 250-499 Employees |
72 |
| 500-999 Employees |
24 |
| 1000+ Employees |
3 |
| All Eden Prairie Businesses |
6770 |
As a new Eden Prairie entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Eden Prairie 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 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
2 |
| Architectural Services |
15 |
| Art Dealers |
1 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
2 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
3 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
27 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
2 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
1 |
| Book Publishers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
1 |
| Books Printing |
1 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
1 |
| Business Associations |
4 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
1 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
1 |
| Cafeterias |
2 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
2 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
1 |
| Car Washes |
4 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
3 |
| Caterers |
4 |
| Child and Youth Services |
1 |
| Child Day Care Services |
14 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
3 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
2 |
| Coffee and Tea Manufacturing |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
1 |
| Collection Agencies |
6 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
1 |
| Commercial Flexographic Printing |
2 |
| Commercial Gravure Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
10 |
| Commercial Photography |
3 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
1 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
1 |
| Community Food Services |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
5 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
4 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
68 |
| Computer Training |
5 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
1 |
| Couriers |
3 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
4 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
47 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
1 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
2 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
1 |
| Digital Printing |
2 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
4 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
8 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
4 |
| Discount Department Stores |
4 |
| Display Advertising |
2 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drafting Services |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
2 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
4 |
| Educational Support Services |
4 |
| Electrical Contractors |
15 |
| Electronic Auctions |
1 |
| Electronic Computer Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
7 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
3 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
4 |
| Engineering Services |
30 |
| Envelope Manufacturing |
1 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
2 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
2 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
1 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
8 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
7 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
6 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
15 |
| Flight Training |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
1 |
| Flooring Contractors |
1 |
| Florists |
2 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
2 |
| Food Service Contractors |
7 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
1 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
4 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
63 |
| Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
2 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
28 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
2 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Furniture Stores |
6 |
| General Automotive Repair |
10 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
2 |
| General Rental Centers |
2 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
3 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
6 |
| Glass Container Manufacturing |
1 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
2 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
2 |
| Graphic Design Services |
8 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
1 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Home Health Care Services |
1 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
3 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
2 |
| Industrial Design Services |
3 |
| Industrial Launderers |
1 |
| Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
58 |
| Interior Design Services |
6 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
4 |
| Internet Service Providers |
4 |
| Investment Advice |
9 |
| Janitorial Services |
16 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Jewelry Stores |
9 |
| Junior Colleges |
2 |
| Land Subdivision |
5 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
2 |
| Landscaping Services |
18 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Libraries and Archives |
2 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
46 |
| Machine Shops |
6 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
6 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
25 |
| Masonry Contractors |
4 |
| Meat Markets |
3 |
| Media Buying Agencies |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
1 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
3 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
19 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
5 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
1 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
4 |
| Nail Salons |
9 |
| New Car Dealers |
1 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
2 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
8 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
2 |
| Office Administrative Services |
14 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
10 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
3 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
13 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
12 |
| Offices of Dentists |
26 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
13 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
4 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
2 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
1 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
6 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
7 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paging |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
3 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
13 |
| Passenger Car Leasing |
4 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
2 |
| Periodical Publishers |
1 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
2 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
4 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
4 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
9 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
5 |
| Private Mail Centers |
2 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
1 |
| Professional Organizations |
1 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
1 |
| Quick Printing |
4 |
| Radio Stations |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
21 |
| Residential Property Managers |
12 |
| Residential Remodelers |
18 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
3 |
| Roofing Contractors |
2 |
| Sales Financing |
4 |
| Savings Institutions |
1 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
8 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
1 |
| Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
5 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
3 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
1 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
14 |
| Software Publishers |
13 |
| Software Reproducing |
1 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
1 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
11 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
6 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
2 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
4 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
2 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
1 |
| Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Television Broadcasting |
2 |
| Temporary Help Services |
9 |
| Testing Laboratories |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
1 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
5 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
6 |
| Tobacco Stores |
1 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tour Operators |
2 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
8 |
| Used Car Dealers |
1 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
3 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
1 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
1 |
| Veterinary Services |
7 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
5 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
4 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
1 |
| Web Search Portals |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
79 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
1 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
4 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
14 |
Naming the Business
A big decision when starting a company is choosing a company name. Believe it or not, choosing a good company name can be a big contributor to your business success.
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.
Numerous company naming issues are discussed in more detail in this article: Branding Advice.
On a final note, given that you are opening a business in Eden Prairie, it's very important that you make sure you will be the only Minnesota company using the business name you have chosen.
Raising Money for Your New Venture
Finding the funds to fuel the growth of your Eden Prairie 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 504 Loans.
For Eden Prairie entrepreneurs who want to raise money for a new venture, you'll want to take a look at our List of Minnesota Angel Investors and our List of Minnesota Venture Capital Firms.
Ramping Up Sales
Being able to sell is essential to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Eden Prairie or are selling to customers throughout Minnesota, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
Good selling involves demonstrating that your wares meet your customer's needs. Let us help you refine your selling techniques through our many useful sales advice tips.
Closing Sales Techniques is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.
How to Improve Your Entrepreneurial Abilities
Successful entrepreneurs recognize that they need to continually improve.
Given that you are starting a business in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby Minnesota universities, colleges and community colleges. We also suggest you look into networking groups or organizations in which Eden Prairie entrepreneurs get together to network and trade their business experiences.
Next Steps
You have a dream -- starting a business in Eden Prairie. 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.
This site is all about helping entrepreneurs in Eden Prairie and elsewhere to achieve real success. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Eden Prairie 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 Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Eden Prairie.
More Startup Articles for Minnesota Cities
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Starting a Business in Eden Valley
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