Contemplating starting a business in Eugene, Oregon? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Eugene.
Most new ventures fail, in part because the business owner did not have the perseverance and abilities that are necessary to succeed. So, before you open a business, consider all of the implications of being an entrepreneur.
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:
Eugene has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Eugene demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Eugene.
As a new Eugene entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Eugene 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 |
|
Abrasive Product Manufacturing |
2 |
| Adhesive Manufacturing |
2 |
| Advertising Agencies |
17 |
| Air Traffic Control |
1 |
| Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries |
1 |
| Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
1 |
| Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
3 |
|
Apprenticeship Training |
2 |
| Architectural Services |
33 |
| Armored Car Services |
1 |
| Art Dealers |
6 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
3 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
7 |
|
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
29 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
8 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
| Barber Shops |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
52 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
6 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
7 |
|
Blood and Organ Banks |
2 |
| Boat Building |
2 |
| Boat Dealers |
5 |
| Book Publishers |
8 |
| Book Stores |
13 |
| Bowling Centers |
4 |
| Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing |
2 |
| Building Inspection Services |
7 |
|
Business and Secretarial Schools |
1 |
| Business Associations |
19 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
1 |
| Cafeterias |
2 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
2 |
| Car Washes |
12 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
10 |
|
Caterers |
8 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
9 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
11 |
| Child Day Care Services |
50 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
6 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
27 |
| Claims Adjusting |
5 |
|
Clothing Accessories Stores |
2 |
| Coffee and Tea Manufacturing |
4 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
7 |
| Collection Agencies |
3 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
4 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
16 |
| Commercial Photography |
5 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
7 |
|
Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
1 |
| Community Food Services |
3 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
9 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
32 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
1 |
| Concrete Pipe Manufacturing |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
3 |
| Construction Machinery Manufacturing |
4 |
|
Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
2 |
| Consumer Lending |
14 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
5 |
| Convenience Stores |
42 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
6 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
| Copper Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
1 |
| Couriers |
4 |
|
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
2 |
| Credit Bureaus |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
23 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
33 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
1 |
| Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planing |
8 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
18 |
|
Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
5 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
2 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
9 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
4 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
4 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
3 |
| Discount Department Stores |
5 |
| Display Advertising |
6 |
|
Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drafting Services |
6 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
35 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
17 |
| Educational Support Services |
20 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
2 |
| Electrical Contractors |
46 |
| Electronic Shopping |
12 |
|
Elementary and Secondary Schools |
18 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
2 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
3 |
| Engineering Services |
46 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
6 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
4 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
10 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
21 |
|
Farm Management Services |
1 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
2 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
12 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
18 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
2 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
23 |
| Flight Training |
2 |
|
Floor Covering Stores |
15 |
| Flooring Contractors |
23 |
| Florists |
10 |
| Flour Milling |
1 |
| Fluid Milk Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
8 |
| Food Product Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food Service Contractors |
7 |
|
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
2 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
3 |
| Framing Contractors |
7 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
10 |
| Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Canning |
3 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
163 |
|
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
9 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Furniture Stores |
27 |
| General Automotive Repair |
64 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
12 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
1 |
| General Rental Centers |
4 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
5 |
|
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
23 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
3 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
4 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
10 |
| Graphic Design Services |
15 |
| Gypsum Product Manufacturing |
2 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
2 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Hardware Stores |
4 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
1 |
| Heavy Duty Truck Manufacturing |
1 |
| Historical Sites |
2 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
10 |
| Home Centers |
4 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
|
Home Health Care Services |
7 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
3 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
29 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
11 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
4 |
| Hydroelectric Power Generation |
2 |
| Industrial Design Services |
2 |
| Industrial Launderers |
2 |
|
Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
1 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
131 |
| Interior Design Services |
9 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
3 |
| Internet Service Providers |
6 |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
3 |
|
Investment Advice |
22 |
| Iron Foundries |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
53 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
4 |
| Jewelry Stores |
24 |
| Land Subdivision |
14 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
10 |
| Landscaping Services |
70 |
|
Language Schools |
3 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
14 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
152 |
| Linen Supply |
1 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
10 |
| Locksmiths |
7 |
| Logging |
13 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
3 |
|
Luggage Manufacturing |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
12 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
12 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
4 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
6 |
| Masonry Contractors |
9 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
1 |
| Meat Markets |
3 |
|
Media Representatives |
3 |
| Medical Laboratories |
8 |
| Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing |
1 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
3 |
| Metal Stamping |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
5 |
| Mobile Food Services |
10 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
39 |
|
Motion Picture and Video Distribution |
1 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
4 |
| Motor Home Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
7 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
5 |
| Museums |
4 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
8 |
|
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
6 |
| Musical Instrument Manufacturing |
5 |
| Nail Salons |
6 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
16 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
13 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
5 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
6 |
|
Nursing Care Facilities |
8 |
| Office Administrative Services |
12 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
9 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
78 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
38 |
| Offices of Dentists |
114 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
211 |
|
Offices of Optometrists |
10 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
3 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
5 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
26 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing |
2 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
10 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
3 |
|
Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
2 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
6 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
40 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
14 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
10 |
| Payroll Services |
3 |
| Periodical Publishers |
11 |
|
Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing |
3 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
10 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
9 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
4 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
18 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
8 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas |
1 |
| Political Organizations |
5 |
|
Portfolio Management |
10 |
| Prepress Services |
2 |
| Private Mail Centers |
8 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
2 |
| Professional Organizations |
9 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
8 |
| Quick Printing |
5 |
| Radio Networks |
2 |
|
Radio Stations |
10 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
4 |
| Real Estate Credit |
20 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
14 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
1 |
| Remediation Services |
1 |
| Repossession Services |
2 |
|
Residential Property Managers |
45 |
| Residential Remodelers |
58 |
| Retail Bakeries |
5 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
6 |
| Roofing Contractors |
16 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
17 |
| Sales Financing |
5 |
| Savings Institutions |
11 |
|
Sawmills |
8 |
| Scheduled Freight Air Transportation |
1 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
5 |
| Schiffli Machine Embroidery |
2 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
31 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
7 |
| Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Septic Tank and Related Services |
3 |
| Sewage Treatment Facilities |
1 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
8 |
| Ship Building and Repairing |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
20 |
| Siding Contractors |
6 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
11 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
16 |
|
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
62 |
| Soft Drink Manufacturing |
2 |
| Software Publishers |
19 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
9 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
2 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
4 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
30 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
12 |
|
Sports Teams and Clubs |
2 |
| Steel Foundries (except Investment) |
1 |
| Storage Battery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Support Activities for Forestry |
15 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
21 |
| Taxi Service |
2 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
3 |
| Television Broadcasting |
3 |
|
Temporary Help Services |
21 |
| Temporary Shelters |
6 |
| Testing Laboratories |
6 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
6 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
7 |
| Timber Tract Operations |
5 |
| Tire Dealers |
17 |
| Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) |
1 |
|
Tire Retreading |
2 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
5 |
| Tobacco Stores |
7 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tour Operators |
2 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
3 |
| Travel Agencies |
9 |
| Truss Manufacturing |
3 |
|
Used Car Dealers |
21 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
7 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
41 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
1 |
| Veterinary Services |
26 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
15 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
17 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
5 |
|
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
7 |
| Web Search Portals |
2 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
35 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
3 |
| Wineries |
7 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
14 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
24 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
2 |
|
Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Wood Preservation |
1 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
1 |
| Zoos and Botanical Gardens |
1 |
A critical step is ensuring that you choose the right legal structure for your new entity. Without a legal structure for the business, you can be held personally liable for the actions, debts and obligations of your company.
The entity you form can be a traditional C-corporation, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), or an S-corporation.
Incorporating is a very popular way to form a business. Of course, you have to decide which type of corporation to form and where to incorporate. If you are starting a business in Oregon, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in Oregon. As it turns out, you can incorporate wherever you want. However, if you do incorporate in another state, you'll have to register as a foreign corporation in your home state.
There are many nuances to forming a company. We recommend you read some of the educational articles about company formation that are availabe on our site, such as C Corp Versus S Corp. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. Finally, if you are starting a business in Eugene, Oregon, our information on Incorporating in Oregon may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Oregon.
Getting your Eugene business the capital it needs to succeed is very difficult due to the ongoing business credit crunch. To obtain business financing, you will need to hear a lot of rejections before you finally find a funding solution that works for you.
Fortunately, this site contains dozens of articles on raising money, including one we recommend entitled 504 Loans.
Whether your goal is to attract Eugene customers or you plan on selling elsewhere, you need a excellent marketing plan.
Mastering the art of selling is priority one if you want your new Eugene business to do well.
Clever sales techniques can transform any business from good to great. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
Most new Eugene businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
From this point on, you control your own destiny.
This site is all about helping entrepreneurs in Eugene and elsewhere to achieve real success. 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.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Eugene.
