Thinking about starting a business in Fresno, California? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Fresno.
Most new companies 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.
Here are three things we recommend you do before you fully commit to starting a new business of your own.
There are many businesses that you can start. How do you know which type of business is right for you? You might get some good ideas about what kind of business to start by reading Finding Your Niche in Life.
Always keep in mind that starting a business in Fresno has some implications. Think about what needs are currently being underserved in Fresno. Study Fresno demographics and do a competitive analysis as part of your startup planning process.
Fresno has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Fresno demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Fresno.
As a new Fresno entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Fresno 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 |
23 |
| Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing |
1 |
| Air Traffic Control |
1 |
| Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
2 |
| Ambulance Services |
3 |
| Amusement and Theme Parks |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
3 |
| Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering |
5 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
9 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
3 |
| Architectural Services |
50 |
| Armored Car Services |
3 |
| Art Dealers |
5 |
| Automatic Vending Machine Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
6 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
11 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
9 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
103 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
13 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
73 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
53 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
2 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
3 |
| Boat Building |
3 |
| Boat Dealers |
3 |
| Book Publishers |
2 |
| Book Stores |
19 |
| Bottled Water Manufacturing |
1 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
4 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
3 |
| Business Associations |
24 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
1 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
4 |
| Cafeterias |
11 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
3 |
| Car Washes |
29 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
18 |
| Casino Hotels |
1 |
| Caterers |
14 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
9 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
3 |
| Cheese Manufacturing |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
26 |
| Child Day Care Services |
102 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
10 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
46 |
| Claims Adjusting |
19 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
8 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
3 |
| Collection Agencies |
8 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
7 |
| Commercial Flexographic Printing |
3 |
| Commercial Gravure Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
19 |
| Commercial Photography |
2 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
6 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
2 |
| Community Food Services |
4 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
15 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
1 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
30 |
| Computer Training |
7 |
| Concrete Pipe Manufacturing |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
8 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Construction Machinery Manufacturing |
3 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
2 |
| Consumer Lending |
14 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
10 |
| Convenience Stores |
69 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
3 |
| Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing |
2 |
| Copper Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
2 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
8 |
| Cotton Ginning |
1 |
| Couriers |
19 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
11 |
| Credit Bureaus |
3 |
| Credit Unions |
29 |
| Crop Harvesting, Primarily by Machine |
2 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
3 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
37 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
1 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
14 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
18 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
5 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
25 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
17 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
5 |
| Discount Department Stores |
10 |
| Display Advertising |
4 |
| Document Preparation Services |
4 |
| Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drafting Services |
4 |
| Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing |
3 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
47 |
| Dry Pasta Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
36 |
| Educational Support Services |
6 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
2 |
| Electrical Contractors |
83 |
| Electronic Auctions |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
11 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
14 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
5 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
9 |
| Engineering Services |
80 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
7 |
| Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing |
1 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
11 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
32 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
36 |
| Family Planning Centers |
3 |
| Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders |
10 |
| Farm Management Services |
4 |
| Farm Product Warehousing and Storage |
4 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
23 |
| Fats and Oils Refining and Blending |
1 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
2 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
10 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
35 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
40 |
| Flat Glass Manufacturing |
1 |
| Flight Training |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
18 |
| Flooring Contractors |
35 |
| Florists |
24 |
| Flour Milling |
2 |
| Fluid Milk Manufacturing |
2 |
| Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
13 |
| Food Product Machinery Manufacturing |
2 |
| Food Service Contractors |
23 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
2 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
8 |
| Framing Contractors |
21 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
25 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Canning |
2 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
7 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
328 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
18 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
10 |
| Furniture Stores |
61 |
| General Automotive Repair |
159 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
69 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
5 |
| General Rental Centers |
7 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
26 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
40 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
9 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
9 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
11 |
| Graphic Design Services |
13 |
| Gypsum Product Manufacturing |
2 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
9 |
| Hardware Stores |
14 |
| Hazardous Waste Collection |
3 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
1 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
1 |
| HMO Medical Centers |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
10 |
| Home Centers |
4 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
9 |
| Home Health Care Services |
22 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
4 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
36 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
19 |
| Household Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturing |
1 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
5 |
| Hunting and Trapping |
1 |
| Hydroelectric Power Generation |
1 |
| Ice Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
6 |
| Industrial Design Services |
2 |
| Industrial Gas Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
6 |
| Industrial Pattern Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Valve Manufacturing |
1 |
| Inland Water Passenger Transportation |
1 |
| Inorganic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing |
1 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
247 |
| Interior Design Services |
12 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
3 |
| Internet Service Providers |
7 |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
19 |
| Investment Advice |
30 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Iron Foundries |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
78 |
| Jewelry Stores |
44 |
| Junior Colleges |
4 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
4 |
| Land Subdivision |
15 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
7 |
| Landscaping Services |
117 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
12 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
352 |
| Limousine Service |
5 |
| Linen Supply |
4 |
| Livestock Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
7 |
| Locksmiths |
4 |
| Logging |
1 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
1 |
| Luggage Manufacturing |
2 |
| Machine Shops |
19 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
6 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
26 |
| Marking Device Manufacturing |
1 |
| Masonry Contractors |
24 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
4 |
| Mattress Manufacturing |
2 |
| Meat Markets |
12 |
| Meat Processed from Carcasses |
4 |
| Media Representatives |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
5 |
| Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing |
1 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
13 |
| Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Metal Stamping |
3 |
| Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Metal Window and Door Manufacturing |
3 |
| Mineral Wool Manufacturing |
2 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
3 |
| Mobile Food Services |
9 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
49 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
8 |
| Motor and Generator Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Home Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
27 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
7 |
| Museums |
3 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
5 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
8 |
| Nail Salons |
9 |
| New Car Dealers |
43 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
20 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
3 |
| News Syndicates |
1 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
3 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
31 |
| Nonwoven Fabric Mills |
1 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
31 |
| Office Administrative Services |
31 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
15 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
17 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
130 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
78 |
| Offices of Dentists |
287 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
380 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
27 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
4 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
15 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
27 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
5 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
8 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
8 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
1 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
2 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paging |
2 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
3 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
9 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
57 |
| Paper (except Newsprint) Mills |
1 |
| Paperboard Mills |
1 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
9 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
13 |
| Payroll Services |
11 |
| Periodical Publishers |
5 |
| Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing |
4 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
7 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
4 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
7 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
73 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
27 |
| Plastics Bag Manufacturing |
2 |
| Political Organizations |
2 |
| Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing |
2 |
| Portfolio Management |
11 |
| Poultry Processing |
3 |
| Prepress Services |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
11 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
3 |
| Professional Organizations |
11 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
4 |
| Quick Printing |
8 |
| Radio Networks |
5 |
| Radio Stations |
27 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
6 |
| Real Estate Credit |
67 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
2 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
7 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
4 |
| Remediation Services |
5 |
| Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing |
1 |
| Repossession Services |
3 |
| Residential Property Managers |
54 |
| Residential Remodelers |
64 |
| Retail Bakeries |
19 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
9 |
| Roofing Contractors |
37 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
6 |
| Sales Financing |
16 |
| Savings Institutions |
21 |
| Sawmills |
1 |
| Scheduled Freight Air Transportation |
1 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
6 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Secondary Market Financing |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
37 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
29 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
4 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
7 |
| Shoe Stores |
33 |
| Siding Contractors |
5 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
9 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
28 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
86 |
| Soft Drink Manufacturing |
2 |
| Software Publishers |
5 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
7 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
5 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
2 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
5 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
26 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
14 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
2 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
34 |
| Taxi Service |
1 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
2 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
3 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
2 |
| Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Television Broadcasting |
9 |
| Temporary Help Services |
50 |
| Temporary Shelters |
6 |
| Testing Laboratories |
16 |
| Textile Bag Mills |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
7 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
41 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Tire Dealers |
23 |
| Tire Retreading |
2 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
7 |
| Tobacco Stores |
13 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
2 |
| Tortilla Manufacturing |
2 |
| Tour Operators |
3 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
3 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
11 |
| Travel Agencies |
17 |
| Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing |
2 |
| Truck Trailer Manufacturing |
3 |
| Truss Manufacturing |
1 |
| Used Car Dealers |
51 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
10 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
25 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
5 |
| Veterinary Services |
26 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
27 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
26 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
6 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
3 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
4 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
55 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
5 |
| Wineries |
5 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
32 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
43 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
9 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
4 |
| Zoos and Botanical Gardens |
1 |
Visit the business district of Fresno and you may be surprised to see how many franchises there are in the area. Should you be giving franchising serious consideration?
We advise the entrepreneurs we work with to consider franchising as an option. This site has dozens of articles on franchising, such as How Franchises Work. 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.
Even if the name doesn't do it by itself, many naming experts believe there should be a story behind the name that ties into your company mission.
To get up to speed on what makes for a good company name, we encourage you to read this useful article: Naming a Business.
On a final note, given that you are starting a business in Fresno, it's imperative that you check now that no other California company is using the business name you want to use.
To grow your Fresno business, you need a excellent marketing plan.
We have some excellent resources on this site for entrepreneurs who are working on marketing plans. Media Kits discusses marketing strategy and tactical marketing in a way that should get you thinking about how to creatively promote your business. That's just one of the many useful articles we have on Marketing a Small Business.
Most new Fresno businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
Owning your own business will be a daunting task, but you can do it.
This site is all about helping entrepreneurs in Fresno and elsewhere to achieve real success. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Fresnoentrepreneur who is just getting started or you are already up and running with your new venture.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Fresno.
