Thinking about starting a business in Gainesville, Florida? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Gainesville.
Are You Sure You Want to Do This?
Running your own business is hard work, much more challenging than working as an employee. Are you positive you have the stamina and skills to succeed on your own?
To determine whether you have what it takes to run a business, we recommend these three steps to help you decide:
- Talk to other entrepreneurs in Gainesville. Ask them candidly what it's like to run a business.
- We recommend reading Should You Become an Entrepreneur?. For aspiring new entrepreneurs, it's a must read article.
- Have a candid conversation with friends and family. The people who know you best are often in the best position to tell you bluntly whether you will be a good entrepreneur.
What Business Are You Starting?
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 Evaluating Your Idea.
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 Starting a Crane Inspection & Testing Business guide or our Opening a Religious Orders Business guide.
Always keep in mind that you are starting a business in Gainesville. The business you want to start may already be well-represented in Gainesville. Make sure you fully understand Gainesville demographics before you lock in on your business idea.
Gainesville, Florida Demographic Information
Gainesville has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Gainesville demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Gainesville.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
49945 |
| 5-9 Employees |
19649 |
| 10-19 Employees |
13482 |
| 20-49 Employees |
9870 |
| 50-99 Employees |
3045 |
| 100-249 Employees |
1827 |
| 250-499 Employees |
252 |
| 500-999 Employees |
126 |
| 1000+ Employees |
84 |
| All Gainesville Businesses |
98280 |
As a new Gainesville entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Gainesville 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 |
7 |
| Air Traffic Control |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
2 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
7 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
2 |
| Architectural Services |
23 |
| Armored Car Services |
1 |
| Art Dealers |
3 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
2 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
4 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
17 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
2 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
2 |
| Barber Shops |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
53 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
2 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
12 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
6 |
| Boat Building |
2 |
| Boat Dealers |
2 |
| Book Publishers |
10 |
| Book Stores |
18 |
| Books Printing |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
2 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Mills |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
4 |
| Business Associations |
9 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
4 |
| Cafeterias |
7 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Car Washes |
3 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
13 |
| Caterers |
6 |
| Child and Youth Services |
5 |
| Child Day Care Services |
57 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
6 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
19 |
| Claims Adjusting |
1 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
4 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
8 |
| Commercial Gravure Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
6 |
| Commercial Photography |
4 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
3 |
| Commodity Contracts Dealing |
1 |
| Community Food Services |
2 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
3 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
27 |
| Computer Training |
1 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
11 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
2 |
| Convenience Stores |
24 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
2 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Couriers |
4 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
7 |
| Credit Unions |
16 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
21 |
| Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planing |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
7 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
12 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
3 |
| Digital Printing |
1 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
5 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
5 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
6 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
4 |
| Discount Department Stores |
4 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Doll and Stuffed Toy Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drafting Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
19 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
7 |
| Educational Support Services |
10 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
35 |
| Electronic Shopping |
10 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
25 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
2 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
5 |
| Engineering Services |
69 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
18 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
6 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
12 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
23 |
| Family Planning Centers |
3 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
5 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
19 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
25 |
| Flight Training |
2 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
7 |
| Flooring Contractors |
7 |
| Florists |
10 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
7 |
| Food Service Contractors |
14 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
2 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
9 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
5 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
137 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
5 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
7 |
| Furniture Stores |
22 |
| General Automotive Repair |
53 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
6 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
4 |
| General Rental Centers |
4 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
5 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
19 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
2 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
5 |
| Graphic Design Services |
10 |
| Gypsum Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Hardware Stores |
3 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
21 |
| Home Centers |
3 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Home Health Care Services |
15 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
4 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
8 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
5 |
| Industrial Design Services |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
3 |
| Industrial Valve Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
86 |
| Interior Design Services |
9 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
2 |
| Internet Service Providers |
8 |
| Investigation Services |
2 |
| Investment Advice |
10 |
| Janitorial Services |
38 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
2 |
| Jewelry Stores |
23 |
| Junior Colleges |
1 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
3 |
| Land Subdivision |
14 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
4 |
| Landscaping Services |
33 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
7 |
| Libraries and Archives |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
135 |
| Limousine Service |
2 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
4 |
| Locksmiths |
4 |
| Machine Shops |
4 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
8 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
3 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
18 |
| Masonry Contractors |
9 |
| Media Representatives |
4 |
| Medical Laboratories |
12 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
10 |
| Metal Can Manufacturing |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
3 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
9 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
5 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
4 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
7 |
| Museums |
2 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
4 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Nail Salons |
6 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
21 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
9 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
1 |
| News Syndicates |
1 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
4 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
2 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
9 |
| Office Administrative Services |
20 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
7 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
8 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
44 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
30 |
| Offices of Dentists |
96 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
168 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
10 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
2 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
7 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
14 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
19 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
4 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
8 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
24 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
9 |
| Payroll Services |
3 |
| Periodical Publishers |
13 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
7 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
2 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
21 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
12 |
| Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Political Organizations |
3 |
| Portfolio Management |
3 |
| Private Mail Centers |
6 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
3 |
| Professional Organizations |
7 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
3 |
| Quick Printing |
2 |
| Racetracks |
1 |
| Radio Stations |
4 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
4 |
| Real Estate Credit |
17 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
1 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
1 |
| Repossession Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
41 |
| Residential Remodelers |
22 |
| Retail Bakeries |
3 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
5 |
| Roofing Contractors |
10 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
28 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
2 |
| Secondary Market Financing |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
12 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
3 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
26 |
| Siding Contractors |
5 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
5 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
12 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
30 |
| Software Publishers |
7 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
1 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
2 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
25 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
5 |
| Support Activities for Forestry |
2 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
7 |
| Taxi Service |
2 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
1 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
3 |
| Television Broadcasting |
2 |
| Temporary Help Services |
15 |
| Temporary Shelters |
9 |
| Testing Laboratories |
4 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
1 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
5 |
| Timber Tract Operations |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
15 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
4 |
| Tobacco Stores |
3 |
| Tour Operators |
2 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
7 |
| Truss Manufacturing |
1 |
| Used Car Dealers |
9 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
2 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
11 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
4 |
| Veterinary Services |
18 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
12 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
3 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
7 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
1 |
| Web Search Portals |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
15 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
10 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
33 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
1 |
| Wood Preservation |
2 |
Have You Considered Franchising?
Visit the business district of Gainesville 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 recommendation is that you consider franchising as an option. We have many articles on franchises, such as Detecting Franchising Scams. Get a thorough education on franchising by browsing all of our Articles on Franchising.
You can review hundreds of franchise opportunities by browing our Franchise Directory.
Representative franchise opportunities include CrepeMaker and Gorin's Famous Sandwiches. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Child Care Franchises and Home Services Franchises.
Note on Gainesville Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Gainesville.
Naming the Company
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.
Companies like Starbucks, Apple, Target, Microsoft and Intuit all have strong company names that are easy to remember and have become well-loved brands. Wouldn't it be nice if your new company name got on a similar track?
For other considerations regarding naming a company, we recommend this article: Naming a Business.
There's one other important factor when naming a business. Since you are planning on starting a business in Gainesville, it's critical that you ensure that no other Florida company is using the business name you want to use.
Forming a Company in Gainesville, Florida
It's very important that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Doing so will shield you from personal liability for business debts and obligations.
The entity you form can be a corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership or other structure.
Incorporating is a very common way to legally create a business entity. A key decision is whether to form and S-Corp or a C-Corp, and you also must decide in which state you will incorporate. If you are starting a business in Florida, you don't necessarily have to incorporate in Florida. As it turns out, you can incorporate in the state of your choosing. For example, it's very popular to incorporate in Delaware, and incorporating in Nevada has become very trendy as well. Don't forget, though, that you will have to register as a foreign entity in all states that you do business in.
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 How to Incorporate. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. Finally, if you are starting a business in Gainesville, Florida, our information on Incorporating in Florida may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Florida.
The Role of the Business Plan
Having a business plan is vital in laying a solid foundation for your business success. Simply put, 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 Presentations. You should also take advantage of free counseling sessions provided by your local SCORE chapter in Florida.
Next Steps
As an entrepreneur in Gainesville, 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.
We are here to help Gainesville businesses to be successful. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Gainesville 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 Gainesville, Florida
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Gainesville.
Starting-a-Business Guides for Other Cities in Florida
Starting a Business in Frostproof
Starting a Business in Graceville
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