Contemplating starting a business in Gig Harbor, Washington? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Gig Harbor.
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? We recommend that you read Free Business Ideas.
For step-by-step instructions on starting a variety of business types, visit the Good Businesses to Start section of our site. For example, you might be interested in our Opening a Neuropsychiatry Psychiatry Physicians Practice guide or our Starting a Prepress Services Business guide.
Remember that you are starting a business in Gig Harbor. Some businesses will do better in Gig Harbor than others. Make sure you fully understand Gig Harbor demographics before you lock in on your business idea.
Gig Harbor, Washington Demographic Information
Gig Harbor has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Gig Harbor demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Gig Harbor.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
2862 |
| 5-9 Employees |
771 |
| 10-19 Employees |
408 |
| 20-49 Employees |
240 |
| 50-99 Employees |
60 |
| 100-249 Employees |
39 |
| 250-499 Employees |
0 |
| 500-999 Employees |
0 |
| 1000+ Employees |
0 |
| All Gig Harbor Businesses |
4380 |
As a new Gig Harbor entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Gig Harbor 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 |
1 |
| Air Traffic Control |
1 |
| Amusement and Theme Parks |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
6 |
| Art Dealers |
1 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
1 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
2 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
1 |
| Barber Shops |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
17 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
2 |
| Boat Building |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
2 |
| Building Inspection Services |
1 |
| Business Associations |
2 |
| Cafeterias |
1 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
1 |
| Car Washes |
2 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
3 |
| Caterers |
3 |
| Child and Youth Services |
3 |
| Child Day Care Services |
20 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
2 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
2 |
| Collection Agencies |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
2 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
2 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
4 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
9 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
1 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
3 |
| Convenience Stores |
4 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
1 |
| Credit Card Issuing |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
4 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
7 |
| Dental Laboratories |
1 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
1 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
1 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
1 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
1 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
4 |
| Discount Department Stores |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
3 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
3 |
| Educational Support Services |
1 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
9 |
| Electronic Auctions |
1 |
| Electronic Computer Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
2 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
6 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
3 |
| Engineering Services |
8 |
| Envelope Manufacturing |
1 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
6 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
1 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
3 |
| Finfish Fishing |
5 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
20 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
6 |
| Flight Training |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
2 |
| Flooring Contractors |
1 |
| Florists |
2 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
2 |
| Food Service Contractors |
3 |
| Framing Contractors |
12 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
1 |
| Fresh and Frozen Seafood Processing |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
23 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
1 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| General Automotive Repair |
12 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
6 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
10 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
3 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
4 |
| Graphic Design Services |
2 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Hardware Stores |
3 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
1 |
| Home Centers |
1 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Home Health Care Services |
2 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
9 |
| Industrial Launderers |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
29 |
| Interior Design Services |
3 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
1 |
| Internet Service Providers |
1 |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
2 |
| Investment Advice |
5 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
15 |
| Jewelry Stores |
5 |
| Land Subdivision |
7 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
3 |
| Landscaping Services |
29 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
2 |
| Libraries and Archives |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
22 |
| Logging |
4 |
| Machine Shops |
3 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
3 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
1 |
| Marinas |
5 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
6 |
| Masonry Contractors |
5 |
| Media Buying Agencies |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
2 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
9 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
1 |
| Nail Salons |
4 |
| Navigational Services to Shipping |
2 |
| New Car Dealers |
2 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
9 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
1 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
3 |
| Office Administrative Services |
4 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
9 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
14 |
| Offices of Dentists |
32 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
22 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
3 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
1 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
7 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
3 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
1 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
19 |
| Payroll Services |
2 |
| Periodical Publishers |
1 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
5 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
4 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
6 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
5 |
| Private Mail Centers |
1 |
| Professional Organizations |
1 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
1 |
| Quick Printing |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
7 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
2 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
8 |
| Residential Remodelers |
35 |
| Retail Bakeries |
1 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
1 |
| Roofing Contractors |
3 |
| Savings Institutions |
3 |
| Securities Brokerage |
12 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
1 |
| Shellfish Fishing |
3 |
| Shoe Stores |
3 |
| Siding Contractors |
6 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
18 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
15 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
2 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
1 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
4 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
4 |
| Support Activities for Forestry |
2 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
1 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
1 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
4 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
3 |
| Tobacco Stores |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
3 |
| Used Car Dealers |
3 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
1 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
5 |
| Veterinary Services |
10 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
2 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
2 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
19 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
1 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
3 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
1 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
3 |
Company Formation in Gig Harbor, Washington
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 traditional C-corporation, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), or an S-corporation.
Incorporation 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. Just because you are starting a business in Washington, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in Washington. In fact, you are allowed to incorporate in any state you would like to. However, if you do incorporate in another state, you'll have to register as a foreign corporation in your home state.
There's a lot to know about forming a company. We recommend you read some of the educational articles about company formation that are availabe on our site, such as Nevada Incorporation. You may also want to seek the advice of an lawyer. Finally, if you are starting a business in Gig Harbor, Washington, our information on Incorporating in Washington may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Washington.
Don't Skip the Business Plan
A business plan is vital in maximizing the prospects of your new company. Indeed, your business plan is your game plan for how you hope to grow your business. Starting a business without a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
If writing a business plan is on your to-do list, be sure to read Business Presentations. A great resource for business planning assistance is the free counseling sessions provided by your local SCORE chapter in Washington.
Raising Money for Your New Venture
Getting your Gig Harbor business the capital it needs to succeed is a difficult chore. Bootstrapping, which means growing the business without outside funding, is the best alternative, but that's not a viable option for many startup plans.
Take advantage of our many articles on raising capital, such as Getting a Small Business Loan.
For Gig Harbor entrepreneurs who want to raise money for a new venture, you'll want to take a look at our List of Washington Angel Investors and our List of Washington Venture Capital Firms.
Selling Tips
Mastering the art of selling is essential if you want your new Gig Harbor business to do well.
Why should customers buy from you instead of buying from competitors? The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.
Effective Sales Presentations is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.
Never Give Up
Most new Gig Harbor businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
From this point on, you control your own destiny.
We are here to help Gig Harbor businesses to be successful. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Gig Harbor, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Gig Harbor, Washington
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Gig Harbor.
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