Are you starting a business in Glen Allen, Virginia? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Glen Allen.
Is Becoming a Business Owner Right for You?
Most startup companies do not succeed, in part because the business owner did not have the entrepreneurial skills and traits needed to succeed. So, before jumping into the world of entrepreneurship, 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.
- Talk to other entrepreneurs in Glen Allen. Get their take on what it's really like to be an entrepreneur.
- We recommend reading Why Small Businesses Fail. For aspiring new entrepreneurs, it's a must read article.
- Get feedback from somebody whom you trust. That's the best way to get a truly objective assessment as to whether others think you have what it takes.
Glen Allen, Virginia Demographic Information
Glen Allen has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Glen Allen demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Glen Allen.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
7380 |
| 5-9 Employees |
2484 |
| 10-19 Employees |
2115 |
| 20-49 Employees |
1638 |
| 50-99 Employees |
837 |
| 100-249 Employees |
477 |
| 250-499 Employees |
117 |
| 500-999 Employees |
72 |
| 1000+ Employees |
0 |
| All Glen Allen Businesses |
15120 |
As a new Glen Allen entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Glen Allen 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 |
| Architectural Services |
2 |
| Art Dealers |
3 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
1 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
20 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
4 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
1 |
| Book Stores |
5 |
| Bottled Water Manufacturing |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
2 |
| Business Associations |
5 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
1 |
| Cafeterias |
2 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
1 |
| Car Washes |
2 |
| Caterers |
4 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
1 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
2 |
| Child Day Care Services |
18 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
4 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
5 |
| Claims Adjusting |
2 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
3 |
| Collection Agencies |
3 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
2 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
3 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
2 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
45 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
2 |
| Convenience Stores |
6 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
2 |
| Couriers |
2 |
| Credit Card Issuing |
15 |
| Credit Unions |
3 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
29 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
1 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
10 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
6 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
2 |
| Discount Department Stores |
4 |
| Document Preparation Services |
1 |
| Drafting Services |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
3 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
6 |
| Educational Support Services |
2 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
3 |
| Electrical Contractors |
19 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
1 |
| Engineering Services |
13 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
2 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
4 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
7 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
2 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
5 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
8 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
3 |
| Flooring Contractors |
2 |
| Florists |
1 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
3 |
| Food Service Contractors |
8 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
3 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
5 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
4 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
38 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
1 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Furniture Stores |
7 |
| General Automotive Repair |
7 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
5 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
7 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
2 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
3 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
4 |
| Graphic Design Services |
3 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Hardware Stores |
1 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
1 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
5 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Home Health Care Services |
2 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
35 |
| Interior Design Services |
5 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
1 |
| Internet Service Providers |
2 |
| Investigation Services |
1 |
| Investment Advice |
8 |
| Janitorial Services |
16 |
| Jewelry Stores |
11 |
| Junior Colleges |
1 |
| Land Subdivision |
6 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
1 |
| Landscaping Services |
26 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
2 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
41 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
3 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
1 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
2 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
10 |
| Masonry Contractors |
8 |
| Media Buying Agencies |
3 |
| Media Representatives |
2 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
8 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
8 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
3 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
2 |
| Nail Salons |
2 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
2 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
5 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
3 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
3 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
4 |
| Office Administrative Services |
9 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
4 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
20 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
6 |
| Offices of Dentists |
18 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
22 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
8 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
1 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
3 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
2 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
4 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
2 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
2 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
13 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
1 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
1 |
| Payroll Services |
2 |
| Periodical Publishers |
3 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
5 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
3 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
7 |
| Political Organizations |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
4 |
| Poultry Processing |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
3 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
2 |
| Professional Organizations |
2 |
| Quick Printing |
1 |
| Radio Stations |
1 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
20 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
3 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
1 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
1 |
| Remediation Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
8 |
| Residential Remodelers |
17 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
1 |
| Roofing Contractors |
5 |
| Sales Financing |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
1 |
| Sawmills |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
5 |
| Shoe Stores |
16 |
| Siding Contractors |
4 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
3 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
6 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
6 |
| Software Publishers |
8 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
1 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
2 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
7 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
4 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
4 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
14 |
| Testing Laboratories |
1 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
2 |
| Tire Dealers |
4 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
4 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
4 |
| Used Car Dealers |
5 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
3 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
1 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
3 |
| Veterinary Services |
4 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
2 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
1 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
3 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
2 |
| Web Search Portals |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
22 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
3 |
| Wineries |
1 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
12 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
14 |
What About Franchising Opportunities?
As you drive around Glen Allen, you may be surprised to see how many franchises there are in the area. But is franchising the right option for you?
Our recommendation is that you consider franchising as an option. On our site, you can read many articles about franchising, such as How Franchises Work. Gain a solid understanding of franchising by scanning all of our Articles on Franchising.
To learn about specific franchise opportunities, check out our Franchise Directory.
Representative franchise opportunities include Roy Rogers Franchise Company, LLC and HomePros Home Improvement Specialists. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Tanning Franchises and Marketing, Sales and Advertising Franchises.
Note on Glen Allen Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Glen Allen.
Choosing a Company Name
Making the right decision when choosing a company name is very important. There are many decisions you'll make now that you can change later, but changing a company name years down the road is not very easy. So, choose a good company name at the outset.
Company names should be fun to say, and they should help people to understand what you do and how you differentiate yourself in the market.
Numerous company naming issues are discussed in more detail in this article: Naming a Business.
There's one other important factor when naming a business. Since you are starting a business in Glen Allen, it's imperative that you check now that no other Virginia company is using the business name you want to use.
Company Formation in Glen Allen, Virginia
It's essential that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Among other things, forming a legal entity for the business limits your liabilities.
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. Just because you are starting a business in Virginia, you don't necessarily have to incorporate in Virginia. In fact, you can incorporate in the state of your choosing. 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 Where to Incorporate. You should also consider getting professional assistance from your business lawyer. Finally, if you are starting a business in Glen Allen, Virginia, our information on Incorporating in Virginia may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Virginia.
Marketing Your New Business
Whether your goal is to attract Glen Allen customers or you plan on selling elsewhere, having an excellent marketing plan is fundamental to your successs.
We have some helpful resources on this site for entrepreneurs who are working on marketing plans. Introduction to Advertising discusses marketing strategy and tactical marketing in a way that should get you thinking about how to creatively promote your business. There are many more articles on marketing on our site. Visit our Small Business Marketing resource section to see them all.
Moving Forward
Most new Glen Allen 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 Glen Allen 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.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Glen Allen, Virginia
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Glen Allen.
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