Are you starting a business in Jefferson City, Missouri? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Jefferson City.
Is Becoming an Entrepreneur Right for You?
Before quitting your day job, consider your entrepreneurial instincts and capabilities.
Here are three things we recommend you do before you fully commit to starting a new business of your own.
- Speak with other entrepreneurs in Jefferson City. Get their take on what it's really like to be an entrepreneur.
- You should read Business Failure. It's a good read for those who are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur.
- Involve a spouse, family member or trusted friend in the decision. That's the best way to get a truly objective assessment as to whether others think you have what it takes.
Jefferson City, Missouri Demographic Information
Jefferson City has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Jefferson City demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Jefferson City.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
9732 |
| 5-9 Employees |
3948 |
| 10-19 Employees |
2835 |
| 20-49 Employees |
1728 |
| 50-99 Employees |
729 |
| 100-249 Employees |
351 |
| 250-499 Employees |
54 |
| 500-999 Employees |
36 |
| 1000+ Employees |
36 |
| All Jefferson City Businesses |
19449 |
As a new Jefferson City entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Jefferson City 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 |
| Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
3 |
| Architectural Services |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
12 |
|
Automotive Transmission Repair |
4 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
29 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
1 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
2 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
1 |
| Boat Dealers |
3 |
|
Book Publishers |
5 |
| Book Stores |
4 |
| Books Printing |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
2 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
1 |
| Business Associations |
41 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
1 |
| Cafeterias |
2 |
|
Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
2 |
| Car Washes |
4 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
1 |
| Caterers |
2 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
4 |
| Child and Youth Services |
2 |
| Child Day Care Services |
40 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
1 |
|
Civic and Social Organizations |
17 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
1 |
| Collection Agencies |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
7 |
| Commercial Photography |
1 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
5 |
|
Computer Facilities Management Services |
1 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
10 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
3 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
10 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
2 |
| Convenience Stores |
6 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
|
Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Couriers |
3 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
1 |
| Credit Bureaus |
2 |
| Credit Unions |
13 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
10 |
| Dental Laboratories |
2 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
3 |
|
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
2 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
3 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
1 |
| Discount Department Stores |
2 |
| Display Advertising |
2 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
14 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
7 |
|
Educational Support Services |
2 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
4 |
| Electrical Contractors |
22 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
7 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
2 |
| Engineering Services |
18 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
4 |
|
Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
1 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
3 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
8 |
| Family Planning Centers |
1 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
5 |
|
Finish Carpentry Contractors |
3 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
9 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
8 |
| Flooring Contractors |
8 |
| Florists |
4 |
| Fluid Milk Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food Service Contractors |
4 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
|
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
3 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
1 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Canning |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
44 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
7 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Furniture Stores |
6 |
|
General Automotive Repair |
13 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
1 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
2 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
3 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
11 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
1 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
1 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
3 |
|
Graphic Design Services |
2 |
| Hardware Stores |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
4 |
| Home Centers |
4 |
| Home Health Care Services |
4 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
2 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
3 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
4 |
|
Human Rights Organizations |
4 |
| Industrial Launderers |
2 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
59 |
| Interior Design Services |
3 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
2 |
| Janitorial Services |
17 |
| Jewelry Stores |
7 |
|
Kidney Dialysis Centers |
3 |
| Land Subdivision |
5 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
2 |
| Landscaping Services |
26 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
54 |
| Limousine Service |
1 |
| Livestock Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Locksmiths |
1 |
|
Machine Shops |
4 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
3 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
2 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
4 |
| Masonry Contractors |
10 |
| Meat Markets |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
3 |
| Mobile Food Services |
2 |
|
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
3 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
3 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Nail Salons |
3 |
| New Car Dealers |
8 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
7 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
2 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
9 |
|
Office Administrative Services |
5 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
8 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
6 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
22 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
6 |
| Offices of Dentists |
30 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
58 |
|
Offices of Optometrists |
2 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
1 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
4 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
8 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
4 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
2 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
9 |
|
Passenger Car Rental |
1 |
| Payroll Services |
2 |
| Periodical Publishers |
1 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
2 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
3 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
6 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
3 |
|
Plastics Bottle Manufacturing |
1 |
| Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
2 |
| Political Organizations |
10 |
| Portfolio Management |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
1 |
| Professional Organizations |
29 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
17 |
| Racetracks |
1 |
|
Radio Networks |
2 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
3 |
| Real Estate Credit |
4 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
1 |
| Repossession Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
2 |
| Residential Remodelers |
8 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
2 |
|
Roofing Contractors |
6 |
| Sales Financing |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
1 |
| Sawmills |
1 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
6 |
| Securities Brokerage |
10 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
3 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
2 |
|
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
9 |
| Siding Contractors |
3 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
4 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
9 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
4 |
| Software Publishers |
2 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
1 |
|
Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
14 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
4 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
5 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
2 |
| Temporary Help Services |
8 |
| Temporary Shelters |
1 |
| Testing Laboratories |
1 |
|
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
1 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
7 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
2 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
4 |
| Truss Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Used Car Dealers |
13 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
3 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
8 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
6 |
| Veterinary Services |
8 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
4 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
5 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
1 |
|
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
1 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
3 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
5 |
| Wineries |
1 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
6 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
9 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
1 |
What About Franchising Opportunities?
Visit the business district of Jefferson City and you'll notice that many local entrepreneurs have gone the franchising route. Is there a franchise opportunity out there that makes sense for you?
Most business experts recommend that you look into purchasing a franchise. We have many articles on franchises, such as Growth Trends in Franchising. Gain a solid understanding of franchising by scanning all of our Articles on Franchising.
You can review hundreds of franchise opportunities by browing our Franchise Directory.
Representative franchise opportunities include Padgett Business Services and Tubby's Sub Shops. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Retail Franchises and Party Supply Franchises.
Note on Jefferson City Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Jefferson City.
What About Buying an Existing Jefferson City Business?
We've created a handy website page for those who want to Buy a Business in Missouri. Follow that link and you may find several good businesses for sale in Jefferson City.
Before buying a business, be sure to read this article: Hold Harmless Agreements When Buying Businesses.
Naming the Business
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.
Before you decide on a company name, run it by some prospective customers and see what they think. If they don't like it, it's probably a good idea to go back to the drawing board.
For other considerations regarding naming a company, we recommend this article: Naming a Company.
There's one other important factor when naming a business. Since you are planning on starting a business in Jefferson City, it's very important that you make sure you will be the only Missouri company using the business name you have chosen.
Getting the Word Out About Your New Startup
To rise above the crowd in Jefferson City and build your business, you need a solid marketing plan.
We have some helpful resources on this site for entrepreneurs who are working on marketing plans. Conducting Sweepstakes and Contests is a good read to get your marketing juices flowing. That's just a taste of the many useful articles we have on Marketing a Small Business.
Bring in Revenues
Being able to sell is critical to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Jefferson City or are selling to customers throughout Missouri, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
So what does it take to bring in more prospects and close more business? Let us help you refine your selling techniques through our many useful sales advice tips.
Selling Products on eBay is worth reading, as it may give you some good ideas on how to sell your products or services. We have many more good articles on selling that you may enjoy reading.
Moving Forward
You have a dream -- starting a business in Jefferson City. To achieve your dream, you have to persevere, even when the odds are against you.
Owning your own business will be a daunting task, but you can do it.
We are here to help Jefferson City businesses to be successful. 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 Jefferson City, Missouri
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Jefferson City.
- Resources for Jefferson City, Missouri Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Jefferson City entrepreneurs.
- Missouri Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Missouri.
- Missouri Small Business Development Center - Missouri Small Business Development Center business specialists are uniquely qualified to help small businesses get started, develop and thrive.
- Jefferson City, Missouri Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Jefferson City, Missouri newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Jefferson City area.
- Jefferson City, Missouri Radio Advertising Prices - To help you in your marketing efforts, we've gathered radio advertising rates for Jefferson City, Missouri area radio stations.
- Jefferson City, Missouri Payroll Services - This list includes Jefferson City, Missouri payroll services, national payroll services for Jefferson City, and helpful information on choosing a Jefferson City payroll service.
- Jefferson City, Missouri Businesses for Sale - This list includes resources for buying a business in Jefferson City, Missouri, such as business brokers in Jefferson City and other helpful information on how to buy a Jefferson City business.
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