Thinking about starting a business in Kingsport, Tennessee? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Kingsport.
What Business Are You Starting?
An important decision is what kind of business you want to start. 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 How to Start a Vinyl Repair Business guide or our Starting a Sewer Equipment & Supplies Business guide.
Don't forget that you are starting a business in Kingsport. Think about what needs are currently being underserved in Kingsport. A critical consideration is whether Kingsport demographics mesh well with your startup concept.
Kingsport, Tennessee Demographic Information
Kingsport has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Kingsport demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Kingsport.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
2923 |
| 5-9 Employees |
1260 |
| 10-19 Employees |
909 |
| 20-49 Employees |
720 |
| 50-99 Employees |
195 |
| 100-249 Employees |
96 |
| 250-499 Employees |
27 |
| 500-999 Employees |
3 |
| 1000+ Employees |
9 |
| All Kingsport Businesses |
6142 |
As a new Kingsport entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Kingsport 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 |
2 |
| Ambulance Services |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
2 |
| Architectural Services |
4 |
| Armored Car Services |
2 |
|
Art Dealers |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
4 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
3 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
19 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
3 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
| Barber Shops |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
17 |
|
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
8 |
| Boat Dealers |
1 |
| Book Stores |
3 |
| Books Printing |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
2 |
| Business Associations |
4 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
3 |
|
Cafeterias |
7 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Car Washes |
6 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
2 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
2 |
| Child and Youth Services |
4 |
| Child Day Care Services |
22 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
1 |
|
Civic and Social Organizations |
16 |
| Claims Adjusting |
4 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
1 |
| Collection Agencies |
2 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
4 |
| Community Food Services |
1 |
|
Computer and Software Stores |
4 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
2 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
1 |
| Computer Training |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
9 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
4 |
| Convenience Stores |
3 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
|
Couriers |
2 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
11 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
2 |
| Dental Laboratories |
3 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
2 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
3 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
7 |
|
Discount Department Stores |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
4 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
2 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
2 |
| Electrical Contractors |
21 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
2 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
|
Employment Placement Agencies |
2 |
| Engineering Services |
10 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
2 |
| Explosives Manufacturing |
1 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
2 |
| Facilities Support Services |
2 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
7 |
| Family Planning Centers |
1 |
|
Fine Arts Schools |
5 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
2 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
12 |
| Flat Glass Manufacturing |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
6 |
| Flooring Contractors |
3 |
| Florists |
7 |
| Fluid Milk Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
2 |
| Food Service Contractors |
2 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
4 |
| Framing Contractors |
6 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
2 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
2 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
60 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
4 |
|
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Furniture Stores |
9 |
| General Automotive Repair |
19 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
4 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
2 |
| General Rental Centers |
2 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
10 |
|
Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
2 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
1 |
| Graphic Design Services |
2 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Hardware Stores |
2 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
5 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
|
Home Health Care Services |
5 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
4 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
5 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
5 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
1 |
| Hydroelectric Power Generation |
1 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
2 |
| Industrial Gas Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Industrial Launderers |
4 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
36 |
| Interior Design Services |
2 |
| Investigation Services |
3 |
| Investment Advice |
3 |
| Janitorial Services |
14 |
| Jewelry Stores |
9 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
2 |
|
Land Subdivision |
3 |
| Landscaping Services |
13 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
91 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
1 |
| Locksmiths |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
5 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
10 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
1 |
|
Masonry Contractors |
7 |
| Media Representatives |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
2 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
2 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
1 |
| Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
1 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
1 |
|
Motorcycle Dealers |
4 |
| Museums |
1 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
1 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
4 |
| Musical Instrument Manufacturing |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
12 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
1 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
1 |
|
Newspaper Publishers |
2 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
1 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
3 |
| Office Administrative Services |
6 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
2 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
10 |
|
Offices of Chiropractors |
11 |
| Offices of Dentists |
46 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
57 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
6 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
2 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
6 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
5 |
|
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
2 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
2 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
3 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
6 |
| Paper (except Newsprint) Mills |
1 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
2 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
1 |
|
Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
22 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
10 |
| Portfolio Management |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
2 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
1 |
| Professional Organizations |
2 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
2 |
| Quick Printing |
4 |
|
Radio Stations |
2 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
4 |
| Real Estate Credit |
9 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
1 |
| Remediation Services |
2 |
| Residential Property Managers |
2 |
| Residential Remodelers |
7 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
1 |
|
Roofing Contractors |
3 |
| Sales Financing |
3 |
| Savings Institutions |
1 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
4 |
| Securities Brokerage |
8 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
8 |
| Siding Contractors |
3 |
|
Site Preparation Contractors |
7 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
6 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
3 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
9 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
3 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
8 |
| Taxi Service |
2 |
| Television Broadcasting |
1 |
|
Temporary Help Services |
5 |
| Temporary Shelters |
2 |
| Testing Laboratories |
1 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
11 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
4 |
| Travel Agencies |
3 |
| Truss Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Used Car Dealers |
12 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
2 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
8 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
3 |
| Veterinary Services |
8 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
8 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
2 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
1 |
|
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
2 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
7 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
12 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
11 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
1 |
Selecting a Name For Your Venture
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.
We strongly advocate that you make sure the ".com" domain name is available for your company name. Every business needs a strong Web presence these days, and having a non ".com" domain means somebody else may outrank you in the search results for your own company name.
Numerous company naming issues are discussed in more detail in this article: Branding Advice.
There's one other important factor when naming a business. Since you are planning on starting a business in Kingsport, it's critical that you ensure that no other Tennessee company is using the business name you want to use.
Company Formation in Kingsport, Tennessee
It's essential that you form your business as a legal structure. Without a legal structure for the business, you can be held personally liable for the actions, debts and obligations of your company.
The entity you form can be a corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership or other structure.
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 Tennessee, you don't necessarily have to incorporate in Tennessee. As it turns out, you can incorporate in any state you would like to. 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'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 Incorporation Advice. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. Finally, if you are starting a business in Kingsport, Tennessee, our information on Incorporating in Tennessee may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Tennessee.
Don't Forget to Create a Business Plan
Writing a business plan is critical in laying a solid foundation for your business success. Indeed, a business plan is a written description of the future you envision for your business. Failure to write a business plan will greatly reduce your chances of business success.
To learn more about business plans, read Business Plan Contests. You should also take advantage of face-to-face free consulting available from your local SCORE chapter in Tennessee.
Learning More About Entrepreneurship
Good business owners know that they don't know everything.
Given that you are starting a business in Kingsport, Tennessee, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby Tennessee universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also wise to see if there are any networking organizations for Kingsport entrepreneurs.
Never Give Up
As an entrepreneur in Kingsport, you won't be working for the boss anymore. You are the boss.
If you choose the right business and love what you do, you will greatly increase your odds of success.
Our goal here is to promote the vitality and growth of small businesses in Kingsport and throughout the United States . We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Kingsport 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 Kingsport, Tennessee
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Kingsport.
- Resources for Kingsport, Tennessee Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Kingsport entrepreneurs.
- Tennessee Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Tennessee.
- Tennessee Small Business Development Center - If you are a small business owner, entrepreneur or you are thinking about starting a new business, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) is ready to help you every step of the way!
- Kingsport, Tennessee Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Kingsport, Tennessee newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Kingsport area.
- Kingsport, Tennessee Radio Advertising Prices - To help you in your marketing efforts, we've gathered radio advertising rates for Kingsport, Tennessee area radio stations.
- Kingsport, Tennessee Payroll Services - This list includes Kingsport, Tennessee payroll services, national payroll services for Kingsport, and helpful information on choosing a Kingsport payroll service.
- Kingsport, Tennessee Businesses for Sale - This list includes resources for buying a business in Kingsport, Tennessee, such as business brokers in Kingsport and other helpful information on how to buy a Kingsport business.
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