Thinking about starting a business in Kirkland, Washington? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Kirkland.
Do You Have Entrepreneurial Drive and Passion?
Before you get too far along in the process, assess 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 Kirkland. Get their candid feedback on what it takes to start a successful business.
- You should read The Entrepreneurial Personality. It's a good read for those who are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur.
- Reach out to a trusted acquaintance. A support network of family and friends can be a great sounding board for good advice before you decide for sure to go into business.
Kirkland, Washington Demographic Information
Kirkland has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Kirkland demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Kirkland.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
15360 |
| 5-9 Employees |
4446 |
| 10-19 Employees |
2970 |
| 20-49 Employees |
2133 |
| 50-99 Employees |
621 |
| 100-249 Employees |
360 |
| 250-499 Employees |
99 |
| 500-999 Employees |
0 |
| 1000+ Employees |
18 |
| All Kirkland Businesses |
26007 |
As a new Kirkland entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Kirkland 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 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
22 |
| Art Dealers |
8 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
3 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
3 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
8 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
2 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
| Barber Shops |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
40 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
1 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
5 |
| Boat Dealers |
2 |
| Book Publishers |
1 |
| Book Stores |
3 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
3 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
1 |
| Business Associations |
9 |
| Cafeterias |
1 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
3 |
| Car Washes |
6 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
2 |
| Caterers |
5 |
| Child and Youth Services |
2 |
| Child Day Care Services |
22 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
3 |
| Claims Adjusting |
3 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
3 |
| Collection Agencies |
2 |
| Commercial Flexographic Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
2 |
| Commercial Photography |
1 |
| Community Food Services |
2 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
3 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
28 |
| Computer Training |
4 |
| Consumer Lending |
3 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
1 |
| Convenience Stores |
12 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
4 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Credit Bureaus |
2 |
| Credit Unions |
5 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
46 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
7 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
5 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
1 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
4 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
1 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
1 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
1 |
| Display Advertising |
2 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drafting Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
14 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
9 |
| Educational Support Services |
4 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
21 |
| Electronic Shopping |
5 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
2 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
6 |
| Engineering Services |
58 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
5 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
7 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
4 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
5 |
| Finfish Fishing |
3 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
21 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
16 |
| Flight Training |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
4 |
| Flooring Contractors |
5 |
| Florists |
6 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
2 |
| Food Service Contractors |
5 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
1 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
8 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
3 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
97 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Furniture Stores |
7 |
| General Automotive Repair |
33 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
1 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
1 |
| General Rental Centers |
1 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
8 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
5 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
3 |
| Graphic Design Services |
6 |
| Gypsum Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Hardware Stores |
2 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
4 |
| Home Centers |
1 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
15 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
2 |
| Industrial Design Services |
2 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
67 |
| Interior Design Services |
6 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
5 |
| Internet Service Providers |
2 |
| Investigation Services |
1 |
| Investment Advice |
8 |
| Janitorial Services |
17 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
2 |
| Jewelry Stores |
7 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
1 |
| Land Subdivision |
9 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
5 |
| Landscaping Services |
31 |
| Language Schools |
2 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
2 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
63 |
| Limousine Service |
2 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
1 |
| Locksmiths |
2 |
| Logging |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
6 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
4 |
| Marinas |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
23 |
| Masonry Contractors |
3 |
| Media Representatives |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
1 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
8 |
| Mobile Food Services |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
33 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
4 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
2 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
1 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
1 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Nail Salons |
6 |
| Navigational Services to Shipping |
2 |
| New Car Dealers |
11 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
6 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
11 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
2 |
| Office Administrative Services |
17 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
29 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
27 |
| Offices of Dentists |
67 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
45 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
5 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
6 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
2 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
15 |
| Open-End Investment Funds |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
5 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Paging |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
5 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
32 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
5 |
| Payroll Services |
2 |
| Periodical Publishers |
6 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
3 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
12 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
4 |
| Primary Battery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
3 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
3 |
| Quick Printing |
3 |
| Radio Networks |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
22 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
2 |
| Record Production |
1 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
23 |
| Residential Remodelers |
41 |
| Retail Bakeries |
2 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
3 |
| Roofing Contractors |
8 |
| Sales Financing |
3 |
| Satellite Telecommunications |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
9 |
| Securities Brokerage |
17 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
3 |
| Shellfish Fishing |
2 |
| Shoe Stores |
2 |
| Siding Contractors |
2 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
3 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
28 |
| Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing |
1 |
| Software Publishers |
26 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
2 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
6 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
6 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
3 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
3 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
3 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
4 |
| Temporary Help Services |
8 |
| Temporary Shelters |
1 |
| Testing Laboratories |
4 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
6 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
4 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
1 |
| Tour Operators |
2 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
8 |
| Used Car Dealers |
5 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
2 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
6 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
2 |
| Veterinary Services |
13 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
4 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
2 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
3 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
35 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
7 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
9 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
1 |
| Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
2 |
Naming the Company
A big decision when starting a company is choosing a company name. Believe it or not, choosing a good company name can be a big contributor to your business success.
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 Company.
There's one other important factor when naming a business. Since you are opening a business in Kirkland, it's very important that you make sure no other Washington company is using the business name you want to use.
Promoting Your New Company
To rise above the crowd in Kirkland and advance your business, having an excellent marketing plan is fundamental to your business achieving its goals.
We have some excellent resources on this site for entrepreneurs who are working on marketing plans. Newspaper Advertising Costs is a good read to get your marketing creativity flowing. That's just a taste of the many useful articles we have on Marketing a Small Business.
Ramping Up Sales
Being able to sell is essential to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Kirkland or are selling to customers throughout Washington, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
Good selling involves demonstrating that your wares meet your customer's needs. Let us help you refine your selling techniques through our many useful sales advice tips.
Anticipating Prospect Responses offers some helpful tips on how to sell. It's one of several good articles on our site regarding Entrepreneurial Selling.
Improving Your Entrepreneurial Skillset
Good entrepreneurs recognize that what they know now may not be enough to ensure their future success.
As an entrepreneur who lives in Kirkland, Washington, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby Washington universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also wise to see if there are any networking organizations for Kirkland entrepreneurs.
Now It's Up To You
You have a dream -- starting a business in Kirkland. 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.
Our goal here is to promote the vitality and growth of small businesses in Kirkland and throughout the United States . We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Kirkland, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Kirkland, Washington
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Kirkland.
Starting-a-Business Guides for Other Cities in Washington
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