Thinking about starting a business in Lakeland, Florida? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Lakeland.
Lakeland has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Lakeland demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Lakeland.
As a new Lakeland entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Lakeland 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 |
8 |
| Ambulance Services |
2 |
| Amusement Arcades |
2 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
8 |
| Architectural Services |
13 |
| Art Dealers |
2 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
4 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
6 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
32 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
5 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
4 |
| Barber Shops |
2 |
| Beauty Salons |
50 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
11 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
2 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
3 |
| Boat Dealers |
5 |
| Book Publishers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
10 |
| Bowling Centers |
3 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills |
2 |
| Broom, Brush, and Mop Manufacturing |
2 |
| Building Inspection Services |
3 |
| Business Associations |
9 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
1 |
| Cafeterias |
11 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
1 |
| Car Washes |
6 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
9 |
| Caterers |
3 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
3 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
7 |
| Child Day Care Services |
48 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
2 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
24 |
| Claims Adjusting |
2 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
3 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
8 |
| Collection Agencies |
6 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
2 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
9 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
4 |
| Community Food Services |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
12 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
12 |
| Computer Training |
3 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
2 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
9 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
3 |
| Convenience Stores |
51 |
| Couriers |
6 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
7 |
| Credit Unions |
10 |
| Crop Harvesting, Primarily by Machine |
1 |
| Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
14 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
1 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Deep Sea Freight Transportation |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
6 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
3 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
1 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
6 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
2 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
5 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
1 |
| Discount Department Stores |
4 |
| Display Advertising |
2 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drafting Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
20 |
| Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters |
2 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
22 |
| Educational Support Services |
1 |
| Electrical Contractors |
58 |
| Electronic Shopping |
5 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
13 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
5 |
| Engineering Services |
47 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
12 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
2 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
23 |
| Facilities Support Services |
3 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
24 |
| Family Planning Centers |
3 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
2 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
3 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
46 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
18 |
| Flight Training |
2 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
16 |
| Flooring Contractors |
21 |
| Florists |
11 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
9 |
| Food Product Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food Service Contractors |
9 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
2 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
3 |
| Framing Contractors |
22 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
14 |
| Fresh and Frozen Seafood Processing |
1 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Canning |
1 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
3 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
127 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
8 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Furniture Stores |
38 |
| General Automotive Repair |
38 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
29 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
1 |
| General Rental Centers |
5 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
15 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
22 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
6 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
9 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
3 |
| Graphic Design Services |
11 |
| Gypsum Product Manufacturing |
3 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
11 |
| Hardware Stores |
8 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
1 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
1 |
| HMO Medical Centers |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
11 |
| Home Centers |
3 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Home Health Care Services |
21 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
3 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
8 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
10 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
1 |
| Ice Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
3 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
2 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
100 |
| Interior Design Services |
5 |
| Internet Service Providers |
2 |
| Investigation Services |
3 |
| Investment Advice |
17 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
38 |
| Jewelry Stores |
28 |
| Junior Colleges |
2 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
3 |
| Land Subdivision |
9 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
5 |
| Landscaping Services |
98 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
26 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
99 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
4 |
| Locksmiths |
4 |
| Logging |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
8 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
1 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
6 |
| Marinas |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
17 |
| Marking Device Manufacturing |
1 |
| Masonry Contractors |
27 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
1 |
| Mattress Manufacturing |
2 |
| Media Representatives |
3 |
| Medical Laboratories |
2 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
6 |
| Metal Stamping |
2 |
| Metal Window and Door Manufacturing |
2 |
| Mineral Wool Manufacturing |
1 |
| Mobile Food Services |
2 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
14 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
3 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
3 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
10 |
| Museums |
2 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
3 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
6 |
| Nail Salons |
2 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
16 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
16 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
4 |
| Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
9 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
10 |
| Office Administrative Services |
15 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
7 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
34 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
24 |
| Offices of Dentists |
67 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
116 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
9 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
7 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
23 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
2 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing |
1 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
12 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
3 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
2 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
2 |
| Packing and Crating |
2 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
6 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
52 |
| Paper Industry Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Passenger Car Leasing |
1 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
4 |
| Payroll Services |
2 |
| Periodical Publishers |
5 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
6 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
7 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
2 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
27 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
17 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas |
2 |
| Plastics Bottle Manufacturing |
2 |
| Plate Work Manufacturing |
4 |
| Political Organizations |
1 |
| Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
2 |
| Primary Battery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Printing Ink Manufacturing |
3 |
| Private Mail Centers |
3 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
5 |
| Professional Organizations |
3 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
1 |
| Quick Printing |
8 |
| Radio Stations |
4 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
4 |
| Real Estate Credit |
34 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
1 |
| Record Production |
1 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
4 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
1 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
2 |
| Remediation Services |
3 |
| Residential Property Managers |
17 |
| Residential Remodelers |
62 |
| Retail Bakeries |
2 |
| Roofing Contractors |
17 |
| Sales Financing |
1 |
| Satellite Telecommunications |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
11 |
| Sawmills |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
16 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
7 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
3 |
| Shoe Stores |
20 |
| Siding Contractors |
10 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
6 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
26 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
15 |
| Software Publishers |
2 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
4 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
1 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
1 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
3 |
| Spice and Extract Manufacturing |
3 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
17 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
7 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
24 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
2 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
3 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
3 |
| Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
37 |
| Temporary Shelters |
3 |
| Testing Laboratories |
6 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
1 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
26 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Tire Dealers |
18 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
9 |
| Tobacco Stores |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
7 |
| Truss Manufacturing |
3 |
| Used Car Dealers |
35 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
4 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
11 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
2 |
| Veterinary Services |
27 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
13 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
2 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
2 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
2 |
| Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
1 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
57 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
2 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
24 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
19 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
3 |
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.
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.
On a final note, given that you are opening a business in Lakeland, it's critical that you ensure that no other Florida company is using the business name you want to use.
A critical step is ensuring 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. If you are starting a business in Florida, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in Florida. As it turns out, you are allowed to 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 are many nuances to forming a company. We recommend you read some of the educational articles about company formation that are availabe on our site, such as Offshore Company Formation. You should also consider getting professional assistance from your business lawyer. Finally, if you are starting a business in Lakeland, Florida, our information on Incorporating in Florida may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Florida.
Getting your Lakeland business the capital it needs to succeed is a difficult chore. If you don't have a rich uncle to fund you, you'll need to be creative in how you approach your fundraising efforts.
To rise above the crowd in Lakeland and build your business, you'll need to have a good marketing plan.
Do you know how to sell? In order to attract customers to your new Lakeland business, you need to focus on sales.
Good selling involves demonstrating that your wares meet your customer's needs. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
As an entrepreneur in Lakeland, 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.
We are here to help Lakeland 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.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Lakeland.
