Thinking about starting a business in Long Beach, California? This step-by-step guide walks you through the major decisions you should consider before opening a new business in Long Beach.
Most new ventures don't make it, in part because the business owner did not have the perseverance and abilities that are necessary to succeed. So, before you open a business, consider all of the implications of being an entrepreneur.
Before you move forward with starting a business, be sure to do these three things:
Long Beach has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Long Beach demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Long Beach.
As a new Long Beach entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Long Beach 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 |
14 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing |
4 |
| Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
1 |
| Ambulance Services |
1 |
| Amusement and Theme Parks |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
4 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
5 |
| Architectural Services |
35 |
| Art Dealers |
4 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
2 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
6 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
39 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
8 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
9 |
| Barber Shops |
7 |
| Beauty Salons |
68 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
2 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
70 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
1 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
1 |
| Boat Building |
3 |
| Boat Dealers |
10 |
| Book Publishers |
2 |
| Book Stores |
12 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills |
3 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Mills |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
9 |
| Business Associations |
11 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
2 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
4 |
| Cafeterias |
9 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
3 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
4 |
| Car Washes |
14 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
9 |
| Caterers |
11 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
1 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
3 |
| Child and Youth Services |
19 |
| Child Day Care Services |
106 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
3 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
43 |
| Claims Adjusting |
7 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
1 |
| Coffee and Tea Manufacturing |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
19 |
| Collection Agencies |
2 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
12 |
| Commercial Photography |
6 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
4 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
2 |
| Commodity Contracts Dealing |
3 |
| Community Food Services |
4 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
9 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
4 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
59 |
| Computer Training |
3 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
6 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Construction Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
5 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
3 |
| Convenience Stores |
28 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
9 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Couriers |
17 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
5 |
| Credit Card Issuing |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
13 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
35 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
1 |
| Deep Sea Freight Transportation |
8 |
| Dental Laboratories |
8 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
10 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
4 |
| Digital Printing |
3 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
8 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
5 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
5 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
2 |
| Discount Department Stores |
8 |
| Display Advertising |
5 |
| Document Preparation Services |
5 |
| Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drafting Services |
3 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
68 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
11 |
| Educational Support Services |
6 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
8 |
| Electrical Contractors |
59 |
| Electronic Connector Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
6 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
28 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
2 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
13 |
| Engineering Services |
73 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
12 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
8 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
15 |
| Fabric Coating Mills |
1 |
| Facilities Support Services |
4 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
23 |
| Family Planning Centers |
2 |
| Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders |
1 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
12 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
16 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
8 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
29 |
| Flight Training |
5 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
9 |
| Flooring Contractors |
9 |
| Florists |
15 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
10 |
| Food Service Contractors |
16 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
1 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
3 |
| Framing Contractors |
4 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
96 |
| Fresh and Frozen Seafood Processing |
2 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
2 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
288 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
9 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Furniture Stores |
23 |
| General Automotive Repair |
91 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
59 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
5 |
| General Rental Centers |
4 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
33 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
37 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
6 |
| Glove and Mitten Manufacturing |
1 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
7 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
16 |
| Graphic Design Services |
28 |
| Gypsum Product Manufacturing |
3 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
3 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
13 |
| Hardware Stores |
7 |
| Hazardous Waste Collection |
1 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
5 |
| Historical Sites |
3 |
| HMO Medical Centers |
2 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
8 |
| Home Centers |
3 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Home Health Care Services |
34 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
1 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
14 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
8 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
6 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
2 |
| Industrial Design Services |
5 |
| Industrial Gas Manufacturing |
1 |
| Industrial Launderers |
12 |
| Industrial Sand Mining |
1 |
| Industrial Valve Manufacturing |
1 |
| Inland Water Freight Transportation |
1 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
2 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
128 |
| Interior Design Services |
31 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
2 |
| Internet Service Providers |
8 |
| Investigation Services |
7 |
| Investment Advice |
31 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Iron Foundries |
2 |
| Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
44 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Jewelry Stores |
28 |
| Junior Colleges |
1 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
10 |
| Land Subdivision |
5 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
2 |
| Landscaping Services |
31 |
| Language Schools |
1 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
15 |
| Libraries and Archives |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
283 |
| Limousine Service |
6 |
| Linen Supply |
4 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
6 |
| Locksmiths |
3 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
2 |
| Machine Shops |
15 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
10 |
| Marinas |
7 |
| Marine Cargo Handling |
13 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
24 |
| Masonry Contractors |
10 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
3 |
| Mattress Manufacturing |
1 |
| Meat Markets |
9 |
| Meat Processed from Carcasses |
1 |
| Media Representatives |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
4 |
| Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing |
1 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
9 |
| Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Metal Window and Door Manufacturing |
3 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
5 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
27 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
13 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
6 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
5 |
| Museums |
3 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
5 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
6 |
| Nail Salons |
32 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
2 |
| Natural Gas Liquid Extraction |
1 |
| Navigational Services to Shipping |
4 |
| New Car Dealers |
17 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
6 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
1 |
| News Syndicates |
1 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
4 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
24 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
34 |
| Office Administrative Services |
48 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
11 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
56 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
46 |
| Offices of Dentists |
203 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
241 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
26 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
5 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
22 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
20 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
5 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
5 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paging |
1 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
6 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
27 |
| Paper (except Newsprint) Mills |
1 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
55 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
14 |
| Payroll Services |
4 |
| Periodical Publishers |
11 |
| Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
11 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
8 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
8 |
| Petroleum Refineries |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
59 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
10 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil |
5 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas |
1 |
| Plastics Bag Manufacturing |
1 |
| Political Organizations |
2 |
| Port and Harbor Operations |
3 |
| Portfolio Management |
13 |
| Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
5 |
| Prepress Services |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
9 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
12 |
| Professional Organizations |
5 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
11 |
| Quick Printing |
9 |
| Racetracks |
1 |
| Radio Networks |
1 |
| Radio Stations |
1 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
27 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
9 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
1 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
3 |
| Remediation Services |
8 |
| Residential Property Managers |
60 |
| Residential Remodelers |
53 |
| Retail Bakeries |
14 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
5 |
| Roofing Contractors |
13 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
5 |
| Rope, Cordage, and Twine Mills |
1 |
| Sales Financing |
6 |
| Satellite Telecommunications |
2 |
| Savings Institutions |
18 |
| Sawmills |
2 |
| Scheduled Freight Air Transportation |
1 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
5 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
2 |
| Securities Brokerage |
37 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
21 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
1 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
3 |
| Ship Building and Repairing |
2 |
| Shoe Stores |
24 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
8 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
24 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
87 |
| Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing |
1 |
| Software Publishers |
7 |
| Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators |
1 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
3 |
| Spice and Extract Manufacturing |
4 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
19 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
10 |
| Spring (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Surface Active Agent Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
37 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
1 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
2 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
4 |
| Temporary Help Services |
48 |
| Temporary Shelters |
3 |
| Testing Laboratories |
10 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
5 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
6 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Tire Dealers |
19 |
| Tire Retreading |
2 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
2 |
| Tobacco Stores |
8 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
2 |
| Tour Operators |
3 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
25 |
| Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing |
2 |
| Used Car Dealers |
12 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
15 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
27 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
5 |
| Veterinary Services |
19 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
16 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
19 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
4 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
2 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
43 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
6 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
28 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
29 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
5 |
| Wood Preservation |
1 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
2 |
| Zoos and Botanical Gardens |
1 |
As you drive around Long Beach, you may be surprised to see how many franchises there are in the area. But is franchising the right option for you?
Our advice is to consider franchising as an option. This site has dozens of articles on franchising, such as Multi-Unit Franchising. Get a thorough education on franchising by browsing all of our Articles on Franchising.
It's essential that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Doing so will protect you from personal liability for business debts and obligations.
The entity you form can be a corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership or other structure.
Incorporation is a very popular way to form a business. A key decision is whether to form and S-Corp or a C-Corp, and you also must decide in which state you will incorporate. If you are starting a business in California, you don't necessarily have to incorporate in California. In fact, you can incorporate in the state of your choosing. 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 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 Incorporating Online. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. Finally, if you are starting a business in Long Beach, California, our information on Incorporating in California may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in California.
A business plan is critical in laying a solid foundation for your business success. Indeed, your business plan is your game plan for how you hope to grow your business. Starting a business without a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
Getting your Long Beach business the capital it needs to succeed requires strong organization skills and perseverance. The reality is that there is very little funding available for new small businesses, and you have to explore every possible alternative.
To learn about raising money, we recommend you read the fundraising articles on our site, such as Choosing VC Firms.
Mastering the art of selling is a must if you want your new Long Beach business to do well.
Clever sales techniques can transform any business from good to great. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.
Most new Long Beach businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
From this point on, you control your own destiny.
We are here to help Long Beach businesses to be successful. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Long Beach, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Long Beach.
