Contemplating starting a business in Minneapolis, Minnesota? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Minneapolis.
Most startup companies don't make it, in part because the entrepreneur did not have the entrepreneurial skills and traits needed to succeed. So, before you start your business, consider all of the implications of being an entrepreneur.
Here are three things we recommend you do before you fully commit to starting a new business of your own.
Minneapolis has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Minneapolis demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Minneapolis.
As a new Minneapolis entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Minneapolis 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 |
| Abrasive Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Adhesive Manufacturing |
2 |
| Advertising Agencies |
161 |
| Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing |
4 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing |
1 |
| Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries |
3 |
| Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
3 |
| Ambulance Services |
5 |
| Amusement and Theme Parks |
1 |
| Amusement Arcades |
8 |
| Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering |
2 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
12 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
7 |
| Architectural Services |
184 |
| Armored Car Services |
3 |
| Art Dealers |
28 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing |
4 |
| Automatic Vending Machine Manufacturing |
2 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
5 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
10 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
22 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
93 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
23 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
22 |
| Barber Shops |
11 |
| Beauty Salons |
360 |
| Bed-and-Breakfast Inns |
1 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
3 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
125 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
4 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
9 |
| Boat Dealers |
9 |
| Book Publishers |
30 |
| Book Stores |
49 |
| Books Printing |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
19 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills |
4 |
| Broadwoven Fabric Mills |
1 |
| Broom, Brush, and Mop Manufacturing |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
32 |
| Burial Casket Manufacturing |
1 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
5 |
| Business Associations |
82 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
5 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
6 |
| Cafeterias |
15 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
27 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
1 |
| Car Washes |
40 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
37 |
| Caterers |
46 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
12 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
6 |
| Cheese Manufacturing |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
57 |
| Child Day Care Services |
265 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
23 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
138 |
| Claims Adjusting |
31 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
32 |
| Coffee and Tea Manufacturing |
5 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
14 |
| Collection Agencies |
34 |
| Commercial Bakeries |
9 |
| Commercial Flexographic Printing |
13 |
| Commercial Gravure Printing |
3 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
102 |
| Commercial Photography |
82 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
35 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
16 |
| Commodity Contracts Dealing |
6 |
| Community Food Services |
30 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
55 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
18 |
| Computer Storage Device Manufacturing |
3 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
407 |
| Computer Training |
17 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
16 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
14 |
| Construction Machinery Manufacturing |
5 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
1 |
| Consumer Lending |
29 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
17 |
| Convenience Stores |
85 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
40 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
5 |
| Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing |
3 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
9 |
| Couriers |
52 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
20 |
| Credit Bureaus |
6 |
| Credit Card Issuing |
7 |
| Credit Unions |
56 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
13 |
| Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
455 |
| Custom Roll Forming |
1 |
| Dance Companies |
12 |
| Deep Sea Freight Transportation |
2 |
| Deep Sea Passenger Transportation |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
43 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
24 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
14 |
| Digital Printing |
10 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
88 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
31 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
65 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
10 |
| Discount Department Stores |
29 |
| Display Advertising |
23 |
| Document Preparation Services |
42 |
| Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Doll and Stuffed Toy Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drafting Services |
16 |
| Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
115 |
| Dry Pasta Manufacturing |
2 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
62 |
| Educational Support Services |
35 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
15 |
| Electrical Contractors |
207 |
| Electronic Auctions |
1 |
| Electronic Capacitor Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Computer Manufacturing |
4 |
| Electronic Connector Manufacturing |
3 |
| Electronic Shopping |
28 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
138 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
14 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
57 |
| Engineering Services |
271 |
| Envelope Manufacturing |
4 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
33 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
24 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
10 |
| Facilities Support Services |
13 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
108 |
| Family Planning Centers |
8 |
| Farm Product Warehousing and Storage |
3 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
13 |
| Fats and Oils Refining and Blending |
1 |
| Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
70 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
98 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
1 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
133 |
| Flight Training |
5 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
60 |
| Flooring Contractors |
73 |
| Florists |
71 |
| Flour Milling |
4 |
| Fluid Milk Manufacturing |
1 |
| Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing |
1 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
43 |
| Food Product Machinery Manufacturing |
5 |
| Food Service Contractors |
142 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
6 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
8 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
3 |
| Framing Contractors |
50 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
63 |
| Fresh and Frozen Seafood Processing |
2 |
| Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing |
2 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
4 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
675 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
38 |
| Fur and Leather Apparel Manufacturing |
1 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
53 |
| Furniture Stores |
117 |
| General Automotive Repair |
254 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
67 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
12 |
| General Rental Centers |
21 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
41 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
144 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
11 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
10 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
43 |
| Graphic Design Services |
261 |
| Greeting Card Publishers |
1 |
| Gypsum Product Manufacturing |
2 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
9 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
3 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
41 |
| Hardware Stores |
50 |
| Hazardous Waste Collection |
2 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
3 |
| Heating Oil Dealers |
1 |
| Historical Sites |
2 |
| HMO Medical Centers |
12 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
46 |
| Home Centers |
16 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
39 |
| Home Health Care Services |
140 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
3 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
44 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
21 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
17 |
| Ice Manufacturing |
2 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
4 |
| Industrial Design Services |
18 |
| Industrial Gas Manufacturing |
2 |
| Industrial Launderers |
7 |
| Industrial Mold Manufacturing |
19 |
| Industrial Pattern Manufacturing |
3 |
| Industrial Valve Manufacturing |
2 |
| Inland Water Freight Transportation |
2 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
5 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
700 |
| Interior Design Services |
86 |
| International Trade Financing |
3 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
19 |
| Internet Service Providers |
21 |
| Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation |
4 |
| Investigation Services |
20 |
| Investment Advice |
211 |
| Iron Foundries |
2 |
| Janitorial Services |
263 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
10 |
| Jewelry Stores |
132 |
| Junior Colleges |
2 |
| Kaolin and Ball Clay Mining |
1 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
17 |
| Land Subdivision |
62 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
22 |
| Landscaping Services |
237 |
| Language Schools |
12 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
25 |
| Libraries and Archives |
5 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
797 |
| Limousine Service |
18 |
| Linen Supply |
5 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
32 |
| Locksmiths |
18 |
| Logging |
1 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
6 |
| Luggage Manufacturing |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
136 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
59 |
| Malt Manufacturing |
1 |
| Manifold Business Forms Printing |
4 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
6 |
| Marinas |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
221 |
| Marking Device Manufacturing |
3 |
| Masonry Contractors |
59 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
5 |
| Mattress Manufacturing |
4 |
| Meat Markets |
22 |
| Meat Processed from Carcasses |
1 |
| Media Buying Agencies |
6 |
| Media Representatives |
18 |
| Medical Laboratories |
9 |
| Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing |
4 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
29 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
4 |
| Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Metal Stamping |
24 |
| Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Metal Window and Door Manufacturing |
3 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
46 |
| Mobile Food Services |
20 |
| Monetary Authorities-Central Bank |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
229 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
105 |
| Motor and Generator Manufacturing |
5 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
4 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
27 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
10 |
| Museums |
16 |
| Music Publishers |
4 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
41 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
27 |
| Musical Instrument Manufacturing |
4 |
| Nail Salons |
105 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
7 |
| New Car Dealers |
57 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
39 |
| News Dealers and Newsstands |
6 |
| News Syndicates |
5 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
31 |
| Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
97 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
61 |
| Office Administrative Services |
127 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
48 |
| Office Machinery Manufacturing |
3 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
39 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
7 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
305 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
232 |
| Offices of Dentists |
433 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
909 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
40 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
51 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
16 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
73 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
12 |
| Open-End Investment Funds |
5 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing |
2 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
12 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
65 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
5 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
12 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
10 |
| Packing and Crating |
6 |
| Paging |
4 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
7 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
30 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
175 |
| Paper (except Newsprint) Mills |
1 |
| Paper Industry Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
129 |
| Passenger Car Leasing |
6 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
24 |
| Payroll Services |
19 |
| Pen and Mechanical Pencil Manufacturing |
1 |
| Periodical Publishers |
51 |
| Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing |
4 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
38 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
29 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
4 |
| Petroleum Refineries |
1 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
122 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
77 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil |
1 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas |
1 |
| Plastics Bag Manufacturing |
3 |
| Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
3 |
| Plate Work Manufacturing |
6 |
| Political Organizations |
25 |
| Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing |
4 |
| Port and Harbor Operations |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
135 |
| Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
36 |
| Prepress Services |
25 |
| Printing Ink Manufacturing |
8 |
| Private Mail Centers |
22 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
20 |
| Professional Organizations |
42 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
67 |
| Quick Printing |
53 |
| Racetracks |
1 |
| Radio Networks |
6 |
| Radio Stations |
40 |
| Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing |
1 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
3 |
| Real Estate Credit |
183 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
9 |
| Record Production |
4 |
| Recreational Goods Rental |
3 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
4 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
1 |
| Reinsurance Carriers |
3 |
| Remediation Services |
12 |
| Repossession Services |
2 |
| Residential Property Managers |
214 |
| Residential Remodelers |
348 |
| Resilient Floor Covering Manufacturing |
1 |
| Retail Bakeries |
27 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
25 |
| Roofing Contractors |
69 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
21 |
| Sales Financing |
51 |
| Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing |
1 |
| Satellite Telecommunications |
3 |
| Savings Institutions |
14 |
| Sawmills |
1 |
| Scheduled Freight Air Transportation |
2 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
5 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
15 |
| Securities and Commodity Exchanges |
4 |
| Securities Brokerage |
166 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
29 |
| Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
2 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
27 |
| Shoe Stores |
101 |
| Siding Contractors |
54 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
47 |
| Silverware and Hollowware Manufacturing |
1 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
40 |
| Small Arms Manufacturing |
1 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
245 |
| Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing |
2 |
| Software Publishers |
87 |
| Software Reproducing |
5 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
23 |
| Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators |
1 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
5 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
13 |
| Special Needs Transportation |
20 |
| Spice and Extract Manufacturing |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
97 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
44 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
4 |
| Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply |
2 |
| Steel Foundries (except Investment) |
2 |
| Steel Investment Foundries |
1 |
| Steel Wire Drawing |
1 |
| Support Activities for Metal Mining |
1 |
| Surface Active Agent Manufacturing |
1 |
| Surface-Coated Paperboard Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
91 |
| Taxi Service |
11 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
13 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
18 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
7 |
| Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Television Broadcasting |
3 |
| Temporary Help Services |
227 |
| Temporary Shelters |
19 |
| Testing Laboratories |
28 |
| Textile Bag Mills |
2 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
33 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
29 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
11 |
| Tire Dealers |
46 |
| Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) |
1 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
92 |
| Tobacco Stores |
37 |
| Toilet Preparation Manufacturing |
5 |
| Tour Operators |
19 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
16 |
| Translation and Interpretation Services |
25 |
| Travel Agencies |
141 |
| Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing |
1 |
| Used Car Dealers |
41 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
40 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
71 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
25 |
| Veterinary Services |
81 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
75 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
78 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
35 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
6 |
| Web Search Portals |
3 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
472 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
11 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
122 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
148 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
5 |
| Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing |
3 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
9 |
| Zoos and Botanical Gardens |
1 |
As you drive around Minneapolis, you may be surprised to see how many franchises there are in the area. So, it probably makes sense for you to consider franchising too.
Our advice is to evaluate the possibility of your buying a franchise opportunity. We have many articles on franchises, such as Franchise Marketing Support. Gain a solid understanding of franchising by scanning all of our Articles on Franchising.
A business plan is vital to the health of your new business. In effect, a business plan describes what you plan to do with the business and how you plan to do it. Not having a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
Mastering the art of selling is priority one if you want your new Minneapolis business to do well.
Why should customers buy from you instead of buying from competitors? Let us help you refine your selling techniques through our many useful sales advice tips.
Good entrepreneurs recognize that what they know now may not be enough to ensure their future success.
As an entrepreneur who lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby Minnesota universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also beneficial to see if there are any Minneapolis networking organizations.
Most new Minneapolis businesses underestimate the number of challenges they will face.
If you choose the right business and love what you do, you will greatly increase your odds of success.
We are here to help Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis.
