New York Business Startup Guides

Opening a Business in New York, New York

Contemplating starting a business in New York, New York? We walk you through the process of opening a business in New York.

Are You Ready for Life as an Owner?

Being an entrepreneur is demanding, and can be orders of magnitude more strenuous than working as an employee. Are you sure you want to go into business for yourself?

Here are three things we recommend you do before you fully commit to starting a new business of your own.

  • Talk to other entrepreneurs in New York. Listen closely to their experiences and see if you think you too can be successful.
  • We recommend reading Should You Become an Entrepreneur?. For aspiring new entrepreneurs, it's a must read article.
  • Have a candid conversation with friends and family. Ask them directly: Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Listen carefully to their answer, as they presumably know your strengths and weaknesses.

New York, New York Demographic Information

New York has an active business community that includes small businesses, mid-sized businesses and large businesses.

To give you a better feel for New York demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in New York.

Business Size
# of
Businesses
1-4 Employees
183260
5-9 Employees
50938
10-19 Employees
33737
20-49 Employees
24380
50-99 Employees
9105
100-249 Employees
5853
250-499 Employees
1731
500-999 Employees
801
1000+ Employees
645
All New York Businesses
310450

As a new New York entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in New York 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
Adhesive Manufacturing
1
Advertising Agencies
702
Alkalies and Chlorine Manufacturing
1
Ambulance Services
3
Amusement and Theme Parks
2
Amusement Arcades
9
Appliance Repair and Maintenance
13
Architectural Services
990
Armored Car Services
2
Art Dealers
525
Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
4
Automobile Driving Schools
38
Automotive Exhaust System Repair
2
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
3
Automotive Transmission Repair
5
Baked Goods Stores
117
Barber Shops
137
Beauty Salons
1,089
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
17
Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
13
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
296
Blood and Organ Banks
10
Boat Dealers
5
Book Publishers
196
Book Stores
137
Books Printing
13
Bowling Centers
10
Breweries
2
Broadwoven Fabric Mills
17
Building Inspection Services
9
Business and Secretarial Schools
13
Business Associations
236
Business to Business Electronic Markets
11
Cable and Other Program Distribution
38
Cafeterias
88
Canvas and Related Product Mills
3
Car Washes
20
Carpet and Rug Mills
6
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
17
Caterers
157
Cemeteries and Crematories
6
Charter Bus Industry
8
Child and Youth Services
181
Child Day Care Services
331
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores
114
Civic and Social Organizations
290
Claims Adjusting
63
Clothing Accessories Stores
228
Coffee and Tea Manufacturing
2
Collection Agencies
46
Commercial Bakeries
31
Commercial Flexographic Printing
5
Commercial Gravure Printing
13
Commercial Lithographic Printing
206
Commercial Photography
439
Commercial Screen Printing
24
Commodity Contracts Dealing
120
Community Food Services
20
Computer and Software Stores
73
Computer Facilities Management Services
73
Computer Storage Device Manufacturing
1
Computer Systems Design Services
755
Computer Training
48
Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers
10
Consumer Lending
45
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
5
Convenience Stores
117
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
167
Convention and Visitors Bureaus
20
Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing
4
Couriers
131
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
41
Credit Bureaus
26
Credit Card Issuing
12
Credit Unions
45
Curtain and Drapery Mills
19
Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins
1
Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planing
1
Dance Companies
86
Deep Sea Freight Transportation
12
Deep Sea Passenger Transportation
1
Dental Laboratories
33
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
69
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
16
Direct Life Insurance Carriers
153
Direct Mail Advertising
84
Direct Title Insurance Carriers
19
Directory and Mailing List Publishers
34
Discount Department Stores
14
Display Advertising
66
Distilleries
1
Doll and Stuffed Toy Manufacturing
2
Drafting Services
23
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells
1
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
643
Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters
1
Dry Pasta Manufacturing
5
Drywall and Insulation Contractors
57
Electric Power Distribution
13
Electrical Contractors
263
Electron Tube Manufacturing
1
Electronic Auctions
3
Electronic Computer Manufacturing
3
Electronic Shopping
139
Elementary and Secondary Schools
228
Employment Placement Agencies
433
Engineering Services
366
Envelope Manufacturing
4
Environmental Consulting Services
52
Exam Preparation and Tutoring
73
Exterminating and Pest Control Services
36
Fabric Coating Mills
2
Family Clothing Stores
348
Family Planning Centers
23
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders
1
Farm Management Services
1
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
20
Fine Arts Schools
209
Finfish Fishing
1
Fish and Seafood Markets
62
Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers
65
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
364
Flat Glass Manufacturing
1
Flight Training
3
Floor Covering Stores
85
Flooring Contractors
39
Food (Health) Supplement Stores
162
Food Product Machinery Manufacturing
2
Food Service Contractors
555
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair
96
Footwear Merchant Wholesalers
153
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
10
Framing Contractors
20
Fresh and Frozen Seafood Processing
3
Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing
3
Fruit and Vegetable Canning
2
Fruit and Vegetable Markets
88
Full-Service Restaurants
3,803
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services
46
Fur and Leather Apparel Manufacturing
52
Furniture Stores
294
General Automotive Repair
114
General Freight Trucking, Local
47
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
19
General Rental Centers
23
General Warehousing and Storage
38
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
456
Gold Ore Mining
2
Golf Courses and Country Clubs
9
Grantmaking Foundations
557
Graphic Design Services
929
Greeting Card Publishers
4
Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing
6
Hardware Manufacturing
1
Hardware Stores
168
Hat, Cap, and Millinery Manufacturing
16
Hazardous Waste Collection
1
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
1
Heating Oil Dealers
6
Historical Sites
15
HMO Medical Centers
5
Home Centers
10
Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
367
Home Health Care Services
87
Home Health Equipment Rental
3
Homes for the Elderly
24
Household Appliance Stores
52
Human Rights Organizations
126
Industrial Building Construction
12
Industrial Design Services
89
Industrial Launderers
21
Industrial Mold Manufacturing
2
Industrial Pattern Manufacturing
1
Inland Water Freight Transportation
2
Inland Water Passenger Transportation
7
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
851
Interior Design Services
609
International Trade Financing
49
Internet Publishing and Broadcasting
135
Internet Service Providers
97
Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
6
Investigation Services
75
Iron and Steel Forging
1
Iron and Steel Mills
1
Iron Foundries
1
Janitorial Services
309
Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing
372
Jewelry Stores
830
Junior Colleges
16
Land Subdivision
41
Landscape Architectural Services
53
Landscaping Services
36
Language Schools
43
Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing
11
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property
106
Libraries and Archives
80
Limousine Service
66
Linen Supply
3
Livestock Merchant Wholesalers
2
Local Messengers and Local Delivery
127
Locksmiths
76
Luggage and Leather Goods Stores
76
Luggage Manufacturing
7
Mail-Order Houses
142
Manifold Business Forms Printing
5
Marinas
8
Marine Cargo Handling
2
Marketing Consulting Services
702
Marking Device Manufacturing
7
Masonry Contractors
24
Mattress Manufacturing
1
Meat Markets
107
Meat Processed from Carcasses
6
Media Buying Agencies
51
Media Representatives
124
Medical Laboratories
24
Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing
3
Men's Clothing Stores
246
Metal Heat Treating
1
Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing
5
Metal Stamping
1
Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
1
Miscellaneous Intermediation
304
Mixed Mode Transit Systems
1
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank
1
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers
116
Motion Picture and Video Distribution
57
Motion Picture and Video Production
1,042
Motor and Generator Manufacturing
1
Motor Vehicle Towing
3
Motorcycle Dealers
6
110
Music Publishers
108
Musical Groups and Artists
287
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
37
Musical Instrument Manufacturing
13
Nail Salons
439
Narrow Fabric Mills
3
Natural Gas Distribution
1
New Car Dealers
25
New Housing Operative Builders
17
News Dealers and Newsstands
222
News Syndicates
56
Newspaper Publishers
125
Nonclay Refractory Manufacturing
1
Nonresidential Property Managers
434
Nursing Care Facilities
33
Office Administrative Services
532
Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
197
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
128
Offices of Bank Holding Companies
20
Offices of Certified Public Accountants
843
Offices of Chiropractors
198
Offices of Lawyers
3,976
Offices of Optometrists
79
Offices of Other Holding Companies
281
Offices of Podiatrists
128
Offices of Real Estate Appraisers
40
One-Hour Photofinishing
49
Open-End Investment Funds
24
Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
41
Optical Goods Stores
181
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
1
Outerwear Knitting Mills
8
Packaging and Labeling Services
11
Packing and Crating
8
Paging
9
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
151
Paper Industry Machinery Manufacturing
1
Paperboard Mills
1
Parking Lots and Garages
1,042
Passenger Car Leasing
8
Passenger Car Rental
37
Payroll Services
86
Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
6
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
76
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
39
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
6
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
552
Photography Studios, Portrait
231
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
1
Plate Work Manufacturing
2
Political Organizations
59
Portfolio Management
1,225
Poultry Processing
1
Precision Turned Product Manufacturing
1
Prepress Services
59
Printing Ink Manufacturing
2
Professional Employer Organizations
53
Professional Organizations
177
Public Relations Agencies
665
Quick Printing
88
Racetracks
2
Radio Networks
16
Radio Stations
136
Real Estate Investment Trusts
36
Record Production
45
Recreational Goods Rental
6
Recreational Vehicle Dealers
1
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
1
Reinsurance Carriers
40
Remediation Services
5
Residential Property Managers
1,066
Residential Remodelers
276
Resilient Floor Covering Manufacturing
1
Retail Bakeries
100
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair
60
Roofing Contractors
10
Rooming and Boarding Houses
32
Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing
1
Satellite Telecommunications
8
Savings Institutions
115
Scheduled Freight Air Transportation
8
Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation
50
Schiffli Machine Embroidery
2
School and Employee Bus Transportation
5
Securities and Commodity Exchanges
16
Securities Brokerage
831
Security Guards and Patrol Services
147
Septic Tank and Related Services
1
Sewage Treatment Facilities
1
Sheer Hosiery Mills
1
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing
1
Shoe Stores
451
Siding Contractors
1
Sign Manufacturing
34
Silverware and Hollowware Manufacturing
2
Site Preparation Contractors
18
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
588
Soft Drink Manufacturing
1
Software Reproducing
1
Solid Waste Collection
6
Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators
1
Solid Waste Landfill
1
Sound Recording Studios
148
Soybean Processing
1
Special Needs Transportation
9
Spice and Extract Manufacturing
2
Sporting Goods Stores
87
Sports and Recreation Instruction
84
Sports Teams and Clubs
9
Support Activities for Forestry
2
Tax Preparation Services
124
Taxi Service
60
Telemarketing Bureaus
32
Telephone Answering Services
24
Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing
1
Television Broadcasting
56
Temporary Help Services
440
Temporary Shelters
86
Testing Laboratories
20
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
15
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
2
Tire Cord and Tire Fabric Mills
1
Tire Dealers
6
Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading)
1
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
50
Tobacco Stores
60
Tortilla Manufacturing
1
Tour Operators
146
Tradebinding and Related Work
20
Translation and Interpretation Services
75
Travel Agencies
691
Underwear and Nightwear Knitting Mills
1
Used Car Dealers
18
Used Merchandise Stores
306
Vending Machine Operators
12
Veterinary Services
73
Video Tape and Disc Rental
75
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
74
Voluntary Health Organizations
150
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
1
Web Search Portals
25
Weft Knit Fabric Mills
2
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
920
Window Treatment Stores
22
Wineries
1
Wired Telecommunications Carriers
322
Women's Clothing Stores
803
Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
3
Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing
2
Wood Window and Door Manufacturing
2
Yarn Spinning Mills
1
Zoos and Botanical Gardens
4

What About Franchising Opportunities?

As you drive around New York, it's apparent that franchising has become a very popular way to start a business. But is franchising the right option for you?

We highly recommend you consider franchising as an option. We have many articles on franchises, such as Credit and Franchise Purchasing. Get a thorough education on franchising by browsing all of our Articles on Franchising.

You can review hundreds of franchise opportunities by browing our Franchise Directory.

Sample franchise opportunities include Applebee's International, Inc. and Rubyjuice Fruit and Smoothies. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Dry Cleaning & Laundry Franchises and Kid Friendly Franchises.

Note on New York Franchise Opportunities: To find out if a franchise you are interested in is available in New York, you will need to get in direct contact with the franchisor.

What About Buying an Existing New York Business?

If you have some capital to play with, you may want to Buy a Business in New York. Follow that link and you can assess several good businesses for sale in New York.

If you are serious about buying a business, you may want to read this article: Buying a Business.

Bring in Revenues

Do you know how to sell? In order to attract customers to your new New York business, you need to focus on sales.

Why should customers buy from you instead of buying from competitors? The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.

Effective Sales Presentations is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.

Learning More About Entrepreneurship

Good entrepreneurs know that they don't know everything.

With your business being located in New York, New York, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby New York universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also worthwhile to see if there are any New York networking organizations.

New York Entrepreneur Interviews

We're compiling a number of interviews with New York entrepreneurs. Enjoy!

Never Give Up

As an entrepreneur in New York, you won't be working for the boss anymore. You are the boss.

From this point on, you control your own destiny.

Our goal here is to promote the vitality and growth of small businesses in New York and throughout the United States . We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in New York, neighborhood development and overall economic health.

More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in New York, New York

Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in New York.

Starting-a-Business Guides for Other Cities in New York

Starting a Business in New Windsor
Starting a Business in Newark

Browse All Business Startup Guides for New York
Starting a Business Guides for Other States

 

 

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Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

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