Contemplating starting a business in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Oklahoma City.
There are many businesses that you can start. How do you know which type of business is right for you? To stir your creative juices on what kind of business to start, take a look at Good Business Ideas.
Always keep in mind that you are starting a business in Oklahoma City. The business you want to start may already be well-represented in Oklahoma City. Only by spending some time analyzing Oklahoma City demographics can you decide if there will be strong demand for your business idea.
Oklahoma City has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Oklahoma City demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Oklahoma City.
As a new Oklahoma City entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Oklahoma City 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 |
47 |
| Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing |
5 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing |
1 |
| Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting) |
2 |
| Ambulance Services |
1 |
| Amusement and Theme Parks |
4 |
| Amusement Arcades |
5 |
|
Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering |
1 |
| Appliance Repair and Maintenance |
13 |
| Apprenticeship Training |
5 |
| Architectural Services |
69 |
| Armored Car Services |
3 |
| Art Dealers |
11 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing |
1 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
2 |
|
Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
12 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
21 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
121 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
26 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
11 |
| Barber Shops |
6 |
| Beauty Salons |
127 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
|
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
52 |
| Blind and Shade Manufacturing |
2 |
| Blood and Organ Banks |
10 |
| Boat Dealers |
8 |
| Book Publishers |
3 |
| Book Stores |
26 |
| Bowling Centers |
11 |
| Breweries |
1 |
|
Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
5 |
| Business and Secretarial Schools |
5 |
| Business Associations |
62 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
4 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
5 |
| Cafeterias |
32 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
1 |
|
Canvas and Related Product Mills |
4 |
| Car Washes |
54 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
18 |
| Caterers |
22 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
13 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
3 |
| Cheese Manufacturing |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
25 |
|
Child Day Care Services |
221 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
16 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
55 |
| Claims Adjusting |
25 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
21 |
| Coffee and Tea Manufacturing |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
31 |
| Collection Agencies |
29 |
|
Commercial Bakeries |
7 |
| Commercial Gravure Printing |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
46 |
| Commercial Photography |
10 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
12 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
6 |
| Community Food Services |
7 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
40 |
|
Computer Facilities Management Services |
13 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
58 |
| Computer Training |
3 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
1 |
| Concrete Pipe Manufacturing |
3 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
9 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Construction Machinery Manufacturing |
3 |
|
Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
3 |
| Consumer Lending |
78 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
9 |
| Convenience Stores |
45 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
9 |
| Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
6 |
| Couriers |
33 |
|
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
40 |
| Credit Bureaus |
4 |
| Credit Unions |
48 |
| Curtain and Drapery Mills |
8 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
86 |
| Dance Companies |
3 |
| Dental Laboratories |
22 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
36 |
|
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
9 |
| Digital Printing |
2 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
29 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
10 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
18 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
9 |
| Discount Department Stores |
8 |
| Display Advertising |
7 |
|
Distilleries |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
17 |
| Drafting Services |
1 |
| Drilling Oil and Gas Wells |
33 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
104 |
| Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters |
1 |
| Dry Pasta Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
44 |
|
Educational Support Services |
16 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
3 |
| Electrical Contractors |
163 |
| Electronic Shopping |
18 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
32 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
2 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
19 |
| Engineering Services |
165 |
|
Envelope Manufacturing |
3 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
26 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
11 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
42 |
| Fabric Coating Mills |
1 |
| Facilities Support Services |
12 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
70 |
| Family Planning Centers |
7 |
|
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders |
1 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
5 |
| Fats and Oils Refining and Blending |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
18 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
61 |
| Fish and Seafood Markets |
3 |
| Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
56 |
|
Flat Glass Manufacturing |
1 |
| Flight Training |
3 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
42 |
| Flooring Contractors |
29 |
| Florists |
40 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
20 |
| Food Service Contractors |
31 |
| Footwear and Leather Goods Repair |
2 |
|
Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
11 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
22 |
| Framing Contractors |
30 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
24 |
| Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing |
3 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
511 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
31 |
|
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
17 |
| Furniture Stores |
56 |
| General Automotive Repair |
191 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
46 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
16 |
| General Rental Centers |
16 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
21 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
72 |
|
Glass and Glazing Contractors |
11 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
12 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
31 |
| Graphic Design Services |
33 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
2 |
| Hardware Manufacturing |
1 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
17 |
| Hardware Stores |
24 |
|
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
2 |
| Historical Sites |
2 |
| HMO Medical Centers |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
35 |
| Home Centers |
11 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
21 |
| Home Health Care Services |
75 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
7 |
|
Homes for the Elderly |
14 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
24 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
11 |
| Ice Manufacturing |
2 |
| Industrial Building Construction |
10 |
| Industrial Gas Manufacturing |
2 |
| Industrial Launderers |
15 |
| Industrial Sand Mining |
1 |
|
Industrial Valve Manufacturing |
10 |
| Inland Water Passenger Transportation |
1 |
| Institutional Furniture Manufacturing |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
454 |
| Interior Design Services |
32 |
| International Trade Financing |
1 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
11 |
| Internet Service Providers |
9 |
|
Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation |
2 |
| Investigation Services |
23 |
| Investment Advice |
66 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
2 |
| Janitorial Services |
124 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
3 |
| Jewelry Stores |
71 |
| Kidney Dialysis Centers |
6 |
|
Land Subdivision |
29 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
12 |
| Landscaping Services |
126 |
| Language Schools |
2 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
26 |
| Libraries and Archives |
3 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
521 |
| Limousine Service |
4 |
|
Linen Supply |
2 |
| Livestock Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
20 |
| Locksmiths |
6 |
| Luggage and Leather Goods Stores |
2 |
| Machine Shops |
47 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
17 |
| Manifold Business Forms Printing |
4 |
|
Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
19 |
| Marinas |
2 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
20 |
| Marking Device Manufacturing |
4 |
| Masonry Contractors |
51 |
| Materials Recovery Facilities |
2 |
| Mattress Manufacturing |
6 |
| Meat Markets |
11 |
|
Meat Processed from Carcasses |
6 |
| Media Buying Agencies |
2 |
| Media Representatives |
4 |
| Medical Laboratories |
39 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
19 |
| Metal Can Manufacturing |
2 |
| Metal Heat Treating |
2 |
| Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing |
2 |
|
Metal Stamping |
1 |
| Metal Window and Door Manufacturing |
4 |
| Mineral Wool Manufacturing |
2 |
| Miscellaneous Intermediation |
69 |
| Mobile Food Services |
6 |
| Monetary Authorities-Central Bank |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
39 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
12 |
|
Motor and Generator Manufacturing |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
18 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
18 |
| Museums |
8 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
10 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
14 |
|
Nail Salons |
9 |
| Narrow Fabric Mills |
2 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
10 |
| Natural Gas Liquid Extraction |
6 |
| New Car Dealers |
66 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
39 |
| News Syndicates |
2 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
21 |
|
Nonresidential Property Managers |
64 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
46 |
| Office Administrative Services |
93 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
36 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
28 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
232 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
72 |
|
Offices of Dentists |
353 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
794 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
57 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
23 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
14 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
42 |
| One-Hour Photofinishing |
5 |
| Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing |
2 |
|
Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
40 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
12 |
| Packaging and Labeling Services |
1 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
2 |
| Paging |
3 |
| Paint and Coating Manufacturing |
7 |
|
Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
20 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
87 |
| Paper (except Newsprint) Mills |
1 |
| Parking Lots and Garages |
25 |
| Passenger Car Leasing |
1 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
24 |
| Payroll Services |
12 |
| Periodical Publishers |
15 |
|
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
16 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
20 |
| Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals |
13 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
95 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
36 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil |
2 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas |
3 |
| Plastics Bag Manufacturing |
3 |
|
Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
3 |
| Plate Work Manufacturing |
1 |
| Political Organizations |
16 |
| Portfolio Management |
31 |
| Poultry Processing |
1 |
| Powder Metallurgy Part Manufacturing |
1 |
| Power-Driven Handtool Manufacturing |
1 |
| Precision Turned Product Manufacturing |
4 |
|
Prepress Services |
6 |
| Private Mail Centers |
6 |
| Professional Employer Organizations |
23 |
| Professional Organizations |
45 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
28 |
| Quick Printing |
13 |
| Racetracks |
1 |
| Radio Stations |
22 |
|
Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
12 |
| Real Estate Credit |
56 |
| Real Estate Investment Trusts |
3 |
| Recreational Vehicle Dealers |
8 |
| Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage |
2 |
| Remediation Services |
12 |
| Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing |
1 |
| Repossession Services |
9 |
|
Residential Property Managers |
59 |
| Residential Remodelers |
91 |
| Retail Bakeries |
9 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
11 |
| Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing |
1 |
| Roofing Contractors |
61 |
| Rooming and Boarding Houses |
1 |
| Rope, Cordage, and Twine Mills |
1 |
|
Sales Financing |
15 |
| Satellite Telecommunications |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
31 |
| Scheduled Freight Air Transportation |
2 |
| Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation |
9 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
2 |
| Secondary Market Financing |
1 |
| Securities and Commodity Exchanges |
1 |
|
Securities Brokerage |
66 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
21 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
2 |
| Sewage Treatment Facilities |
3 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
6 |
| Shoe Stores |
73 |
| Siding Contractors |
11 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
22 |
|
Site Preparation Contractors |
31 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
90 |
| Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing |
4 |
| Soft Drink Manufacturing |
1 |
| Software Publishers |
20 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
13 |
| Solid Waste Landfill |
8 |
| Sound Recording Studios |
1 |
|
Special Needs Transportation |
4 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
58 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
21 |
| Sports Teams and Clubs |
1 |
| Spring (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing |
2 |
| Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply |
2 |
| Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
51 |
|
Telecommunications Resellers |
7 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
11 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
7 |
| Television Broadcasting |
8 |
| Temporary Help Services |
89 |
| Temporary Shelters |
9 |
| Testing Laboratories |
11 |
| Textile Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
|
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
5 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
25 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
13 |
| Tire Dealers |
55 |
| Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) |
1 |
| Tire Retreading |
2 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
37 |
| Tobacco Stores |
16 |
|
Tortilla Manufacturing |
3 |
| Tour Operators |
2 |
| Tradebinding and Related Work |
6 |
| Travel Agencies |
31 |
| Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing |
3 |
| Truck Trailer Manufacturing |
1 |
| Truss Manufacturing |
1 |
| Used Car Dealers |
84 |
|
Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
21 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
47 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
20 |
| Veterinary Services |
87 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
39 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
16 |
| Voluntary Health Organizations |
21 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
12 |
|
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems |
3 |
| Web Search Portals |
2 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
108 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
3 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
79 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
82 |
| Women's Handbag and Purse Manufacturing |
1 |
| Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing |
6 |
|
Wood Preservation |
1 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
2 |
| Zoos and Botanical Gardens |
1 |
As you drive around Oklahoma City, you'll notice that many local entrepreneurs have gone the franchising route. So, it probably makes sense for you to consider franchising too.
We highly recommend you consider franchising as an option. We have many articles on franchises, such as Franchising Scams. Gain a solid understanding of franchising by scanning 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 separate you from personal liability for business debts and obligations.
When forming a company, you will select one of many company types, such as a traditional C-corporation, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), or an S-corporation.
Incorporating 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 Oklahoma, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in Oklahoma. In fact, you can 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 Avoiding Personal Liability in Business. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. On a final note, since you will be starting a business in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, our web page covering Incorporating in Oklahoma may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Oklahoma.
Being able to sell is a key enabler to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Oklahoma City or are selling to customers throughout Oklahoma, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.
The key to selling is to set sales goals goals and monitor your progress towards those goals. The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.
Successful business owners recognize that what they know now may not be enough to ensure their future success.
Given that you are starting a business in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, you should get information on some of the many programs available at nearby Oklahoma universities, colleges and community colleges. You should also check if there are any networking groups or organizations in which Oklahoma City entrepreneurs get together to network and trade their business experiences.
You have a dream -- starting a business in Oklahoma City. To achieve your dream, you have to persevere, even when the odds are against you.
From this point on, you control your own destiny.
We are here to help Oklahoma City businesses to be successful. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Oklahoma City entrepreneur who is just getting started or you are already up and running with your new venture.
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Oklahoma City.
