Are you starting a business in San Clemente, California? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in San Clemente.
Will You Be a Good Entrepreneur?
Most new companies do not succeed, in part because the founder did not have the tenacity and/or the skills to succeed. So, before you open a business, consider all of the implications of being an entrepreneur.
With so much at stake when you start a business, we strongly recommend you do the following before you proceed:
- Talk to other entrepreneurs in San Clemente. They are usually very willing to share their insights on the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur.
- 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. Others sometimes know you better than you know yourself.
Choosing the Right Company to Start
There are many businesses that you can start. How do you know which type of business is right for you? We recommend that you read Good Business Ideas.
For in-depth how-to guides on how to start specific businesses, browse our Good Businesses to Start section of our site. For example, you might be interested in our How to Start a Boiler Cleaning & Repair Business guide or our How to Start a Broadband Services Business guide.
Always keep in mind that your new business will be in San Clemente. The business you want to start may already be well-represented in San Clemente. A critical consideration is whether San Clemente demographics mesh well with your startup concept.
San Clemente, California Demographic Information
San Clemente has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for San Clemente demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in San Clemente.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
3782 |
| 5-9 Employees |
963 |
| 10-19 Employees |
615 |
| 20-49 Employees |
336 |
| 50-99 Employees |
126 |
| 100-249 Employees |
39 |
| 250-499 Employees |
9 |
| 500-999 Employees |
3 |
| 1000+ Employees |
3 |
| All San Clemente Businesses |
5876 |
As a new San Clemente entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in San Clemente 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 |
4 |
| Aircraft Manufacturing |
1 |
| Ambulance Services |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
10 |
| Art Dealers |
2 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
8 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
1 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
| Beauty Salons |
8 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
7 |
| Book Publishers |
2 |
| Bowling Centers |
1 |
| Breweries |
1 |
| Building Inspection Services |
3 |
| Business Associations |
3 |
| Business to Business Electronic Markets |
2 |
| Cafeterias |
1 |
| Canvas and Related Product Mills |
1 |
| Car Washes |
4 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
4 |
| Caterers |
1 |
| Child and Youth Services |
1 |
| Child Day Care Services |
6 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
4 |
| Claims Adjusting |
1 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
1 |
| Commercial Photography |
2 |
| Commercial Screen Printing |
1 |
| Commodity Contracts Brokerage |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
1 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
22 |
| Computer Training |
1 |
| Confectionery and Nut Stores |
1 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Convenience Stores |
3 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
2 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
1 |
| Custom Computer Programming Services |
19 |
| Dance Companies |
1 |
| Dental Laboratories |
2 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
2 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
1 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
2 |
| Directory and Mailing List Publishers |
2 |
| Discount Department Stores |
2 |
| Display Advertising |
1 |
| Document Preparation Services |
2 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
6 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
6 |
| Educational Support Services |
5 |
| Electric Power Distribution |
2 |
| Electrical Contractors |
25 |
| Electronic Auctions |
1 |
| Electronic Computer Manufacturing |
1 |
| Electronic Shopping |
2 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
4 |
| Employment Placement Agencies |
4 |
| Engineering Services |
24 |
| Environmental Consulting Services |
6 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
2 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
2 |
| Facilities Support Services |
2 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
2 |
| Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
2 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
15 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
7 |
| Flat Glass Manufacturing |
1 |
| Floor Covering Stores |
3 |
| Flooring Contractors |
5 |
| Florists |
9 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
2 |
| Footwear Merchant Wholesalers |
6 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
3 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement |
3 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Markets |
1 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
66 |
| Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
1 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Furniture Stores |
5 |
| General Automotive Repair |
23 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals |
1 |
| General Rental Centers |
2 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
3 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
8 |
| Glass and Glazing Contractors |
1 |
| Golf Courses and Country Clubs |
2 |
| Grantmaking Foundations |
2 |
| Graphic Design Services |
8 |
| Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing |
3 |
| Hardware Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Hardware Stores |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
3 |
| Home Centers |
1 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
4 |
| Home Health Care Services |
4 |
| Home Health Equipment Rental |
1 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
12 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
2 |
| Human Rights Organizations |
1 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
34 |
| Interior Design Services |
4 |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting |
2 |
| Internet Service Providers |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
4 |
| Investment Advice |
14 |
| Iron and Steel Mills |
1 |
| Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing |
1 |
| Janitorial Services |
6 |
| Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing |
1 |
| Jewelry Stores |
4 |
| Land Subdivision |
4 |
| Landscape Architectural Services |
4 |
| Landscaping Services |
28 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
6 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
50 |
| Local Messengers and Local Delivery |
1 |
| Locksmiths |
1 |
| Luggage Manufacturing |
1 |
| Machine Shops |
4 |
| Mail-Order Houses |
5 |
| Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
31 |
| Masonry Contractors |
11 |
| Media Buying Agencies |
1 |
| Media Representatives |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
3 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
1 |
| Mobile Food Services |
1 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
12 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
3 |
| Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping |
1 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
4 |
| Museums |
2 |
| Musical Groups and Artists |
2 |
| Nail Salons |
5 |
| Natural Gas Distribution |
1 |
| New Car Dealers |
2 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
1 |
| Newspaper Publishers |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
2 |
| Nuclear Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Office Administrative Services |
14 |
| Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
3 |
| Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
14 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
6 |
| Offices of Dentists |
43 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
22 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
8 |
| Offices of Other Holding Companies |
2 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
2 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
5 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
2 |
| Packaging Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Packing and Crating |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
1 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
12 |
| Periodical Publishers |
5 |
| Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
2 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
6 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
1 |
| Portfolio Management |
2 |
| Prepress Services |
2 |
| Private Mail Centers |
3 |
| Professional Organizations |
1 |
| Public Relations Agencies |
3 |
| Quick Printing |
3 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
1 |
| Real Estate Credit |
11 |
| Residential Property Managers |
8 |
| Residential Remodelers |
28 |
| Retail Bakeries |
2 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
3 |
| Roofing Contractors |
8 |
| Sales Financing |
1 |
| Savings Institutions |
5 |
| School and Employee Bus Transportation |
1 |
| Secondary Market Financing |
1 |
| Securities Brokerage |
7 |
| Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
3 |
| Siding Contractors |
4 |
| Sign Manufacturing |
2 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
7 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
10 |
| Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing |
1 |
| Software Publishers |
2 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
2 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
13 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
3 |
| Steel Wire Drawing |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
5 |
| Telecommunications Resellers |
1 |
| Telemarketing Bureaus |
1 |
| Telephone Answering Services |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
5 |
| Testing Laboratories |
1 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters |
1 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
6 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
3 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
1 |
| Tobacco Stores |
1 |
| Tour Operators |
1 |
| Travel Agencies |
3 |
| Used Car Dealers |
2 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
2 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
2 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
3 |
| Veterinary Services |
7 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
4 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
2 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
41 |
| Window Treatment Stores |
2 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
4 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
7 |
| Wood Window and Door Manufacturing |
1 |
Choosing a Company Name
A big decision when starting a company is choosing a company name. Believe it or not, choosing a good company name can be a big contributor to your business success.
Companies like Starbucks, Apple, Target, Microsoft and Intuit all have strong company names that are easy to remember and have become well-loved brands. Wouldn't it be nice if your new company name got on a similar track?
For other considerations regarding naming a company, we recommend this article: Naming a Business.
As a final piece of advice, remember that because you are planning on starting a business in San Clemente, it's imperative that you check now that your company name has not already been claimed by another California business.
Don't Skip the Business Plan
A business plan is vital to the health of your new business. In effect, a business plan is a written description of the future you envision for your business. Starting a business without a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
To learn more about business plans, read The Art of the Executive Summary. A great resource for business planning assistance is the face-to-face free consulting available from your local SCORE chapter in California.
The Art of Selling
Mastering the art of selling is priority one if you want your new San Clemente business to do well.
Good selling involves demonstrating that your wares meet your customer's needs. The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.
Selling Products on eBay is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.
Increase Your Entrepreneurial Knowledge
Successful business owners know that what they know now may not be enough to ensure their future success.
Given that you are starting a business in San Clemente, California, you should investigate some of the learning programs at local California educational institutions. You should also check if there are any San Clemente networking organizations.
What's Next?
Most new San Clemente 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 San Clemente businesses to be successful. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in San Clemente, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in San Clemente, California
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in San Clemente.
- Resources for San Clemente, California Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist San Clemente entrepreneurs.
- California Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in California.
- Fresno, California Small Business Development Center - The UC Merced SBDC Regional Network assists Central California entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling, training and business information.
- Los Angeles, California Small Business Development Center - The Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network (LA SBDC Network) is part of the national, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) effort to provide free one-on-one customized consulting services and low-cost training workshops to growing businesses and start-up businesses.
- Sacramento, California Small Business Development Center - As Northern California continues to grow demographically and economically, the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center (NECSBDC) at CSU, Chico is committed to helping communities prepare and plan for future growth.
- San Diego, California Small Business Development Center - The Small Business Development & International Trade Center (SBDITC) at Southwestern College is part of the California SBDC San Diego and Imperial Regional Network. The SBDITC provides no-cost business assistance to start-up & existing businesses.
- San Francisco, California Small Business Development Center - The Northern California Network of Small Business Development Centers helps individuals start, manage and grow their businesses.
- Santa Ana, California Small Business Development Center - The Tri-County Lead Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in the Santa Ana District provides oversight and support for SBDCs located in the Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The Santa Ana SBDC Network is a leader in providing consulting, training, and technical assistance to the small business community.
- San Clemente, California Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for San Clemente, California newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the San Clemente area.
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