Are you starting a business in Waldorf, Maryland? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Waldorf.
Is Becoming an Entrepreneur Right for You?
Before quitting your day job, take inventory of your entrepreneurial instincts and capabilities.
Because entrepreneurship is not for everyone, we recommend you do the following to help you assess whether you should move forward with starting a business:
- Speak with other entrepreneurs in Waldorf. Get their take on what it's really like to be an entrepreneur.
- You should read Starting a Company. It's a good read for those who are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur.
- Talk it over with a close friend or partner. That's the best way to get a truly objective assessment as to whether others think you have what it takes.
Waldorf, Maryland Demographic Information
Waldorf has an active business community that includes small businesses,
mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Waldorf demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Waldorf.
| Business Size | # of
Businesses |
| 1-4 Employees |
4118 |
| 5-9 Employees |
2106 |
| 10-19 Employees |
1536 |
| 20-49 Employees |
1026 |
| 50-99 Employees |
414 |
| 100-249 Employees |
150 |
| 250-499 Employees |
18 |
| 500-999 Employees |
0 |
| 1000+ Employees |
0 |
| All Waldorf Businesses |
9368 |
As a new Waldorf entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Waldorf 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 |
|
Amusement Arcades |
1 |
| Architectural Services |
2 |
| Automobile Driving Schools |
3 |
| Automotive Exhaust System Repair |
1 |
| Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
3 |
| Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores |
9 |
| Automotive Transmission Repair |
2 |
| Baked Goods Stores |
1 |
|
Beauty Salons |
20 |
| Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores |
15 |
| Boat Dealers |
1 |
| Book Stores |
4 |
| Bowling Centers |
2 |
| Building Inspection Services |
2 |
| Cable and Other Program Distribution |
2 |
|
Cafeterias |
4 |
| Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores |
2 |
| Car Washes |
6 |
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services |
2 |
| Caterers |
1 |
| Cemeteries and Crematories |
1 |
| Charter Bus Industry |
2 |
| Child and Youth Services |
2 |
|
Child Day Care Services |
20 |
| Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores |
5 |
| Civic and Social Organizations |
5 |
| Claims Adjusting |
1 |
| Clothing Accessories Stores |
4 |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners |
5 |
| Collection Agencies |
1 |
| Commercial Lithographic Printing |
3 |
|
Commodity Contracts Dealing |
1 |
| Computer and Software Stores |
4 |
| Computer Facilities Management Services |
2 |
| Computer Systems Design Services |
16 |
| Computer Training |
2 |
| Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing |
1 |
| Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Construction Sand and Gravel Mining |
1 |
|
Consumer Lending |
6 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities |
2 |
| Convenience Stores |
6 |
| Convention and Trade Show Organizers |
1 |
| Cosmetology and Barber Schools |
1 |
| Couriers |
3 |
| Court Reporting and Stenotype Services |
1 |
| Credit Unions |
1 |
|
Custom Computer Programming Services |
9 |
| Dental Laboratories |
1 |
| Diagnostic Imaging Centers |
3 |
| Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
4 |
| Direct Life Insurance Carriers |
3 |
| Direct Mail Advertising |
1 |
| Direct Title Insurance Carriers |
2 |
| Discount Department Stores |
4 |
|
Doll and Stuffed Toy Manufacturing |
1 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) |
9 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors |
2 |
| Electrical Contractors |
18 |
| Electronic Shopping |
1 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools |
3 |
| Emergency and Other Relief Services |
1 |
| Engineering Services |
9 |
|
Environmental Consulting Services |
1 |
| Exam Preparation and Tutoring |
2 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services |
4 |
| Facilities Support Services |
1 |
| Family Clothing Stores |
11 |
| Fine Arts Schools |
4 |
| Finish Carpentry Contractors |
14 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers |
12 |
|
Floor Covering Stores |
11 |
| Flooring Contractors |
8 |
| Florists |
4 |
| Food (Health) Supplement Stores |
4 |
| Formal Wear and Costume Rental |
1 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation |
1 |
| Framing Contractors |
4 |
| Full-Service Restaurants |
41 |
|
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services |
1 |
| Furniture Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Furniture Stores |
16 |
| General Automotive Repair |
31 |
| General Freight Trucking, Local |
1 |
| General Warehousing and Storage |
4 |
| Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores |
12 |
| Graphic Design Services |
3 |
|
Hardware Stores |
2 |
| Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal |
1 |
| Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores |
3 |
| Home Centers |
2 |
| Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers |
2 |
| Home Health Care Services |
4 |
| Homes for the Elderly |
2 |
| Household Appliance Stores |
3 |
|
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages |
36 |
| Interior Design Services |
2 |
| Internet Service Providers |
1 |
| Investigation Services |
1 |
| Investment Advice |
3 |
| Janitorial Services |
11 |
| Jewelry Stores |
17 |
| Land Subdivision |
2 |
|
Landscaping Services |
8 |
| Lessors of Other Real Estate Property |
1 |
| Libraries and Archives |
1 |
| Limited-Service Restaurants |
67 |
| Logging |
2 |
| Machine Shops |
1 |
| Marketing Consulting Services |
1 |
| Masonry Contractors |
6 |
|
Meat Markets |
1 |
| Medical Laboratories |
2 |
| Men's Clothing Stores |
5 |
| Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers |
5 |
| Motion Picture and Video Production |
2 |
| Motor Vehicle Towing |
5 |
| Motorcycle Dealers |
1 |
| Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores |
3 |
|
Musical Instrument Manufacturing |
2 |
| Nail Salons |
4 |
| New Car Dealers |
7 |
| New Housing Operative Builders |
1 |
| Nonresidential Property Managers |
2 |
| Nursing Care Facilities |
1 |
| Office Administrative Services |
8 |
| Office Supplies and Stationery Stores |
2 |
|
Offices of Bank Holding Companies |
1 |
| Offices of Certified Public Accountants |
10 |
| Offices of Chiropractors |
6 |
| Offices of Dentists |
36 |
| Offices of Lawyers |
21 |
| Offices of Optometrists |
5 |
| Offices of Podiatrists |
3 |
| Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
5 |
|
One-Hour Photofinishing |
2 |
| Optical Goods Stores |
10 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment Stores |
1 |
| Paint and Wallpaper Stores |
2 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors |
9 |
| Passenger Car Rental |
1 |
| Periodical Publishers |
3 |
| Pet and Pet Supplies Stores |
3 |
|
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services |
4 |
| Pharmacies and Drug Stores |
7 |
| Photography Studios, Portrait |
7 |
| Prepress Services |
1 |
| Private Mail Centers |
1 |
| Professional Organizations |
1 |
| Quick Printing |
1 |
| Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing |
2 |
|
Real Estate Credit |
16 |
| Remediation Services |
1 |
| Residential Property Managers |
5 |
| Residential Remodelers |
19 |
| Retail Bakeries |
2 |
| Reupholstery and Furniture Repair |
1 |
| Roofing Contractors |
4 |
| Savings Institutions |
3 |
|
School and Employee Bus Transportation |
5 |
| Securities Brokerage |
1 |
| Security Guards and Patrol Services |
1 |
| Septic Tank and Related Services |
1 |
| Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing |
1 |
| Ship Building and Repairing |
1 |
| Shoe Stores |
14 |
| Siding Contractors |
3 |
|
Sign Manufacturing |
1 |
| Site Preparation Contractors |
7 |
| Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars |
7 |
| Solid Waste Collection |
1 |
| Sporting Goods Stores |
10 |
| Sports and Recreation Instruction |
1 |
| Tax Preparation Services |
8 |
| Taxi Service |
1 |
|
Telemarketing Bureaus |
1 |
| Temporary Help Services |
2 |
| Tile and Terrazzo Contractors |
1 |
| Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers |
1 |
| Tire Dealers |
8 |
| Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
4 |
| Tobacco Stores |
2 |
| Travel Agencies |
1 |
|
Used Car Dealers |
4 |
| Used Household and Office Goods Moving |
3 |
| Used Merchandise Stores |
3 |
| Vending Machine Operators |
1 |
| Veterinary Services |
5 |
| Video Tape and Disc Rental |
5 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
3 |
| Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters |
2 |
|
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers |
3 |
| Wired Telecommunications Carriers |
5 |
| Women's Clothing Stores |
14 |
Have You Considered Franchising?
As you drive around Waldorf, you'll notice that many local entrepreneurs have gone the franchising route. Should you be giving franchising serious consideration?
Most business experts recommend that you evaluate the possibility of your buying a franchise opportunity. We have many articles on franchises, such as Franchising My Business. Become a franchising expert of sorts by reading more of our Articles on Franchising.
To learn about specific franchise opportunities, check out our Franchise Directory.
Sample franchise opportunities include Cianci European Eatery and BuildingStars, Inc.. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Children's Franchises and Kitchen Design Franchises.
Note on Waldorf Franchise Opportunities: You will need to contact franchisors directly to see if their franchises are available in Waldorf.
Selecting a Name For Your Venture
A good company name can give a big boost to a new startup. It might seem like an easy thing to do, but there are many things to consider when naming a business.
Company names need to be easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and easy to remember.
Numerous company naming issues are discussed in more detail in this article: Branding Advice.
There's one other important factor when naming a business. Since you are planning on starting a business in Waldorf, it's very important that you make sure no other Maryland company is using the business name you want to use.
Do You Need a Business Plan?
A business plan is critical in laying a solid foundation for your business success. Indeed, a business plan is a written description of the future you envision for your business. Not having a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
If writing a business plan is on your to-do list, be sure to read Business Plan Contests. You can also get free business counselors available to you through your local SCORE chapter in Maryland.
Advancing Your Entrepreneurial Skills
The best entrepreneurs know that they need to continually improve.
With your business being located in Waldorf, Maryland, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby Maryland universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also beneficial to see if there are any networking organizations for Waldorf entrepreneurs.
Moving Forward
You have a dream -- starting a business in Waldorf. To achieve your dream, you have to persevere, even when the odds are against you.
If you choose the right business and love what you do, you will greatly increase your odds of success.
We are here to help Waldorf businesses to be successful. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Waldorf, neighborhood development and overall economic health.
More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Waldorf, Maryland
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Waldorf.
- Resources for Waldorf, Maryland Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Waldorf entrepreneurs.
- Maryland Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Maryland.
- Maryland Small Business Development Center - The Maryland Small Business Development Center Network has six regional offices and more than 20 locations where Maryland entrepreneurs can receive comprehensive, resources and relevant assistance.
- Waldorf, Maryland Newspaper Ad Rates - This is a nearly comprehensive list of advertising rates for Waldorf, Maryland newspapers, including ad costs for newspapers serving the Waldorf area.
- Waldorf, Maryland Payroll Services - This list includes Waldorf, Maryland payroll services, national payroll services for Waldorf, and helpful information on choosing a Waldorf payroll service.
- Waldorf, Maryland Businesses for Sale - This list includes resources for buying a business in Waldorf, Maryland, such as business brokers in Waldorf and other helpful information on how to buy a Waldorf business.
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