Alaska Business Startup Guides

Opening a Business in Anchorage, Alaska

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

Are You Sure You Want to Do This?

Before announcing to the world that you are going to start your own business, take inventory of your entrepreneurial instincts and capabilities.

Before you move forward with starting a business, be sure to do these three things:

  • Talk to other entrepreneurs in Anchorage. Ask them candidly what it's like to run a business.
  • 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. The people who know you best are often in the best position to tell you bluntly whether you will be a good entrepreneur.

Anchorage, Alaska Demographic Information

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

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

Business Size
# of
Businesses
1-4 Employees
24250
5-9 Employees
8874
10-19 Employees
6552
20-49 Employees
4266
50-99 Employees
1236
100-249 Employees
792
250-499 Employees
228
500-999 Employees
84
1000+ Employees
66
All Anchorage Businesses
46348

As a new Anchorage entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Anchorage 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
19
Ambulance Services
3
Amusement and Theme Parks
1
Amusement Arcades
2
Appliance Repair and Maintenance
6
Apprenticeship Training
9
Architectural Services
32
Art Dealers
14
Automobile Driving Schools
2
Automotive Exhaust System Repair
1
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
11
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores
47
Automotive Transmission Repair
12
Baked Goods Stores
5
Beauty Salons
60
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
7
Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
3
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
28
Blind and Shade Manufacturing
2
Blood and Organ Banks
2
Boat Building
1
Book Publishers
3
Book Stores
14
Books Printing
2
Bowling Centers
4
Breweries
2
Building Inspection Services
10
Business Associations
29
Cafeterias
3
Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores
3
Canvas and Related Product Mills
1
Car Washes
15
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
11
Casinos (except Casino Hotels)
1
Caterers
8
Cemeteries and Crematories
2
Child and Youth Services
6
Child Day Care Services
46
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores
6
Civic and Social Organizations
40
Claims Adjusting
7
Clothing Accessories Stores
7
Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners
7
Collection Agencies
7
Commercial Bakeries
1
Commercial Flexographic Printing
2
Commercial Gravure Printing
1
Commercial Lithographic Printing
6
Commercial Photography
6
Community Food Services
5
Computer and Software Stores
13
Computer Facilities Management Services
12
Computer Systems Design Services
24
Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing
1
Concrete Pipe Manufacturing
1
Confectionery and Nut Stores
2
Construction Sand and Gravel Mining
1
Consumer Lending
4
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
9
Convenience Stores
4
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
7
Convention and Visitors Bureaus
2
Cosmetology and Barber Schools
2
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
5
Credit Bureaus
1
Credit Unions
32
Curtain and Drapery Mills
1
Custom Computer Programming Services
27
Custom Roll Forming
1
Deep Sea Passenger Transportation
1
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
5
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
4
Digital Printing
2
Direct Life Insurance Carriers
5
Direct Mail Advertising
2
Direct Title Insurance Carriers
4
Directory and Mailing List Publishers
5
Document Preparation Services
3
Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing
2
Drafting Services
3
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells
5
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
47
Drywall and Insulation Contractors
48
Educational Support Services
9
Electronic Shopping
2
Elementary and Secondary Schools
17
Emergency and Other Relief Services
1
Employment Placement Agencies
6
Engineering Services
122
Environmental Consulting Services
24
Exam Preparation and Tutoring
5
Facilities Support Services
22
Family Clothing Stores
23
Family Planning Centers
3
Fine Arts Schools
9
Finfish Fishing
19
Finish Carpentry Contractors
41
Fish and Seafood Markets
3
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
40
Flight Training
2
Floor Covering Stores
13
Flooring Contractors
30
Florists
20
Fluid Milk Manufacturing
1
Food (Health) Supplement Stores
7
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
2
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
4
Framing Contractors
49
Freight Transportation Arrangement
29
Fresh and Frozen Seafood Processing
8
Fruit and Vegetable Markets
2
Full-Service Restaurants
187
Fur and Leather Apparel Manufacturing
1
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
3
Furniture Stores
24
General Automotive Repair
69
General Freight Trucking, Local
21
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
4
General Rental Centers
2
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
47
Glass and Glazing Contractors
3
Gold Ore Mining
2
Grantmaking Foundations
11
Graphic Design Services
7
Hardware Manufacturing
1
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
7
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
2
Heating Oil Dealers
1
Historical Sites
1
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
15
Home Centers
4
Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
6
Home Health Care Services
17
Homes for the Elderly
42
Household Appliance Stores
6
Human Rights Organizations
11
Industrial Building Construction
3
Industrial Design Services
1
Industrial Launderers
1
Inland Water Freight Transportation
2
Interior Design Services
14
Internet Publishing and Broadcasting
1
Internet Service Providers
3
Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
2
Investigation Services
6
Investment Advice
17
Janitorial Services
90
Jewelry Stores
27
Junior Colleges
2
Kidney Dialysis Centers
1
Land Subdivision
8
Landscape Architectural Services
4
Landscaping Services
66
Language Schools
3
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property
19
Limited-Service Restaurants
189
Limousine Service
2
Linen Supply
2
Local Messengers and Local Delivery
10
Locksmiths
5
Logging
3
Machine Shops
7
Mail-Order Houses
9
Manifold Business Forms Printing
1
Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers
1
Marinas
1
Marine Cargo Handling
3
Marketing Consulting Services
10
Masonry Contractors
14
Materials Recovery Facilities
2
Meat Markets
1
Meat Processed from Carcasses
2
Media Buying Agencies
1
Media Representatives
1
Medical Laboratories
7
Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing
1
Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
1
Miscellaneous Intermediation
5
Mobile Food Services
5
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers
4
Motion Picture and Video Production
10
Motor Vehicle Towing
11
Museums
3
Musical Groups and Artists
3
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
7
Nail Salons
8
Natural Gas Distribution
3
Natural Gas Liquid Extraction
2
Navigational Services to Shipping
7
New Housing Operative Builders
19
News Dealers and Newsstands
1
News Syndicates
1
Newspaper Publishers
7
Nonresidential Property Managers
14
Nursing Care Facilities
1
Office Administrative Services
27
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
8
Offices of Certified Public Accountants
73
Offices of Chiropractors
53
Offices of Dentists
147
Offices of Lawyers
294
Offices of Optometrists
23
Offices of Other Holding Companies
7
Offices of Real Estate Appraisers
23
One-Hour Photofinishing
2
Open-End Investment Funds
1
Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
1
Optical Goods Stores
17
Packaging and Labeling Services
1
Packing and Crating
1
Paint and Wallpaper Stores
8
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
68
Parking Lots and Garages
5
Passenger Car Rental
17
Payroll Services
7
Periodical Publishers
4
Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
2
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
8
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
9
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
9
Photography Studios, Portrait
11
Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil
1
Plate Work Manufacturing
1
Political Organizations
5
Portfolio Management
11
Prepress Services
2
Private Mail Centers
7
Professional Employer Organizations
7
Professional Organizations
13
Public Relations Agencies
7
Quick Printing
7
Radio Stations
13
Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing
2
Real Estate Credit
12
Real Estate Investment Trusts
2
Recreational Goods Rental
2
Recreational Vehicle Dealers
8
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
1
Repossession Services
1
Residential Property Managers
25
Residential Remodelers
59
Retail Bakeries
4
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair
3
Roofing Contractors
31
Rooming and Boarding Houses
3
Satellite Telecommunications
1
Sawmills
1
Scheduled Freight Air Transportation
10
Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation
18
School and Employee Bus Transportation
1
Securities Brokerage
30
Security Guards and Patrol Services
12
Sewage Treatment Facilities
1
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing
5
Shellfish Fishing
2
Shoe Stores
19
Siding Contractors
10
Sign Manufacturing
8
Site Preparation Contractors
54
Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing
1
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
89
Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing
1
Soft Drink Manufacturing
1
Software Publishers
3
Solid Waste Collection
6
Solid Waste Landfill
1
Special Needs Transportation
1
Sporting Goods Stores
34
Sports and Recreation Instruction
15
Sports Teams and Clubs
3
Support Activities for Forestry
1
Support Activities for Metal Mining
1
Tax Preparation Services
20
Telecommunications Resellers
8
Telemarketing Bureaus
1
Telephone Answering Services
3
Television Broadcasting
6
Temporary Help Services
18
Temporary Shelters
5
Testing Laboratories
9
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
15
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
3
Tire Dealers
9
Tire Retreading
1
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
4
Tobacco Stores
8
Tortilla Manufacturing
1
Travel Agencies
29
Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing
2
Used Car Dealers
15
Used Household and Office Goods Moving
18
Used Merchandise Stores
12
Vending Machine Operators
4
Veterinary Services
22
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
17
Voluntary Health Organizations
10
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
8
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
2
Web Search Portals
1
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
35
Window Treatment Stores
1
Wired Telecommunications Carriers
29
Women's Clothing Stores
16
Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
1
Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing
1
Wood Window and Door Manufacturing
1
Zoos and Botanical Gardens
2

Company Formation in Anchorage, Alaska

It's very important that you form your business as a legal structure. Among other things, forming a legal entity for the business limits your liabilities.

When forming a company, you will pick from many company types, such as a corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership or other structure.

Incorporating is a very popular way to form a business. Of course, you have to decide which type of corporation to form and where to incorporate. Just because you are starting a business in Alaska, you don't necessarily have to incorporate in Alaska. As it turns out, you can incorporate wherever you want. For example, it's very popular to incorporate in Delaware, and incorporating in Nevada has become very trendy as well. Don't forget, though, that you will have to register as a foreign entity in all states that you do business in.

There's a lot to know about forming a company. We recommend you read some of the educational articles about company formation that are availabe on our site, such as Piercing the Corporate Veil. You should also consider getting professional assistance from your business lawyer. On a final note, since you will be starting a business in Anchorage, Alaska, our web page covering Incorporating in Alaska may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in Alaska.

Startup Financing Basics

Raising money to fund your new Anchorage business will be harder than you might expect. If you don't have a rich uncle to fund you, you'll need to be creative in how you approach your fundraising efforts.

Take advantage of our many articles on finding startup capital, such as Business Credit Evaluation.

For Anchorage entrepreneurs in need of startup financing, check out our List of Alaska Angel Investors and our List of Alaska Venture Capital Firms.

The Art of Selling

Being able to sell is critical to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Anchorage or are selling to customers throughout Alaska, the United States or even the world, you have to be able to sell.

Good selling involves demonstrating that your wares meet your customer's needs. Fortunately, we've got plenty of good advice to help you improve your selling skills.

Selling Stuff on the Web offers some helpful tips on how to sell. It's one of several good articles on our site regarding Entrepreneurial Selling.

How to Improve Your Entrepreneurial Abilities

Good entrepreneurs know that what they know now may not be enough to ensure their future success.

Given that you are starting a business in Anchorage, Alaska, you should check out some of the learning programs at local Alaska educational institutions. You should also check if there are any Anchorage networking organizations.

Next Steps

You have a dream -- starting a business in Anchorage. To achieve your dream, you have to persevere, even when the odds are against you.

Owning your own business will be a daunting task, but you can do it.

We are here to help Anchorage businesses to be successful. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Anchorage entrepreneur who is just getting started or you are already up and running with your new venture.

More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Anchorage, Alaska

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

  • Resources for Anchorage, Alaska Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Anchorage entrepreneurs.
  • Alaska Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Alaska.
  • Alaska Small Business Development Center - The Alaska Small Business Development Center, which is hosted by the University of Alaska and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, has assisted businesses by providing free, confidential technical business assistance and low-cost business training in Alaska for twenty years.

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