California Business Startup Guides

Open a Business in Bakersfield, California

Need help starting a business in Bakersfield, California? We've got the information you need to open a business in Bakersfield.

Bakersfield, California Demographic Information

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

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

Business Size
# of
Businesses
1-4 Employees
25234
5-9 Employees
10278
10-19 Employees
7662
20-49 Employees
5866
50-99 Employees
1680
100-249 Employees
816
250-499 Employees
198
500-999 Employees
54
1000+ Employees
42
All Bakersfield Businesses
51830

As a new Bakersfield entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Bakersfield 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
Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing
1
Air Traffic Control
1
Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)
1
Ambulance Services
3
Amusement Arcades
5
Appliance Repair and Maintenance
7
Apprenticeship Training
4
Armored Car Services
1
Art Dealers
1
Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing
1
Automobile Driving Schools
7
Automobile Manufacturing
1
Automotive Exhaust System Repair
8
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
9
Automotive Transmission Repair
15
Baked Goods Stores
10
Barber Shops
2
Beauty Salons
39
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
1
Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
2
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
30
Blood and Organ Banks
3
Boat Dealers
3
Book Stores
7
Bowling Centers
3
Breweries
1
Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills
1
Building Inspection Services
9
Business Associations
13
Cable and Other Program Distribution
2
Cafeterias
10
Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores
2
Canvas and Related Product Mills
1
Car Washes
28
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
13
Cemeteries and Crematories
5
Charter Bus Industry
1
Child and Youth Services
16
Child Day Care Services
73
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores
5
Civic and Social Organizations
35
Claims Adjusting
7
Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners
6
Collection Agencies
6
Commercial Bakeries
5
Commercial Gravure Printing
1
Commercial Lithographic Printing
4
Commercial Screen Printing
7
Commodity Contracts Brokerage
3
Community Food Services
2
Computer and Software Stores
8
Computer Facilities Management Services
2
Computer Storage Device Manufacturing
1
Computer Systems Design Services
16
Confectionery and Nut Stores
3
Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers
2
Consumer Lending
14
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
4
Convenience Stores
34
Convention and Visitors Bureaus
1
Cosmetology and Barber Schools
2
Couriers
13
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
3
Credit Unions
25
Crop Harvesting, Primarily by Machine
4
Curtain and Drapery Mills
2
Custom Computer Programming Services
28
Dental Laboratories
9
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
10
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
5
Direct Life Insurance Carriers
5
Direct Mail Advertising
2
Direct Title Insurance Carriers
8
Directory and Mailing List Publishers
3
Discount Department Stores
9
Display Advertising
3
Document Preparation Services
6
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells
17
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
40
Drywall and Insulation Contractors
49
Educational Support Services
5
Electric Power Distribution
6
Electrical Contractors
101
Electronic Computer Manufacturing
1
Elementary and Secondary Schools
36
Emergency and Other Relief Services
2
Employment Placement Agencies
9
Engineering Services
87
Environmental Consulting Services
16
Exam Preparation and Tutoring
3
Exterminating and Pest Control Services
27
Family Clothing Stores
26
Family Planning Centers
3
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders
5
Farm Management Services
4
Farm Product Warehousing and Storage
2
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
16
Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing
2
Finish Carpentry Contractors
24
Fish and Seafood Markets
1
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
30
Flight Training
2
Floor Covering Stores
17
Flooring Contractors
15
Florists
17
Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing
1
Food (Health) Supplement Stores
9
Food Service Contractors
15
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair
1
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
4
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
1
Framing Contractors
27
Fruit and Vegetable Markets
4
Full-Service Restaurants
215
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services
15
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
5
Furniture Stores
37
General Automotive Repair
111
General Freight Trucking, Local
48
General Rental Centers
6
General Warehousing and Storage
10
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
24
Glass and Glazing Contractors
8
Golf Courses and Country Clubs
8
Grantmaking Foundations
10
Graphic Design Services
8
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
7
Hardware Stores
10
Hazardous Waste Collection
4
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
3
HMO Medical Centers
3
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
12
Home Centers
6
Home Health Care Services
29
Home Health Equipment Rental
4
Homes for the Elderly
25
Household Appliance Stores
10
Human Rights Organizations
3
Hydroelectric Power Generation
1
Ice Manufacturing
1
Industrial Launderers
5
Industrial Sand Mining
2
Industrial Valve Manufacturing
1
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
154
Interior Design Services
6
Internet Service Providers
2
Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
1
Investment Advice
21
Iron and Steel Mills
2
Janitorial Services
63
Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing
1
Jewelry Stores
43
Junior Colleges
1
Kidney Dialysis Centers
3
Landscape Architectural Services
6
Landscaping Services
105
Language Schools
2
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property
14
Lime Manufacturing
1
Limited-Service Restaurants
311
Limousine Service
2
Livestock Merchant Wholesalers
1
Local Messengers and Local Delivery
11
Locksmiths
3
Luggage and Leather Goods Stores
1
Machine Shops
23
Mail-Order Houses
7
Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers
3
Masonry Contractors
33
Materials Recovery Facilities
2
Meat Markets
19
Media Representatives
1
Medical Laboratories
7
Men's Clothing Stores
9
Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing
1
Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing
4
Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
2
Miscellaneous Intermediation
4
Mobile Food Services
4
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers
21
Motion Picture and Video Production
2
Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing
4
Motor Vehicle Towing
19
Motorcycle Dealers
13
Museums
4
Musical Groups and Artists
2
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
5
Nail Salons
10
Natural Gas Distribution
3
New Housing Operative Builders
28
News Dealers and Newsstands
1
Newspaper Publishers
7
Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing
1
Nonresidential Property Managers
16
Nursing Care Facilities
12
Office Administrative Services
32
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
12
Offices of Certified Public Accountants
72
Offices of Chiropractors
50
Offices of Dentists
163
Offices of Lawyers
184
Offices of Optometrists
17
Offices of Other Holding Companies
3
Offices of Real Estate Appraisers
27
One-Hour Photofinishing
3
Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
1
Optical Goods Stores
10
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
3
Packaging and Labeling Services
1
Packaging Machinery Manufacturing
1
Paging
1
Paint and Coating Manufacturing
3
Paint and Wallpaper Stores
10
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
45
Parking Lots and Garages
3
Passenger Car Leasing
1
Passenger Car Rental
6
Periodical Publishers
4
Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
2
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
14
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
12
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
8
Petroleum Refineries
7
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
55
Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil
2
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
11
Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing
1
Plate Work Manufacturing
1
Political Organizations
1
Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing
1
Portfolio Management
11
Professional Employer Organizations
6
Professional Organizations
9
Public Relations Agencies
4
Quick Printing
4
Racetracks
2
Radio Networks
2
Radio Stations
19
Real Estate Credit
46
Real Estate Investment Trusts
1
Recreational Goods Rental
2
Recreational Vehicle Dealers
7
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
2
Remediation Services
7
Repossession Services
2
Residential Remodelers
57
Retail Bakeries
3
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair
8
Roofing Contractors
34
Rooming and Boarding Houses
3
Rope, Cordage, and Twine Mills
1
Sales Financing
3
Savings Institutions
15
Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation
3
Securities Brokerage
22
Security Guards and Patrol Services
10
Septic Tank and Related Services
5
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing
3
Shoe Stores
32
Sign Manufacturing
8
Site Preparation Contractors
44
Skiing Facilities
1
Small Arms Manufacturing
1
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
56
Soft Drink Manufacturing
1
Software Publishers
3
Sporting Goods Stores
25
Sports and Recreation Instruction
8
Sports Teams and Clubs
1
Support Activities for Coal Mining
1
Tax Preparation Services
36
Taxi Service
3
Telecommunications Resellers
1
Telephone Answering Services
6
Television Broadcasting
4
Temporary Help Services
38
Temporary Shelters
2
Testing Laboratories
15
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
5
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
32
Tire Dealers
26
Tire Retreading
1
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
9
Tobacco Stores
8
Toilet Preparation Manufacturing
1
Tour Operators
2
Translation and Interpretation Services
2
Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing
1
Truck Trailer Manufacturing
1
Used Car Dealers
32
Used Household and Office Goods Moving
9
Used Merchandise Stores
23
Vending Machine Operators
4
Veterinary Services
27
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
15
Voluntary Health Organizations
4
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
2
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
7
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
35
Window Treatment Stores
4
Wired Telecommunications Carriers
30
Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
1
Wood Preservation
1

Have You Considered Franchising?

As you drive around Bakersfield, you'll notice that many local entrepreneurs have gone the franchising route. Is franchising maybe a better way for you to start your business?

We highly recommend you investigate buying a franchise. 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.

To learn about specific franchise opportunities, check out our Franchise Directory.

Sample franchise opportunities include Successories and Handyman Network. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Apparel Franchises and Healthcare Franchises.

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

Company Formation in Bakersfield, California

A critical step is ensuring that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Doing so will insulate you from personal liability for business debts and obligations.

When forming a company, you will decide among 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. Of course, you have to decide which type of corporation to form and where to incorporate. Just because you are starting a business in California, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in California. In fact, you are allowed to incorporate wherever you want. However, if you do incorporate in another state, you'll have to register as a foreign corporation in your home state.

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 Company Formation. You may also want to seek the advice of an lawyer. On a final note, since you will be starting a business in Bakersfield, California, our web page covering Incorporating in California may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in California.

Don't Forget to Create a Business Plan

A business plan is vital in laying a solid foundation for your business success. Simply put, 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 you want more information on writing business plans, we recommend reading Expert Advice on Business Plans. You can also get free business counselors available to you through your local SCORE chapter in California.

Raising Money for Your New Venture

Raising money to fund your new Bakersfield business requires strong organization skills and perseverance. To obtain business financing, you will need to hear a lot of rejections before you finally find a funding solution that works for you.

Fortunately, this site contains dozens of articles on raising money, including one we recommend entitled Business Cash Advances.

For Bakersfield entrepreneurs who need startup capital, we have assembled a List of California Angel Investors and our List of California Venture Capital Firms.

The Art of Selling

Being able to sell is essential to your business success. Whether you are focused on selling local customers in Bakersfield or are selling to customers throughout California, 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.

Why Salespeople Fail is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.

Moving Forward

You have a dream -- starting a business in Bakersfield. 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.

This site is all about helping entrepreneurs in Bakersfield and elsewhere to achieve real success. We have a wealth of experience in business start-ups, financing, marketing, sales and more...and we've made all of our knowledge available to you.

More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Bakersfield, California

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

Starting-a-Business Guides for Other Cities in California

Starting a Business in Azusa
Starting a Business in Banning

Browse All Business Startup Guides for California
Starting a Business Guides for Other States

 

 

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