South Carolina Business Startup Guides

Opening a Business in Columbia, South Carolina

Contemplating starting a business in Columbia, South Carolina? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Columbia.

What Type of Business Should You Start?

Choosing a business that is right for you is very important. We recommend that you read Free Business Ideas.

If you still are not sure what type of business to start, peruse the Good Businesses to Start section of our site. For example, you might be interested in our Opening a Consumer Protection Services Business guide or our How to Start a Security Systems & Services Business guide.

Remember that starting a business in Columbia has some implications. Think about what needs are currently being underserved in Columbia. Don't forget to review Columbia demographics to see if there's a market for what you want to sell.

Columbia, South Carolina Demographic Information

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

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

Business Size
# of
Businesses
1-4 Employees
187782
5-9 Employees
74200
10-19 Employees
53130
20-49 Employees
39396
50-99 Employees
13230
100-249 Employees
7938
250-499 Employees
1764
500-999 Employees
756
1000+ Employees
546
All Columbia Businesses
378742

As a new Columbia entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Columbia 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
22
Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering
1
Appliance Repair and Maintenance
9
Architectural Services
36
Armored Car Services
2
Art Dealers
4
Automotive Exhaust System Repair
4
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores
38
Automotive Transmission Repair
11
Baked Goods Stores
4
Barber Shops
5
Beauty Salons
101
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
2
Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
2
Blood and Organ Banks
3
Boat Building
3
Boat Dealers
4
Book Publishers
4
Book Stores
22
Books Printing
1
Bottled Water Manufacturing
1
Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills
1
Broadwoven Fabric Mills
2
Building Inspection Services
4
Business Associations
53
Business to Business Electronic Markets
1
Cable and Other Program Distribution
2
Cafeterias
8
Canvas and Related Product Mills
1
Car Washes
16
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
12
Caterers
14
Cemeteries and Crematories
6
Charter Bus Industry
1
Child and Youth Services
9
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores
16
Civic and Social Organizations
46
Claims Adjusting
21
Clothing Accessories Stores
13
Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners
19
Collection Agencies
5
Commercial Lithographic Printing
16
Commercial Screen Printing
5
Community Food Services
1
Computer and Software Stores
24
Computer Facilities Management Services
5
Computer Systems Design Services
42
Computer Training
6
Concrete Block and Brick Manufacturing
1
Confectionery and Nut Stores
3
Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers
2
Consumer Lending
46
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
9
Convenience Stores
12
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
2
Convention and Visitors Bureaus
1
Couriers
4
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
6
Credit Bureaus
4
Credit Card Issuing
1
Credit Unions
42
Curtain and Drapery Mills
1
Custom Computer Programming Services
48
Deep Sea Passenger Transportation
1
Dental Laboratories
5
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
8
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
8
Digital Printing
3
Direct Life Insurance Carriers
35
Direct Mail Advertising
4
Directory and Mailing List Publishers
1
Discount Department Stores
9
Display Advertising
5
Document Preparation Services
3
Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing
1
Drafting Services
2
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
40
Drywall and Insulation Contractors
23
Educational Support Services
9
Electric Power Distribution
36
Electrical Contractors
45
Electronic Auctions
1
Electronic Shopping
1
Elementary and Secondary Schools
20
Employment Placement Agencies
13
Engineering Services
95
Environmental Consulting Services
15
Exam Preparation and Tutoring
10
Exterminating and Pest Control Services
11
Facilities Support Services
5
Family Clothing Stores
44
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
5
Fine Arts Schools
15
Finish Carpentry Contractors
27
Fish and Seafood Markets
3
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
35
Flight Training
1
Floor Covering Stores
21
Florists
19
Flour Milling
1
Food (Health) Supplement Stores
15
Food Service Contractors
37
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair
4
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
5
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
4
Freight Transportation Arrangement
7
Full-Service Restaurants
285
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services
10
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
9
Furniture Stores
50
General Automotive Repair
72
General Freight Trucking, Local
14
General Rental Centers
8
General Warehousing and Storage
17
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
46
Glass and Glazing Contractors
5
Golf Courses and Country Clubs
6
Grantmaking Foundations
24
Graphic Design Services
15
Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing
1
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
6
Hardware Stores
11
Hazardous Waste Collection
1
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
1
HMO Medical Centers
1
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
17
Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
10
Home Health Care Services
21
Home Health Equipment Rental
5
Homes for the Elderly
11
Household Appliance Stores
11
Human Rights Organizations
11
Ice Manufacturing
1
Industrial Launderers
10
Industrial Valve Manufacturing
1
Institutional Furniture Manufacturing
2
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
237
Interior Design Services
19
Internet Publishing and Broadcasting
2
Internet Service Providers
6
Investigation Services
8
Investment Advice
29
Iron and Steel Mills
2
Janitorial Services
80
Jewelry Stores
50
Kidney Dialysis Centers
8
Land Subdivision
16
Landscaping Services
69
Language Schools
2
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property
1
Libraries and Archives
2
Limited-Service Restaurants
283
Linen Supply
4
Local Messengers and Local Delivery
4
Luggage and Leather Goods Stores
1
Machine Shops
4
Mail-Order Houses
7
Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers
1
Marine Cargo Handling
1
Marketing Consulting Services
27
Marking Device Manufacturing
1
Materials Recovery Facilities
2
Meat Markets
9
Meat Processed from Carcasses
1
Media Representatives
5
Medical Laboratories
14
Men's Clothing Stores
27
Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
1
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers
38
Motion Picture and Video Production
9
Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing
1
Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping
1
Motor Vehicle Towing
8
Motorcycle Dealers
8
Museums
3
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
8
Musical Instrument Manufacturing
1
Nail Salons
5
Natural Gas Distribution
3
New Car Dealers
32
New Housing Operative Builders
11
News Syndicates
1
Nonresidential Property Managers
18
Nursing Care Facilities
9
Office Administrative Services
40
Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
13
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
17
Offices of Bank Holding Companies
4
Offices of Certified Public Accountants
89
Offices of Dentists
155
Offices of Lawyers
414
Offices of Optometrists
23
Offices of Other Holding Companies
7
Offices of Podiatrists
9
Offices of Real Estate Appraisers
24
One-Hour Photofinishing
2
Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers
2
Optical Goods Stores
25
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
4
Packing and Crating
5
Paging
3
Paint and Wallpaper Stores
15
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
27
Passenger Car Leasing
1
Passenger Car Rental
13
Payroll Services
4
Periodical Publishers
9
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
17
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
11
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
3
Photography Studios, Portrait
21
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
2
Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing
2
Plate Work Manufacturing
1
Political Organizations
15
Portfolio Management
10
Prepress Services
3
Private Mail Centers
13
Professional Employer Organizations
5
Professional Organizations
27
Public Relations Agencies
24
Quick Printing
12
Radio Networks
2
Radio Stations
15
Real Estate Credit
56
Real Estate Investment Trusts
6
Recreational Goods Rental
1
Recreational Vehicle Dealers
4
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
1
Reinsurance Carriers
2
Remediation Services
3
Residential Property Managers
37
Residential Remodelers
44
Retail Bakeries
5
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair
7
Roofing Contractors
19
Rooming and Boarding Houses
8
Sales Financing
11
Savings Institutions
4
Saw Blade and Handsaw Manufacturing
1
Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation
1
Securities Brokerage
40
Security Guards and Patrol Services
13
Septic Tank and Related Services
4
Sewage Treatment Facilities
2
Shoe Stores
57
Siding Contractors
7
Sign Manufacturing
8
Site Preparation Contractors
21
Small Arms Manufacturing
1
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
25
Soft Drink Manufacturing
1
Solid Waste Collection
6
Solid Waste Landfill
1
Sound Recording Studios
2
Special Needs Transportation
1
Sporting Goods Stores
24
Sports and Recreation Instruction
10
Surface Active Agent Manufacturing
1
Taxi Service
2
Telecommunications Resellers
6
Telemarketing Bureaus
1
Telephone Answering Services
3
Television Broadcasting
4
Temporary Help Services
61
Temporary Shelters
7
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
6
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
3
Timber Tract Operations
3
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
5
Tire Dealers
34
Tire Retreading
2
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
14
Tradebinding and Related Work
3
Translation and Interpretation Services
4
Travel Agencies
13
Used Car Dealers
29
Used Household and Office Goods Moving
15
Used Merchandise Stores
23
Vending Machine Operators
6
Video Tape and Disc Rental
20
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
9
Voluntary Health Organizations
14
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
5
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
1
Weft Knit Fabric Mills
1
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
39
Wired Telecommunications Carriers
43
Women's Clothing Stores
73
Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
1
Wood Preservation
2

Have You Considered Franchising?

As you drive around Columbia, you'll notice that many local entrepreneurs have gone the franchising route. Is it perhaps smarter to franchise a business instead of doing it from scratch.

Our advice is to consider franchising as an option. We have many articles on franchises, such as Common Franchisee Mistakes. 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 PremierGarage and Carl's Jr. Restaurants. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Vending Franchises and eBay Franchises.

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

Company Formation in Columbia, South Carolina

It's very important that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Without a legal structure for the business, you can be held personally liable for the actions, debts and obligations of your company.

The entity you form can be 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 South Carolina, it doesn't mean you are required to incorporate in South Carolina. In fact, you can incorporate in any state you would like to. 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. To learn the fundamentals of company formation, browse articles on our site, such as Incorporation Advice. You may also want to seek the advice of an attorney. Finally, if you are starting a business in Columbia, South Carolina, our information on Incorporating in South Carolina may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in South Carolina.

Raising Money for Your New Venture

Getting your Columbia business the capital it needs to succeed is a difficult chore. In fact, financing your new business may be the hardest challenge you ever face.

Take advantage of our many articles on raising capital, such as 504 Loans.

For Columbia entrepreneurs in need of startup financing, check out our List of South Carolina Angel Investors and our List of South Carolina 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 Columbia or are selling to customers throughout South Carolina, 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. The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.

Writing Great Proposals offers some helpful tips on how to sell. It's one of several good articles on our site regarding Entrepreneurial Selling.

Increase Your Entrepreneurial Knowledge

The best business owners know that they don't know everything.

Given that you are starting a business in Columbia, South Carolina, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby South Carolina universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also worthwhile to see if there are any networking organizations for Columbia entrepreneurs.

Never Give Up

You have a dream -- starting a business in Columbia. 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 Columbia and elsewhere to achieve real success. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Columbia 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 Columbia, South Carolina

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

Starting-a-Business Guides for Other Cities in South Carolina

Starting a Business in Clover
Starting a Business in Conway

Browse All Business Startup Guides for South Carolina
Starting a Business Guides for Other States

 

 

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