Resources for Entrepreneurs

New York Business Startup Guides

Opening a Business in New York, New York

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

Are You Ready for Life as an Owner?

Being an entrepreneur is demanding, and can be orders of magnitude more strenuous than working as an employee. Are you sure you want to go into business for yourself?

Here are three things we recommend you do before you fully commit to starting a new business of your own.

  • Talk to other entrepreneurs in New York. Listen closely to their experiences and see if you think you too can be successful.
  • 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. Ask them directly: Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Listen carefully to their answer, as they presumably know your strengths and weaknesses.

New York, New York Demographic Information

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

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

Business Size# of
Businesses
1-4 Employees 183260
5-9 Employees 50938
10-19 Employees 33737
20-49 Employees 24380
50-99 Employees 9105
100-249 Employees 5853
250-499 Employees 1731
500-999 Employees 801
1000+ Employees 645
All New York Businesses 310450

As a new New York entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in New York 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
Abrasive Product Manufacturing 1
Adhesive Manufacturing 1
Advertising Agencies 702
Alkalies and Chlorine Manufacturing 1
Ambulance Services 3
Amusement and Theme Parks 2
Amusement Arcades 9
Appliance Repair and Maintenance 13
Apprenticeship Training 10
Architectural Services 990
Armored Car Services 2
Art Dealers 525
Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing 4
Automobile Driving Schools 38
Automotive Exhaust System Repair 2
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops 3
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores 36
Automotive Transmission Repair 5
Baked Goods Stores 117
Barber Shops 137
Beauty Salons 1,089
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns 17
Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers 13
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores 296
Blind and Shade Manufacturing 5
Blood and Organ Banks 10
Boat Dealers 5
Book Publishers 196
Book Stores 137
Books Printing 13
Bowling Centers 10
Breweries 2
Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills 75
Broadwoven Fabric Mills 17
Building Inspection Services 9
Business and Secretarial Schools 13
Business Associations 236
Business to Business Electronic Markets 11
Cable and Other Program Distribution 38
Cafeterias 88
Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores 45
Canvas and Related Product Mills 3
Car Washes 20
Carpet and Rug Mills 6
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services 17
Caterers 157
Cemeteries and Crematories 6
Charter Bus Industry 8
Cheese Manufacturing 1
Child and Youth Services 181
Child Day Care Services 331
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores 114
Civic and Social Organizations 290
Claims Adjusting 63
Clothing Accessories Stores 228
Coffee and Tea Manufacturing 2
Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners 254
Collection Agencies 46
Commercial Bakeries 31
Commercial Flexographic Printing 5
Commercial Gravure Printing 13
Commercial Lithographic Printing 206
Commercial Photography 439
Commercial Screen Printing 24
Commodity Contracts Brokerage 154
Commodity Contracts Dealing 120
Community Food Services 20
Computer and Software Stores 73
Computer Facilities Management Services 73
Computer Storage Device Manufacturing 1
Computer Systems Design Services 755
Computer Training 48
Confectionery and Nut Stores 92
Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers 10
Consumer Lending 45
Continuing Care Retirement Communities 5
Convenience Stores 117
Convention and Trade Show Organizers 167
Convention and Visitors Bureaus 20
Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing 4
Cosmetology and Barber Schools 17
Couriers 131
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services 41
Credit Bureaus 26
Credit Card Issuing 12
Credit Unions 45
Curtain and Drapery Mills 19
Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins 1
Custom Computer Programming Services 924
Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planing 1
Dance Companies 86
Deep Sea Freight Transportation 12
Deep Sea Passenger Transportation 1
Dental Laboratories 33
Diagnostic Imaging Centers 69
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers 16
Digital Printing 47
Direct Life Insurance Carriers 153
Direct Mail Advertising 84
Direct Title Insurance Carriers 19
Directory and Mailing List Publishers 34
Discount Department Stores 14
Display Advertising 66
Distilleries 1
Document Preparation Services 108
Doll and Stuffed Toy Manufacturing 2
Drafting Services 23
Drilling Oil and Gas Wells 1
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) 643
Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters 1
Dry Pasta Manufacturing 5
Drywall and Insulation Contractors 57
Educational Support Services 144
Electric Power Distribution 13
Electrical Contractors 263
Electron Tube Manufacturing 1
Electronic Auctions 3
Electronic Computer Manufacturing 3
Electronic Shopping 139
Elementary and Secondary Schools 228
Emergency and Other Relief Services 30
Employment Placement Agencies 433
Engineering Services 366
Envelope Manufacturing 4
Environmental Consulting Services 52
Exam Preparation and Tutoring 73
Exterminating and Pest Control Services 36
Fabric Coating Mills 2
Facilities Support Services 59
Family Clothing Stores 348
Family Planning Centers 23
Farm Labor Contractors and Crew Leaders 1
Farm Management Services 1
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers 20
Fine Arts Schools 209
Finfish Fishing 1
Finish Carpentry Contractors 90
Fish and Seafood Markets 62
Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers 65
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers 364
Flat Glass Manufacturing 1
Flight Training 3
Floor Covering Stores 85
Flooring Contractors 39
Florists 235
Food (Health) Supplement Stores 162
Food Product Machinery Manufacturing 2
Food Service Contractors 555
Footwear and Leather Goods Repair 96
Footwear Merchant Wholesalers 153
Formal Wear and Costume Rental 10
Framing Contractors 20
Freight Transportation Arrangement 207
Fresh and Frozen Seafood Processing 3
Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing 3
Fruit and Vegetable Canning 2
Fruit and Vegetable Markets 88
Full-Service Restaurants 3,803
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services 46
Fur and Leather Apparel Manufacturing 52
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers 166
Furniture Stores 294
General Automotive Repair 114
General Freight Trucking, Local 47
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 19
General Rental Centers 23
General Warehousing and Storage 38
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores 456
Glass and Glazing Contractors 16
Gold Ore Mining 2
Golf Courses and Country Clubs 9
Grantmaking Foundations 557
Graphic Design Services 929
Greeting Card Publishers 4
Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing 6
Hardware Manufacturing 1
Hardware Merchant Wholesalers 41
Hardware Stores 168
Hat, Cap, and Millinery Manufacturing 16
Hazardous Waste Collection 1
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal 1
Heating Oil Dealers 6
Historical Sites 15
HMO Medical Centers 5
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores 65
Home Centers 10
Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers 367
Home Health Care Services 87
Home Health Equipment Rental 3
Homes for the Elderly 24
Household Appliance Stores 52
Human Rights Organizations 126
Hydroelectric Power Generation 3
Industrial Building Construction 12
Industrial Design Services 89
Industrial Launderers 21
Industrial Mold Manufacturing 2
Industrial Pattern Manufacturing 1
Inland Water Freight Transportation 2
Inland Water Passenger Transportation 7
Institutional Furniture Manufacturing 5
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages 851
Interior Design Services 609
International Trade Financing 49
Internet Publishing and Broadcasting 135
Internet Service Providers 97
Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation 6
Investigation Services 75
Investment Advice 866
Iron and Steel Forging 1
Iron and Steel Mills 1
Iron Foundries 1
Janitorial Services 309
Jewelry (except Costume) Manufacturing 372
Jewelry Stores 830
Junior Colleges 16
Kidney Dialysis Centers 5
Land Subdivision 41
Landscape Architectural Services 53
Landscaping Services 36
Language Schools 43
Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing 11
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property 106
Libraries and Archives 80
Limited-Service Restaurants 2,043
Limousine Service 66
Linen Supply 3
Livestock Merchant Wholesalers 2
Local Messengers and Local Delivery 127
Locksmiths 76
Luggage and Leather Goods Stores 76
Luggage Manufacturing 7
Machine Shops 3
Mail-Order Houses 142
Manifold Business Forms Printing 5
Marinas 8
Marine Cargo Handling 2
Marketing Consulting Services 702
Marking Device Manufacturing 7
Masonry Contractors 24
Materials Recovery Facilities 2
Mattress Manufacturing 1
Meat Markets 107
Meat Processed from Carcasses 6
Media Buying Agencies 51
Media Representatives 124
Medical Laboratories 24
Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing 3
Men's and Boys' Neckwear Manufacturing 13
Men's Clothing Stores 246
Metal Heat Treating 1
Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing 5
Metal Stamping 1
Metal Window and Door Manufacturing 1
Miscellaneous Intermediation 304
Mixed Mode Transit Systems 1
Mobile Food Services 14
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank 1
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers 116
Motion Picture and Video Distribution 57
Motion Picture and Video Production 1,042
Motor and Generator Manufacturing 1
Motor Vehicle Towing 3
Motorcycle Dealers 6
Museums 110
Music Publishers 108
Musical Groups and Artists 287
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores 37
Musical Instrument Manufacturing 13
Nail Salons 439
Narrow Fabric Mills 3
Natural Gas Distribution 1
Navigational Services to Shipping 2
New Car Dealers 25
New Housing Operative Builders 17
News Dealers and Newsstands 222
News Syndicates 56
Newspaper Publishers 125
Nonclay Refractory Manufacturing 1
Nonresidential Property Managers 434
Nonwoven Fabric Mills 2
Nursing Care Facilities 33
Office Administrative Services 532
Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers 197
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores 128
Offices of Bank Holding Companies 20
Offices of Certified Public Accountants 843
Offices of Chiropractors 198
Offices of Dentists 1,332
Offices of Lawyers 3,976
Offices of Optometrists 79
Offices of Other Holding Companies 281
Offices of Podiatrists 128
Offices of Real Estate Appraisers 40
One-Hour Photofinishing 49
Open-End Investment Funds 24
Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing 6
Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers 41
Optical Goods Stores 181
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores 1
Outerwear Knitting Mills 8
Packaging and Labeling Services 11
Packing and Crating 8
Paging 9
Paint and Wallpaper Stores 26
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors 151
Paper Industry Machinery Manufacturing 1
Paperboard Mills 1
Parking Lots and Garages 1,042
Passenger Car Leasing 8
Passenger Car Rental 37
Payroll Services 86
Periodical Publishers 423
Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing 6
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores 76
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services 39
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals 6
Pharmacies and Drug Stores 552
Photography Studios, Portrait 231
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas 1
Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing 1
Plate Work Manufacturing 2
Political Organizations 59
Portfolio Management 1,225
Poultry Processing 1
Precision Turned Product Manufacturing 1
Prepress Services 59
Printing Ink Manufacturing 2
Private Mail Centers 50
Professional Employer Organizations 53
Professional Organizations 177
Public Relations Agencies 665
Quick Printing 88
Racetracks 2
Radio Networks 16
Radio Stations 136
Real Estate Credit 125
Real Estate Investment Trusts 36
Record Production 45
Recreational Goods Rental 6
Recreational Vehicle Dealers 1
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage 1
Reinsurance Carriers 40
Remediation Services 5
Repossession Services 2
Residential Property Managers 1,066
Residential Remodelers 276
Resilient Floor Covering Manufacturing 1
Retail Bakeries 100
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair 60
Roofing Contractors 10
Rooming and Boarding Houses 32
Sales Financing 173
Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing 1
Satellite Telecommunications 8
Savings Institutions 115
Scheduled Freight Air Transportation 8
Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation 50
Schiffli Machine Embroidery 2
School and Employee Bus Transportation 5
Secondary Market Financing 3
Securities and Commodity Exchanges 16
Securities Brokerage 831
Security Guards and Patrol Services 147
Septic Tank and Related Services 1
Sewage Treatment Facilities 1
Sheer Hosiery Mills 1
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing 1
Shellfish Fishing 1
Shoe Stores 451
Siding Contractors 1
Sign Manufacturing 34
Silverware and Hollowware Manufacturing 2
Site Preparation Contractors 18
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars 588
Soft Drink Manufacturing 1
Software Publishers 181
Software Reproducing 1
Solid Waste Collection 6
Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators 1
Solid Waste Landfill 1
Sound Recording Studios 148
Soybean Processing 1
Special Needs Transportation 9
Specialty Canning 1
Spice and Extract Manufacturing 2
Sporting Goods Stores 87
Sports and Recreation Instruction 84
Sports Teams and Clubs 9
Support Activities for Forestry 2
Tax Preparation Services 124
Taxi Service 60
Telecommunications Resellers 75
Telemarketing Bureaus 32
Telephone Answering Services 24
Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing 1
Television Broadcasting 56
Temporary Help Services 440
Temporary Shelters 86
Testing Laboratories 20
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters 440
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors 15
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers 2
Tire Cord and Tire Fabric Mills 1
Tire Dealers 6
Tire Manufacturing (except Retreading) 1
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices 50
Tobacco Stores 60
Toilet Preparation Manufacturing 14
Tortilla Manufacturing 1
Tour Operators 146
Tradebinding and Related Work 20
Translation and Interpretation Services 75
Travel Agencies 691
Underwear and Nightwear Knitting Mills 1
Used Car Dealers 18
Used Household and Office Goods Moving 47
Used Merchandise Stores 306
Vending Machine Operators 12
Veterinary Services 73
Video Tape and Disc Rental 75
Vocational Rehabilitation Services 74
Voluntary Health Organizations 150
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters 1
Watch, Clock, and Part Manufacturing 6
Web Search Portals 25
Weft Knit Fabric Mills 2
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers 920
Window Treatment Stores 22
Wineries 1
Wired Telecommunications Carriers 322
Women's Clothing Stores 803
Women's Handbag and Purse Manufacturing 22
Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing 3
Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing 2
Wood Window and Door Manufacturing 2
Yarn Spinning Mills 1
Zoos and Botanical Gardens 4

What About Franchising Opportunities?

As you drive around New York, it's apparent that franchising has become a very popular way to start a business. But is franchising the right option for you?

We highly recommend you consider franchising as an option. 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.

You can review hundreds of franchise opportunities by browing our Franchise Directory.

Sample franchise opportunities include Applebee's International, Inc. and Rubyjuice Fruit and Smoothies. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Dry Cleaning & Laundry Franchises and Kid Friendly Franchises.

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

What About Buying an Existing New York Business?

If you have some capital to play with, you may want to Buy a Business in New York. Follow that link and you can assess several good businesses for sale in New York.

If you are serious about buying a business, you may want to read this article: Buying a Business.

Bring in Revenues

Do you know how to sell? In order to attract customers to your new New York business, you need to focus on sales.

Why should customers buy from you instead of buying from competitors? The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.

Effective Sales Presentations is a good article to read, one of dozens in the Selling for Entrepreneurs section of our site.

Learning More About Entrepreneurship

Good entrepreneurs know that they don't know everything.

With your business being located in New York, New York, you will want to take advantage of the many programs available at nearby New York universities, colleges and community colleges. It's also worthwhile to see if there are any New York networking organizations.

New York Entrepreneur Interviews

We're compiling a number of interviews with New York entrepreneurs. Enjoy!

Never Give Up

As an entrepreneur in New York, you won't be working for the boss anymore. You are the boss.

From this point on, you control your own destiny.

Our goal here is to promote the vitality and growth of small businesses in New York and throughout the United States . We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in New York, neighborhood development and overall economic health.

More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in New York, New York

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

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