California Business Startup Guides

Start a Business in Ontario, California

Are you starting a business in Ontario, California? This article discusses the most important things to consider when opening a business in Ontario.

Ontario, California Demographic Information

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

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

Business Size
# of
Businesses
1-4 Employees
18988
5-9 Employees
8728
10-19 Employees
6948
20-49 Employees
6660
50-99 Employees
2676
100-249 Employees
1812
250-499 Employees
420
500-999 Employees
108
1000+ Employees
48
All Ontario Businesses
46388

As a new Ontario entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Ontario 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
Aluminum Die-Casting Foundries
1
Aluminum Extruded Product Manufacturing
1
Aluminum Foundries (except Die-Casting)
3
Amusement and Theme Parks
1
Amusement Arcades
1
Appliance Repair and Maintenance
1
Apprenticeship Training
1
Armored Car Services
1
Art Dealers
1
Automotive Exhaust System Repair
1
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
7
Automotive Parts and Accessories Stores
36
Automotive Transmission Repair
5
Baked Goods Stores
2
Beauty Salons
8
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
1
Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers
1
Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores
11
Blind and Shade Manufacturing
1
Blood and Organ Banks
1
Boat Building
1
Book Stores
2
Books Printing
1
Bottled Water Manufacturing
1
Broadwoven Fabric Finishing Mills
2
Building Inspection Services
2
Business Associations
2
Business to Business Electronic Markets
4
Cafeterias
2
Camera and Photographic Supplies Stores
1
Canvas and Related Product Mills
1
Car Washes
10
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
3
Caterers
1
Cement Manufacturing
1
Charter Bus Industry
1
Child and Youth Services
6
Child Day Care Services
20
Children's and Infants' Clothing Stores
6
Civic and Social Organizations
8
Claims Adjusting
1
Clothing Accessories Stores
4
Commercial Bakeries
1
Commercial Lithographic Printing
9
Commercial Photography
2
Commercial Screen Printing
7
Commodity Contracts Dealing
1
Computer and Software Stores
3
Computer Storage Device Manufacturing
1
Computer Training
2
Concrete Pipe Manufacturing
2
Confectionery and Nut Stores
2
Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers
1
Construction Machinery Manufacturing
1
Consumer Lending
4
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
4
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
2
Cosmetology and Barber Schools
2
Couriers
22
Court Reporting and Stenotype Services
1
Credit Bureaus
1
Credit Unions
6
Curtain and Drapery Mills
1
Custom Computer Programming Services
4
Dental Laboratories
2
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
1
Digital Printing
4
Direct Life Insurance Carriers
3
Direct Mail Advertising
2
Direct Title Insurance Carriers
4
Discount Department Stores
3
Display Advertising
1
Document Preparation Services
2
Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing
1
Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
8
Drywall and Insulation Contractors
9
Electric Power Distribution
4
Electronic Resistor Manufacturing
1
Electronic Shopping
9
Elementary and Secondary Schools
2
Emergency and Other Relief Services
1
Employment Placement Agencies
8
Engineering Services
34
Envelope Manufacturing
1
Exam Preparation and Tutoring
3
Exterminating and Pest Control Services
8
Facilities Support Services
1
Family Clothing Stores
24
Farm Product Warehousing and Storage
2
Farm Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
3
Fertilizer (Mixing Only) Manufacturing
2
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
7
Flight Training
1
Floor Covering Stores
5
Flooring Contractors
11
Florists
4
Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing
4
Food (Health) Supplement Stores
3
Food Service Contractors
4
Footwear Merchant Wholesalers
4
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
1
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
1
Framing Contractors
6
Freight Transportation Arrangement
10
Fruit and Vegetable Canning
1
Full-Service Restaurants
75
Funeral Homes and Funeral Services
3
Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
19
Furniture Stores
20
General Automotive Repair
35
General Freight Trucking, Local
38
General Rental Centers
2
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
10
Glass and Glazing Contractors
2
Golf Courses and Country Clubs
1
Grantmaking Foundations
1
Graphic Design Services
5
Hand and Edge Tool Manufacturing
1
Hardware Manufacturing
2
Hardware Stores
3
Hazardous Waste Collection
1
Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal
1
Heating Oil Dealers
1
HMO Medical Centers
3
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
5
Home Centers
1
Home Health Care Services
6
Home Health Equipment Rental
3
Homes for the Elderly
4
Household Appliance Stores
1
Human Rights Organizations
1
Ice Manufacturing
1
Industrial Building Construction
1
Industrial Gas Manufacturing
1
Industrial Launderers
6
Industrial Mold Manufacturing
5
Industrial Pattern Manufacturing
1
Industrial Valve Manufacturing
1
Inland Water Freight Transportation
1
Inorganic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing
1
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
34
Interior Design Services
4
International Trade Financing
1
Internet Publishing and Broadcasting
1
Internet Service Providers
1
Investigation Services
4
Investment Advice
7
Iron Foundries
1
Janitorial Services
20
Jewelry Stores
11
Land Subdivision
4
Landscape Architectural Services
3
Landscaping Services
20
Lessors of Other Real Estate Property
1
Limited-Service Restaurants
133
Limousine Service
5
Linen Supply
1
Local Messengers and Local Delivery
8
Locksmiths
4
Machine Shops
40
Mail-Order Houses
7
Marking Device Manufacturing
1
Masonry Contractors
8
Mattress Manufacturing
4
Meat Markets
3
Meat Processed from Carcasses
1
Medical Laboratories
1
Men's Clothing Stores
9
Metal Stamping
2
Metal Window and Door Manufacturing
2
Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers
19
Motion Picture and Video Distribution
1
Motion Picture and Video Production
3
Motor and Generator Manufacturing
1
Motor Home Manufacturing
1
Motor Vehicle Metal Stamping
1
Motor Vehicle Towing
6
Motorcycle Dealers
3
Musical Groups and Artists
1
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
1
Nail Salons
13
Natural Gas Distribution
1
New Housing Operative Builders
1
News Dealers and Newsstands
1
Newspaper Publishers
1
Nonresidential Property Managers
4
Nursing Care Facilities
4
Office Administrative Services
16
Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
4
Offices of Certified Public Accountants
6
Offices of Chiropractors
8
Offices of Dentists
45
Offices of Lawyers
41
Offices of Optometrists
8
Offices of Other Holding Companies
2
Offices of Podiatrists
3
One-Hour Photofinishing
1
Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing
2
Optical Goods Stores
6
Packaging and Labeling Services
6
Packaging Machinery Manufacturing
1
Packing and Crating
2
Paint and Coating Manufacturing
4
Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
18
Paperboard Mills
2
Parking Lots and Garages
6
Passenger Car Rental
32
Payroll Services
2
Periodical Publishers
7
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
2
Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals
1
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
16
Photography Studios, Portrait
6
Plastics Bottle Manufacturing
4
Plastics Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing
1
Plate Work Manufacturing
2
Political Organizations
1
Portfolio Management
1
Poultry Processing
1
Precision Turned Product Manufacturing
8
Prepress Services
3
Printing Ink Manufacturing
2
Private Mail Centers
3
Professional Employer Organizations
6
Quick Printing
3
Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing
1
Real Estate Credit
33
Real Estate Investment Trusts
2
Recreational Vehicle Dealers
6
Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage
3
Remediation Services
1
Residential Property Managers
14
Residential Remodelers
10
Retail Bakeries
2
Reupholstery and Furniture Repair
3
Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing
1
Roofing Contractors
10
Sales Financing
6
Savings Institutions
7
Scheduled Freight Air Transportation
1
Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation
11
Schiffli Machine Embroidery
1
School and Employee Bus Transportation
1
Securities Brokerage
4
Security Guards and Patrol Services
17
Sewage Treatment Facilities
2
Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing
5
Shoe Stores
27
Siding Contractors
1
Sign Manufacturing
8
Site Preparation Contractors
11
Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing
1
Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
32
Software Publishers
1
Software Reproducing
2
Solid Waste Collection
1
Specialty Canning
2
Sporting Goods Stores
3
Sports and Recreation Instruction
1
Steel Investment Foundries
1
Storage Battery Manufacturing
1
Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing
1
Tax Preparation Services
9
Telemarketing Bureaus
1
Telephone Answering Services
2
Telephone Apparatus Manufacturing
1
Temporary Shelters
1
Testing Laboratories
9
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
1
Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
3
Tire and Tube Merchant Wholesalers
5
Tire Dealers
11
Tire Retreading
1
Tobacco Stores
4
Tortilla Manufacturing
1
Tradebinding and Related Work
5
Travel Agencies
4
Used Car Dealers
26
Used Household and Office Goods Moving
4
Used Merchandise Stores
5
Veterinary Services
9
Video Tape and Disc Rental
10
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
1
Warehouse Clubs and Supercenters
1
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
2
Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers
34
Window Treatment Stores
1
Wired Telecommunications Carriers
16
Women's Clothing Stores
21
Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing
2
Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing
1
Yarn Spinning Mills
1

Is a Franchise Opportunity Right For You?

Browse the Yellow Pages for Ontario and it's apparent that franchising has become a very popular way to start a business. Evidently, there must be some significant advantages to purchasing a franchise.

Our advice is to evaluate the possibility of your buying a franchise opportunity. This site has dozens of articles on franchising, such as Growth Trends in Franchising. 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 Papa John's International and A Place To Tan. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as Restaurant Franchises and Modeling Franchises.

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

Naming the Company

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.

Before you decide on a company name, run it by some prospective customers and see what they think. If they don't like it, it's probably a good idea to go back to the drawing board.

Numerous company naming issues are discussed in more detail in this article: Branding Advice.

On a final note, given that you are planning on starting a business in Ontario, it's critical that you ensure that you will be the only California company using the business name you have chosen.

Forming a Company in Ontario, California

A critical step is ensuring that your business is formed as a legal entity that is separate from its owners. Among other things, forming a legal entity for the business limits your liabilities.

The entity you form can be 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. If 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 in any state you would like to. However, if you do incorporate in another state, you'll have to register as a foreign corporation in your home state.

There are many nuances to forming a company. To learn the basics of company formation, browse articles on our site, such as ESOP Formation. You should also consider getting professional assistance from your business lawyer. Finally, if you are starting a business in Ontario, California, our information on Incorporating in California may be a useful resource if you decide to incorporate in California.

Don't Skip the Business Plan

Writing a business plan is critical in laying a solid foundation for your business success. In effect, your business plan is your game plan for how you hope to grow your business. Failure to write a business plan will greatly reduce your chances of business success.

If writing a business plan is on your to-do list, be sure to read Find Sample Business Plans Online. You should also take advantage of face-to-face free consulting available from your local SCORE chapter in California.

Building Up Your Sales

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

Not knowing how to sell can result in lost customers and minimal market share. The good news is we can help you to make selling a big competitve advantage for your new firm.

How to Build and Motivate a Sales Team offers some helpful tips on how to sell. It's one of several good articles on our site regarding Entrepreneurial Selling.

Learning More About Entrepreneurship

Good entrepreneurs recognize that they need to continually improve.

With your business being located in Ontario, California, you will want to take advantage of the learning programs at local California educational institutions. We also recommend you look into networking groups or organizations in which Ontario entrepreneurs get together to network and trade their business experiences.

Now It's Up To You

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

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

We are here to help Ontario businesses to be successful. We believe entrepreneurship is an amazing engine for job creation in Ontario, neighborhood development and overall economic health.

More Entrepreneurial Resources for Starting a Business in Ontario, California

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

More Business Startup Guides for California

Starting a Business in Ojai
Starting a Business in Orange

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

 

 

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