Kentucky Business Startup Guides
Open a Business in Harlan, Kentucky
Need help starting a business in Harlan, Kentucky? We've got the information you need to open a business in Harlan.
Which Business to Choose?
An important decision is what kind of business you want to start. We recommend that you read Business Ideas That Don't Make Sense.
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 an Israeli Restaurant guide or our Starting a Gift Exchanges Business guide.
Don't forget that starting a business in Harlan has some implications. The business you want to start may already be well-represented in Harlan. Study Harlan demographics and do a competitive analysis as part of your startup planning process.
Harlan, Kentucky Demographic Information
Harlan has an active business community that includes small businesses, mid-sized businesses and large businesses.
To give you a better feel for Harlan demographics for small businesses, we have tabulated the small business sizes, based on number of employees, for business in Harlan.
Businesses
As a new Harlan entrepreneur, you may also be interested in the table below. It shows how many businesses there are in Harlan 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.
Businesses
Should You Franchise?
As you drive around Harlan, you'll see that franchises make up a large percentage of local businesses. But is franchising the right option for you?
Our recommendation is that you evaluate the possibility of your buying a franchise opportunity. We have many articles on franchises, such as Franchise Marketing Support. Gain a solid understanding of franchising by scanning all of our Articles on Franchising.
To learn about specific franchise opportunities, check out our Franchise Directory.
Sample franchise opportunities include TNT China and Century 21 Real Estate Corporation. Alternatively, you can browse franchise categories, such as ATM Franchises and Home Repair Franchises.
Note on Harlan Franchise Opportunities: To find out if a franchise you are interested in is available in Harlan, you will need to get in direct contact with the franchisor.
Naming the Company
A big decision when starting a company is choosing a company name. Believe it or not, choosing a good company name can be a big contributor to your business success.
Even if the name doesn't do it by itself, many naming experts believe there should be a story behind the name that ties into your company mission.
To get up to speed on what makes for a good company name, we encourage you to read this useful article: Branding Advice.
On a final note, given that you are planning on starting a business in Harlan, it's critical that you ensure that no other Kentucky company is using the business name you want to use.
Don't Forget to Create a Business Plan
A business plan is essential to the health of your new business. Indeed, a business plan describes what you plan to do with the business and how you plan to do it. Not having a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
If writing a business plan is on your to-do list, be sure to read Business Plan Contests. You should also take advantage of free business counselors available to you through your local SCORE chapter in Kentucky.
Promoting Your New Business
To rise above the crowd in Harlan and grow your business, you'll need to have a good marketing plan.
You can learn quite a bit about marketing on our site. National TV Spot Advertising Rates is an article that will stimulate a few thoughts on your marketing plan. That's just a taste of the many useful articles we have on Marketing a Small Business.
Never Give Up
As an entrepreneur in Harlan, you won't be working for the boss anymore. You are the boss.
From this point on, you control your own destiny.
We are here to help Harlan businesses to be successful. We want to be there for you to answer your business questions, whether you are a new Harlan 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 Harlan, Kentucky
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Harlan.
- Resources for Harlan, Kentucky Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Harlan entrepreneurs.
- Kentucky Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Kentucky.
- Kentucky Small Business Development Center - The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) has been assisting Kentucky small business community for more than 25 years. KSBDC is co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is administered by the University of Kentucky in partnership with regional universities, community and private colleges, and the private sector.
More Startup Articles for Kentucky Cities
Starting a Business in Hardinsburg
Starting a Business in Harrodsburg
Browse All Business Startup Guides for Kentucky
Starting a Business Guides for Other States
Share this article
Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs