Ohio Business Startup Guides
Opening a Business in Parma, Ohio
Contemplating starting a business in Parma, Ohio? We walk you through the process of opening a business in Parma.
Are You Sure You Want to Do This?
Being an entrepreneur is hard work, much harder than working as an employee. Are you positive you have the stamina and skills to succeed on your own?
Because entrepreneurship is not for everyone, we recommend you do the following to help you assess whether you should move forward with starting a business:
- Talk to other entrepreneurs in Parma. Ask them candidly what it's like to run a business.
- 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. The people who know you best are often in the best position to tell you bluntly whether you will be a good entrepreneur.
What Business Are You Starting?
Choosing a business that is right for you is very important. If you are struggling with what type of business to start, read How to Evaluate a Business Idea.
For in-depth how-to guides on how to start specific businesses, browse our Good Businesses to Start section of our site. For example, you might be interested in our Starting a Druggists Wholesale & Manufacturers Business guide or our Opening a Textile Painting Business guide.
Always keep in mind that Parma is the place where you are starting a business. Some businesses will do better in Parma than others. Don't forget to review Parma demographics to see if there's a market for what you want to sell.
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.
Company names need to be easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and easy to remember.
Numerous company naming issues are discussed in more detail in this article: Naming a Business.
On a final note, given that you are starting a business in Parma, it's critical that you ensure that no other Ohio company is using the business name you want to use.
Don't Forget to Create a Business Plan
A business plan is vital to the health of your new business. In effect, a business plan is a written description of the future you envision for your business. Failure to write a business plan is a recipe for disaster.
To learn more about business plans, read Business Plan Contests. You should also take advantage of face-to-face free consulting available from your local SCORE chapter in Ohio.
Getting Money to Start a Business
Getting your Parma 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.
On the bright side, this site contains dozens of articles on raising money, including one we recommend entitled 504 Loans.
For Parma entrepreneurs on the hunt for startup funding, check out our List of Ohio Angel Investors and our List of Ohio Venture Capital Firms.
Learning More About Entrepreneurship
The best entrepreneurs recognize that they need to continually improve.
As an entrepreneur who lives in Parma, Ohio, you will want to take advantage of the learning programs at local Ohio educational institutions. It's also beneficial to see if there are any networking groups or organizations in which Parma entrepreneurs get together to network and trade their business experiences.
Next Steps
As an entrepreneur in Parma, 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 Parma businesses to be successful. 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 Parma, Ohio
Here are more links that we believe will help you be successful in starting a business in Parma.
- Resources for Parma, Ohio Entrepreneurs - Browse a variety of resources we've collected to assist Parma entrepreneurs.
- Ohio Entrepreneurial Resources - We've gathered state-level entrepreneurial resources to help new entrepreneurs who are based in Ohio.
- Ohio Small Business Development Center - Whether you're starting your business, expanding your business, or just looking to stay in business, the Small Business Development Centers of Ohio (SBDCs of Ohio) can help with professional guidance by connecting you with research, financing sources, and training opportunities.
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