The Friendliest Cities to Start a Business

Starting a business is no easy task. Overcoming all the difficulties, formalizing everything and getting up on your feet not only needs courage but you need time and patience.

Most businessmen just go out and start looking for an office, but wait a minute! Would you consider moving if another city gave you more benefits to create your company there? 

Well, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation released their 2013 survey about U.S Small Business Friendliness. In 2012 they started the survey and this is the first year we are able to compare any variations. 

With opinions from 7,000 business owners among the country, they evaluated aspects such as ease of starting a business, ease of hiring, regulations, health & safety, tax code, licensing, training & networking programs and zoning. One of the surprises from the study was that business owners were more concerned with licensing requirements than with taxes; in fact they were relatively unconcerned with tax rates as they felt they pay the right share of taxes. 

Best cities for business: 

• San Antonio: The city has kept it’s A+ grade from last year receiving good scores in almost all categories, starting a business could be improved as it scored a B. 

• Austin: An outstanding score, receiving A in most of the categories, zoning could improve as it received a B+, but this could be paradise for entrepreneurs. 

• Houston: Licensing and Networking activities could improve, but businessmen gave the city an A qualification in most categories. 

• Colorado Springs: If training and networking options are improved, next year this city could reach the perfect mark. 

Worst cities for business: 

• San Diego: Bureaucracy, zoning and environment regulations earned the city an F. 

• Cincinnati: Training options received the lowest score while zoning received the highest with a B. 

• Newark: Although training and networking options are very good, all the other factors received an F. 

• Sacramento: Starting a business didn’t seem to be a problem, but hiring, regulations and zoning gave a hard time to entrepreneurs in Sacramento. 

Successful companies are found in every city, despite regulations and challenges. Wherever you decide to start your business, OfficeList will be there to back you up and help you find the best space to work from.