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Best 12 Profitable Small Business Ideas in Virginia, VA

    Do you want to start a small business in Virginia? If so, find here in this article list of the best business opportunities in VA with steps to follow to register a business in the state of Virginia, VA in the United States.

    Virginia is only one of the ten states in the United States which have grown economically over the last decade. Businesses around tourism and manufacturing have seen a huge boost. A much-diversified economy, Virginia currently features different industries in a variety of sectors like manufacturing, finance, information technology, and agriculture.

    Small businesses in the state are growing, thanks to the different business-friendly laws and opportunities. The Internet has played its part, and now it’s easy to have a successful business from home. If you wish to have a home business in Virginia, there are numerous opportunities. Here’s a complete guide on how you can start a successful business in Virginia.

    List of 12 Small Business Ideas in Virginia

    1. Virtual Assistant

    Large and now often medium-sized organizations need virtual assistants who can work remotely. You need to primarily offer services related to daily tasks, manpower management, and data processing. As a freelance virtual assistant, you will be rendering services related to management, data organization, and virtual administration.

    2. Provide Security Services

    The demand for security services has risen in the last few years. If you have some experience in a security-related field, consider starting a security service business. There are a lot of niches in the security industry that can be explored here in this state of the United States. Some of the profitable sectors you can think of are bodyguard services, security systems installations, background checking, etc.

    3. Meal Subscription

    If you are living in a city area of Virginia and want to start a business from home, a meal subscription service can be a good option. You can offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner services to prospective customers.

    4. Online Reputation Management Agency

    News and rumors run hand in hand. While good things help a company grow, bad stuff can harm a company’s reputation. With the internet and social media, it’s now easy to spread fake news. You can start to offer companies reputation services so that they can maintain their online image in the public.

    5. Pet Grooming

    Pet-related services have a sizeable demand in the state of Virginia. If you are an avid animal lover or some sort of enthusiast, this business can be your favorite pastime. You can offer grooming services which will include other services via home visits or in a pet-grooming facility.

    6. Outdoor Activity Equipment Renting

    Virginia is popular for a wide range of outdoor recreational activities like skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. While visitors often are without any proper gear, you can rent out the equipment. Check this article for more renting business ideas.

    7. E-commerce Business

    Instead of investing in a retail store or pop-up shop, starting to sell something via a marketplace can be a lot better. Platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Depop offer you an opportunity to sell products online with a huge potential market. You can either choose to drop ship or outsource products to sell via your own e-commerce store with Shopify or Woocommerce.

    8. Start A Blog

    If you love something, you can start a blog and write about it. Like how to invest money in hedge funds, or how to have a successful business from home. You can help others do something. Choose a niche topic, buy a domain and start writing. By posting regular blogs for a few months, you can start to earn money with AdSense and affiliates.

    9. T-Shirt Printing Business

    T-shirt manufacturing is a major industry in Virginia. You can get your t-shirts manufactured at a cheap price and then offers customizable prints to start your own company with your own designs. You can have different designs for a set of categories.

    10. Yoga Studio

    People in the state of Virginia are now choosing yoga over the gym. Yoga is a popular alternative to gym and sports, Yoga lately has gained a lot of popularity among health enthusiasts. You can offer yoga services either by hiring an instructor or can do a yoga course on your own to become a licensed trainer. Do work for a few days before starting your own studio.

    11. Make a Review Website

    Online buyers often depend on honest reviews to buy a product. You can start a product reviews site to offer in-depth product reviews by rigorously using the product yourself. You can partner with the brands you think are good for your audience for endorsements and affiliates. Check this guide and learn more about creating a website within a few minutes.

    12. Online Tech Support

    Candidates with technical skills are in huge demand. Companies need part-time tech professionals who can help their customers and in-office staff in case of any technical shutoff. You can offer these technical services remotely, where you will need to stay active for a fixed time to sort out the technical problems.

    How to Start a Business in Virginia in 10 Steps

    Here are the 10 steps to start a legally-compliant business in the state in the state of Virginia in the United States:

    Step 1. Select a Business Idea

    The first step towards starting a new venture is to finalize the right business as per the local demand and trends. Conduct market research and gather detailed information about the feasibility of the selected business idea.

    Step 2. Business Plan

    You need to start with the basics in a well-detailed business plan. The state of Virginia has several businesses, and having a tight backup is important in such a competitive market. The business plan will help you to stay in the competition. Write down your goals, targets, objectives, and how to wish to proceed.

    Step 3. Financing Your Business

    Virginia has a healthy business climate with multiple investors and venture capital firms. You can pitch your idea and see if you can find any investment. You can also fund your own business.

    Step 4. Naming Your Business

    Now you need to register a business name. You need to decide before you choose a business structure. You can also a business name generator to check out a few unique suggestions. Register it with the US trademark department and buy a domain immediately with a .com extension.

    Step 5. Choosing A Business Structure

    To register your business in Virginia, you will have to choose a business structure between a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and LLC. If you choose to form an LLC, you can enjoy added legal and tax benefits.

    Step 6. Federal EIN & Tax Filing

    Now apply for a Federal EIN at the IRS. Known as Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), it will act as a tax ID for your business. You can visit the Virginia Department of Taxation and Finance website for more details.

    Step 7. Business Permits & Licenses

    Some of the city-specific local licenses are applicable in Virginia. Different cities of the state may need different permits, but in general, a sales tax license will be applicable all throughout the state if you are selling any product. Virginia also has special permits and licenses specific to some businesses like agricultural export.

    Step 8. Business Bank Account & Accounting Software

    Now apply for a separate bank account with your EIN. You can have your own business credit account and at the same time, the bank account will help you to manage your financial transactions. Next up, set up an accounting method. Buying reliable accounting software will help you maintain your business transactions in one place.

    Step 9. Business Insurance

    Virginia has no mandatory insurance applicable. Some of the businesses though may have to get some insurance. If you sell any service, go for a professional liability policy. Worker’s compensation insurance is also recommended if you have an employee.

    Step 10. Promoting Your Business

    Finally, it’s now time to promote your new business. Promotions will play an important role to take the word out. Reaching out to a potential audience is important initially. You can choose to hire an agency to go for planned promotions and marketing.

    Best Places To Start A Business In Virginia

    Choosing the right location is going to determine how your business runs. Here are some of the best places in Virginia to start your business:

    • Charleston
    • Richmond
    • Tysons Corner
    • Warrenton
    • Fairfax
    • Abingdon
    • Forest
    • Vienna
    • FallsChurch
    • Hollins
    • Merrifield
    • Ashland

    With a very favorable business climate, having a business in Virginia is easily manageable. Choose a business opportunity and follow the steps to successfully set up a new business in Virginia within a short span of time.

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