Business-friendly policies, low taxes, and a reasonable cost of living make North Carolina an attractive place to live and work. With a little bit of research and a dash of drive, you can be on your way to having a lucrative business in no time. 

That said, what’s the best business to start in North Carolina? There’s a whole host of factors you’ll need to consider to answer that question. Most importantly, you’ll need to think about your own long-term goals, skills, and motivations.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most promising opportunities in the state right now. Property, travel, and a variety of web businesses are all possibilities. Don’t forget to take into account your personal preferences and skills when you review our list.

The Most Profitable Small Business Ideas in North Carolina

Although there are endless possibilities for your entrepreneurial energy, it’s hard to know which avenue will lead to the greatest amount of achievement. That’s why we’ve compiled several business opportunities that have the potential to be profitable. Here are our five best types of small businesses to start in North Carolina. 

Idea #1: Recruiting Agency

Helping people find their dream jobs can be very satisfying and fulfilling work. It can also be profitable. North Carolina has a sizeable unemployment rate of 3.7%, and it has not been immune from “The Great Resignation” that is rippling throughout the country. These changes could be the perfect setup for a profitable recruiting agency. With a little bit of determination and strategy, you could be in a prime position to earn economic freedom and improve others’ lives in a powerful way. 

Idea #2: Moving Company

North Carolina has seen incredible growth in the last 30 years. In fact, the state’s population exploded from 6.6 million in 1990 to 10.4 million in 2020. This growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, which means that there will be a strong demand for moving services, especially from residents arriving from out-of-state. By launching a successful small moving company, you could offer safe and efficient relocation services and capitalize on this booming market. Just make sure that you research your target market carefully. Both individuals and small businesses can be lucrative customers. 

Idea #3: Professional Services

If you are a professional with specific training or licensing, you can use those skills as the foundation of a thriving business. On top of that, you can partner with other professionals with a Professional Limited Liability Company. You don’t have to be a doctor or a lawyer to be in a professional limited liability company (PLLC). A huge variety of licensed professionals can start their own PLLCs, including dentists, architects, engineers, social workers, and geologists. However, you’ll need to pick your PLLC’s name carefully and file Articles of Organization. Check out our material on North Carolina Limited Liability Companies to discover more about the options and requirements of a PLLC.

Idea #4: Bed & Breakfast

Warm, scenic beaches? Check. Gorgeous, majestic mountains? Check. Historical sites? Yep. Given North Carolina’s endless array of natural and historic attractions, you could easily use your house or a spare property to open up a bed and breakfast. With a bed and breakfast business, you can build new relationships with tourists and travelers while helping them have a wonderful time in your area. Depending on where you live, you may have to obtain certain permits or licenses before you run a bed and breakfast. You could spend hours on the internet trying to find what permit and license requirements apply to you. Or you could just use our Business License Report to learn about what permits and licenses you might need.

Idea #5: Virtual Assistant Business

Helping other businesses answer calls and take messages can be a great way to help yourself. It’s also a wonderful business that you can run from your home with minimal capital investment. Virtual assistant businesses can specialize in a wide range of tasks, including billing, email management, video editing, and SEO services. 

Why These Are the Best Small Businesses to Start in North Carolina

These enterprises are good business ideas in North Carolina because most of them:

• Require little capital to launch
• Can be home-based businesses
• Take advantage of favorable business trends

Another reason why these are good businesses to start in North Carolina is their high staying power. That said, you need to also consider other factors. What are your personal strengths? What do you love to do? What do you want to avoid at all costs? Finally, what are your long-term goals?

Best Cities in North Carolina for Starting a Business

It‘s critical to position your business in an area that can support your company’s demands while also attracting clients who have an interest in what you are providing. Fortunately, North Carolina has many great places to start a business, including:

• Raleigh
• Asheville
• Charlotte

As rapidly-growing cities with deep connections to certain industries, these cities are among the finest in North Carolina for new businesses. Yet knowing the best place to start a business in North Carolina can vary based on your business’s specific goals. 

Understanding the best business ideas to start in North Carolina is just your first step into the business world. We can help you get underway with your own company when you’re ready. With our vast range of products and services for small businesses, we can meet practically any business need you may have. We can assist you with the formation of North Carolina Limited Liability Company (LLC), or corporation using our formation services. Even if you’re not sure what type of business structure you require, our comparison guide on various business forms will help you gain clarity. 

Why Form Your Business with Us?

Here at ZenBusiness, our mission is to help you keep your company’s operations running smoothly from beginning to end. We can file all of your crucial company papers for you and also help you set up a new business in no time. And, in order to keep your company alive, you must ensure that it remains legally compliant. With our Worry-Free Compliance Service, we can stay on top of your company’s regulatory compliance requirements. We’re dedicated to assisting business owners like you make their dreams a reality.

No matter what stage of your business journey you’re in, we can help. Even if you don’t have a business yet, our North Carolina Business Formation Service will launch you in the right direction. With our services, we can handle the boring paperwork so that you can focus on making your business shine.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.