Is Miami a Good Place to Start a Business?

By Josh Gerben, Esq.

Whether you are a longtime resident of South Florida considering business ownership or you’re an entrepreneur in the Midwest researching where to start your next venture, you may be wondering if Miami is the right place to open your business. With millions of visitors a year, a diverse customer base, and a strong workforce, it’s never been a better time to open a business in the Magic City. Here are the details on what makes Miami a hot spot for business owners and entrepreneurs.

Benefits and Opportunities for Miami-Based Businesses

The key to having a successful business is bringing in customers, and there is no shortage of potential customers in Miami and the surrounding areas. Unlike other parts of the country with defined tourist seasons, South Florida is fortunate to experience tourist season year-round. In fact, between the beaches, the nightlife, and the world’s largest port for cruise ships, over ten million people visit Miami every year. It’s no surprise, then, that businesses in the hospitality sector, like restaurants, hotels, and night clubs, have been very successful.

Not all potential customers come from the booming tourism industry, though. South Florida has a diverse customer base of full-time residents as well. The warm weather, beautiful golf courses, and active adult communities have made Miami and its beaches the ideal place to retire, benefiting real estate and health care related businesses, while the many colleges and universities bring in young people from around the country. No matter what type of business you plan to open in Miami, there’s likely a large customer base ready for your products and services.

Your business doesn’t just need customers, it needs a skilled workforce. Fortunately, you’ll find just that in the Miami market. With the increasing population comes a large field to recruit the most experienced waiter for your high-end steak house or a skilled web developer for your firm. You’ll also be able to recruit new employees from the many colleges and universities in and around Miami and throughout the state of Florida.

Starting your own business can be stressful, but in Miami, you’ll have the support you need. Many groups in the city have been created to help business owners. Whether you need assistance getting off the ground, want to meet and learn from others in your industry, or network with other businesses in the community, you can find the organization that’s right for you. You’ll also benefit from the many events hosted throughout the year for start-ups just like yours. Contact the U.S. Small Business Administration to find more information on groups and events in the Miami area.

Funding won’t be in short supply either. A variety of grants are available through the local government for small businesses, and many venture capitalists looking for the next innovative product or service call Miami home. The banking industry is strong in Miami as well, and a variety of domestic and international banks prioritize small business loans for new Miami-based business owners. The benefits to owning a business in Miami are endless!

Legal Considerations to Starting a Business

As you start to plan your business, keep in mind that your intellectual property is what differentiates your brand from its competitors. Whether you have a catchy slogan, an innovative new product, or unique online content, it’s important to protect it through registration. The first step, however, is identifying the types of intellectual property your business has.

A trademark is anything that represents your brand in the marketplace. Your business name, product name, logo, slogan, and even your signature color should all be protected through trademark registration. Your new and novel invention, however, should be protected through patent registration, whether a design patent for the distinctive look of your invention or a utility patent for protection of its unique functionality. Both patents and trademarks should be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO.

A copyright protects creative works. Common copyrights include song lyrics, art, and novels, but your business may have some potential copyrights as well. Printed materials like brochures and magazines are eligible for copyright protections, as are some elements of your business website. These should be registered with the Copyright Office.

No matter the IP you plan to protect, it’s best to work with an experienced attorney that can walk you through the detailed registration process, from determining what to protect to drafting applications. Once your trademark, patent, or copyright has been registered, your attorney can assist you in monitoring its use and taking action against potential infringement, as well. Doing so will help you maintain control of your brand and its reputation in Miami and anywhere else you plan to do business.

Important Steps to Take when Opening a Business in Miami

Developing your product or service, protecting your IP, and finding the right employees aren’t the only tasks on your to-do list. As a new business owner, it’s important to understand the legal requirements for your business, from the structure itself to the tax implications and licensing needs. If you plan to open a brick-and-mortar location, pay close attention to building codes. Due to the potential for hurricanes and other severe weather, building codes are significantly different than other parts of the country. Even if you aren’t building your structure from the ground up, permits are required for expansion, reconfiguration, and updating of outdoor spaces.

Prior to opening your doors or launching your site, you’ll also need to contact the tax collector’s office and apply for a business tax receipt. Depending on the type of business you plan to open, you may need other permits or licenses as well. You’ll also be required to have insurance to protect your business and its employees. These requirements often take time to obtain, however, so be sure to start the process well before your planned opening.

Starting your own Business in the Miami Area

There’s never been a better time to open a business in Miami and its surrounding areas. From Kendall to Pembroke Pines, business owners are benefiting from year-round tourism, a stable economy, and the many funding options available to them. Once you decide to open your own venture in South Florida, identify and protect your intellectual property. Then research the legal and building requirements you’ll need to follow as a Miami-based business owner, and seek out the many support and networking opportunities available to you. When you open a business in sunny Miami, there are no limits to your success!

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Josh Gerben, Esq.

Josh Gerben, Esq. is the founder and principal of Gerben IP. In 2008, Mr. Gerben started the firm to provide high-quality trademark services at reasonable prices. Today, he is recognized by the World Trademark Review as a top trademark filer, having registered over 7,500 trademarks. The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and may not be relied on as legal advice.