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Starting a Small Business in Wisconsin

Welcome to the Small Business Startup Wisconsin Franchise Directory! Here, you’ll find everything you need to begin your journey to business ownership in The Badger State. If you’re considering starting a small business in Wisconsin, read on for an overview of the state economy. Afterward, explore business opportunities and franchises for sale with our Wisconsin Franchise Search Tool.

Wisconsin Industry Trends

If an industry is performing well, business opportunities within it are often worth exploring. Begin your market research with this list of the Wisconsin economy’s most prominent industries in 2022. Afterward, take your research one step further by investigating niche markets and B2B opportunities within one of these top revenue-generating industries.

Life Insurance & Annuities (Revenue: $72.8 billion)
Property, Casualty & Direct Insurance (Revenue: $26.6 billion)
Health & Medical Insurance ($26.4 billion)
Hospitals ($22.7 billion)
New Car Dealers ($22.2 billion)
Dairy Product Production ($21.7 billion)
E-Commerce & Online Auctions ($21.2 billion)
Gas Stations with Convenience Stores ($19.4 billion)
Automobile Wholesaling ($17.5 billion)
Commercial Banking ($13.2 billion)

Wisconsin Sector Statistics

When starting a small business in Wisconsin, gross domestic product (GDP) is another tool entrepreneurs can use to make investment decisions. Generally, a steadily rising GDP means that people are spending more money and creating more jobs.

The three sectors contributing most to Wisconsin’s GDP in 2022 were Manufacturing; Real Estate, Rentals & Leasing; and Healthcare & Social Assistance. Combined, these three sectors represented 44.7% of the state’s GDP. In 2022, the sectors that contributed most to Wisconsin’s GDP included:

Manufacturing (Value: $60.5 billion* | Annual growth: 3.5%)
Real Estate, Rentals & Leasing (Value: $33.7 billion* | Annual growth: 0.2%)
Healthcare & Social Assistance (Value: $27.8 billion* | Annual growth: 1.6%)
Finance & Insurance (Value: $23.4 billion* | Annual growth: 1.2%)
Wholesale Trade (Value: $18.4 billion* | Annual growth: 0.7%)
Retail Trade (Value: $17.4 billion* | Annual growth: -0.7%)
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (Value: $16.1 billion* | Annual growth: 4.0%)
Information (Value: $16.1 billion* | Annual growth: 6.0%)
Management of Companies and Enterprises (Value: $11.1 billion* | Annual growth: 3.4%)
Construction (Value: $10.7 billion* | Annual growth: 1.0 %)
Transportation & Warehousing (Value: $8.6 billion* | Annual growth: 1.3%)
Administration, Business Support & Waste Management Services (Value: $8.2 billion* | Annual growth: 4.8%)
Accommodation & Food Services (Value: $6.2 billion* | Annual growth: 2.2%)
Other Services (except Public Administration) (Value: $5.6 billion* | Annual growth: -1.7%)
Utilities (Value: $4.1 billion* | Annual growth: -4.3%)

*Approximately

Wisconsin Population Statistics

A growing population often means greater demand and a steady flow of new customers. If you are undecided about the location of your new business, start by investigating population statistics. Afterward, take your research a step further by exploring population demographics. Doing so lets you decide whether a location is a good match for your target market.

In 2022, counties with the highest populations in Wisconsin included:

Milwaukee (Population: 941,100 | Annual growth rate*: -0.2%)
Dane (Population: 562,900 | Annual growth rate*: 0.9%)
Waukesha (Population: 409,600 | Annual growth rate*: 0.4%)
Brown (Population: 266,500 | Annual growth rate*: 0.4%)
Racine (Population: 195,600 | Annual growth rate*: -0.1%)
Outagamie (Population: 190,600 | Annual growth rate*: 0.5%)
Winnebago (Population: 172,100 | Annual growth rate*: 0.1%)
Kenosha (Population: 170,100 | Annual growth rate*: 0.1%)
Rock (Population: 163,500 | Annual growth rate*: 0.1%)
Washington (Population: 137,200 | Annual growth rate*:0.3%)
Marathon (Population: 135,600 | Annual growth rate*: N/A)
La Crosse (Population: 118,900 | Annual growth rate*: 0.2%)
Sheboygan (Population: 115,300 | Annual growth rate*: N/A)
Eau Claire (Population: 106,500 | Annual growth rate*: 0.6%)
Walworth (Population: 104,400 | Annual growth rate*: 0.2%)

*From 2017 to 2022.

Wisconsin Business Opportunities

We hope this snapshot of the Wisconsin economy helps as you investigate business opportunities in The Badger State! Starting a small business in Wisconsin is an exciting journey, and we know you’re probably eager to get started. But remember, take your time to explore all your options. While you’ll always have the “opportunity” to start your own business, sometimes, it makes more sense to invest in an opportunity that already exists. These are called “Franchise Opportunities,” and they offer several benefits, including the recognition of a well-established brand and a proven track record of success.

To learn more, start by exploring franchise opportunities in Wisconsin below!

Explore Opportunities and Insights

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Glass Doctor

Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company, is the nation's leading glass repair and replacement services franchise. With us, your path to business ownership is crystal clear

$50,000 Min Cash Required

Growth Coach - Business Coaching

The Growth Coach is a leading business coaching franchise that gives you more than just incomeit gives you freedom. Our proven systems empower you to build a flexible, fulfilling business with no employees, no inventory, no expensive locationand no burnout. Youll have the chance to make the money you want while designing a schedule and lifestyle that works for you.

$50,000 Min Cash Required

Mathnasium Learning Center

Own the World's 1 Math-Only Tutoring Center, With a Proven Record of Success, for Under 150K. Mathnasium offers a low-cost investment, simple startup, and a proven business model with a successful track record. For under 150K, you receive an exclusive, protected territory, extensive training, and ongoing national and regional support no math or education background required. You'll gain access to the renowned Mathnasium Method our proprietary assessments, curriculum, and methodology and to Mathnasium@home, our live, web-based instructional service, to reach even more customers. Learn more today

$100,000 Min Cash Required

Real Property Management

Real Property Management, a Neighborly company, is the nation's leading property management services franchise.

$50,000 Min Cash Required

CartCapital - Subscription Based E-Commerce Store

Did you know you could partner with a company to build out your entire e-commerce store, from product research to inventory acquisition to marketing? Yep You can easily make 6-7 figures in passive income when we build your e-commerce empire and money-making machine from the ground up All it takes is an upfront investment, and our team will do the rest. By this time next year, you could be sitting on a 7 figure empire. Learn more now

$30,000 Min Cash Required

PostalAnnex

Today's busy lifestyles demand the services PostalAnnex offers. Capitalize on this demand and open your own business After retiring from the printing business PostalAnnex founder Jack Lentz began working out of his home as a business consultant. He soon realized the need for mailing faxing copying shipping and other services to belong under one roof. As a result he created the first PostalAnnex store business franchise located next door to a post office in the University City neighborhood of San Diego CA. Our franchises serve a growing customer base of small and home-based businesses that lacks the resources our stores offer. Today's hectic lifestyle requires a one-stop service center for businesses that don't have an administrative assistant to take care of those daily errands. Saving our consumers time is what keeps them coming back. By being a local neighborhood business

Starting a Small Business in Wisconsin