Osceola County is one of Florida’s fastest-growing areas, offering entrepreneurs a dynamic and supportive environment to establish and grow their businesses. Situated just south of Orlando, Osceola is at the heart of Central Florida’s booming economy. Its strategic location provides seamless access to major transportation hubs, vibrant tourism markets, and a rapidly expanding local population. With its mix of rural charm and urban accessibility, Osceola County attracts businesses across diverse industries.
See Also: Florida Start-up Business Hub
This guide will walk you through the essential steps to start a business in Osceola County, from understanding state and local regulations to accessing valuable resources and exploring potential business opportunities.
Starting a Business in Osceola County, Florida
- Why Osceola?
- Top Cities: Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, and Celebration
- Setting Up Your Business with the State of Florida
- Setting Up Your Business in County
- Setting Up Your Business Stuff
Why Osceola ?
Known for its robust tourism sector, thanks to attractions like Walt Disney World and proximity to Kissimmee and St. Cloud, Osceola also supports a growing economy in healthcare, technology, and logistics. The county’s pro-business policies, affordable operating costs, and dedication to economic development make it an ideal place to launch ventures ranging from family-owned shops to cutting-edge tech startups. Whether you’re a local resident or relocating to the area, Osceola County provides all the tools and resources needed to transform your business vision into a reality.
Osceola County, Florida, is a prime location for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand a business. With its central location in the state, a thriving tourism industry, and rapidly growing population, Osceola offers unique opportunities for various industries. The county’s largest cities, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Poinciana, and Celebration, each bring distinct advantages, from tourism-driven economies to business-friendly communities. Whether you’re opening a retail store, tech startup, or hospitality venture, Osceola County provides a welcoming business climate with strategic benefits.
Top Cities in Osceola County for Business
Kissimmee: Tourism and Business Hub
Kissimmee, the county seat, is the heart of Osceola’s economic activity. Its proximity to Walt Disney World and other world-famous attractions makes it an ideal location for hospitality, retail, and entertainment businesses. The city is also home to a growing number of professional services and technology startups, benefiting from its business-friendly policies and increasing workforce. With major highways like U.S. 192 and I-4 running through it, Kissimmee provides excellent connectivity for logistics and transportation businesses.
St. Cloud: A Growing Residential and Commercial Market
St. Cloud is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community, making it a great location for small businesses, healthcare providers, and service industries. As more people move to the area seeking affordable living near Orlando, demand for retail, dining, and local services is increasing. The city is also investing in infrastructure improvements to support business growth, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs looking for a balance between urban convenience and suburban charm.
Poinciana: A Fast-Expanding Consumer Market
Poinciana is one of the fastest-growing communities in Osceola County, with a diverse and expanding population. This growth has created a strong demand for businesses in sectors such as healthcare, retail, and construction. The area’s affordability makes it appealing for startups and franchises looking for a large customer base without the high costs of Orlando. With continuous residential and commercial development, Poinciana is an emerging hotspot for new business ventures.
Celebration: A High-End Business Destination
Developed by The Walt Disney Company, Celebration is known for its charming aesthetics, affluent population, and strong local economy. Businesses in Celebration benefit from a customer base with high disposable income, making it an excellent place for boutique shops, upscale restaurants, and professional services. The town’s design encourages walkability and community engagement, creating ample opportunities for businesses that thrive on local foot traffic.
Setting up Your Business with the State of Florida
There are several steps to set up your business in the State of Florida which are requirements across the state.
One of the easiest ways to set up your business is by using a registered agent service (It’s surprisingly easy and afforable!)
If you want to do it yourself, here’s a brief overview. (You can also read our complete step by step guide to registering your LLC yourself in Florida here)
Register Your Business Entity
Begin by registering your business with the Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz website. This process establishes your business legally within the state.
Start by searching Sunbiz to be sure your desired name is available. Then you can choose to file online or download a print copy to mail in.
Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or simply (EIN)
Apply for a EIN through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This number is necessary for tax purposes and to hire employees.
Register with the Florida Department of Revenue (if applicable)
In Florida, you will need to check with the Florida Department of Revenue website to register for sales tax, unemployment tax and employer withholding tax (if applicable to your business)
Acquire Necessary State Licenses or Permits
Depending on your industry, you may need specific state licenses. For instance, businesses in healthcare, construction, or food services require additional permits and professional services such as real estate, financial services, etc may require specific licenses. Consult the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for detailed information.
Setting up Your Business in Osceola County
Osceola County-Specific Regulations
Business Tax Receipt
Every business operating in Osceola County must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR) from the county. Apply online through the Osceola County Tax Collector’s Office (osceolataxcollector.org).
For businesses located in cities like Kissimmee or St. Cloud, an additional business license may be required from the city.
Zoning and Permitting
- Confirm that your business location complies with local zoning laws.
- Contact the Osceola County Community Development Department (Link) for guidance on permits and inspections.
Health and Safety Requirements
- Food businesses must meet health standards set by the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County (osceola.floridahealth.gov).
- Building inspections may be required for physical locations.
Local Resources & Ongoing Education for Entrepreneurs
Always be learning, that’s my motto. As an entrepreneur and small business owner, it is important to get the training you need to be the best at managing a company. Osceola County offers several resources to help your online business succeed and there are courses and training programs available locally.
- Osceola Chamber of Commerce (kissimmeechamber.com): Networking, advocacy, and business promotion opportunities.
- National Entrepreneur Center (nationalec.org): Offers free training and mentoring programs.
- SCORE Orlando (score.org): Provides free business planning support and workshops.
- Prospera (prosperausa.org): Specialized assistance for Hispanic entrepreneurs.
- UCF Business Incubation Program (incubator.ucf.edu): Helps startups succeed with mentorship and resources.
- Divergent-U: Want to jumpstart your business? Learn to think divergently as you build your business with one-on-one business and personal guidance along the way. (divergent-u.com)
Local Contacts
Osceola – Building, Licensing, Permitting, Economic Development, Online Permit Center, Zoning, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector
City Governments
Setting Up Your Business Stuff
Open a Business Bank Account
Keep personal and business finances separate by opening a dedicated business bank account. This is essential for bookkeeping and legal protection. Check out some online banks that offer free checking for businesses: Novo, Found, and Mercury are good options.
Set up a Business Merchant Account – Accept Credit Cards
The easiest way to accept payments is setting up a Stripe account. It is really easy to do, simply add all of your business information and attach to your bank account and you are good to go. Stripe may need a few days to verify your information.
Get Business Insurance
You may be required to get insurance for certain industries, particularly if you are selling a product, opening a physical location, or hiring employees. Online businesses should also consider insurance for liability protection. See What Every Florida Entrepreneur Should Know About Business Insurance
Setting Up Your Financials
Focus on setting up a budget and how to manage your accounting. See Essential Budgeting Tips for First-Time Entrepreneurs in Florida
Setting up Your Workspace
Whether you are establishing a physical location or setting up your home workspace, be sure to make sure it has everything you need to function without stress in a comfortable environment.
Marketing & Promotion
Now is the time to really sit down and strategize how you will reach your target audience and gain sales. Building a professional website that showcases your business, creating social media profiles (scheduling posts and being active on social), and putting out a press release , starting an email campaign, are all good first steps. Local or online networking is also helpful when you are starting out to let people know you are in business.
Ongoing Education
Always be learning, that’s my motto. As an entrepreneur and small business owner, it is important to get the training you need to be the best at managing a company.
Managing Your Work-Life Balance
Now that you have everything set up, it’s important to plan and journal to be sure you are keeping a balance between you work, family, friends and self-care.
Visit the Florida Start-Up Business Hub to learn more about starting and growing a business in Florida
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