Woman working from home, sitting on the floor with a cat next to her.

BOOM!!! What’s that, you ask? That’s the sweet sound of business in Ohio. As entrepreneurs prepare to commit to a state to call home for their small or medium sized companies, they don’t have to settle. That’s because this state is going the extra mile to help companies take off. At weSure, we’re innovating the small business insurance market, and Ohio is one of our primary coverage areas. Why? Because it is a great place to skyrocket small business success. So strap in, because we’re launching into all the reasons why Ohio is built for business. 3…2…1…lift off!

Affordability

What could be better for starting up a business than saving money? Doing it in the most affordable state in the US. According to US News and World Report’s Affordability Rankings, Ohio is ranked number one for affordability. This decision is based on how the available money of households in Ohio stack up against the costs of daily life and housing. So, if you’re looking to lift off without breaking the bank, head to Ohio.

Downtown view of Cleveland, Ohio along the Cuyahoga river.

Opportunity

But that’s not all. In the US News and World Report’s Opportunity Rankings, Ohio ranked sixth in the US. The ranking is based on the state’s superb ability to offer the tools Ohioans need to be successful. Specifically, the state exceeds expectations for equality, economic opportunity, and affordability. That means in Ohio you’re likely to have success achieving important factors like getting a high quality education, affording a home, and equal pay. That’s good news for Ohio’s small businesses and their future employees looking to launch their success.

Economy

With everything Ohio has to offer, it is no wonder the state’s economy is also booming. According to Statista, Ohio place #7 in the US, just behind California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania in 2021. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’s research, Ohio’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hit $638 billion in 2022. Take a look at the evidence for yourself, it is looking like Ohio is only going up from here.

Funding

In October 2022, The Ohio Department of Development announced that “up to $182 million will soon be available to support small businesses in Ohio.” But wait…there’s more! According to USgrants.org, “Although the federal government does not publically provide grants for starting and expanding a business, in Ohio, some small business grants are given to business owners to start and grow their ventures, and grant recipients do not have to pay back the funding from government.” That sounds out of this world. So, take a look at small business grants in Ohio as a potential source of funding to blast off the start for your business.

Outlook

When you start a business, you want to know that there is a whole lot of potential for success. According to Forbes, Ohio is one of the top 10 best states to start a business in 2023. On top of that, in 2021, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a plan to invest a whopping $565 million in the new Cleveland Innovation District. The investment was expected to create 20,000 jobs and an estimated $3 billion in economic impact over the following 10 years. So, look to the stars for where you can shoot when you start a business in Ohio.

Image of warehouse district in Cleveland, Ohio.

Advisory

You’re never on your own in Ohio. That’s because of the Ohio small business development centers. Visit to get counseling from certified business advisors that are there to help you build and grow your small business. On top of that, Ohio has their very own private economic development corporation called JobsOhio that collaborates with regional, state, and federal institutions to offer programs and investment initiatives “that incubate innovations, enable sustainable economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for Ohioans…” You can get started in Ohio with a crew of seasoned experts ready to assist you with everything you need to know about how to start a small business in Ohio and help it take off.

Substance

We know you’re truck loads of fun, and we are sure your business is too. But make sure to keep the business plan solid and serious. Always keep in mind who will be reading it. For example, a banker is probably going to have a hard time valuing your business based on your claim that it is going to be the “best” or most “amazing” of its kind out there. So, keep it concise. Focus on the details that really matter and save the sparkling adjectives and any overestimations for all that bragging you’ll have to do when your business takes off.

Just like Ohio is the business hub of the future, at weSure, we are crafting the insurance of the future. So, check out the businesses we cover and see if yours would qualify for insurance so straightforward and easy to use you’d think it came from another era. Explore what we cover to learn about how to keep your Ohio small business safe and sound throughout your ventures. Once you’re ready, click here to get a quote faster than you can light the fuse on your booming business success.