Creative Business Defined

The Definition of a Creative Business

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by U.S. federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.

The following NAICS codes describe businesses engaged in the inputs, production, and distribution of creative products relevant to the definition of Creative Businesses used in this research. Businesses engaged primarily in facilities development, construction, and real estate for artists, designers, makers including those using technology would be classified as Creative Places.

If you identify as one of the creative businesses below, you are a part of CLTRE.

By joining CLTRE, you gain access to an extensive range of resources, connections, and expertise specifically tailored to the needs of the creative industry. Collaborate with fellow visionaries, exchange innovative ideas, and explore exciting opportunities for collaboration that can propel your business to new heights.

What is the Creative Economy?

The creative economy has become a core component of global economic development over the past decade. But what exactly is the creative economy? It encompasses everything from film and fine arts to software development and advertising. Essentially, the creative economy represents the intersection of storytelling, innovation, and technology. It is the new economy that is replacing the industrial economy of the twentieth century, marking the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

In this economy, creative professionals design, produce, and export innovative combinations of discoveries and new takes on deeply rooted stories. Today’s creative industries span far beyond traditional arts and culture, residing at the nexus of design, technology, engineering, and expression. These sectors not only drive innovation but also create significant social impact.

The Growing Impact of the Creative Economy

  • California’s Creative Economy: Ranked as the #1 sector in value added to the economy.
  • Global Predictions: By 2030, G20 Insights predicts the creative economy could account for 10% of global GDP.
  • Sector Growth: Deloitte projects up to 40% growth in creative sectors by 2030.
  • Youth Employment: The creative economy employment rate for ages 15-29 is stronger than any other sector.

Sugar and Confectionary Product Manufacturing, Dairy Product Manufacturing, and Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing

311340 Non-chocolate Confectionery Manufacturing
311351 Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans
311352 Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate
311520 Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing
311811 Retail Bakeries
311812 Commercial Bakeries
311813 Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing
311821 Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing

Other Food Manufacturing

311919 Other Snack Food Manufacturing
311941 Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing

Sauce Manufacturing

311991 Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing

Beverage Manufacturing

312120 Breweries
312130 Wineries
312140 Distilleries

Apparel Manufacturing and Leather and Applied Product Manufacturing

315210 Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors
315220 Men’s and Boys’ Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing
315240 Women’s, Girls’, and Infants’ Cut and Sew
315280 Other Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing
315990 Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
316110 Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing
316210 Footwear Manufacturing
316992 Women’s Handbag and Purse Manufacturing
316998 All Other Leather Good and Allied Product Manufacturing

Paper Manufacturing and Printing and Related Supporting Activities

322230 Stationery Product Manufacturing
323111 Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)
323113 Commercial Screen Printing
323117 Books Printing
323120 Support Activities for Printing

Clay Product and Refractory Manufacturing

327110 Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing

Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing and Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing

332323 Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing
337110 Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing
337121 Upholstered Household Furniture Manufacturing
337122 Non-upholstered Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing
337124 Metal Household Furniture Manufacturing
337125 Household Furniture (except Wood and Metal) Manufacturing
337127 Institutional Furniture Manufacturing
337211 Wood Office Furniture Manufacturing
337212 Custom Architectural Woodwork and Millwork Manufacturing
337214 Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing
337215 Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker Manufacturing

Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing

339910 Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing
339930 Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing
339950 Sign Manufacturing
339992 Musical Instrument Manufacturing

Furniture and Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers and Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

423210 Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
423220 Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers
423410 Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers

423920 Toy and Hobby Goods and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
423940 Jewelry, Watch, Precious Stone, and Precious Metal Merchant Wholesalers
423990 Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

424120 Stationery and Office Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
424320 Men’s and Boys’ Clothing and Furnishings Merchant Wholesalers
424330 Women’s, Children’s, and Infants’ Clothing and Accessories Merchant Wholesalers
424340 Footwear Merchant Wholesalers
424920 Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers

Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores

442110 Furniture Stores
442210 Floor Covering Stores
442291 Window Treatment Stores
442299 All Other Home Furnishings Stores

Food and Beverage Stores

445291 Baked Goods Stores
445292 Confectionery and Nut Stores
445299 All Other Specialty Food Stores

Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores

448110 Men’s Clothing Stores
448120 Women’s Clothing Stores
448130 Children’s and Infants’ Clothing Stores
448140 Family Clothing Stores
448150 Clothing Accessories Stores
448190 Other Clothing Stores
448210 Shoe Stores
448310 Jewelry Stores
448320 Luggage and Leather Goods Stores

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores; General Merchandise Stores; and Miscellaneous Store Retailers

451120 Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
451140 Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
451211 Book Stores
451212 News Dealers and Newsstands
452319 All Other General Merchandise Stores
453220 Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
453920 Art Dealers

Publishing Industries (except Internet)

511110 Newspaper Publishers
511120 Periodical Publishers
511130 Book Publishers
511191 Greeting Card Publishers
511199 All Other Publishers
511210 Software Publishers

Motion Picture and Video Industries

512110 Motion Picture and Video Production
512120 Motion Picture and Video Distribution
512131 Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins)
512132 Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters
512191 Tele-production and Other Postproduction Services
512199 Other Motion Picture and Video Industries

Sound Recording Industries

512230 Music Publishers
512240 Sound Recording Studios
512250 Record Production and Distribution
512290 Other Sound Recording Industries

Broadcasting (except Internet)

515111 Radio Networks
515112 Radio Stations
515120 Television Broadcasting
515210 Cable and Other Subscription Programming

Other Information Services

519110 News Syndicates
519120 Libraries and Archives
519130 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals

Consumer Goods Rental

532281 Formal Wear and Costume Rental
532282 Video Tape and Disc Rental

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services and Specialized Design Services

541310 Architectural Services
541320 Landscape Architectural Services
541330 Engineering Services
541340 Drafting Services
541410 Interior Design Services
541420 Industrial Design Services
541430 Graphic Design Services
541490 Other Specialized Design Services

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services

541810 Advertising Agencies
541820 Public Relations Agencies
541830 Media Buying Agencies
541840 Media Representatives
541850 Display advertising
541860 Direct mail advertising
541890 Other services related to advertising

Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

541921 Photography Studios, Portrait
541922 Commercial Photography

Other Schools and Instruction

611610 Fine Arts Schools

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries and Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions

711110 Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
711120 Dance Companies
711130 Musical Groups and Artists
711190 Other Performing Arts Companies
711310 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities
711320 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities
711410 Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and

Other Public Figures

711510 Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
712110 Museums
712120 Historical Sites

Food Services and Drinking Places

722310 Food Service Contractors
722320 Caterers
722330 Mobile Food Services
722410 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
722511 Full-Service Restaurants
722513 Limited-Service Restaurants
722514 Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets
722515 Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars Merchant Wholesalers

Personal Care Services

812111 Barber Shops
812112 Beauty Salons
812113 Nail Salons

Photofinishing

812921 Photofinishing Laboratories (except One-Hour)
812922 One-Hour Photofinishing

Other Directories

Small Business Directory

This directory is all about celebrating and promoting the incredible small businesses that make our cultures thrive. We encourage everyone to use this guide to shop local and help sustain the cultural heritage that makes our neighborhoods special.

Partner Directory

Dedicated to showcasing and supporting the exceptional businesses that contribute to our communities’ well-being. This directory is a tribute to our partners, whose tireless efforts have helped build and maintain a thriving economy.