Selecting the right industry ensures that RunSmart applies the most relevant financial benchmarks to your business.
Aerospace Industry
What it covers: Companies involved in designing, manufacturing, or servicing aircraft and spacecraft, plus supporting parts suppliers.
Small‑business examples:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)‑certified avionics repair shop
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine shop producing wing fasteners
Small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer
Transportation Industry
What it covers: Businesses that move people or goods by land, sea, or air.
Small‑business examples:
Regional trucking company with 10–50 tractors
Local courier or last‑mile delivery service
Independent freight‑forwarding agency that handles customs paperwork
Computer, Software, & Technology Industry
What it covers: Software publishers, software‑as‑a‑service (SaaS) providers, information‑technology consulting, and computer‑hardware makers.
Small‑business examples:
Ten‑person SaaS provider offering subscription Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
Managed‑service provider (MSP) supporting local offices
Niche hardware designer selling custom Internet of Things (IoT) boards
Telecommunication Industry
What it covers: Voice, data, and internet service providers; network‑equipment installers.
Small‑business examples:
Fixed‑wireless Internet Service Provider (ISP) serving rural communities
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems reseller and installer
Low‑voltage cabling contractor
Financial & Insurance Industry
What it covers: Licensed firms that manage money or underwrite risk.
Small‑business examples:
Independent insurance brokerage
Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) managing $50 M in assets
Boutique mortgage‑origination firm
Agriculture Industry
What it covers: Crop and livestock production, ag‑support services, and specialty food growers.
Small‑business examples:
Family‑owned avocado orchard
Hydroponic lettuce farm supplying local grocers
Custom harvesting service with leased combines
Construction Industry
What it covers: General contractors, specialty trades, and design‑build firms.
Small‑business examples:
Residential remodeler doing kitchen & bath projects
Commercial electrical contractor with 15 electricians
Design‑build firm focusing on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Education Industry
What it covers: Private schools, tutors, training organizations, and education‑technology platforms.
Small‑business examples:
Montessori preschool
Online coding boot camp
SAT/ACT preparation tutoring center
Pharmaceutical Industry
What it covers: Drug research & development, small‑batch manufacturing, and compounding pharmacies.
Small‑business examples:
Specialty biotech research firm developing orphan drugs
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‑registered compounding pharmacy
Contract Research Organization (CRO) with 20 scientists running clinical trials
Food Industry
What it covers: Food manufacturing, processing, and specialty wholesale.
Small‑business examples:
Craft‑pickle producer selling to farmers’ markets
Small tortilla‑factory wholesaling to taquerias
Gluten‑free baked‑goods co‑packer
Health Care Industry
What it covers: Patient‑facing clinics and allied‑health services.
Small‑business examples:
Outpatient physical‑therapy practice
Independent dental office with two dentists
Mobile diagnostic‑imaging service
Hospitality Industry
What it covers: Lodging, food‑and‑beverage, and other guest‑service businesses (including restaurants, bars, cafés, and coffee shops).
Small‑business examples:
25‑room boutique hotel
Franchise Quick‑Service Restaurant (QSR)
Event‑venue operator for weddings
Family‑owned coffee shop
Neighborhood bar and grill
Entertainment Industry
What it covers: Content creation, live events, and media production.
Small‑business examples:
Independent game‑development studio
Wedding‑videography company
Community theatre troupe staging local productions
News Media Industry
What it covers: Publishers and broadcasters producing news and informational content.
Small‑business examples:
Hyper‑local online newspaper
Community radio station
Trade‑industry newsletter publisher
Energy Industry
What it covers: Production or distribution of power and fuel.
Small‑business examples:
Rooftop‑solar installation contractor
Independent oil‑field‑services firm
Bio‑diesel micro‑refinery
Manufacturing Industry
What it covers: Fabrication and assembly of finished goods (non‑aerospace).
Small‑business examples:
Precision sheet‑metal fabricator
Custom furniture workshop with CNC routers
Small plastics injection‑molding plant
Music Industry
What it covers: Creation, recording, and distribution of music.
Small‑business examples:
Independent record label
Four‑room recording studio renting by the hour
Mobile Disc Jockey (DJ) and sound‑equipment rental company
Mining & Natural Resources Industry
What it covers: Extraction of minerals, aggregates, and timber.
Small‑business examples:
Sand‑and‑gravel pit operator
Logging outfit harvesting on private timberland
Junior exploration company with two test permits
Electronics Industry
What it covers: Component and device manufacturing (non‑computer).
Small‑business examples:
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly service—also called an Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) provider—operating surface‑mount lines
Boutique guitar‑pedal maker
Light‑Emitting Diode (LED) lighting‑fixture manufacturer
Retail & Ecommerce Industry
What it covers: Online or brick-and-mortar businesses selling finished goods directly to consumers.
Small‑business examples:
Shopify store selling fair‑trade candles
Brick‑and‑mortar pet‑supply shop
Amazon Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) seller of phone accessories
Nonprofit Industry
What it covers: U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and related entities advancing social, educational, or charitable missions.
Small‑business examples:
Animal‑rescue charity with thrift‑store revenue
Community arts council organizing local events
Workforce‑development nonprofit providing training
Personal Care Industry
What it covers: Services and products that enhance personal appearance or wellness.
Small‑business examples:
Three‑chair hair salon
Independent yoga studio
Gym and other fitness related studios
Direct‑to‑Consumer (DTC) skincare brand using contract manufacturing
Alcohol, Tobacco, & Marijuana Industry
What it covers: Regulated producers and retailers of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis.
Small‑business examples:
Nano craft‑brewery with on‑site taproom
Vape‑juice manufacturer
Adult‑use cannabis dispensary (state‑licensed)
Firearms, Weapons, & Defense Industry
What it covers: Civilian‑firearms sales, defense contracting, and component suppliers.
Small‑business examples:
Federal Firearms License (FFL)‑licensed gun store & range
Machined rifle‑barrel manufacturer
Subcontractor making wiring harnesses for military vehicles
Real Estate Industry
What it covers: Property development, investment, and service activities.
Small‑business examples:
Residential fix‑and‑flip company
Boutique property‑management firm
Commercial real‑estate syndicator raising private funds
Other
Select Other if none of the above reasonably captures your business model.
Typical use‑cases:
Multi‑disciplinary companies spanning two listed industries
Businesses in transition or undergoing significant pivots
Unique service companies without a clear North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) match
How to use this guide
Identify your core revenue driver. Choose the industry that aligns with the majority of your sales.
Check the examples. If at least one scenario fits your business model, you’ve likely found the right tab.
Select the industry in RunSmart. This determines which industry related benchmarks feed into your Business Health grades.
Still unsure? Reach out to support with a short description of what you sell, who you sell to, and how you deliver it—our team will confirm the best fit.