Thinking of changing co. name

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zappy

zappy

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Location
CA.
I been using my last name as the name of my co. and i was wondering if anyone has used there last name for there co. and changed it,and had better results,or does it really matter what your name is?
 
I think using your name says something for you. I own two businesses and use my last name in both.
 
Change your company name on some magazine subscriptions, see how you like the sound, I always do that from time to time to see who's sending the mail ... or selling my name.

Besides a whole new round of unrelated business call's,
How will your old clients find you...:roll:

Then you'll need a publicist, and a press release, and new stationary, etc, etc, etc...
 
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I feel the same way sometimes. When I went to my accountant to become an LLC he asked me what I want the name to be and I really didnt know which name to use... I had a lot of suggestions but now I wish I picked a different one.
 
i use my last name; i didn't want to originally, but i couldn't think of anything else I liked. but I live in a small town so it wasn't a bad decision to use my name.
 
Some people are suprised when they find out that the company name is my name.

I say "It's not only a description."
 
Yes, I think "Zappy the Zapppinator" is a good name. Plus, I think that would be a great way to answer the phone.

"Zap ! This is Zappy the zapmeister, how may I Zap! help you ?"
 
nakulak said:
Yes, I think "Zappy the Zapppinator" is a good name. Plus, I think that would be a great way to answer the phone.

"Zap ! This is Zappy the zapmeister, how may I Zap! help you ?"
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LOL. hello,how may i zap you today?
 
I recently became an LLC and kept my company name. Most clients refer to me by my own name anyway.

I am now officially TPA TransCom Theatre Service, LLC. :grin:

Be aware that if you become a sole proprietor LLC you DO NOT have separation as far as the IRS is concerned, as you and your LLC are considered the same. Some states will still consider you and your LLC as separate entities though. You can file for separation with the IRS, but it's their call to grant it.

As was pointed out, a name change opens up a host of issues, notifying clients of the new name, new business cards, stationary, possibly phone number changes, etc.
 
I have used my own name since I started in business.(1974) and the only thing that I changed was from being a sole proprietor to being incorporated and I haven't had any problems keeping business and personal seperate.
 
I use my middle name and last name, I was fortunate as my last name is Power, but why mom and dad gave Mid-Atlantic as a middle name I could never figure out.
 
brian john said:
I use my middle name and last name, I was fortunate as my last name is Power, but why mom and dad gave Mid-Atlantic as a middle name I could never figure out.
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That's shocking!:grin: Maybe it was a sign.

If you do change your company name, make sure you do it properly, and dissolve the old company. I've heard of Architectural firms being sued 100 years after a building was built, because the company had been sold, and the name was kept, which meant the liability of previous architects was still the companies. If that makes any sense.:roll:
 
Is the name really that important or is it the quality of the work you do? I don't know that I've ever chosen a company by their name, I usually ask around and pick them by their reputation.
 
zappy said:
I been using my last name as the name of my co. and i was wondering if anyone has used there last name for there co. and changed it,and had better results,or does it really matter what your name is?
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If your last name begins with a Z like Zappy it could hurt as far as phone add placement. If you can it's better to have one of the earlier adds near the front of the phone book because something may catch the customers eye for they get to the Zs or even the Ws.

If you are not doing residential service I don't think it matters very much. If you run a large add it doesn't matter as much but if you run a small add at the back of the book it's almost useless. From an advertising standpoint you may wish to consider the effect.

Another thing to consider is time in business because if you have built a name over the years it may cost you to change it. You may actually lose some customers when they look for your number in the phone book and don't see it. You may want to send out letters to regular customers to let them know of the name change if you decide to go with it.
 
guys around here change their name because they have trashed the previous one. Back when I started in the trade everyone used their name Smith Electric or Jones & sons Plumbing so it was just natural for me to put my name on the company we even did a radio spot that went, Husband" I called A Electric and I got no answer" wife " I think they changed their name to B Electric" having trouble finding your other electrician ? That will never happen with Smith & Sons Electric.
 
Pick a name that starts with an "A", that way you will be first company listed in the phone book......although aardvark electric may not seem appealing, it just may help pay the bills...:D
 
I often don't WANT people to know I am the owner/partner.


There is a lot of advantage in being incognito.:cool:

People are always asking if I do side jobs :rolleyes:

I think a name for a service business shoud say exactly what you do in as few words as possible.

If I had it to do over, I would have chosen a different name.

(State/county/city/region) Electrical Service.

or

(State/county/city/region) Lighting and Electrical Service.
 
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