More question! Business name change

[Steph]

Hi, I have so many questions, I'm trying to spread them out. Well I have many questions because I'm pregnant and there are obviously going to be many changes with my business.

Situation: I have a privately owned practice and I have done just fine with using my own personal name for my business name, but in the side lines I've always had a business name picked out and it is probably seen by many of my clients online as well because I started to use it, but decided to use my own name instead. So now that I'm pregnant I've been thinking of hiring someone to take over (mainly new clients) for the time that I'll be out and considering holding on to whomever I may hire to do some evening and weekend appointments while I am here! So my thinking for this, is maybe I should use a ficticious business name now to make it easier on who the checks are made out too as well as less confusion to the clients.

Just looking mainly for opinions and advice? I hope I am clear in my post, I've been so cluster minded trying to figure things out here! Thank you!

 

[Jazmine]

More question! Business name change

I guess I am confused. Do you plan to use a ficticious business name or a real business name. At no time would I ever use anything other than something that is "real" for my business. If that means going down and getting a DBA for the new name, then so be it. But, I would not make up a name to "use" while trying to decide what I was going to do with my business name.

Can you give a little more on this? Or, is it just me who is confused?

 

[Michael M]

More question! Business name change

I guess I am confused. Do you plan to use a ficticious business name or a real business name. At no time would I ever use anything other than something that is "real" for my business. If that means going down and getting a DBA for the new name, then so be it. But, I would not make up a name to "use" while trying to decide what I was going to do with my business name.

Can you give a little more on this? Or, is it just me who is confused?

A Fictitious business name is a business name that is not my own name "Rachel Lastname" . For a ficticious biz. name you need to file with the county clerk etc in order for it to be your own.

Ok, so now that that's hopefully cleared up, another thing I'm wondering is what clients really look for? When you get a massage, do you look for a "Sacramento therapeutic massage" or would you be more attracted to "Rachel Lastname, CMT"

 

[curiouswoman]

More question! Business name change

So you're talking about a DBA name.

I have one even though I don't do massage under that name anymore, or advertise under it. I established it as my DBA name, it's on my state and city license and on my DBA checking account. I work at a spa now and advertise under their name but I retained the name because I like it and because I never know what may happen as far as the shop closing and going out on my own. (Closing would be the only reason I would leave and there are no plans to close it but ya never know...)

I think it's pretty much a personal decision but some people might not know what CMT is and if you're thinking of expanding, a DBA name might be better. People tend to remember business names better than individual names "Oh yeah, Awesome Massage on Main Street!" as opposed to 'Jane Smith, CMT on Main St." How will it affect you in re changing brochures, cards, ads, listings etc? How much would it cost to change ads and signage? If you're well established under your own name there may be no reason to change. Would the change confuse clients already familiar with your name? Just things to think about.

 

[wandering soul]

More question! Business name change

Yes a DBA name. I guess it must be different in differernt states, but here we need to file a fictitious business name statement with the county clerk as well as a publication of a fictitious name in the newspaper. I figured it'd be the same everywhere.

Yes, I've thought about all of that. I've decided to just go ahead and file for the name. I don't think it would confuse my regular clients. They could still make their checks payable to me etc. Though it is nice for newer client to remember my actual name and not the DBA name, but the more I have been thinking about it, the more sense it makes to me to change it.

 

[heogog]

More question! Business name change

I'm sure they will remember your name whether you use it as a catchy business name or not. I have always been Touch of Grace and started out at a salon. Because of that, many ppl associated me with the salon name instead of mine. It was no big deal.. they knew me as Sandra at The Beach even though all my brochures and cards had my business name on them. Didn't matter to me how they referred to me as long as they referred people TO me. lol Now, my son and I are on our own with banners out front with our business names. But my regulars and even new clients always call me by my given name. Occasionally, when I answer the phone, "Hello, this is Sandra", someone will say, "Yes, is this Grace?" lol Easy mistake and it doesn't phase me a bit. Once they've met me, they will know who I am, so in the meantime...I'll answer to anything....almost. :grin:

 

[LD50]

More question! Business name change

I think you can build a business on either the "fic name" or you "personal name" -- but there are good reasons for having your "fic name" (a.k.a. DBA):

• As a female, I picked a DBA in case I ever got married... I would be able to change my last name and not have to worry so much about the business name being changed. ---> However, many years later, when I did get married, I found the practice to be going in a different direction than I had planned in my late 20's, and re-named the business a year later anyway. At any point in time, I have always had the "business name" on my checks and for anything I am doing business with. It also helps to keep "me" seperated (in my mind) when it comes to "funds".
  
  
• You may eventually wish to have employees. And, with a "fic name", you can utilize this as a long term consideration for eventually selling the "business" to one of them as you grow older.
  
  
• I like the idea of being incorporated with a "fic name" as opposed to a personal name as well.
  
  
• I think a "fic name" may be a bit easier to brand, unless you are pretty specialized. (see the Hotze Clinic for an idea of a specific name who is the business -- and even then... he's still listed it as a "clinic")

...what clients really look for? When you get a massage, do you look for a "Sacramento therapeutic massage" or would you be more attracted to "Rachel Lastname, CMT".

I get most all of my clients 2 ways: Reviews from Citysearch (clients are looking for deep tissue work, and I seem to pop up regularly with good results, and by word of mouth. So, in my case, my answer is that the client is looking for a specific service/type of work or has been referred by someone they know. Hope that helps you out for that question.

It may be a while before I get back again. Hope this helps!

 

[darkness234]

More question! Business name change

Yes, it helps! thank you so much everyone! t006