Hey all,

I dropped the whole naming thing for a while because it was driving me CU-RAZY!

However, I think this was a good thing. I quit thinking so hard about what I needed to do and wanted to do and just tried to let it come to me and, ya know what, it worked! For the first time, I really think that I have some direction and am ready to get the ball rolling. But I still have some questions and things that I'm trying to hash out in my head and I need your help/advise/opinions. If ya don't mind

For the first time, I'm keeping most of my ideas/thoughts/plans close to me before I start blabbing about it all over the place. Probably because I've changed my mind and course so many times...lol So, I'm not going to really divulge any details at this point in time. However, I don't think you really need to know everything going on for you to answer my question. I have come up with, what I feel, is a really great name for what I want to do and I really like it a lot (and, from what I can tell, it's AVAILABLE). I really think that I want an "umbrella" name that will encompass all of my ventures that I'm planning on taking on over the next couple of years (don't worry, it's not as big as it sounds...lol). Think Erin Blaskie - She has BSETC (her parent co - Business Services Etc.), but then she has Blaskie University, AskErinLive, Lifestream In Color, etc. all under the main BSETC.

So, here's my question (I actually have 2):

1) Is it a whole lot of extra red tape to come up with an "umbrella" name or will it basically work the same way as normal? I'm thinking that everything I do will be under my main name but I can come up with "nicknames", for lack of a better word, for whatever comes underneath of that without having to list everything as a bunch of different companies. In other words, everything is paid for by my main and all revenue is received by my main and all taxes are done under my main, so I don't have to register each venture as long as it's known that it's operating under the umbrella and all ventures have the same general set-up (basically, everything I do will still link back to my main. It just may be different enough, though, that I want to have a different space for it if that makes any sense).

2) The business name that I've chosen seems to be available according to all of my research. But, the domain name that I would want is already taken (but not in use). So, what I'm thinking of is throwing "the", "your" or "my" at the beginning of it (I think all are available). It would definitely work. I like "your' or "my" the best, but I think I'm leaning towards "my" because they'll be the ones typing it in. Kind of like when people type in or (click on) "MyAccount". Where as the "your" would come more from me and it might give them the impression that they're doing something for me rather than the other way around. Lame, I know, but it's all in the perception and I want them to perceive that it's all about them. So, which would you choose: www.myaccount.com or www.youraccount.com (for examples)

I'm trying not to bite off more than I can chew but I'm trying to look ahead and I want to make sure that I'm not tying myself to tight into a niche with my name. This name will allow me to grow while having a more niche friendly "nickname" that I can use on my website(s).

Sorry if I'm being so vague. I just want to solidify things a bit more before I go spouting off at the mouth this time...lol But I definitely can't wait to share

Any thoughts,

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

I don't know if I understand your dilemma but here goes something...In our company we have several entities all working under OnTask Assistants. Every entity is an extension of the site's URL, such as www.MyCompany.com/Entity1.htm. When writing or announcing the entity, I make sure I put somewhere that it's a division of our company. I hope this helps.

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Michelle Hill-Smith
www.OnTaskAssistants.com

Stephanie - It sounds to me like you need to speak with a CPA or someone who can help you with determining legal status for your business. If I'm reading you correctly, what you are talking about are DBA's or subsets of a larger company.

If you really think you need something that big create a very generic 1st business and get it up and running before splitting off.

My company name, Robin's Desktop, LLC., is rather broad. It's a play off the physical 'desktop' we work on and the 'virtual' desktop of the computer. From this desktop I create a lot of different stuff. I save those details for my flyers and advertisements.

Don't know if this helps, but good luck!

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Robin A. Holstein
Robin's Desktop Virtual Administrative Services
My Blog

Great ideas from everyone! I would think you could add one company name and the rest would be DBA's,
Davina

Thanks, everyone!

I think that that's what was confusing me...the whole DBA thing. What I really want to do is niche as an author's assistant and I really want a name that will reflect that niche. But, I didn't want to tie myself to that niche in case my business evolves and changes over time. Plus, I may or may not want to grow into a multi-VA business in the future and so I want a name that can easily grow and evolve with my business. I'm not saying that I'll ever have more than one entity but I want to plan for the possibility now (plus I have a couple of projects floating around my head that I'd like to try out).

So, I thought that having a DBA that is more generic but having the name on my website and business cards that is more descriptive of what my business is now would be a nice idea. So that way, if things change or grow into something more, I'll be a bit more ready. Does that make a bit more sense?

I'll definitely be looking into the legality and tax issues before I do anything, but I just wanted to see what other people thought or how other people might be handling this sort of thing.

Thanks again,

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy: