For those of you who have been VAs for some time I have a few questions, if you don't mind?

1) Do you have the same business name you started off with or did it change over the course of your business?

2) What effected the change?

3) Were there challenges to the transition from one name to another?

I am finding it challenging picking a business name that I like and reflects what I want my business to be. I have mentioned a couple of choices on this forum and feel like maybe I should just pick one to get my VA business rolling and then, if the time comes, find a name that better suits me and my services.

Are there others who struggled with this? Maybe I'm just over-thinking this, (I am analytical by nature and tend to do so).

Thank you,
Anita Armas
CustomVA
or
SeasonedVA
or
TBD

I think picking a name is one of the hardest aspects to starting a business. It's hard to get rolling without a name! I have a friend who is trying to start a business and everything is held up right now because she's having such difficulty finding a name she likes.

I've thought about changing my business name but I've been in business so long (15 years) I'm afraid to. I recently received a call from an insurance adjuster who used to work for a client of mine. He has switched companies, remembered my company name, found me on the Internet and called. And things similar to that have happened before. I don't want to lose that!

I have toyed with the idea of ADDING something to the end of my company name, like The Perfect Word Transcription Services. It's more telling of what I do but still has the current name in it. (But then that also limits me somewhat if I ever do decide to branch out and do work other than transcription!)

You need to feel good about the name, but sometimes we tend to obsess about it TOO much. Sometimes, after a while, I think a name just needs to picked so everything else can get moving!

I wish you the best in your decision!!
.

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Pam Deyerle - Transcriptionist in the Richmond, Virginia area
The Perfect Word Transcription Services

I can tell you just from watching conversations on the forums that one of the things MANY VAs struggle with most is choosing a name. It's a very personal decision and it feels like a big deal because it is a big deal!

If you're anxious to get your business started you could just do business under your own name and when the time is right and the right name comes to you, you can always change it then. That way, your clients won't have to adjust to a completely new concept, it's still going to be YOU, you'll just have an 'official' company name at that point.

Don't 'settle' when it comes to naming your business just to get things rolling. But also know that your brand is so much more than your company name and ultimately, when your clients rave about you they're going to say 'My VA, Anita is amazing!'

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Thank you Pam and Tess, your input is very much appreciated.

Pam, I can't believe the struggle I'm having with this name thing, I agree, it has been one of the most challenging aspects of getting started. Kudos on being in business for so long and establishing that name recognition that is so very important to a successful business, I can see where changing your name now would cause some concerns; however, I do like your idea of adding to your existing name.

Tess, you are absolutely correct, picking a business name is a big deal. I want to be sure that I pick something that encompasses who I am, the services I offer, and not be limiting. I see some of the names on this forum and I think, "Wow, how clever, why can't I think of something like that?" What I may not realize is all the time, effort and hard work it took that VA in picking just the right name.

I like your idea of starting out with just my name. So, you're saying start developing my business (marketing, website, business cards, promoting, etc) as "Anita Armas Virtual Assistance" (or something like that)? And when I find the right name make the change then? I like what you said about not settling and that I am my brand, this completely eased some of my concerns with starting out as you suggested.

Again, thank you ladies, the support and encouragement I have found on the forum is awesome.

Best,

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Anita Virtual Assistant Services

I'm just starting out and this is also an issue for me. I was thinking of doing what Tess suggested and just setting up my business cards and other marketing materials with my name and "Virtual Assistant" or something similar to show what I do. I don't want to settle on a name that is not something I really love and probably won't want to stick with. I'm encouraged by seeing it suggested by someone here. I was wondering if it would the right thing to do.

My only concern with that is a website url. I know if I end up coming up with a name, I can always keep the original url and have it direct to the new site so I don't lose people that way. I'm just not sure what to use. For anyone that does/did business using just their name, what did you do for your web address?

Regards,
Paula Tasch

Paula, my question exactly, what to do about a URL. Here's hoping that we both find the perfect names for our VA businesses soon thus doing away with this step (using our names) completely.

Best,

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Anita Virtual Assistant Services

I'm in my 3rd incarnation of my business name. As for domain - I just went with my name.

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Your Branch Office
(248) 419-0341

Keep in mind that for SEO purposes choosing your name doesn't really help you. (until you are famous of course)

I too can't find a darn name either. I got my tax ID etc with another name and hate it. BOOO!

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Dani
http://www.danimagestro.com

I've been pretty quite on this forum lately because I have been revamping my business plan as well as my branding, including my name. I am in the final stages and hope to have a website completed soon, will keep you all posted. I realized that the product I am marketing is me (doh!!!), upon that realization my branding direction became clear, with the help of my VA mentor, of course!

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Anita Virtual Assistant Services

Anita, can't wait to see what you've been up to!

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Pam Deyerle - Transcriptionist in the Richmond, Virginia area
The Perfect Word Transcription Services