I can't believe I'm saying this but I think I actually found a good name for my business. The name I had originally wanted was available in WV but, unfortunately, there was a bookeeping firm in Tampa, FL (where I'm hoping to move in a year or two) that had the same darned name. Anyhow, I kind of had another idea in mind that I threw out at my mom this evening. I wasn't really sure that I liked it but then she added something to it that I kind of liked. THEN, I saw the phrase online and it said something that made the name make even more sense on many different levels. Soooo, I think I like it. I even went online and found one of those logo maker sites where you can create a logo for free and created a couple that I really kind of like. It'll just mean that I have to change my color scheme, but I don't mind doing that.

Of course, I'm just beginning and have some time before I actually need to decide and I don't want to rush. So, I'm going to let this sit in my head for a bit and revisit it from time to time to see if I still get the same feeling from the name and logo. (I checked with both WV and FL Secretary of State sites as well as a bit of online searching for the name and didn't come across anything with that name, although I did see some companies with very similar names but in completely different industries, so I think I'll be ok)

I have to say, though, it's kind of exciting to have something tangible to look at even if it is just some graphics that I don't even own yet...lol I can only imagine how I feel when I get my business plan done (especially if I can put my very own logo on the cover page).

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Having your logo is the first step of a tangible business. I'm sure its fabulous.. Post it up so you can see it daily. It can be your source of inspiration.

Stephanie, isn't it fun when all of that brainstorming comes to fruition with something you start to feel truly excited about!?

Developing your company name and logo are such personal aspects of your business persona, and are so important. It's no wonder everyone agonizes over them!

Congrats on making progress - I'll look forward to the unveiling of the initial aspects of your brand whenever you're ready!

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What an exciting time! Once you have those two things down, you really feel like you're in business, don't you?

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Brianna Young, VA and Graphic Artist
www.virtualsolutionsadmin.com
"It's not the piano that makes beautiful music. It's the person sitting AT the piano!"

Thanks, I just finished looking at it again. So far, so good...lol I still like it.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Well? Are you going to share? LOL
I got excited reading how excited you are and kept waiting to see what you had come up with and ...nothing! Ok,ok, I'll wait til you're ready to share! LOL

Viki

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Oh, I forgot to ask, where did you say you'd had gotten a logo? I'm thinking I need something a bit different that will fit on pens & other promotional material
Viki

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I know, Stephanie, it's such a rush getting your logo and name worked out - I guess it's like when you get a new puppy, you have to name it and then that name just fills you with love.
Interesting, tho, how many of us (like moi) can't seem to really settle, at least on some aspects of branding (which is the same as identity/name/logo). Sigh. Guess it just takes a pretty long time to figure out exactly who you are.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Hi, I wanted to check the forum rules before posting the link to the website I used (actually, someone else may have already linked to it in another post, not sure). I went to www.logomaker.com. I can't show you the logo I picked because I haven't bought it yet and I'm not sure that I will. I have Adobe CS2 at work so I may try to recreate it myself for FREE! Although, it is fairly reasonably priced. When you buy it, they give it to you in several different formats to use on the web, in print, and even on products. They also have a store that you can by products with your logo on it directly from them. I loved that it gave me a good idea of how I'd like to see it. I'd tell you the name I think I'd like to have, but I'm a little paranoid (I'm not afraid to admit my faults...lol). Not about you guys, especially since most of you are already established, but about lurkers.

I'm thinking about going ahead and reserving the name and such just to make sure it's mine. If I do, I'll definitely be spreading it around. By the way, can you go ahead and register a name even if you haven't gone through the legalities of setting up your business yet? Also, is it possible to reserve/register a business name in a different state. I hope...I mean I WILL, WILL, WILL...be moving to FL in a year or two and would like to take my business name with me (I'm trying to get myself to start saying "will" and "when" instead of "hope" and "if"...lol)

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Stephanie, you can register a domain name for a website at any time, no matter what (I'm assuming that's what you're asking about?).

And yes, WILL and WHEN will push you forward so much faster than 'hope' and 'if'!

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Are you sure you aren't teasing us uh? You got all of us so eager and excited to see your business name and logo. Looking forward to seeing it when you are ready.

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Brenda A. Jones
www.brevos.com

Actually, I was referring more to the actual business name with your state. I guess I'm asking can you register your business with a date 6 months in the future or do you have that right when you're getting ready to go live.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

Well, you have to renew your business status each year, as far as I know - so it would be an early expense to register it sooner than you need to. BUT, if you're worried about 'losing' the name then there's no harm in registering a bit early.
You'd want to check with your state in particular to find out what the specific laws are though.

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