When I was first thinking about this business in my mind I was a sole proprietor. I labeled everything "Jenn Bernat, Virtual Assistant".

Now that I've done my homework I think I ought to set up an LLC. Which means registering a business name, and I need to eliminate that comma. I don't plan to ever hire anyone else, so just my name is fine. After all, if Charles Schwab could do it I don't see why I can't! But I'm just not sure.

I've got a website set up at the domain that my husband and I have maintained for years, and I'm reluctant to register a new domain. I like jenn.bernat.net but is it a good professional address?

I've googled some possible business names to a) see what comes up and b) see what it looks like. Jenn Bernat Virtual Assistance looks pretty good but I wonder if people will hear "Assistants" instead of "Assistance" and I'll be spelling it forever.

I plan to market myself mostly to handymen and contractors as well as offering research services. Jenn Bernat Back Office? Or maybe I could just use "Your virtual back office" as a tag line. Which leaves me back with the name.

Have any of you ever just used your name with no adjectives? I'd be Jenn Bernat LLC then.

Thanks for your help! I feel like I've got to get this nailed before I can open a bank account, register the business, and get going.

I just posted on another post about becoming LLC. My accountant just told me to become a S Corp instead of LLC because it would only be an additional $20 and I would be far more protected than if I was and LLC. Her thoughts about LLC is that you pay $15 plus $35 (in Minnesota) for applying for the assumed name and you are not much more protected than not being LLC.

The only reason why I came up with an actual name for my business instead of using my name is because I plan to have associates in the future and I wanted a company name for them to use. You mentioned that you do not plan to do that so I do not see why you can not just use your name the way it is. However, you could use "Jenn Bernat, Virtual Assitant" and uses "Your virtual back office" as your tag line.

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Erika Glem
www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.

The working name for now is Bernat Business Services. It's very stodgy, I'm not sure I like it.
I considered Bernat Administrative Services but the family members I bounced it off of asked me what I administered. Also if I ever expand into desktop publishing (nothing fancy, just flyers and invitations) I don't want the Admin there.
I'm still pondering Jenn Bernat Virtual Assistance.

Those of you who use XYZ Virtual Assistance -- do you ever get confusion about spelling Assistance versus Assistants?

Thanks!
Jenn

Personally I like Bernat Business Services. It sounds professional and has a catch ring.

As for Assistance versus Assistants, I also believe that generally people will assume it is Assistants. This may be a long time struggle if you go with Assistance.

Just my opinion. Good Luck,

Julie

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Julie | Virtual Resource Services, Inc (VRSI)
http://www.vrsioffice.com

The only problem with Bernat Business Services is that it does not say what it is you do. When you are looking at databases they have many different types of business that are placed under business services (computer repair, marketing, advertising...).

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Erika Glem
www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.

All variations are good and many people have branded themselves with great success. The only problem with self branding (especially as a woman) is that our names change. A friend of mine named Kristie Tamsevicius has branded her name as Kristie T in all of her various business endeavors. However she is getting married in May and Kristie T. become Kristie R. so she has to rebrand herself. When she started as Kristie T. she was married so needing to rebrand later never crossed her mind. Kristie T. is brandingonthenet.com so she knows how to brand herself and how hard it is to change it. I share this story so you consider all of the sides of self branding with a last name. While it is flexible and you can have 100 different business varieties linked to your name and always be branded without trying to do a B2B type connection name changes need to be taken under consideration.

Originally Posted by CampaignPromotions

All variations are good and many people have branded themselves with great success. The only problem with self branding (especially as a woman) is that our names change.

Thanks for the reminder. It's important to remember!

My motivation for starting my VA business is to be able to work from home to keep an eye on my son. So I figure even if I should someday change my name (God forbid something should happen to my husband) my son will probably still have our current last name.

Erika, you have a good point about "Business Services". I googled it and the business services industry is definitely not my industry!

Bernat Virtual Assistance might just be the new name. It's descriptive and professional. We'll see what I think tomorrow!

After talking to a lot of family, sleeping on it, and talking to you all I finally decided on a name. I submitted the articles of incorporation for Bernat Virtual Assistance this morning!

Now on to the business of getting this off the ground. Opening a bank account, getting insurance, moving my website to the front of bernat.net (our family page is there right now), and writing a business plan. And of course, marketing. I have an end date at my full-time job of April 23rd.

I couldn't have done it without some great advice from other VAs!

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Bernat Virtual Assistance, I Make My Clients Shine!

WTG Jenn! I'm glad you have picked a name you like, describes your business and that you are ready to make succeed! Congratulations!