Name

Do you need a name for your company? Do you even need a company? I have a number of friends who simply operate as John Doe or John Doe, Computer Specialist. Just use John Doe on the contract and have checks made out to John Doe. It seems to work fine for them.

There may be legal reasons to have a corporation. Talk with your accountant and/or attorney about that.

You should have a name for what you are up to. It will help keep working separate from your personal life. It can be a name that just you and your family use: Dad's Company or Mom's Business. Don't call it a project. Projects, by definition have a beginning and a planned end. As a consultant you will have projects within what you do. Put the name on file labels and on plans and budgets and goals and your checkbook (not necessarily on the checks) just to keep things separate.

If you want a public name you can use John Q. Doe & Associates. Check in phone books in your area and on the Internet to be sure the name isn't already taken. You do not want to have to change names after you get the business established. Check with your local "newspaper of record" to find out what you have to do to register your name. The process usually involves posting your intention to use a name in a newspaper of record and they will be happy to assist you for a reasonable fee plus the cost of the advertising. If you use something other than just your own name, your bank may require the use of a registered name.

If you want to get creative, it will be more difficult. A lot of great names are already taken. If you come up with a new one you will probably have to defend it from somebody on the other side of the country who has been using the same name for years. If you get an overly descriptive name, it may limit your future activities e.g., John's Hospital Systems will help you tap that market but it will be difficult to branch out.

I just made up a name that was so unusual that it has avoided all problems. Our criteria and some history are at Our Name A couple of simple criteria: It should be easy to find in the phone book, i.e., the first word should use a common spelling. It should be something that works on the Internet, i.e., has a fairly short form that will be easy to remember, I was able to use just the initial letters, but that is becoming harder to do. You can check for available Internet domain names at WhoIs.net

Do not let the naming of your venture be a pacing item. You can get your first contract in your own name and then name the company later. On the other hand, a company name does provide some stature. Be creative, have fun, try out options with family and friends.