How to choose a business name???

[trailboss]

I have had a very small lawn and landscape business for the past couple of years. This year I plan to really make my business grow and give it some real effort this season. I have been using my last name for my business name up until now and I have it registered and have a business checking account and accounts set up at nurseries etc...

I have a friend who has a very succesful L&L business and he also uses his name as the business name. He says if he had to do it over again he would NOT use his name in the business. That way if he ever decides to sell his business it will be more attractive and it keeps the business totally seperate from his personal life.

Anyway, I am debating on changing my busness name and thought I would get some input on this subject.

Do you use your name as your business name???
If so, do you have any regrets???

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[kutnkru]

As far as creating a value for your name, when/if you sell at some point your name will only impact your direct clientel. Afterall, you wont be there.

If you use a corporate name, then you will have a better chance of offering potential buyers an increase in business because you have built a company acknowledeged within your community as a reputable service provider, thus increasing your asking price.

I have found that people are willing to pay a Landscape Contractor (Roma's Landscaping) more for a job than a Lawn Care Service (Roma's Lawn Care).

Hope this helps.
Kris

[HOMER]

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=6493

I thought of this one a while back, give it a try.

[mowerman90]

I use my own name in the business and regret it. Unfortunately, I've been in business for the last 11 years and don't think I could gracefully change it now even if I wanted to. For one thing, it's long. Try writing it on a check and you'll see there's almost not enough room for it. Now that you've wasted a check just mail'em to me (don't worry about the amount, I'll fill that in for you ha ha). A friend of mine whose last name is Scotland used to call his company "Scotland Yard" which I thought was kinda catchy. I think if you can come up with a short, easy to remember name you'll be better off. Remember, once you choose your name you've got to get out there and make people remember it. Plaster it around town, business cards are cheap so drop one on the counter of every store you go into and always be sure to carry them on you.

[double e]

How bout this one?

MAFIA LAWNCARE "We cut yout grass, or we cut your throwt.

[JimLewis]

I use my last name in the title of our company. I don't regret it at all. In fact, I see a few advantages to it. But I do think you have to make sure it sounds professional and not too long if you go that route.

I think when people use their first name in the business name it makes the business sound more rinky-dink. Bob's mowing. Sounds cheap. Sounds like it's just Bob and maybe a buddy of his. I suppose if you aren't planning on every getting big, that's fine. Otherwise, I wouldn't use a first name in the business name.

I think it's important how the name sounds in the business name. We have several companies in this area that sound pretty good. Teufel Landscaping is like #33 in the country. But something like "Ignacio Landscaping" is not only hard to remember, it just doesn't flow either. So be sure it sounds decent and that people will be able to remember it if they see your trucks several times.

There are benefits and disadvantages. One benefit I get all the time is that people love to know they are dealing with the owner. And I am the one who gives all the bids. So when I introduce myself I shake their hand and say "Hi, I am Jim Lewis." They often smile and say, "Oh! Are you the owner! Cool!"

One disadvantage is that it makes it a little more difficult to sell your business. I mean, if I were Joe Black, would I really want to buy Lewis Landscape Services? Well, maybe. But the name would bother me.

So I have thought of the above problem. My idea is that if I ever want to sell my business I will change the name to "Big Red Landscaping" (Since all of our uniforms, trucks, etc. are bright red) about a year before I intend to sell it. This gives your clients and the community time to get used to the name change before you sell it.

Otherwise, if you don't want to use your name, there are a lot of great names out there. I think using a name that implies that you do a great job is good. For instance, "Superior Landscape". Regional names seem to work well also. For instance; "Northwest Landscape Industries" was the #1 in Oregon before they got bought out by TruGreen. "All Oregon Landscaping" is a big one around here. "Tryon Creek Landscaping" refers to an area of town. Etc.

[kutnkru]

First off he should have used NACHO which is how we refer to the Ignacio's we know and who couldnt remember Nacho Scapes -- LOL.

As far as your customers becoming acquainted with the owner, if you are like myself and run more than 1 crew for grounds care, I would STRONGLY advise that if you are working in the field that you rotate amongst the crews either weekly or bi-weekly so that you do in fact get the chance to oversee ALL your clients properties.

I have found that you will be able to find the little things that employee's might have missed along the way. Two things will happen ... 1) Your initial customer's won't feel like an account number and 2) Your new clients will feel like they've joined forces with an outfit that has their best interests at heart.

Just my .02
Kris

[Fantasy Lawns]

if the name fits use it .... my sod friends last name is "king" so the business is "sod king" ... someday you'll retire and sell .... if that's the case don't use your name ... but if you have kids & will pass it on then you have too

[LoneStarLawn]

There is two very large companies here in town and both are the names of the owners; when I say big I mean over 2 million a year in sales. We obviously don't use our name, but I believe that if those companies would sell, the name itself will not change anything. In fact one might be run by someone else now.

[Groundcover Solutions]

A freind of mine owned a large landscape company and just sold it for about 5mil. He used his last name for the company and it sold for a good price don't you thinK!?

[Fantasy Lawns]

I would have to say that reliability & quality of work proves success can carry a name

[TJLC]

My 2 cents: I use my name because I feel that if you are proud of your company and stand behind it, then you would not hesitate to use your name. Instead of sitting around trying to think of a "cute and catchy name" make it simple, use you real name and be done with it. I think customers see this too. I am more inclined to hire someone using their own name. Maybe some people use fictious names so they will be harder to trackdown if there is a problem, I don't know. I'm sure this post will upset some people. I'm sorry but this site is to express yourself. If Eric feels different then he can edit this, no problem.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

I look at the other construction contractors around me. Almost of all them are the Makinkski Bros Construction or Howard Contracting, etc. I think that fits me best.

[Island Lawn]

I started last year as George's Lawn Service.
But, I wanted a name that would be percieved as more professional and diferentiate me from overcrowded lot of "onwer name lawn service".
A while back, I thought of "Island Lawn Service". I live on Pawleys Island and provide lawn service. My creativity astounds even me!
I called the Sect of SC today to register my business name. They said as a sole-prop, I cant register, AND "Island Lawn Service, INC. already exist!
To secure a business name, I must inc!
Or I can use "Island Lawn Services" until someone incs it (if they havent already!)
I responded, "I can use a name, put it on my shirt and truck and if I'm not inc., someone can come after the fact and inc the name out from under me?"
YEP
I'm going to talk to a CPA about my options ASAP
Any other suggestions/comments?
Thanx for the vent!

[HOMER]

The only problem I see with using your name and then selling the business is if something were to happen, lawsuit, death, etc. and it hit the papers nobody would think that you were no longer the owner if your name is always attached. Jim had a good idea, change your name before you sell!