Business: Fictitious Name...Help!

art72

art72

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Hi All,

Spent the better part of last night brainstorming ideas for my mobile detailing business name, and was seeking some guidance. The first thing I did was get on GoDaddy and see what decent .com names were available?

I found 2-3 easy to remember names available, with one in particular that could work as a 'theme' of sort, and allow me to 'brand' my (future) business name. So far, I did a search here in Florida on sunbiz.org to see if anyone had registered or incorporated the name I really want? -so far looks like no one has it.Im the MAN

I am planning to secure the 'chosen' domain name today as it's only $9.99 for the .com, but more importantly, I was wondering;

1.) Is there an inexpensive way to lock down the business name without incorporating or doing an LLC it right away?

If I'm not mistaken, I think the 1st step is to file a "Fictitious Name" first to ensure it's availability, but not sure if that will guarantee me the 'business name' or not?

Wasn't quite ready to get the license/insurance and incorporate quite yet, so for now I just want to secure the name the cheapest and easiest was possible.

If anyone has any knowledge in this dept, I appreciate it. All my businesses prior I acted as a 'sole proprietor' - so this is my first run at creating the actual business entity.

Thanks.

-Art
 
First off you have to figure out how to structure your business. If doing a sole propertiorship then it is usually as easy as going to your county courthouse (depending on state laws etc) and filling out the paperwork, once you satisfy the requirement you are established, and it is pretty cheap as well.

Where i live it took me all of 5 minutes at the courthouse and then I had to place an ad in the local paper for 3 weeks. The total cost was about $75.
 
Cool...

So basically filing the fictitious name at the courthouse and running the ad for 'x' number of days will secure the name then right?

My main concern was just to secure the biz name, and then incorporate it and get the business tidy and legal in March. I'm still putting my rig together so the priority is tools, supplies, etc. Probably won't be able to afford to get the insurance, and incorporate until mid March.
 
Generally yes that is how it works, depending on the state you live in and any other local laws. I forgot to mention that after you do that then you can get a checking account in the business name as well, which is a good start.
 
Thanks!

I had worked as an independent sub-contractor for 20 years prior, always as a sole proprietor tho, so I never really needed to apply or secure an actual business name before.

Luckily, I never got sued in the past...lol

For this business, I really want it to be more official and if I can score the name I picked out that will be awesome.

Not sure I'm ready to Trademark the name yet, after all it's just a service based operation. Although, it's not a bad idea 'if' I decide to have a web store or 'brand' some products later on.

More over, I just want the name while it appears to still be available, as I was shocked nobody else had it.

Thanks
 
art72 said:
More over, I just want the name while it appears to still be available, as I was shocked nobody else had it.
Click to expand...

The name had better not be:

"The Art of Detailing"

OR...I'm gonna tell Mike on ya!

:)

Bob
 
FUNX725 said:
The name had better not be:

"The Art of Detailing"

OR...I'm gonna tell Mike on ya!

:)

Bob
Click to expand...

Ha!Ha!... "BUSTED" - well actually "ArtofDetailing.com" was taken already (*tho it's parked, and possibly on back order) - ironically, that was the first domain name I tried, unconsciously aware of Mike's book title mind you.However, the .net extension was available, but it seemed a bit too egotistical since my real name actually is; Art
 
art72 said:
Ha!Ha!... "BUSTED" - well actually "ArtofDetailing.com" was taken already (*tho it's parked, and possibly on back order) - ironically, that was the first domain name I tried, unconsciously aware of Mike's book title mind you.However, the .net extension was available, but it seemed a bit too egotistical since my real name actually is; Art
Click to expand...

Actually:

Registrar: FastDomain Inc.
Provider Name....: BlueHost.Com
Provider Whois...: whois.bluehost.com
Provider Homepage: Web hosting provider - Bluehost.com

Domain Name: ARTOFDETAILING.COM

Created on..............: 2008-07-24 15:52:35 GMT
Expires on..............: 2012-07-24 15:52:35 GMT
Last modified on........: 2011-07-25 15:52:43 GMT

Registrant Info: (FAST-14514708)
PictureThis Webcenter
Evan Dobos
328 newtond rd
Northfield, Connecticut 06778
United States
Phone: +1.8603078998
Fax..:
Email: [email protected]
Last modified: 2010-07-09 22:17:40 GMT

Administrative Info: (FAST-14514708)
PictureThis Webcenter
Evan Dobos
328 newtond rd
Northfield, Connecticut 06778
United States
Phone: +1.8603078998
Fax..:
Email: [email protected]
Last modified: 2010-07-09 22:17:40 GMT

Technical Info: (FAST-12785240)
Bluehost.com
Bluehost Inc
1958 South 950 East
Provo, Utah 84604
United States
Phone: +1.8017659400
Fax..: +1.8017651992
Email: [email protected]
Last modified: 2010-12-06 18:43:32 GMT

Status: Locked

Domain servers in listed order:

NS1.BLUEHOST.COM
NS2.BLUEHOST.COM
=-=-=-=
Click to expand...

I suppose you could approach the owner about purchasing the domain if he's not doing anything with it....

AND, the name is not currently trademarked. Abandoned in 2009:

Word Mark ART OF DETAILING "PROVIDING BOAT MANAGEMENT SKILLS"
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Education services, namely, providing seminars, classes in the fields of boat management skills, boat detailing and boat maintenance; Instruction in the field of boat management skills, boat detailing and boat maintenance; Teaching in the field of boat management skills, boat detailing and boat maintenance
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 77559344
Filing Date August 29, 2008
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Art Of Detailing, LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY CONNECTICUT 119 New Hartford Road Route 44 Unit 1 Barkhamsted CONNECTICUT 06063
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date November 25, 2009
Click to expand...
 
Good read... That is truly a great article for those who see his point! -Thanks for the link. One thing is for sure; Mike's passion & knowledge of the trade is quite impressive indeed. More over, his marketing practices are phenomenal... his understanding of the 'cyber-world' combined with well written articles, video, tv exposure, is definitely another trade all in itself.

I have been exploring/studying internet marketing strategies (part-time) as a hobby of sort for the past couple of years. It's a massive learning curve with a huge potential return if established properly. (*I mean just look at how popular AG is through it's global reach). It's obvious Mike has harnessed the power of the internet, and knows 'how to' compel an audience to take action...and has earned my respect doing so. Gaining the trust of an audience is no easy task, that's for sure...it's a lot of work.

Sadly, as Mike clearly stated in his article; the greater percentage fail to take that action or see the correlation of the two. IMO it's because it requires passion, persistence, discipline, obedience, the desire to help others, and well; hard work & dedication! -Much like any business really. While I understand the psychology of success, I am personally still trying to find the balance to success myself. However, I know it starts with pursuing something you're truly passionate about, and is doing what YOU enjoy. If only we all stayed the path of our youthful dreams, huh?

Instead, for many of us (myself included) we seemingly get side-tracked by all the worldly bs, outside influences (people, places, and things if you will) and let fear stand in between us and that of reaching our true potential to master our own version of success.

Hopefully, I can integrate some of the knowledge gained in my online explorations into my detailing business & future website once I establish some 'hands on' knowledge of this trade. Then be able to help another do the same.

So far, 10 days and counting in assembling my mobile unit and I'm nowhere near bored yet...instead, I am excited and a bit nervous all-in-one...gotta love it!
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
Actually:



I suppose you could approach the owner about purchasing the domain if he's not doing anything with it....

AND, the name is not currently trademarked. Abandoned in 2009:
Click to expand...

Somehow I missed this entire post when I posted the above, and appreciate you doing the research Charles. While I am still leaning towards using another name, it would serve a decent secondary option perhaps. Definitely want to incorporate internet marketing strategies and branding into the future of my business plan.

My biggest handicap in using my real name online (as you & others have) is that there's a car dealer named; Art Moran who basically owns the first 10+ pages on Google and no matter "How Much" SEO work I do or could have done, the likelihood of me ever surpassing his 'keywords' concerning anything auto related is probably slim to none.

I read another article here in the AG forum about someone suggesting the use of Google Adwords to create affordable "targeted" traffic to ones website, and agree if done properly it can work... but, I am a firm believer; the true way to get traffic online is to syndicate articles/video and quality content like Mike P. does & become the authority on any subject the public/world shares a vested interest in.

However, I could always become a AG affiliate and probably catch some free traffic and possibly affiliate commissions from Mike's book if I did seek that domain...but again, even if I could snag the domain "ArtofDetailing.com" - it just doesn't seem have the 'luster' I am looking for regarding originality.

Still appreciate the info, I had only gone as far as to type it into my browser to see it's currently a "dummy site" or "parked domain".
 
art72 said:
Somehow I missed this entire post when I posted the above, and appreciate you doing the research Charles. While I am still leaning towards using another name, it would serve a decent secondary option perhaps. Definitely want to incorporate internet marketing strategies and branding into the future of my business plan.

My biggest handicap in using my real name online (as you & others have) is that there's a car dealer named; Art Moran who basically owns the first 10+ pages on Google and no matter "How Much" SEO work I do or could have done, the likelihood of me ever surpassing his 'keywords' concerning anything auto related is probably slim to none.

I read another article here in the AG forum about someone suggesting the use of Google Adwords to create affordable "targeted" traffic to ones website, and agree if done properly it can work... but, I am a firm believer; the true way to get traffic online is to syndicate articles/video and quality content like Mike P. does & become the authority on any subject the public/world shares a vested interest in.

However, I could always become a AG affiliate and probably catch some free traffic and possibly affiliate commissions from Mike's book if I did seek that domain...but again, even if I could snag the domain "ArtofDetailing.com" - it just doesn't seem have the 'luster' I am looking for regarding originality.

Still appreciate the info, I had only gone as far as to type it into my browser to see it's currently a "dummy site" or "parked domain".
Click to expand...

No problem! I know of Art Moran; he owns several dealerships in Michigan. Since he likely pays for those top spots, it would be tough to get your site at the top of a search, but I don't think it would be impossible to get to the first page of results -- in fact I typed "Art Moran" into google and a couple other people with the name "Moran" come up as well.

Another thing to consider would be to do something like Garry Dean, Todd Helme, and a few others do, calling their businesses "Garry Dean's Premium Custom Detailing" or "Todd Helme's Bella Macchina." That way you have your name exposed AND have a separate business name to work under.

Just keep in mind who your customer base is going to be, too; if you're looking to cast a wide net and lure clients with higher end automobiles to come to you, the internet is a huge priority. If on the other hand you're mostly targeting local daily drivers/etc. you might find other forms of marketing may be more effective to focus on initially.
 
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