Naming your business....what if....?

[Levithan9]

So, i've been thinking of getting into detailing for money instead of fun.

I've slowly acquired a lot of tools for doing the jobs right.....Mytee Lite II carpet extractor, Vapor Chief 75 steam cleaner, Tornador Black, Flex 3401, and next week my Rupes Mark II 15 comes in, and i was recently blessed with a 3000 Watt Honda generator from the pawn shop a few doors down from my job for the price of FREE (Minus the repairs, which was only $32. I posted on the forum on that under Detailers tools), and an electric pressure washer from sam's club that i picked up for $130...that is WAY better than the one i bought (and took back) from Home Depot. I also have a Ozone generator.

More wax and polishers and microfiber towels than any NORMAL man should have who doesn't do this as a profession. I'm sure i'm missing a lot more, but this isn't about me listing everything i have.

Anyway, back on the topic....I have a business name in mind, and a little slogan to go with it. I've checked in the area i'm in (Houston, Tx) and have done web searches, Yelp, Yellow Pages (who does that anymore?) and whatever else i could do to search for that specific business name in this area. No one has it.

EXCEPT...2 businesses...in other states. 1 on Oregon and another in Kansas. Almost the same name, but they differ slightly.

I'm guessing it would be ok to use the name i have in mind, seeing as how they are over 1,000 miles away.

But i just wanted to check with you guys...

 

[buttedetail]

It sounds like you've done some research already. You can also do a search for "doing business as" listings with your local county/state. When you actually register your business name with whoever your local powers that be, they should also conduct a search ensuring there isn't already a business in your jurisdiction using the same name.

I wouldn't be too concerned about using the same business name as another business in another state. There are plenty of businesses out there using the same name, even in the same state. Just make sure you differentiate somehow and you'd be good to go.

 

[Nissansean]

If they are in other states and the names differ slightly your fine.

 

[Cruzscarwash]

also check to make sure they don't have the name trademarked or registered at a higher level. my first name no one had in my state or surrounding states but as I came closer to using it I got an awesome cease and desist letter from a lawyer