Need advice on Name

[CanadayLandscaping]

When starting the ground work for my company a couple months ago, my account was telling me to keep the name simple. I picked the name "Canaday Landscaping" I thought this was a good name, although I mainly at this point just do lawns and flowerbeds, it leaves me room for expansion. However, I have noticed that potential clients may see this a little differently. I have had people say to me when I'm getting in my truck at the grocery store, "hey I need landscaping done at my house, you have a card?" Should I maybe consider changing my name? I have the paperwork to get my certificate of assumed name, but I've been putting off sending it in until I feel good about this topic. I don't know if I should stick with "Canaday Landscaping" or go with "Canaday Lawn Care". Let me know what you guys think!

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Well, first off, what's a "Canaday"? I figure it's either your name or an attempt to be clever by combining words. Don't feel bad though, I'm going through the same dilemma at this very moment - all the names I'm coming up with are taken already.

[CanadayLandscaping]

[quote=Hedgemaster;77141]Well, first off, what's a "Canaday"?

It's my last name, account said to keep it simple.

[Hedgemaster]

Is the accountant a marketing consultant as well?

If my accountant told me how to balance my books more efficiently, I'd take that advice. If he told me how to trim hedges - not so much.

Just sayin'



Also, to answer your question, if you aren't doing landscaping, I'd avoid using that in your name.

[CanadayLandscaping]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

Is the accountant a marketing consultant as well?

If my accountant told me how to balance my books more efficiently, I'd take that advice. If he told me how to trim hedges - not so much.

Just sayin'



Also, to answer your question, if you aren't doing landscaping, I'd avoid using that in your name.

The accountant was recommended to me by the chamber of commerce, he is involved in marketing and consulting. He is a small business start up planner. Although I will say I have found some of what he has said to be untrue.

But that neither here nor there. What do you consider landscaping? That is what i'm struggling with. I guess I was trying to name my company with expansion in mind. But I am leaning towards Lawn Care, in stead of landscaping.

[MountainViewGreenskeeper]

I would make it more specific to what you do for now. Its not like you cnt have more than one business name latter on. There is a company in our area call cleancut.... lawns, trees, landscaping, etc. Or you create one company and run a few different names out of it.

[CanadayLandscaping]

Good idea. I think changing it to be specific to the job i'm doing now is probably the way to go. I think it will make it clearer for any potential clients as well.

[Steve]

There is no doubt in my mind if you have landscaping in your business name, people will assume you do landscaping over lawn care.

If you want to get into offering landscaping, keep the name and grow into it. Otherwise you could go with something like

Canaday Property Maintenance.

The accountant was recommended to me by the chamber of commerce, he is involved in marketing and consulting. He is a small business start up planner. Although I will say I have found some of what he has said to be untrue.

As a new business owner, what kind of advice did you run into from this person that you felt was untrue? I think it would be good to hear so others getting started, don't follow similar advice.

Keep us posted on what you go with.

[CanadayLandscaping]

Originally Posted by Steve

As a new business owner, what kind of advice did you run into from this person that you felt was untrue? I think it would be good to hear so others getting started, don't follow similar advice.

The main topic that i found he was not correct in was the licensing info he gave me. I live in North Carolina, and he stated that the town I lived in did not require me to have a business or privilege license. I asked him whether or not I would have to get a license in another town if I perform a service in that town. He told me know, it has to do with where the business is based. Happy with what he told me, my first and only job of the year this year (Started the business just 2 months ago), I was cutting a lawn, when a code officer pulled up and gave me a warning. I need to have a privilege license in each town I work in, if there is one available.

There were a few other small things, but I would just suggest to new people like myself, to not totally depend on someone else to tell you what you need. I suggest doing the research and make sure, if for nothing else, just so you know for a fact that you are on the up and up!

[Steve]

WOW How freaking annoying is that! A privilege license? How much does that cost? And this is simply for lawn care?