How many of you have a business name?

And how many of you don't?

I'm just a weekend warrior that does the occasional detail for friends and family of friends but I might expand my horizons this summer and start promoting more.

I'm curious how many of you guys just use your name + detailing, and how many of you have a business name?

 

I have a business name.

 

Have a business name. but this isn't a side gig for me. full time business.

 

I do! I do! I just got my business license 2 weeks or so ago.

 

Congrats again Seth!! Big fan of your business name.LOL I have business name and logo as well

 

Thanks guys; I think I'll throw a website up, get a licence, some business cards, and get cracking.

 

I know this question gets asked once a month, but is detailing insurance really expensive? I wouldn't mind making my side gig legit, but I'm concerned that I'm going to lose some privacy if I have people drop cars at my house and I start advertising on Craigslist. Too many weirdos around my neck of the woods ...

 

Depends on what Insurance you are getting and how high the amount is. My Liability insurance policy for $1M costs around $1,450 a year. This covers any Clients coming to my garage and falling down, tripping over something, etc., and wanting to sue me..

If you want other insurance for garage keepers, where you are insuring the car when it stays in your garage against accident, etc., that is extra.

I will never advertise on Craigslist for those same reasons, Gianni. Too many wierdos on it anymore that love to use it to "shop" for their next place to do bad things to..

I have a nice vinyl sign on the doors of my Grand Cherokee, personalized plates, a website, a great arrangement with a really good Independent BMW repair shop, a nice neighborhood full of every kind of nice car including exotics, and I have all the work I want all year long..

Just to be clear, even after all this, it IS expensive to run your own business, taxes are always due every
Quarter, have to file tax returns, keep all receipts, supplies, maybe ever hire a bookeeper, the list goes on.

Dan F




Dan F

 

I just registered my DBA back in January, paid a company to have some logos and business cards designed.

 

unfortunately there's a ton of variables in commercial insurance costs...it would be easiest to make a few phone calls and talk with someone who can give you a qoute...or at least an idea.

as for working out of your house. that is another issue depending on your location I believe, legally i mean....

 

I went mobile because the HOA in my neighborhood would have a hayday on me if they even caught a whif of clients coming to my house. I have done a few at my brothers house though, as he doesn't live in a hoa enforced area.

 

G,

I inquired about bundling a garage keepers with my auto insurance and renters policy and it came out to something like $32 a month on top of everything else, not bad if you ask me, and that obviously depends on insurer and other factors.

 

Dba, sole-proprietership in NJ, registered the business name almost a year and a half ago after the family accountant started getting worried HA!

 

Thanks Darren!

Well I pretty much just got the LLC license and FEIN, but I haven't done anything else yet. I believe I still need to get the insurance, a business account at my bank, and a program such as quickbooks to keep track of expenses and stuff. I don't detail that much to maybe have justified getting the LLC but it's a step in the direction I want to go

 

https://app.waveaccounting.com/accounts/login/?referrer=chrome-web-store

^^How I keep track of my finances. Free and easy. Really easy if you have a separate bank account for the business and link the two.

I'm also an accounting major so that helps too

 

I fall into the friends and family weekend warrior category so I'm not set up as a business. I have another non-detailing related business to pay the bills. If I was doing any customers that I didn't know quite well I would definitely want a real business identity with insurance. I can't over emphasize how important marketing is. People respond to marketing and customer service but they are as often as not blind to quality. I don't mean to suggest that quality isn't important but don't expect customers to beat a path to your door primarily becuase of your skills.

 

Do I need to have a DBA?

The answer is probably "yes", and you definitely want to take the time to find out. Most states require that you get a DBA. Sole proprietors and general partnerships operating their businesses under fictitious and or assumed names may need to apply for a DBA certificate in the county where the business is physically located. You will not be able to enforce any contracts you sign under your business name unless the name legally belongs to you. Another important point is, unless you register your DBA, other businesses will not know that you exist and may take the name.

What are the benefits to establishing a DBA?

• Here are some of the more important benefits to establishing a DBA:
• Operate and advertise under your business name.
• Prevent other businesses from using the name within your state.
• Operate with a bank account under your business name.
• Accept checks written out to your business name.
• Gain a more professional image.

What is the process of getting a DBA?

Contact or visit your local county clerk's office and ask about the specific requirements and fees. There typically is a small registration fee. The county clerk's office will often conduct a complimentary name search for the intended business name to make sure it's not already taken. There are several online resources available to conduct searches on your intended business name as well.

Some states may require you to place a fictitious name notice in a local newspaper for specified period of time. The costs for this are usually small, and the newspaper may even file the necessary papers with the county. Consider checking with different local newspapers to see what they offer.

For the majority of states, corporations are not required to file fictitious business names unless they do business under names other than their own. The incorporation documents have the same effect that fictitious names filed for partnerships and sole proprietorships do.



Extract from “Essentials for Starting a New Business” - http://www.autopia.org/forum/detail.../136439-essentials-starting-new-business.html

 

It's definitely worth it to get your DBA. Like stated, I wanted a name other than my name. Took me a whole 15 minutes and $16 to get set up. Then I got my tax id numbers for State and Federal taxes by simply filling out a few forms. Its all pretty simple to set-up. The tax aspect of it is really straight forward if you don't have employees.

 

Incorporated as of last year. but I used it as a d/b/a prior to that

Mr. Sparkle Detailing Inc.

I have a full time job and primarily detail on weekends btw.

 

For any Canadians, if you want to keep your bank accounts separate but do not want additional monthly fees..... check out HSBC. They have a free account that is a pain to open but is actually free provided you use the bank machine at an HSBC location only. It is called the 'HSBC Business Direct' account. You do need a valid business license to open it though.