Business Name

boman47k

Anyone name their business with their last name in it when they have kin who also uses the family name in their business name? Talking about different type of business. In my case, I have a cousin that has an electrical business with the family name. He has been in business for many years with this name and has good rep and seems to have been successful. I also want to use the name, but feel like it is kind of riding on his coattails of name recognition. And actually, it would be. His dad was my dad's youmger brother and was killed when we were all kids and his mom remarried, so we have not remained real close over the years. We definitely get along just have little contact since childhood. Thinking seriously of talking with him about this. Him being in the line of work he is in, he could be a real good source of leads. Comments?

Same Old

There's a couple families around minneapolis that have pretty well branded their names like this. Bonfe and Frattalone are two I think of immediately.
It's your name too, you can use it however you see fit. But I think I'd still mention it to him.

JMGP

You may not even be able to register the name because it is already in use... if he agrees to allow you to use the same name he will have to write in to the city hall...

I tried to use my last name when I registered but it was already in use...it was a body shop... so I use my full name...

Mater

Here in Ohio if you use your name in the company title you pay $25 for a registration fee instead of $125. We also can't use a name currently registered. Good idea, talk to him.

Workaholic

I agree with the other posts, talk to him and see if there are any restrictions to you using the nam as well.

__________________
Sean

BENPM

I work in the marketing business. Although I see many many contractors using family names in their business names this is not something I suggest for a long term plan. Your business name will be a brand which you hope to build over time. Odds are that adding your surname to the business name does little to build a brand or make it memorable to the public. I would suggest you come up with a name that is 2-3 words long at the max and tells something about what you do. And not "World's Best Painting Co."

Brainstorm ideas or words and then build combos which seem to best describe what you want your business to be known for.

Ben