Quit my job, and started my own business, need help

Wow... Good luck! Post pics, when you do!


Hmm... Random suggestions:

Windex? - Damn!... Taken
Broken Windows?
GeeksClean?
PeeCee Fix
PC Bath
itWorks

Ugh... I suck at this

 

Call it "[Something] Solutions"... people want SOLUTIONS to their problems, and you will be the one who provides said solutions.

I've started something similar here in Charlotte... still trying to get it off the ground, and my business name ends in "Solutions".

 

congrats to you b2. sounds like you've created a good gig.

i suck when it comes to names, so i'm no help there.

sorry.

 

Good luck with your new business. It's a good idea to come up with a company name, but you could also use your own name for now. Get your business card printed with your name on it and say consultant on it. That way, you do not have to open a banking business account along with some other formalities of a DBA.

 

Nice work Backtothemac. Starting a business isn't easy and getting the courage to take the first few steps is the hardest part - which is thankfully behind you.

I don't quite get one thing though. You're starting by fixing PCs yet you want to move to selling Macs once you get 200 clients. They sound like tow pretty independent and almost unrelated jobs so are you planning on doing both at the same time still? I'm sure you've got it all worked out, but I don't quite understand. That's all.

As for names, are you aiming for something quirky, something descriptive (like clayj's idea) or something inoffensive? Just remember that you'll want something that won't date. So something like XP Solutions would be a bad idea. Having said that, I agree with clayj in that Solutions is a pretty good place to start (or finish ) with a name.

 

Oh, yeah, almost forgot the most important part: Once you've got your business name, make sure you file the appropriate paperwork with your state government... you do NOT want to be operating a business without having the necessary paperwork on file. This will protect you in case a client sues you, not to mention keeping you square with the tax authorities.

Don't go too generic with the name... don't forget, there's usually a limit of one business per state with a particular name.

 

How bout "Blue Screen Solutions".

 

www.entrepreneur.com/

Very useful site. I'm starting my own company by next year, but I'm still reading up at that site for now. It gives alot of useful information and tips. There's alot of stuff I wouldn't have originally thought of doing, that the site pointed me towards.

Best of luck!

 

very useful indeed! i just picked up their magazine last week and i feel like ive learned more about business within its pages than i have with 3 years of school under my belt.

 

If you ever need any custom software for your business, I'm your man

 

Haha! I recently did the same thing in Los Angeles and started doing my own consulting. and I named it Larsen Technology Solutions....

 

Don't get too specific either. Something like "Windows Solutions" would lead people to belive you only know About windows, and you wouldn't be able to help them with thier Mac. (Why anyone would need help with thier Mac I'm not sure...)
I would leave Windows out all together, you might get people calling about the real, glass windows.

You could just put yur last name in it "___________ solutions."

 

1. Make sure it is a limited liability firm (I don't know what they are called in the States (LLC?)
2. Use your name in the name of the company (e.g. Kiwi's Personal Computing Solutions)
3. Are you planning to employ people? (200 customers @ 1 update per month = a lot of hours) ... employing people is a whole new ball game
4. Understand your local, state and federal tax obligations thoroughly (both personal and company) and keep records ... keep records ... keep records ...
5. Put together a business plan and stick to it
6. Don't spend money you don't have

7. Good luck and have a ball! Working for yourself can be the most frustrating, disappointing AND the most rewarding employment you can have.

 

Remember Your Customers...

Personally I'd avoid the "_____ Solutions"; it has become overused and trite. You need to look at who your "typical" customers will be -- technophobes who are unable or unwilling to understand PC's at our level. So that's what I'd play up. "Nerds On Site" is a perfect example of this in action. (Is there a NOS franchise in your area? If not, you should look into buying one... they have a great track record for success.) So if it was me, I'd take that sort of approach. Make it light-but-professional, and play up the benefits customers will get by hiring you. Stress-free / worry-free / virus-free / problem-free / etc. Maybe consider something along the lines of "Computer Clinic", "Doctor Digital", "EZ/PC", "PC MDs", etc. (No I haven't checked any of these names for trademark violations!) Good luck, I ran my own home-based computer graphics business on an Amiga 2000 for almost ten years and had a blast.

 

Congrats and good luck BttM.


Lethal

 

And that's exactly why your name shouldn't be an acronym too.

 

Someone is going to pay you $30 to check for spyware? Damn, people aren't willing to learn, are they? And besides, if you showed them what programs to use and what buttons (erm....button) to press, they wouldn't need to pay you anymore, so nice job.

Anyway, I remember a long time ago when you used to work at an IBM + Apple reseller place that installed Linux preloaded onto Macs, and you tried to help me get a special deal on a Powerbook even though I lived in Canada (and you can't get by customs in Canada ), so I'll just sit here and think up some company names for you even though I suck at this.

However, I'll make a suggestion: The name should clearly be one of a tech company, but only be low or moderately-low on the "geek scale."


Bleach Technology Solutions
BSOD No More
Bug Free Technology
Lemon Fresh Solutions
Beyond Doubt Solutions
Crystal Clear Solutions
Squeaky Clean Tech Solutions
Fresh Technology
Fresh Solutions Technology

and so forth. I'll come up with more later.

 

Selling Macs!! THAT WOULD ROCK. but that means you have to leave use

 

How about Computer Support Solutions?
Computer Solutions?

I don't know. I like the idea of a monthly fee, though.

 

Compu-Global Hyper-Mega Net Solutions?


I suck at names too. Good luck though.

My wife is working to start an artisan jewelry company, which is basically just her making jewelry and selling it at private shows, online, and in a few retail locations around town.

Once you get your name you'll have to do the whole fictitious business license thing, get your tax ID #, set up a business bank account etc. Better to be legal than sorry!

 

what in the WORLD are you talking about?!?!?! though i suppose you didn't come up with the name. blameless to the world i suppose.



congrats backdawg. good luck with the name. seems the solutions tip could be good

slogans should include "free beer"

 

Unless your last name is something like "Badd". Or "Poor". Or "No".

(Yes, these are all real last names.)

But BttM, in terms of the business - good luck. It isn't easy to pull something like this together. Follow others' advice on creating an LLC as it will protect your personal assets in the case of a lawsuit.

Also, consider getting an accountant and/or attorney who can help with business related issues from tax law to contracts.