Changing name of LLC

[brendonv]

Anyone change the name of their LLC?

Pain in the ass, easy, none of the above?

How does "DBA" work? "Doing business As"

 

[tophopper]

you could just have an additional name rather than changing your name?.................


like any type of change.... sounds like a pain.

 

[SouthSoundTree]

What do you want to change it to? Can you convey the same idea of what you want to change it to, with a slogan?

 

[treesandsurf]

Brendon, I did this a couple of years back when I was starting up. There was one form in the state of hawaii and that's all it took to make it official. Of course you have to change everything else (business cards, signage, registration, etc. etc.) so that is the part that is a pain IME.

jp

 

[brendonv]

People can't read, or take a second to read. I am constantly getting checks with the wrong name, people not being able to say the name, and people confused when I call. It's just been annoying, and not memorable. Thought I'd change it for the new year, new approach, and new rigs/signage.

 

[SkwerI]

Simpler is better, huh?

To be honest, the tellers and manager at my bank know me well and have never questioned any check I've deposited regardless of how badly mangled the spelling was. I did get one handed back to me once when the signor forgot to write in the amount of the check.

 

[brendonv]

You betcha. I wanted to keep my name out of it, but people seem to remember me by my name. So something with my name it shall be.

Then they can murder my last name.

 

[SkwerI]

Years ago a good friend gave me some excellent advice when I was designing my cards. He said "What are you selling? You're selling yourself." Don't be bothered when people remember you by name. It means you're doing it right.

 

[sotc]

My bank knows me well, I have brought in checks as far off as willies tree service and they deposit them

 

[lumberjack]

I've had mail delivered before that just had my name and city/state.

 

[brendonv]

I figured out what I need to do to change it.

How would you guys word climber and aerial lift service on a business card?

Maybe how I just did it, huh.

 

[SouthSoundTree]

Maybe aerial man-lift or bucket truck. An 'aerial lift' might leave some people wondering. Some just at 'aerial', where man-lift will give context.

What are you saying about the climber?

 

[brendonv]

That he is for hire.

 

[SouthSoundTree]

Climbing Arborist or Expert Climbing Arborist

 

[SouthSoundTree]

Expert Climbing Tree Killer

 

[SouthSoundTree]

Sub-contract Climber or Sub-contractor climber (if applicable)

 

[SkwerI]

My cards simply have my name and title.

ROCKY J. SQUIRREL
Arborist​

Brendon, sounds like you are figuring out as I did that the majority of the money in tree work is getting the trees on the ground. Wood ticks to clean up the mess are a dime a dozen and you cannot compete in that market on price. Instead of competing, I simply let them have the cleanup and take the easy money doing my thing.

 

[Burnham]

Expert in all aspects of Tree Access: Climb, Mechanized Lift, and Wraptor

 

[arborworks1]

Let's not forget crane either, with those sweet new headsets

 

[Burnham]

Oh, yeah.

 

[arborworks1]

I guess that would fall under mechanized lift.

 

[SkwerI]

"canopy access specialist"

Regardless of the name or advertising, IMO most work will end up coming from referrals and repeat clients. I think getting tree work has similarities to getting a regular job and your advertising is a lot like your written job application. Lots of people fill out job applications and most of them get thrown away unread. More often the job goes to somebody who knows someone on the inside, or was personally referred by somebody on the inside. The application is just a formality and only needs to meet basic standards. Same with your business card and logo. Keep in mind the true purpose of your card is to convey your contact info to somebody who has already decided they may want to do business with you.

 

[arborworks1]

Well said. How long did it take you to come up with that?!?!

 

[brendonv]

My cards simply have my name and title.

ROCKY J. SQUIRREL
Arborist​

Brendon, sounds like you are figuring out as I did that the majority of the money in tree work is getting the trees on the ground. Wood ticks to clean up the mess are a dime a dozen and you cannot compete in that market on price. Instead of competing, I simply let them have the cleanup and take the easy money doing my thing.

I am figuring out that when I get that truck it'll need to get paid for every month.

Really, I want to sell myself to other arbs doing climbing and the lift service. I'm not working that other job so I need to fill all my days, or close to it. If I'm doing a job for someone else climbing, my trucks will be out, name on the side. So I have to swallow the PITA factor of working for morons, but what are ya gonna do.

 

[SkwerI]

IMO it beats the hell out of dealing with employees, pita clients, chipping brush, hauling debris, finding places to dump, etc. You're absolutely right that the truck needs to be working to pay for itself. You're going to do very well at this game. I wish I had figured it out when I was your age instead of almost 40 when I was about worn out.

Scott, about 3 minutes.