That’s a question I see asked at VA forums often, or a variation on it, asking for suggestions on business names.  However, do you really need one?

If you don’t have a focus, i.e. have no idea what your specific service offerings may be at the start and you’re just feeling your way, then a business name may not be necessary.

It’s probably best to work under your own name till you have some idea.  Why?  Because when you register a name that’s just the beginning and there are a number of expenses that will be incurred such as:

• Domain name
• Business cards
• Letterhead
• With comp slips
• Logo
• Possibly invoicing paper and other items

If you find your focus a bit later on then you may find the name you’ve chosen isn’t suitable or doesn’t reflect it properly.  And once you do have a ‘niche’ or ‘focus’ a name may come naturally to you.

There’s nothing to say you have to have a business name when starting out and if you check with your accountant I’m sure you’ll find you can operate legally under your own name. You can even purchase a domain for your own name and use that for now.