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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Your name or a company name for an LLC?

K

Kenneth C Merrill

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I've been operating for a few years as a sole proprietor, but things are getting to the point where I really need to register as an LLC to gain some legal protection as well as open a business banking account. I will be the sole owner of the LLC and don't plan on hiring any employees. Should I simple name the LLC after myself (Kenneth C Merrill LLC) or should I come up with a business name? I'm interested in hearing everyone's experience, thoughts, and opinions on this.

Kenneth C Merrill LLC Pros:
Guaranteed legal right to use it (as opposed to finding a name that someone else isn't using already)
Clients keep writing checks to my name
My name becomes the brand/I'm like an artist

(Made up name) LLC Pros:
Looks/sounds better
Some clients want to work with a company, not an individual
If something goes terribly wrong and the company folds, my name is not involved
Easier to diversify services/products (rentals, stock, etc.)
 
I had the same choice to make and I chose a made-up descriptive name. But I only shoot with myself as the client (my own productions) so your situation may dictate using the name.

Still, if you get in a legal battle, tying your name to your LLC could make you vulnerable?
 
I also went through this a few years back. Like Elsie, I went with a made-up name. For one, my tax person advised me against using my own name and two, even if at this point
you're not thinking about hiring employees or growing bigger, you may down the road and you may find it easier to present yourself as a larger company with a name other
than just your own..
 
For me, my LLC was originally a made up name. I switched it to now have my name in it. For me it was the right choice. The way I have got to where I am is by being me. I consider myself a pretty good people person. Having a made up name just didn't feel right. Felt like I was always trying to be something I'm not.

I'm not sure how having your name in your company name makes you more vulnerable? If you are an LLC you have the same level of protection regardless of your company name. And it's not like you can hide your name if you are a member. I know there are variations based on state law, but I'm not aware of any laws or rules that would make you more vulnerable as an LLC with your name in it.

Also, there are ways to incorporate your name without it being entirely your name. For example, my company is Sherrick Creative, LLC. Yes, it's not entirely a creative name but what it does is provide people an immediate reference to who runs the company and there is a connection with what I do. And how is that name any less substantial than some made up name if you put out good work and have a trusted reputation?
 
I went with a company name cause I'd hope that whoever I hired (actors, crew, production team), they would believe in the core company values and feel a part of something/ownership, not just support the production/product, but feel more like we are a team/family in this company as a whole.

Apple delivers a sense of who they are to both their customer and their staff. "Tim Cook inc" might not have the same inspirational feeling to their employees. One works for a company that 'thinks differently' with a name designed to NOT be computer-like but friendly; while the other name sounds like people that work for 'Tim Cook'. It's obviously made up but hope this shows my point.

Just my opinion.
 
Wil Wong said:
I went with a company name cause I'd hope that whoever I hired (actors, crew, production team), they would believe in the core company values and feel a part of something/ownership, not just support the production/product, but feel more like we are a team/family in this company as a whole.

Apple delivers a sense of who they are to both their customer and their staff. "Tim Cook inc" might not have the same inspirational feeling to their employees. One works for a company that 'thinks differently' with a name designed to NOT be computer-like but friendly; while the other name sounds like people that work for 'Tim Cook'. It's obviously made up but hope this shows my point.

Just my opinion.
Click to expand...
It's an interesting point. I think that perhaps it comes down to how you run your company, how you treat people, etc. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer here, and more based on an individual basis. I don't run my company like a dictatorship. I love collaboration, respect the people I work with tremendously, and never make people feel like it's all about me. So, I don't feel too concerned about the name part of things. I'm mostly concerned with bringing in more clients and finding ways to hire other people who do great work.
 
Nick Morrison, a fellow Reduser here has a company called Small Giant and I love the name and the branding. So that's why I'm saying it's more about what fits you. Really no right or wrong.
 
One small thought... if you build up the reputation of the entity in your name and perhaps one day wish to sell it, the buyer will probably want the name because of the momentum associate with it. If that happens, you might then find it awkward since you can't legally use that name (yours) to go out and start another business.

Not a big deal, perhaps, but it does happen.
 
Terry VerHaar said:
One small thought... if you build up the reputation of the entity in your name and perhaps one day wish to sell it, the buyer will probably want the name because of the momentum associate with it. If that happens, you might then find it awkward since you can't legally use that name (yours) to go out and start another business.

Not a big deal, perhaps, but it does happen.
Click to expand...
That's a good point too Terry. Definitely some food for thought.
 
I went with my own name.

A guy a really trust a while back told me its easier to build a stronger reputation with your own name.

Obviously its going to be different if your plans are to have a few people working for you full time, in which case maybe you can have a name you all can rally behind. for me, for the most part its just me and I hire freelancers as needed or freelance for others.
 
Mikael Lubtchansky said:
don't act foolish by choosing a stupid name like I did... you might regret it... or not
Click to expand...

Hahaha :D


I went with a company name that looks good as a logo and sounds good. It helps creating a professional atmosphere around you towards the clients. It also helps getting your invoices paid since it shows that's it's an actual company charging a service. My company name is "Constant Production", which is a bit meta for what we filmmakers do haha :tongue_smilie:
 
A little of both:

Merrill Productions, LLC
Merrill Enterprises, LLC
Merrill Film Works, LLC
Merrill Digital, LLC

You get the idea ....
 
Steve Sherrick said:
Nick Morrison, a fellow Reduser here has a company called Small Giant and I love the name and the branding. So that's why I'm saying it's more about what fits you. Really no right or wrong.
Click to expand...

PS thanks for this Steve! My wife and I came up with the name together, and Im eternally grateful for her "animator" instincts! This is my fourth company and I can assure you, I've had some clunker names before this...

Also...good point that each should do what works for them. If clients are doing business with YOU...and YOU are the driving force behind work...then I can see it making sense to have the company be named after it's founder.

In my particular case, I'd been a well known freelancer in my market for over a decade, and I wanted to make it clear my production company was something entirely different - which it was!

best
 
Not sure if anyone has already said this cause I didn't read the entire posts, but I would definitely say NO to having your name as the LLC. You will always be branded as you as the company, which will become a problem if you ever send anyone else on a job in place of you. Every client will always expect you to be the guy, and not feel like there getting what they paid for without you doing most all the work. When your business becomes larger this will become an apparent issue.
 
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