Business Names - What's your opinion?

Which name(s) do you prefer (other than the one you are using of course)?

It's so hard to think of a business name. So many are already out there, difficult to be unique. I don't want to use a name that might scare the corporate people away (ie. FunTimes Limo or something like that).

Thanks.

Some of the issues you will come across while starting to this type of home based business is whether to purchase a used vehicle vs. new, how do you run a service, how do you increase tips or just whether or not this type of home based business is for you.

Now, you could just go out and purchase a vehicle and wing it or you could just give up on your dream of owning your own business.

My experience in transportation began when I drove limousines for 2 years in North Carolina. Now I have my own service based in Asutin, TX. Im doing $3000 a month in revenue. I would like to give you advice on this type of home based business.

Now, doesn't it make sense for us to have a conversation?

http://www.keen.com/AdvisorAaronB

First, that's off topic, secondly, why would I want to pay $1.50/minute to get advise from the website that you are referring to when I can get it for free here or other limo sites? It seems you didn't even bother to read the question and simply pasted your macro into a new message.

I think you will find that there are several people here that are more than happy to help us out rather than charging your $1.50/minute.

Thanks but no Thanks!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Vic:
Which name(s) do you prefer (other than the one you are using of course)?

How About VIC Limousine or Transportation or
V.I.C. Limousine or Transportation.

Corporate seem to be attracted to either short names or initials.

Whats realy important though is how you project your company.

So I assume something like Extreme Limousine or Elegant Limousine would not be preffered by Corporations. Or does it really matter to a corporation on the name? I wonder...

Thanks

Reegarding AaronB and his spamming of the Limos.Com forum boards......

Aaron take note....

$3,000 a month in revenue is nothing.

Please try to stay on topic within these forums

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Vic:
So I assume something like Extreme Limousine or Elegant Limousine would not be preffered by Corporations. Or does it really matter to a corporation on the name? I wonder...

Thanks<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What matters is that the name not say "limousine" in it, especially when all they are hiring are sedans. Saying "limnousine" to a corporate client is like running your fingernails down a blackboard. Most companies don't get it, however.

James H. Joseph
Pegasus Chauffeured Motor Cars
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
jhj@pegasus-pittsburgh.com

Vic here are a few of my thoughts on a name. If you would like corporate and retail work (which I think everyone should want) how about "Vic Limousine and Sedan Service or Vic Limousine & Transportation. You see retail clients and corporate clients alike look for the "word" limousine when searching phone books and internet search engines. If you just want corporate try "Vic Livery" or "Vic Chauffeured Transportation". Most corporate travel departments, executive secretaries and travel planners and travel agents still look toward limousine services for professional sedan and limousine service and look for the word limousine on a card or ad. For example my legal name is Riverside Transportation, Inc. and I do business as Riverside Limousines. When I bill a client however, the invoice is under the name Riverside Transportation, Inc. The one important thing I have found when doing business with major corporations is they don't want the bills or invoices showing up with the name "limousine" in them. That is why I bill under Riverside Transportation. Please don't discount the value of good retail clients. I see alot of folks here that think the retail market is all about drunks, weddings and proms. My best clients are retail clients, some have been using us for over 20 years now and are very loyal. I also find that the good retail clients arent as prone to cutbacks and are basically reccession proof. The average sale is higher and they have less cancellations also. If I were you I would have the word "limousine" somewhere in my trade name and bill corporate clients under my legal name without the word "limousine" in the invoice. Hope this helps you and you may email me if you would like.

Wade Randolph

Is that a misprint? $3,000/Mo is not much to tout ... subtract your cost of doing business and I would think that you would be at an operating loss.

If you were doing $300,000/mo then I'd think you'd have some takers.

Insofar as the original question, you may want to use a name that begins with a number because this takes precendence in the Yellow Pages. Until the Yellow Pages finds a fair way of organizing companies, many name their companies with an "A" or a number. Numbers go before A's.

1-Fun-Time Limo or
1-Special Limo etc.

Michael

Thanks for the reply's. I realize the numbers and letter A come first in the listings however, wouldn't a customer normally call as many people as he or she will see in the yellow pages to get the best rate and then deal with that person?

I never believed that the first listings were always the ones to get more business. Allthough I imagine it's been proven to work.

Vic,

If you surf the web, you may be able to find proof that people actually call the numbers listed 1st in the yellow-pages.

There were studies actually conducted that proved this which has caused the proliferation of AAA Limos etc.

If a customer wants to call 10 companies, you want to make sure you are 1 of those 10 so you get the opportunity!!!

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Cheers!

Michael chose the name Xenefox! Come on, give me a break. The Yellow Page surfers are no different than the people who are using the RFP "Quick Quote" on limos.com. Who wants them. This is the best argument for Xenefox over Aardvark. Besides, if you are at the end of the alphabet you'll get the Arabs, Indians and other Asians who read right to left - and we all know they have more money to spend on limos to begin with.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by XENEFOX Media Corporation / Limos.com:
Vic,

If you surf the web, you may be able to find proof that people actually call the numbers listed 1st in the yellow-pages.

There were studies actually conducted that proved this which has caused the proliferation of AAA Limos etc.

If a customer wants to call 10 companies, you want to make sure you are 1 of those 10 so you get the opportunity!!!

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Cheers!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

James H. Joseph
Pegasus Chauffeured Motor Cars
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
jhj@pegasus-pittsburgh.com

Only JHJ could justify a later in the listings opportunity. *VBG* Personally, I skip over the first page of companies using cheap tactics like that. I prefer an honest name, not AAAA**** Inc.

Um Jim? We have ZERO yellow page ads nor do we intend on having them. Had I started this company with the intention on becoming a limousine broker with an 800 number and so forth, you can damn well bet the company wouldn't be named "XENEFOX" -- more like 1800LIMOSCOM or something to that effect.

Vic, If you would like some more help why dont you post some details of yourself, vehicles , areas, attractions etc here. I think the people contributing to this forum would flood you with ideas then.

I do a similar thing to Wade with my business name. I promote it as "Top Class Limousines" which i think is easy for people to remember, but in the winery & tourist advertising areas the name is "Top Class Limousines & Tours". (You'd be amazed at the number of people who think limos are for corporate people and brides!!!!)
This also will be good if I every add a minibus to my business.


Hope its some help!
Steve

visit top class limos web site (http://www.topclasslimos.com.au)

Top Class Limos,

When you advertise using the 'Limousines and Tours' do you actually have to register that name to use it? or do you just use it in the ad?

Good idea though. I'll be operating out of the Toronto, ON, Canada area. Lots of tours, sightseeing, night in the towns, sporting events..you know.. the usual. Using one 120' Lincoln stretch. I am taking in all suggestions, something professional. Is it absolutely necessary to be unique. I wonder if people will confuse a company that's called something like VIP Limos and another that's called VIP Executive Limos.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Vic:
...I wonder if people will confuse a company that's called something like VIP Limos and another that's called VIP Executive Limos.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In my experiences, YES... they most certainly will confuse the names. We get many calls intended for another company that serves our area with a similar name that also begins with "Grand", but they don't have a toll free number (or at least don't tell people about it). So we end fielding a good number of calls from folks who called directory assistance looking for a toll-free number. Often they get annoyed because we aren't the other company! How's that for a kick in the head?

Karl Jones

Vic,

My full registered business name is "Top Class Limousines & Tours", which I can use Top Class Limousines If I wanted or possibly even TCL limousines(although I havent yet). The business name thing over hear I think is very relaxed compared to other countries.
As long as limo & driver are correctly licenced and insured, that's the main thing.

Because I am in a small town with only 2 limo companies, a LOT of people confuse me with the other company, even though my vehicles are different, and the only similarity between the business names is the word "LIMOUSINES".

very powerful word that L I M O U S I N E !!!
what do you think Karl????

Good Luck in finding a name, Vic

Steve
Top Class Limos and tours and weddings and winery tours and bucks nights not to mention hens nights and end of year parties and did i mention airport pickups and trips to the snow.com.au (http://www.topclasslimos.com.au)

Hey there I am another Torontonian that's trying to start my own limo
I have same problems as you do but I would like to tell you something about Corp clients
I used to work for anvil group Inc. as a close protection operative and Anvil pretty much had and still have all the top exec. in TO like Ted Rogers,Peter Munk,Jhon Roth,Clarance chandran...ect they also have all their clients as a driver package
if you are intrasted in Corp.guys then you should look into buing a sadan and try getting sub-contracts from either anvil group or Cullitons


well that was my input I am also looking to get some name
but I am intrasted to hear from you about your overall start-up cost what you had in mind and meby we can exchange some info so we both benefit from this starting expirience

Nikib,


I plan on purchasing a sedan but not in the near future unless there is a demand for it immediately which I don't think there will be.
I feel a business name will come with time. Just takes a lot of thought. Put your email address in your profile that way if people wish to email you, they will not have a problem contacting you.

Thanks.

What about adding or not adding the word "service" to your company name?

The word ‘service’ just didn’t seem necessary. But it does apparently lend an air of mystery to what it is we actually do - we occasionally get calls and inquiries from people asking if we rent limousines, if we sell limousines, if we service limousines, and even if we manufacturer limousines.

Karl Jones

Why is it necessary to incorporate a limo business?
Some limo companies do it and some don't. I understand that it protects you of your personal assets, etc but is it necessary? Would like your thoughts.

Thanks