Question

Topic: Student Questions

2 Companies-2 Business Cards & Websites?

Posted by Anonymous on 6/4/2008 at 12:30 PM ET 25 Points
I am starting a company which will be a event planning/consulting company. I am considering also starting another company as a subsidiary to the first which will entail me hosting my own events & inviting people to them. I'm trying to decide if I should be creating a separate company name & file a DBA for the second company. If I do this, do I need separate websites & separate business card for each business? Isnt this not good for word of mouth advertising? I've been thinking 1 company name should cover both companies since they are sort of similar but will bring different clients to each. What are your thoughts? thanks
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by ilan on 6/4/2008 at 12:38 PM Accepted
    Just make the second function part of the first company.
    You don't have a conglomerate with two completely separate functions, your functions are linked after all.
  • Posted on 6/4/2008 at 12:46 PM Author
    ilan I'm afraid I don't understand your response. Are you saying I shouldn't make the 2nd co a subsidiary? And work under 1 main company name?
  • Posted on 6/4/2008 at 12:55 PM Accepted
    Build a reputation/brand with the first company, which will be a feat and then launch the second.

    By launching both at the same time, you will not establish yourself with any true credibility--"jack (or jackie) of all trades, master of none." Develop a solid reputation as a specialist/expert, which is the best way to promote yourself. Word of mouth referrals are your best resource for new business.

    If and when you decide to launch another business, keep it separate and apart from the first. Focus each business on its core clients. Again, you want to avoid being perceived as "scattered."

    This means separate web sites (although you can cross-promote on each site), business cards, stationery, etc.

    Best of luck!

  • Posted on 6/4/2008 at 1:13 PM Author
    Thanks designerdawnnie. I see your point & agree with what you are saying. My issue is, technically I'm not launching my first company. The company I really plan to advertise & promote will be the "second" company. However because the 2nd company is so specific, I didn't want to pigeon hole myself when forming the LLC etc. Hope this all makes sense.

    So, my main company, the official LLC will be an event planning & consulting company. However I am not planning on really pushing this right now.

    The second company is going to be social networking & singles events for professionals. If down the road I decided I am too old to be in bars promoting parties, I might do away with this piece of the business but for now, this is where I really plan to promote my company name etc.

    I'm decided I shouldn't use only 1 company name because it might confuse people. So I was going to have X events, LLC & then Y Events, A Subsidiary to X Events Company. So does this still mean I need 2 separate websites, business cards etc? Also, I don't plan to launch myself as a Single owner. I'm planning to leave my name off of everything until I am established & reputable. Appearing too small right off the bat might hurt me. Thoughts?
  • Posted on 6/4/2008 at 2:12 PM Author
    Thank you cpappas. I'm afraid I still need further clarification on this. I'm not sure if what is being said is that I can have 2 competely different company names on one website, business card etc. Or do I need to operate under 1 actual name & make the second name an extension of the first. So for example if my main company is Raqueld Event Planning, does my second company need to be Raquel Event Planning for Singles? So the "Raquel Event Planning" will stay consistnent in terms of logo & layout etc on both sides of the business? Or can I have Raquel Event Planning LLC & then Singles Mingle A Subsidiary to Raquel Event Planning? Or is 2 completely different names going to be confusing?
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