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name for sawmill business

Started by willmyers0169, October 19, 2014, 06:41:52 PM

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willmyers0169

i need a name for my sawmill business... i bought a sponsorship for a truck pull and they want to make a sign with my business name on it, but i dont have one. any suggestions?
Machinist, WM LT15 230 JD skidsteer 2010 JD 2955 JD Jonsered chainsaw

thecfarm

Your first name Will? Will Saw Lumber. Will Saw Logs
Model 6020-20hp Manual Thomas bandsaw,TC40A 4wd 40 hp New Holland tractor, 450 Norse Winch, Heatmor 400 OWB,YCC 1978-79

willmyers0169

Quote from: thecfarm on October 19, 2014, 06:43:52 PM
Your first name Will? Will Saw Lumber. Will Saw Logs

:D :D :D :D :D
Machinist, WM LT15 230 JD skidsteer 2010 JD 2955 JD Jonsered chainsaw

drobertson

Sounds like you need to do a search for an inc. name,   Either your family name?  or "White Plains Lumber Processing"  WPLP,?
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

downsouth

I'm kinda dealing with this dilemma also. My wife wants to call it "Good Wood" I'm not sure I like it for a mobile sawmill business.
  I think it should somewhat imply what you do ,
"Joe's mobile sawmill service" or
"Joe's sawmill service" or
"Joe's custome sawmill service"
That's just what is stuck in my head for some reason. I can't seem to come up with anything very original.
  Good luck,and let us know what you come up with.

ozarkgem

White Plains lumber. Or if you want to be politically correct it would be
Euro Caucasian Anglo American Lumber. ;)
Mighty Mite Band Mill, Case Backhoe, 763 Bobcat, Ford 3400 w/FEL , 1962 Ford 4000, Int dump truck, Clark forklift, lots of trailers. Stihl 046 Magnum, 029 Stihl. complete machine shop to keep everything going.

Brad_S.

The only problem with using your name in the business is that should you ever wish to sell it as a going concern, the name will be a liability unless the next buyer has the same name. Something more generic may serve you better down the road. As was mentioned, you can't just pull a name out of the air and use it, you need to research and make sure that name is available for use in your area.

Be aware that if your name is getting advertised, you are starting to get on the radar of government agencies and if you are not set up as a business, it may bite you at some point. Perhaps it is better to tell them thanks but no thanks on the ad?
Best of luck!
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." J. Lennon

Solomon

How about "Cut Right Custom Sawing"  or  "Sharp Cut Sawing"    Your slogan could read  "You cut it down , We'll cut it up" !    8)
Time and Money,  If you have the one, you rarely have the other.

The Path to Salvation is narrow, and the path to damnnation is wide.

red oaks lumber

if you want to have your business taken serious dont use your name or have any dorkie sounding name to your business. :) just my opinion. think about where you want to see your business going in 1 yr 3 yrs. will you still be just sawing? or do you want to add lumber sales ? maybe you want to do finish planing of lumber.
white plains lumber & millwork
b.m. custom sawing
peach tree lumber co.
the sky is the limit, use your imagination. :) for me red oaks lumber came from seeing pictures of my great great grand parents farm when they settled here in the early 1900's on the side hill in white rocks was the farm name ... red oaks farm.
the experts think i do things wrong
over 18 million b.f. processed and 7341 happy customers i disagree

Solomon

I don't agree with that,  look at the absolutly ignorant stupid comecials you see on tv by huge billion dollar corporations and they make millions and millions from it.
And  Cut Right Custom doesn't sound  "dorkey" .
Time and Money,  If you have the one, you rarely have the other.

The Path to Salvation is narrow, and the path to damnnation is wide.

downsouth

Good point ROL
  Something to think about. I never cared much for using my name in particular but maybe a street name ,or a town or area,in conjunction with
"...............Custom wood works"
  Or even better and simpler
"..............wood works"
      Not trying to hijack this thread just trying to get some ideas out there.

POSTON WIDEHEAD

Quote from: red oaks lumber on October 19, 2014, 08:43:36 PM
if you want to have your business taken serious dont use your name or have any dorkie sounding name to your business. :)

......like Dorkie Steve's Sawing and Planing Service.  :D
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

drobertson

Just a thought, but two local, long time local business use the family name, they are global, and are two of the largest private land owners in the state,, just saying, not sure about some of the  electronic big boys from the East?  Family names that have a good name stick, and most don't sell.
only have a few chain saws I'm not suppose to use, but will at times, one dog Dolly, pretty good dog, just not sure what for yet,  working on getting the gardening back in order, and kinda thinking on maybe a small bbq bizz,  thinking about it,

Magicman

Whatever you choose, you do need to search through your Secretary of State to verify that the name is available either as an LP, LLC, etc.  If sawmilling is the principal service to be offered, then I believe that the company name should identify the service.  I do not believe that there is anything wrong with the name being "catchy".  I have certainly had no problem with mine.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

terrifictimbersllc

A couple extra things to consider.....
-a name that begins with a letter early in the alphabet will come up first in alphabetical listings
-a name that contains terms people might Google on the internet when looking for your services might be at the top of the page with very little effort, assuming you have a web site.

For example "Georgia Portable Sawmill" or "Georgia Logs to Lumber"
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

red

Sawdust Experts. 
Acme Products. .Roadrunner /wile e coyote
Honor the Fallen Thank the Living

willmyers0169

Thanks everyone for the advice, i really value it.  Alot of good suggestions so far, i will do some more research tomorrow and try and narrow things down.  Thanks Again. Will
Machinist, WM LT15 230 JD skidsteer 2010 JD 2955 JD Jonsered chainsaw

mikeb1079

Quote...like Dorkie Steve's Sawing and Planing Service.

:D :D :D

or "goat and mater's portable sawmilling"

:D :D :D ;D
that's why you must play di drum...to blow the big guys mind!
homebuilt 16hp mill
99 wm superhydraulic w/42hp kubota

Ljohnsaw

Quote from: terrifictimbersllc on October 19, 2014, 09:46:33 PM
A couple extra things to consider.....
-a name that begins with a letter early in the alphabet will come up first in alphabetical listings
-a name that contains terms people might Google on the internet when looking for your services might be at the top of the page with very little effort, assuming you have a web site.

For example "Georgia Portable Sawmill" or "Georgia Logs to Lumber"

A friend had a auto repair business and he totally did the beginning of the alphabet thing.  The first word in his business name was spelled AACTION.  He was first in the yellow pages and got lots of business because of it!
John Sawicky

Just North-East of Sacramento...

SkyTrak 9038, Ford 545D FEL, Davis Little Monster backhoe, Case 16+4 Trencher, Home Built 42" capacity/36" cut Bandmill up to 54' long - using it all to build a timber frame cabin.

Solomon

Quote from: Magicman on October 19, 2014, 09:45:51 PM
Whatever you choose, you do need to search through your Secretary of State to verify that the name is available either as an LP, LLC, etc.  If sawmilling is the principal service to be offered, then I believe that the company name should identify the service.  I do not believe that there is anything wrong with the name being "catchy".  I have certainly had no problem with mine.
Now there's something I had not thought about.  It would definatly be a great idea to check and make sure you're not trying to use someone else's buisness name or a name to closely resembling another buisness name.   That advise will very likely save you a lot of trouble, aggravation and wasted time.   That's a Home Run for sure.  You knocked that one out of the park Majic Man !!!!!
Time and Money,  If you have the one, you rarely have the other.

The Path to Salvation is narrow, and the path to damnnation is wide.

Solomon

Quote from: downsouth on October 19, 2014, 09:03:59 PM
Good point ROL
  Something to think about. I never cared much for using my name in particular but maybe a street name ,or a town or area,in conjunction with
"...............Custom wood works"
  Or even better and simpler
"..............wood works"
      Not trying to hijack this thread just trying to get some ideas out there.

Two thumbs up DS.
Time and Money,  If you have the one, you rarely have the other.

The Path to Salvation is narrow, and the path to damnnation is wide.

delvis

My father's name is Dave and my name is Mike so our business is called D.A.M. Fine Sawing, with the 'A' standing for 'and'.  Maybe it sounds 'dorky' but it has gotten more than a few laughs from folks when they see my sign.  I like that.  Life is too serious as it is.  My son's nickname is Boochy and he suggested we could add a 'B' on the end of D.A.M. and it would still sound the same.  Haha. 
If I never saw another board I will at least die happy having spent the last few years working with my dad!

POSTON WIDEHEAD

Quote from: mikeb1079 on October 20, 2014, 12:18:53 AM
Quote...like Dorkie Steve's Sawing and Planing Service.

:D :D :D

or "goat and mater's portable sawmilling"

:D :D :D ;D

Good 1 Mike!  :D :D :D :D :D
The older I get I wish my body could Re-Gen.

Cedarman

Ask yourself, who will your clientele be and how will they find you?  What would you look for if you were looking for your services?  To me there is a difference between being cutesy and being catchy.  I personally don't like cutesy names, but do like catchy names.  I know of quite a few businesses that were bought out and kept the original owners name because that company name had good local recognition built up over many years.   We still go to Van's restaurant even though "Van" sold it 15 years ago.  Everybody knows Van's.  We had our starters and alternators fixed at Bradfords who hadn't owned it in many years.
I picked Eastern Red Cedar Products because it says what we do.  Red Oaks Lumber is similar.
Young people and those in  IT tend to like the frivolous names like Google, Yahoo, Twitter,  etc.  and they have worked well for them.  I think manufacturing is a different kettle of fish though.
Try googling different names and see what pops up.
I don't think the yellow pages are worth the paper they are printed on. 
I am in the pink when sawing cedar.

Ianab

Another thought is to keep a fairly generic description in your business name.

Like "abc Wood Works" or "xyx Lumber Services"

Reasoning is that your business model may change over time. If you are highly specific with your name, "Bob's Portable Sawmilling", what if you decide to change focus and not be portable any more. Maybe there is better money in Kiln drying and machining, so you shift focus to that. Or you find sawing cedar and making garden furniture from that pays better? The name still works, and you just change the description lines on your signs, business cards and adverts as needed.

It's very seldom that a business plan goes unchanged for years. Maybe you will get things right first time, or maybe a better niche (or niches) will come along over time, and you change focus to take advantage of them.
Weekend warrior, Peterson JP test pilot, Dolmar 7900 and Stihl MS310 saws and  the usual collection of power tools :)

Nomad

      I used to have a woodworking business in Key West making artsy-craftsy stuff for the tourists.  I named it "KMA Woodworks."  When I registered the name, they wouldn't take the initials; wanted me to spell it out.  Okay; Kilo Mike Alpha Woodworks.  (Phonetic alphabet for KMA.)  That's what my business license read, too.
      I can't tell you how many people called my shop asking if this was Kiss My ### Woodworks.  Nope; it's just KMA.  You remember it however you want to.  But it worked, and it worked well! ;D
Buying a hammer doesn't make you a carpenter
WoodMizer LT50HDD51-WR
Lucas DSM23-19

Peter Drouin

Quote from: Ianab on October 20, 2014, 05:38:58 PM
Another thought is to keep a fairly generic description in your business name.

Like "abc Wood Works" or "xyx Lumber Services"

Reasoning is that your business model may change over time. If you are highly specific with your name, "Bob's Portable Sawmilling", what if you decide to change focus and not be portable any more. Maybe there is better money in Kiln drying and machining, so you shift focus to that. Or you find sawing cedar and making garden furniture from that pays better? The name still works, and you just change the description lines on your signs, business cards and adverts as needed.

It's very seldom that a business plan goes unchanged for years. Maybe you will get things right first time, or maybe a better niche (or niches) will come along over time, and you change focus to take advantage of them.





I'm going through that now. Ending one LLC and starting a new LLC :D ;D
A&P saw Mill LLC.
45' of Wood Mizer, cutting since 1987.
License NH softwood grader.

Magicman

My unregistered woodworking/cabinet shop was "The Knothole".  When I bought the sawmill, I phased out the shop and retained the Knothole name which had become familiar with the locals.  It became; Knothole Sawmill, LLC.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

Solomon

Quote from: Ianab on October 20, 2014, 05:38:58 PM
Another thought is to keep a fairly generic description in your business name.

Like "abc Wood Works" or "xyx Lumber Services"

Reasoning is that your business model may change over time. If you are highly specific with your name, "Bob's Portable Sawmilling", what if you decide to change focus and not be portable any more. Maybe there is better money in Kiln drying and machining, so you shift focus to that. Or you find sawing cedar and making garden furniture from that pays better? The name still works, and you just change the description lines on your signs, business cards and adverts as needed.

It's very seldom that a business plan goes unchanged for years. Maybe you will get things right first time, or maybe a better niche (or niches) will come along over time, and you change focus to take advantage of them.

I agree whole heartedly, I think that is the most sensable and well thought out advice I've heard yet on the matter.   It truly leaves your options open as your situation, plans and opportunities change over time, and they WILL change.   Very valuable input.
Time and Money,  If you have the one, you rarely have the other.

The Path to Salvation is narrow, and the path to damnnation is wide.

Brucer

Funny -- for many of us, coming with a business name is the hardest part of starting a business.

Here in BC, in order to register a business name you first have to pay to for a name search to make sure no one else is using the name. You get to list three choices -- they look for the first name, if it's not OK, they go to the second name, etc. If none of the names are available, you just lost your fee; start over again.

The government agency that manages all this offers some suggestions for choosing a successful name:
- make sure it contains an identifier -- your name (or at least one of them), your initials, the name of your city or region, something along those lines.
- make a reference to what sort of business it is.
- use the internet to search for those business names in your state. No point in picking one that's already taken.
- avoid words that you wouldn't be allowed to use on this Forum. The government doesn't like them.
- check your state or provincial rules to see if any specific classes of words are off limit.

And a couple of personal suggestions:
- when you've got a name, step back and look at it from a broader perspective. Don't be like Karl, who named his portable sawmill business Karl's Kustom Kuts. One day while driving down a side street in the next village, he saw a hairdresser's studio with the name Carol's Custom Cuts. That explained some of the very strange phone calls he'd received  :D.
- run it by your friends first (both genders). One of Karl's friends might have known about Carol ;).
- don't pick a name that is hard to say: it will be harder for people to remember and they will be less likely to pass it on to other people.

I actually came up with a logo before I figured out a name. The logo prompted me to think of half a dozen names (all of which I eventually rejected). But that process still ended up pointing me at the name I finally chose.
Bruce    LT40HDG28 bandsaw
"Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers."

SawyerBrown

All good advice on names, be it "what you do" or "catchy", but I think it's important as well as you set up a website (invaluable!) and have business cards printed and truck signs made, that you are very specific about what you do.  The key to getting "hits" on your website is not so much the name as getting all the key words that people might be searching for, and business cards should detail all the work you are willing to perform.  Even if this changes over time, you can always update your website, and eventually you have to re-order business cards anyway.  Just my thought ...
Pete Brown, Saw It There LLC.  Wood-mizer LT35HDG25, Farmall 'M', 16' trailer.  Custom sawing only (at this time).  Long-time woodworker ... short-time sawyer!

FarmingSawyer

Quote from: delvis on October 20, 2014, 05:56:39 AM
My father's name is Dave and my name is Mike so our business is called D.A.M. Fine Sawing, with the 'A' standing for 'and'.  Maybe it sounds 'dorky' but it has gotten more than a few laughs from folks when they see my sign.  I like that.  Life is too serious as it is.  My son's nickname is Boochy and he suggested we could add a 'B' on the end of D.A.M. and it would still sound the same.  Haha.

Dave Mike , I've seen your listing and always smile at the joke.
Thomas 8020, Stihl 039, Stihl 036, Homelite Super EZ, Case 385, Team of Drafts

FarmingSawyer

I'm finding around here a lot of mobile sawyers won't cut certain things....won't cut elm....only cut hardwoods, only cut pine......etc. I'm fitting in because I'll cut anything. Having "Custom" in my name, and tying it to the name of my farm..."Claddagh Custom Sawmilling" brands it as unique in the area.  If I was in the South, I mighta called it Grits Custom Milling.... If yer logs' got grit we got the Grit to cut em..... (making sure I had a good debarker)......
Thomas 8020, Stihl 039, Stihl 036, Homelite Super EZ, Case 385, Team of Drafts

Jim_Rogers

In my state/home town, if you're doing business in any name other than your legal name you need to file for a business license. That means you have to pay them a fee. And you may have to appear at town hall and show your id to the town clerk when you file or renew.

Then you have the problem with customers making out the check to the business name. Some banks will only let you deposit a check made out to a business name. You can't just cash them.

I choose my name and added the word Sawmill. And I have any custom sawing job checks made out to my name so that if I wanted too, I could cash them. I don't, I usually deposit them.
Also, if your bank account isn't in the business name you may have to open up a "business account" with the business name.
There are a lot of things to consider.

Jim Rogers Sawmill
Whatever you do, have fun doing it!
Woodmizer 1994 LT30HDG24 with 6' Bed Extension

terrifictimbersllc

In my state you have to have some variation of "LLC" in the name, if you are one.  And yes if it's not your own name you have to register in the town to do business as ("DBA") some other name. Here the cost is $5.

Maybe to just get going for your expo thing though you can call it anything just your own name for now?
DJ Hoover, Terrific Timbers LLC,  Mystic CT Woodmizer Million Board Foot Club member. 2019 LT70 Super Wide 55 Yanmar,  LogRite fetching arch, WM BMS250 sharpener/BMT250 setter.  2001 F350 7.3L PSD 6 spd manual ZF 4x4 Crew Cab Long Bed

DocGP

Quote from: Brucer on October 21, 2014, 11:51:45 PMwhen you've got a name, step back and look at it from a broader perspective. Don't be like Karl, who named his portable sawmill business Karl's Kustom Kuts


I wouldn't think "KKK" would be the best initials either, but what do I know!!

Doc
Ole Country Vet
LT 50 HDD
MX 5100 for the grunt work
Stihl MS 261 C-M

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