How do I legally pick a wholesaling name?

Question

I want to start a wholesaling campaign and say, "hello, this is Harrison with XYZ wholesaling," but I want to make sure I pick a name that is unique so I don't copy anyone and also so I can make a reputation for my business. Can anyone tell me how to see if a chosen name is unique? Many thanks in advance!

James G. · Answer

@Harrison Montgomery you’ll need to decide if your name will be registered both provincially and federally or just provincially. There’s registration fees for both and you need to get a Nuans Report that verifies that your name is unique.

James G. · Answer

@Harrison Montgomery check out this link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start.html

It will walk you through the steps.

Huong Luu · Answer

@Harrison Montgomery You will need to talk to a lawyer who can register your company. They will tell you if the name you want is taken, so have a backup and a backup to the backup ready. You can start off by doing a search on the internet to see if the name you want is taken because most likely a company will have a website that matches the name. The next thing is to check if the domain name is available or a variation of the domain name is available. Preferably a .com over a .ca. There are .net and .org that might be worth considering. Keep in mind you don't need to start a company to do wholesaling. As you are just starting out, you might want to ensure you really want to do wholesaling. The other option is to talk to an accountant and lawyer to learn about a 3-tier company. I see from your bio and other post you want to do FLIP and BRRR. So a 3-tier company maybe worth looking at. Good luck

Jim Campbell · Answer

In New York state: for info go to:

https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/answers/cms/a_id/2443/kw/domestic%20LLC

To check if a name is available go to:https://appext20.dos.ny.gov/corp_public/CORPSEARCH.ENTITY_SEARCH_ENTRY

Rachel Stewart · Answer

I am not a lawyer but when I was looking into it in Illinois I found three steps helpful:

• 1) Check with your states secretary of state they have online tools to search their databases 
• 2) Check the DBAs (Doing business as) this is where a business or partnership takes on a separate/assumed business name.  
• 3) US Trademark Office the USPTO also has their own database checker so you can see that no one has trademarked your name or something too similar.

While you're checking these things, you might as well check for a domain name, in case in the future you want to create a website. Once I had a client that had been doing business for a while under their name and when we went to purchase the domain name it wasn't available. Something to keep in mind.

Kurt Michaelson · Answer

If you haven't checked with the Secretary of State in New York, you should check out their website for more info about forming an LLC.

https://www.dos.ny.gov/corps/llcguide.html

Harrison Montgomery · Answer

@Joe Splitrock That makes sense. I will be branding my materials to build professionalism, and mostly I want to make sure I am not using someone else's name on accident!

Harrison Montgomery · Answer

wow @James Grannan, this is super helpful thank you so much, this is exactly what I needed!

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Harrison Montgomery brand protection is important for a business, but in the wholesaling business I would worry less about it. I say that because it isn't a repeat business. Generally speaking someone needs to unload a house quick and they Google something logical like "sell my house fast Calgary". Use a name like Harrison Buys Houses in Calgary or Harrison House Buyer. Look for something where you can get the web URL.

Harrison Montgomery · Answer

@Michael Breisch,

This is helpful, thank you! Do you have any clue of what the equivalent to Secretary of State is in Alberta Canada? Otherwise, the domain, Facebook, and google search all seem to say I have a unique name!

Many thanks

How do I legally pick a wholesaling name?

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