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Now that I had my domain name, I knew that I needed a DBA. I learned this because I went to the bank and asked to open a business account. They said I needed a DBA. I was to embarrassed to ask this snotty bank woman, so I went home and looked it up on the internet.

A DBA (Doing Business As) is a legal document of an individual or other business entity stating that they intend to conduct their business under the name they have chosen. I only know about California because that’s where I live and work; here, it is illegal to do business under any name which has not been registered with the county in which the business resides and published in a newspaper in the same county. Check to see what the laws are in your state.

When your use your own name, it’s tricky. For example, my name is Sandra Beck.

Doing business under a name like Sandra Beck & Associates or Sandra Beck & Sons would require a Fictitious Business Name be registered, even though my name is stated -- the words following the surname suggest other owners that are not specifically named. However, doing business under a name like Sandra Beck Company would not require a Fictitious Business Name be registered, because the owner (Sandra Beck) is conducting business under her legal name. I found it easiest to go to www.filedba.com and answer their questions; $99 later, I was done.

I am not a lawyer, business manager, CPA, or anything like that, so this information is NOT intended to replace the advice of a professional. I am mom and a business owner, but you need to check the laws and procedures in your area.