Doula Business License/Registration?

fearlessbirth · 09-23-2005, 09:31 AM

When one is certified and starts advertising and wants to doula all the time, is there anything business-wise you must do? Do you need a business license or can you just pass out business cards, create a website and go at it?

Is there anything I should know as far as a logo or business name? Like, do you have to check with some 'official' office somewhere to see if your name has been taken or can you just do whatever?

I may be thinking about this WAY too much, but would hate to print up cards or flyers and then be told my business isn't licensed or the name I've chosen is copyrighted or something.

tlcdoula · 09-23-2005, 10:37 AM

Well I registered my business as a LLC, but you do not have to. I also did register my logo because my dd drew it and it was important to me that no one has the right to steal it. So many times I see on websites logos, pictures, etc that people have taken from other sites without permission. That makes me so sad, so when my dd created my logo I wanted the world to know that it was mine and dd to know that I wouldn't allow someone to steal her work. I know that might sound silly, but it was important to my dd that only I use the logo that she created out of love for only her mother. Long story behind the whole thing LOL

Other than that I don't really know what you have to do.

tlcdoula · 09-23-2005, 12:01 PM

Limited Liability Corporation

fearlessbirth · 09-23-2005, 01:16 PM

Would you mind explaining what the LLC is all about and what it entails and what the advantages/benefits are?

That's sweet about your DD.

tlcdoula · 09-23-2005, 01:55 PM

Here are some sites where you can learn more:

http://sbinformation.about.com/gi/dy...structure.html

http://www.llcweb.com/

The main reason I did it is because when running a business there is a part that we are always liable for. Even with business insurance if you do not have insurance high enough to cover a lawsuit then they can come after your personal property. If you run your business as an LLC they cannot do this. You can read more at the websites above.

I found out all of this from another doula who runs her business as a LLC. She consulted an attorney when she first started out and he told her that LLC will be her best for of protection, and much more, but you can read more about it and decide for you whether it is right for you or not. I have my birth business and my hypnotherapy business both as LLC's.

heathenmamaof5 · 11-01-2005, 07:33 PM

I went and got my business lis. and fict bus name today! "expectations..." that's my name. Whooo, tomarrow I'm getting my bus. bank account.

I has my first contact via the DONA website. I gotta get my name out there!

I'm sooo excited!

Jill Spear

DL · 11-01-2005, 08:36 PM

Congratulations!!! Sounds great!!!!!

tlcdoula · 11-01-2005, 08:56 PM

Woohoo, sounds like things are all coming together really well for you!!!!! I can't wait to hear how the contact works out

kelley piasecki · 11-01-2005, 10:22 PM

YEAH!!! Congrats Jill!! I bet you are so excited!

1stimestar · 11-01-2005, 10:33 PM

Expectations! I love it! Congratulations.

Tiffany · 11-02-2005, 08:55 AM

Congrats Jill!!

fearlessbirth · 11-02-2005, 09:43 AM

That's an AWESOME name! Can you please tell me/us how you went about getting your name 'certified'. Or if there's a website where you can go to see if the name you want is taken?

Thanks! And congratulations!

11-02-2005, 02:26 PM

Congrats!!!

Kalamazoo Doula · 11-03-2005, 12:55 AM

Very Cool!

heathenmamaof5 · 11-03-2005, 12:45 PM

Hello Doula Sisters!

Thank you for all the support!

I REALLY appreciate it!

expectations... just sorta came to me. I'm an aspiring midwife (intend to enroll at MCU in the next year) so I was thinking about my expectations, as well as, my clients expectations of preg. birth and the nursing relationship. So expectations... it is!

I went to the Small Business Administration. My hubby is insisting I run this as a business. He even wants a business plan, which is making me crazy

I mean, how do you check out the "competition"? These men want $ figures. They don't understand that we don't compete. We're a community! What am I going to do? "Oh, scuse me, how much money do you make? what's your demographics? etc" It just seems so callous to me.

sorry off topic

So I went to the SBA. They're in most all towns and most of their info is free. The counselor said he had another Doula in one of his classes last week!

Online I beleive you can go to sba.gov and put in your county and LOTS of info comes up. He also said go to IRS.gov and myownbusiness.org Score.org is also like the small business administartion.

I applied for my business lis and fictitious business name. The clerk just put it in and I got it!!! I went on line somewhere (maybe sba) and was pretty sure it was available.

I opened a bank account yesterday

all you do is take in your fict. bus. name application and boom you've got an account.

Now I need to make tri-folds, get business cards, advertise, get my name OUT there!

Again,

Thanks so much for all your encouragement.

Jill Spear - sole proprieter of expectations...