Using Own Name or create a business Name?

[hels]

Hello my name is helen thomas.
After over ten years of working for other people I have decided to start freelance business.

Should I use my own name or create a business name.
What do you think?
Does it look better/more professional to have a business name instead of just using.

ideas so far:
Helen thomas - creative designer
HT|graphics
2am | design
UNITY design
creative unity
Upbeat design
one creative.

Feedback appreciated.

[jonze]

I vote for using your own name :) Helen Thomas Design or something similar sounds good to me. Thats just my opinion!

[likethegoddess]

I've known freelancers to go with their names or to go with a company name. Either way's good, imo.

Of the names you've listed, I like Helen Thomas - creative designer and I like HT graphics. It all depends how you want to market yourself.

Diana

[hels]

To clarify what sort of work I am proposing: the business plan is doing design for small to medium size business including: logos, business cards, flyers, simple websites and freelance magazine design (which is where the majority of my working life as been)

[blueocto]

If your aiming for small-medium businesses, maybe something a bit personal and 'approachable' might be better, than say a random word like 'teaspoon' or whatever lol

[Acuity]

Originally Posted by blueocto

If your aiming for small-medium businesses, maybe something a bit personal and 'approachable' might be better, than say a random word like 'teaspoon' or whatever lol

[Seedy GD]

the 2 I like out of your list are HT graphics and 2am design.

I think that you could go either whit your name or without, 2 am design generally lends itself to a younger crowd which may limit your work.

I think it is a preference, I have found that company's with just the owners last name Patterson & Associates can come off sounding slightly arrogant, but that is just my opinion.

but teaspoon is always an option.

[Whitley Journalism]

Originally Posted by likethegoddess

I've known freelancers to go with their names or to go with a company name. Either way's good, imo.

Of the names you've listed, I like Helen Thomas - creative designer and I like HT graphics. It all depends how you want to market yourself.

Diana

I agree. Either way seems appropriate for a freelancer. Go with whatever you think sounds the best!

IMO HT Graphics sounds good and so too Helen Thomas Design.

Up to you :)