Start a Home Based Internet Business

Your Own Business


Home Based Bookstore


Undress for Success

Renaming a Business Checklist

The decision to rename a business should be based on if the company has gone through a major change, the main product or service has changed or the business is now under new ownership. Whether or not you decide to rename a business that you currently own or one that you are considering purchasing, I've developed a small checklist of items that you should consider.

This checklist doesn't include everything but maybe it will include something you haven't thought of yet.

If you are establishing a new business entity, which you probably will be, the first thing you should do is get a post office box. You'll need the post office box number for your Employer Identification Number and any state or local licenses you might need and so on.

Contact the IRS to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your business entity. You can apply for and obtain your EIN online.

Open a new business checking account. You won't be able to do this until you obtain your EIN from the IRS.

Contact your state Department of Revenue to obtain a sales/use license and your local city government to check on any licenses that are applicable to your type of business.

Develop a new logo for your company. You'll need this for your website, business cards, stationary and to brand your business name.

Typically you can change the business name for the utilities and business insurance with a simple phone call. In some cases you might have to physically go to the company and fill out new paperwork.

Change the message on your answering machines. Hopefully you'll be able to keep the same phone number that you had for your previous business name. If you can keep the same phone number your established clientle can still reach you and you can briefly explain to them that the name of the business has changed but the same great service remains the same.

You will also need to apply for new business credit cards and business tax exemptions (if applicable).