I have been starting my Dog boarding and walking service in my area and so far people have been comming to me from word of mouth.  I would like to get some cards made up but compleatly lost for a name.  I need a catching name but also would love something different How about Funky Canines.  See i have no idea PLEASE HELP ME.

Can you not use the same name as you're using on your VAT registration? Or is that just your own name?
:)

WHy would they be VAT registered if they have just started?

I'm assuming if it's a business they will be insured and registered for VAT.

Well, I woudl hope they are insured, but VAT registration is only relevant over a certain trading figure per year, and not a lot of sole trader/partnership business register in their first year of trading, at least.
bye
Gwen

That's fair enough, then. It's just that all the people round here who do boarding are VAT registered. Perhaps they have other business activities too.
:)

You have to exceed a turnover of £58,000 within a year of trading to register for VAT.  Most established boarding kennels would turnover this in a year, judging from what mine charges anyway.

This person sounds like she/he is starting up from home in a small way.  I would hope they are insured though.

Sandra

Isn't it something to do with "providing a service" ?  - I was under the impression that in that case VAT would be payable regardless of turnover?? - but I may have this completely wrong

Too long since I left work and I have not kept up on the VAT regs. wonder why ;) in fact just thrown the last of my paperwork on the fire, you have to keep it for 7 years.  When I was working it was above a certain amount a year and I do not recall any special arrangements for service industry. This person would have to have the business registered for rates (community tax) and the Inland Revenue, of course, and as someone said have spoken in detail to an insurance broker to make sure every angle is covered.

As to the name, think I would steer clear of the cute or trendy ones, if I was using the services I would want something reassuring like The Canine Care Club or Centre or Service. That sounds like a vets but you will get what I mean.

Hi guest, we do seem to have wandered away form your original query in the realms of VAT!  I would be careful with a word like "Funky" as it has different meanings - yes, it can mean cool and trendy, but also unpleasant/wierd (like what a funky smell).  I see where jackie is coming form with her caring suggestion, but it is not very snappy, something cute, that you can fit a caring tag line too would be best, for this particular maket (OK, OK, I did use to be in advertising/marketing!)
something along the lines of "Canine Care Club -  The service you need, the service your pet deserves", not that exaclty , you understand, but that sort of thing.
bye
Gwen
(and VAT registration is definetly turnover dependent, no matter if you provide service or goods.  If you turn over more than the current limit , which I think is about £58k at the moment, regardless of what you provide you have to register, under that you can opt to register if you want, but not required.)

Good point about the meaning/s of 'funky', Gwen. To people of my parents' generation (though there aren't so many of them around any more) it means 'scared' or 'cowardly'.
:)

Regarding the name, I think Jackie H is right advising you to avoid cutesy, gimmicky names. You want to sound efficient and professional, so something along the lines of Canine Care would be good.
:)

Just had another thought, too, the name you choose should bear in mind the demographiocs of your prospective clientele - and the area in which you operate.  Also, are you providing pet care as a whle or just dogs?  You dont want to exclude a sectin of your customer base by an innapropriate choice of names.  "Doggy Daycare" is not suitable if you are taking cats and rabbits too, then it coudl be something life "Animal Haven"
bye
Gwen