Comments on: What should my Business Title be?

Question: What should my Business Title be?

brownpau — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:37:09 -0800

So I'm filling out the Trade Name Registration Form for my business, and field #6 is "Applicant's Title in Business Entity." I'm a sole proprietorship -- just me at home doing freelance web design -- so what do I put on this line? Do I have leeway to be witty or irreverent?

Oh, this is in DC, for what that's worth.

By: exogenous

exogenous — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:40:17 -0800

I wonder if they mean this kind of title.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:42:06 -0800

How about "sole proprietor"?

By: taumeson

taumeson — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:49:44 -0800

Doing a quick google turns up Trade Name Registration Forms that mean "title" as both "type of ownership" like exogenous mentions and "CEO" like we may all think.

If it's just a "title" like CEO, I think I'd put down "Principal". It sounds businessy and it means "owner/operator" in business speak.

If it's "type of ownership" I havne't the slightest idea. "Sole propietor" may be the right answer.

By: brownpau

brownpau — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:01:57 -0800

There's another field for type of entity, in which I've already checked "Sole Proprietorship."

By: cyniczny

cyniczny — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:14:46 -0800

Your title is "Owner" of the company.

By: kindall

kindall — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:35:32 -0800

"Principal" or "owner" or "proprietor" are all good.

By: dness2

dness2 — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 08:56:03 -0800

I don't think being witty or irreverent is the wisest move in legal documents no matter how tempting or being begged for, so I would just go with one of kindall's dull but appropriate suggestions. Then print out a few business cards with your "real" title to distribute to friends and family.

By: brownpau

brownpau — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 11:43:08 -0800

Thank you all. "Owner" it is, then, though on my business cards it'll probably be... "Brownpau!"