As we are reading different show rules regarding signs on booths, we are afraid we may have made a problem for ourselves with our choice of a business name. Our business is called Waldens Ridge Gallery, LLC.. However, we are not an actual art gallery. We have an online presence as waldensridgegallery.com, where we hope to generate some Internet sales.
Will some shows prohibit a sign that includes the word gallery? Currently we will only be offering Sherry's original paintings She signs her artwork ssjones (all lower case). We have considered either creating two signs, one using our business name and one using ssjones (her maiden name) or one sign with something like Waldens Ridge Gallery featuring original paintings by ssjones. We also are considering using something like original paintings by Sherry Smith and explaining the reason for the ssjones signature. Sherry started painting before she became a Smith. Although Jones is also a very common name, it is not as common as Smith.
For two people who believe in keeping it simple, we may have already violated that concept.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
One thing you may want to consider though.
Always apply to a show under your actual name, not your corporate one. There are states that once you register as a corporation, you must pay corporate taxes to that state. Many states have a corporate minimum tax which is paid even if you didn't make any money. If you apply to the show as an individual, you are just representing your corporation.
And with many states looking to wring out every penny they can from whomever they can, out of state corporations are the next target.
Thanks Chris, very good advice.
Larry Berman
Thanks, Larry. We hope to upload images and other required information to ZAPP later today. We have our first sunny day in East Tennessee for some time. It is 35 degrees at the moment and we aere heading outside to set up our booth for pictures.