Thread: Stage name for contracts??

Am I suppose to use my stage name or my real name for contracts?

I feel like If I'm calling myself by my stage name and the client knows me as Petite Nadirah, then they are "hiring" Petite Nadirah.... but with Legal contracts, should I be using my "legal" name??

I would use this phrase.
"Legal Name d/b/a Dance Name" and then the rest of the contract.
d/b/a = Doing Business As
If you are in Canada, the UK, Ireland or Australia use o/a
o/a= Operating as

Using this means that you and the other party understand that you as the performer have all legal rights under either name even if you are doing business under a "fictious name"

That makes sense- thanks!

I *think* you can do something legally so that you can do contracts under your stage name. I've written checks to "Stage Name", and the people have been able to cash them.

Originally Posted by indigostars

I *think* you can do something legally so that you can do contracts under your stage name. I've written checks to "Stage Name", and the people have been able to cash them.

Some financial institutions allow you to open an account using a d/b/a and then you can accept checks made our to your stage name and deposit them into the account. Not all banks allow it so check with your institution to make sure.

Also it is possible to apply for a small business lisence using your stage name. Many people who do this then claim their taxes under their business (or stage name) and are able to accept payments to said business name.

i got a fectisious buiness name which is nadirah and no one in my town can have that name it is a legal name of a buiness so you can do that.

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

Some financial institutions allow you to open an account using a d/b/a and then you can accept checks made our to your stage name and deposit them into the account. Not all banks allow it so check with your institution to make sure.

Also it is possible to apply for a small business lisence using your stage name. Many people who do this then claim their taxes under their business (or stage name) and are able to accept payments to said business name.

By law, all banks allow it, BUT if your DBA name doesn't contain your actual name (like Shapoopie the Magnificent vs. Bob Smith Graphic Design) then you have to file a form with your county. The actual form and procedure vary, it's usually called a Fictitious Name Certificate or something. Most states/counties also require that you run a legal announcement in the paper declaring your name and your DBA name.

Banks usually still require both your personal and DBA name on the account, but you can accept checks just written out to 'Shapoopie' or whatever, and you can have just that name printed on your check. I imagine contracts would require both.

Licenses are another matter altogether and vary by city, generally.

Something many dancers don't understand -- if you're selling your services as a dancer or as a teacher, you ARE a small business and subject to all laws and rules of that. There's no certificate, license, piece of paper you go apply for to 'become' a small business. You already are one, and you're responsible for knowing the laws that govern you as a business (taxes, licenses, contract laws, employment laws, etc).

Lauren I believe you are talking about in the US. I'm not sure all international banks are subject to the same laws.

Well technically I have a fictitious name registered already. I previously owned a studio and operated under "Fitness Fusion". My checks are written out to Fitness Fusion and I can stamp the back with "Fitness Fusion" and cash them (or I can sign them with my legal name).

I was using Fitness Fusion before because we weren't just bellydance, my studio also had yoga, tai chi, etc..
I wonder if I could change that to just operate as "Petite Nadirah" since now I'm only doing my own bellydance classes/shows and no longer running a studio with multiple instructors...

Anyone tried to change a fictitious name (in Missouri?) ?

i have two one belly dancing divas for my studio and things dealing with that and Nadirah . you have it usually for 6 year you can get as many as you want i think?

Originally Posted by PetiteNadirah

Well technically I have a fictitious name registered already. I previously owned a studio and operated under "Fitness Fusion". My checks are written out to Fitness Fusion and I can stamp the back with "Fitness Fusion" and cash them (or I can sign them with my legal name).

I was using Fitness Fusion before because we weren't just bellydance, my studio also had yoga, tai chi, etc..
I wonder if I could change that to just operate as "Petite Nadirah" since now I'm only doing my own bellydance classes/shows and no longer running a studio with multiple instructors...

Anyone tried to change a fictitious name (in Missouri?) ?

Nadirah,
I'm in Missouri too...I've never tried changing one, but I think that all you have to do is file a new one under the new name.
Nisaa

Thanks!
Yeah I called the small business center here and they said I can change it if I want (or just file a new one...probably the same thing) by going to the secretary of state website and just filing it again. It uses the same EIN and everything. Now I guess I'll just need to talk to the bank?


by the way- Nisaa, I think I took a class with you once a few years ago in O'fallon! It was at a yoga studio on main street (not there anymore...sad!)

Originally Posted by PetiteNadirah

Thanks!
Yeah I called the small business center here and they said I can change it if I want (or just file a new one...probably the same thing) by going to the secretary of state website and just filing it again. It uses the same EIN and everything. Now I guess I'll just need to talk to the bank?


by the way- Nisaa, I think I took a class with you once a few years ago in O'fallon! It was at a yoga studio on main street (not there anymore...sad!)

OMG!!! You may be right!!!!!!!! HaVu Yoga, right? I believe the owner relocated, and then eventually closed the new location too. I think she just freelances now. Holy moly, that WAS a long time ago!

Nisaa

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

Lauren I believe you are talking about in the US. I'm not sure all international banks are subject to the same laws.

Oh, that's very true. It may vary from state to state as well.

Originally Posted by nisaasaintlouis

OMG!!! You may be right!!!!!!!! HaVu Yoga, right? I believe the owner relocated, and then eventually closed the new location too. I think she just freelances now. Holy moly, that WAS a long time ago!

Nisaa

Yep, that's the place! It was a cute little studio, it's too bad it didn't stick around. I look forward to seeing you perform again sometime (perhaps at the next Aalim hafla... I need to get my butt over to St. Louis more often!)

Originally Posted by PetiteNadirah

Yep, that's the place! It was a cute little studio, it's too bad it didn't stick around. I look forward to seeing you perform again sometime (perhaps at the next Aalim hafla... I need to get my butt over to St. Louis more often!)

It WAS a cute studio; I'm not quite sure why it wasn't successful, because she had such a diverse range of yoga offerings. I think her rent was pretty steep, though.

Hey, if you're able to drive into St. Charles on May 16th, that's the night of my student recital at St. Charles Comm. College! PM me if you need info.

[/threadjack!]

Or, you can have the language read: Suzy Nippletassels ("Client") and Jane Doe, performing under the name Shapoopie, ("Performer") agree to enter into the following binding agreement...blahblablah.

And if you're going to take checks then specify how/who it should be made out to, and put it in bold so they can't miss it.

This is if you are not registered in your area/county under an assumed name (commonly known as a DBA - i.e., Jane Doe dba Shapoopie). If you are operating under an assumed name/dba, then just open a bank account with your dba and you should be set to cash checks whether they write your name or the stage name on it.