I am in the process of starting my own free-lance design business. I would appreciate any help both with a business name with the word cat or feline in it, a domain name, and any ideas on how to start up. I am also searching for a host site to start my website on. Do I need a lawyer? Will I need an accountant if I hate math?
Thank you so much,
Cat

Some books/publications you might want to look into:

AIGA Professional Practices in Graphic Design

Becoming a Graphic Designer: A Guide to Careers in Design, by Steven Heller, Teresa Fernandes

Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers, by Tad Crawford and Eva Doman Bruck (with a CD of business form templates)

Digital Design Business Practices: For Graphic Designers and Their Clients, by Liane Sebastian

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines

Graphic Designer?s Guide to Pricing, Estimating & Budgeting, by Theo Stephan Williams

The Business of Graphic Design, by Ed Gold

The Business Side of Creativity, by Cameron Foote

The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business, by Cameron Foote.

The Graphic Designer?s Guide to Clients: How to Make Clients Happy and do Great Work, Ellen Shapiro

The Graphic Designer's Guide to Creative Marketing: Finding & Keeping Your Best Clients, by Linda Cooper Bowen

Off The Wall Marketing Ideas, by Nancy Michaels & Debbi J. Karpowicz

HOW Magazine's Annual Self-promotion and Business issues

Get Noticed!, by Sheree Clark and Kristin Lennert

The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success. by Jeff Fisher

Self Promotion Online, by Ilise Benun

Self-Promotion for the Creative Person : Get the Word Out About Who You Are and What You Do, by Lee Silber

Designers' Self Promotion: How Designers and Design Companies Attract Attention to Themselves, by Roger Walton

BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, by Peggy Klaus


Web resources:

Creative Latitude: http://www.creativelatitude.com

Creative Business: http://www.creativebusiness.com

Creative Public: http://www.creativepublic.com

Creative Pro: http://www.creativepro.com

HOW: http://www.howdesign.com

Small Business Administration: http://www.sba.gov/

Small Business Development Centers: http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/index.html

SCORE: http://www.score.org/

Hope that helps some - J.

Jeff Fisher
Engineer of Creative Identity
Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

Thank you! I will most definately check out the listings you gave me!
I love this site! How about KrazyKat Graphics for a name also? Keep the ideas and tips coming! Starting my own business is scary, and this really is helping!
Cat

Cat, so many start up questions!

You are the reason I started my site. Check it out below. You will find lots of resources and help.

Sylvia
http://businessplanmentor.com
Business plan and start up resources