Lynne wrote:

I'm a woodturner in Tucson, Arizona, who is just starting out with
creating my business, and I'm hoping some of you can offer some
advice. I will be operating as a sole proprietorship, but I'm
wondering if I should operate only under my own name or also under a
registered business name ("doing business as"). Do vendors and banks
and such attach more legitimacy to businesses with a registered
business name?

snip

I don't think the vendors or the banks really care. The IRS and the state
tax department does care though. They want to see a clear distinction
between business and personal funds.

I suggest making an appointment with an accountant when you're ready to
open your business. The suggestions my accountant made ended up saving me
money, initially sent up my books and prevented a bunch of headaches.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA