Creatively Connect @ Creative Connects

An event I attend regularly is Creative Connects.  What is Creative Connects you ask?  Well, it is “a free social event hosted by The BOSS Group for creative, marketing and interactive professionals.”  Creative Connects is throughout the U.S. with events in:

• D.C. Metro Area
• Philadelphia
• Boston
• Atlanta
• Baltimore
• Dallas
• Northern New Jersey (basically Newark)

About every three months, Creative Connects events are hosted in synchronicity in their respective locations at the exact same time.  I ventured out to my first back in May with my coworker Lori (of Lorikeet Media).  We had a pretty good time and got to mingle with other creative professionals, hand out some business cards, and eat some tasty finger foods.  The best part is that it’s free to attend (along with free food).

They also always have special guests at every event who have some sort of creative professional background.  For example, at the last event Jason Ferrera, Creative Director of Match.com was in attendance and representatives from CDIA Boston University.  I’m especially looking forward to next month’s event since I’m actively seeking any business development individuals/opportunities.  The individuals in attendance are also eager for freelance work, so this is right up my alley.  The demographic is usually 21-34, so its great for generation Y and X.  I’ll follow-up with a post on when I actually attend the event, so keep an eye out for it.

The Dog Ate My “Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name”

One thing you must must must have before you launch your new business is a “Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name.”  This is if you are operating your business under a name other than your legal one (i.e. Ryan Rosado).

 

My lovely certificate hung on my fridge by my Dunkin' Donuts magnet

 

It depends where you live at but all municipalities have these available to file at your local court house at the Clerk of Circuit Court department.  Mine is filed in the City of Alexandria and only cost $10.00.  This certificate ensures no one in the Commonwealth of Virginia can operate business under this name (ROAR Marketing) other than me mhmm.

Here is a good source for “Doing Business As…” for requirements by state.

I had a little fun with taking pictures of my certificate hanging on my fridge.  Don’t worry, it’s safely filed away at the moment :]

 

Taken with my Hipstamatic Camera on iPhone.