Name of your business

[Catalina]

This may be a really silly question, and I apologize if it is, but can you use a pseudonym for yourself ? Can I call my business for example "Jane Doe's Face painting" when my name is not Jane Doe, and call myself Jane Doe?

Of course, on the business/tax side of things, my real name will be used for everything. I know that professional clowns have a name, but I don't want to be a clown.

Hope my question makes sense.

[Sherry]

I don't see why not.  It would be considered a "fictitious name" or your DBA (doing business as) name.

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

I went with a business name that does not include my own.
Mary's Pretty Faces to me doesn't sound as clever as "Cheek to Chic Face Painting."
Unique names get my attention and stay in my memory more often than using a name.
I also like that it may give the impression that my business is more than a single person
company.

[Alison]

Cheek to Chic ?  That's Wonderful.  Is That the name of your business Picasso?  Someone else's? 

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

Just made it up!
I am Party Picassos Face & Body Painting!

I initially wrote down a long list of what I thought were cute, clever names.
Then I went to see what was available with a ".com" attached to it.
That limited the choices. Obviously, there is no ORIGINAL idea.
Several people thought of the same "clever" names!