I currently refer to my “business” side (as much as it can be said
to be a business) as Sharon Smith Metals or Sharon Smith Metal Arts.
Since my name is also descriptive of what I do, it seemed a good way
to go, particularly since in the art world, an artist’s name is
typically their “brand”, so to speak. Fortunately, my first name
isn’t as common (it’s a running joke with friends that I am what my
name is. The joke got started mostly because when I went back to
school, I wasn’t entirely divorced yet so I still had my married
name, which wasn’t Smith. My studiomates thought it was hilarious
that my real name was Smith. I have sworn never to change it again.)
Ages ago, I used to have a small business selling primarily
Celtic-themed leather pieces. I decided that my business name should
be in Gaelic, even though I don’t actually speak it. Thus, Ealinn
Alian Leather came about, which means “Beautiful Design” in Irish. I
learned a lot from having that name. For one, the importance of
fadas, aka accent marks (which should be over the i in Ealinn & the
first A in Alian). Another is that I literally had to teach everyone
how to pronounce it properly. A unique & expressive name is great-
except when no one can remember what it is. I’m not even sure I
spelled it properly here since I haven’t had to type or write the
name in at least a decade. Plus, I found out after I’d started
filing various bits of paperwork that if I’d used my own name, I
wouldn’t have had to file for a Fictitious Name thingy, which would
have saved some money. ( at least in PA, where I was)
Another possibility is naming yourself after the place you’re in.
Back home, there were & are a lot of “Lake Erie (whatever)”. Here,
there are a lot of “Red River…”, “Prairie…” “NoDak…” “Grand
Cities…” (plural because the other side of town is technically
another town in another state because the Red River is the border
between NoDak & Minnesota, even though both are Grand Forks. The
Minnesota side is East Grand Forks, though)
I think insects are beautiful, and I knew I was going to make them
my niche. I wanted a name that would convey both and so Elegant
Insects seemedright and it has a harmonious sound as well. Also gave
rise to a neat logo-a stylized ‘elegant’ insect. I think a name
should convey something about what it represents, and should be easy
and pleasant to say and to remember.
many interesting points on choosing a business name, yes the time
may have passed for references to classical culture, that is modern
education for you. Personally I would be attracted to such a name but
I am classically educated and an aging minority now.
Although a student of mine is a Goth and I mentioned my son is in a
metal band, Cast to Stone, my student said his favourite band is
Cradle of Filth googled them and found many classical references in
their lyrics.
So at least amongst the Goths there is still an interest in the old
cultures, Gothic art does have a long history.
Although having Dracula as pin up boy is a little dystopian. There
is some very interesting Goth jewellery out there.
Personalization is great, unless you have a difficult name. Partlan
is often mispronounced and almost always misspelled - in my opinion
not a good choice for a business name or web link.
A marketing friend suggested going with a name that has some meaning
to me.
My former home had a gorgeous unusual very much admired tree in the
front yard with white flowers on the branches in the Spring - thus my
business name.
Picking our name was simple. In the beginning the business was
consisted of my mom, my sister and I. We call ourselves “The Jewelry
Girls”. We are easy to remember. If any of our customers goes to a
show, they know to look for the girls. It does spark questions when
we have a male helper but hey, that’s aconversation starter.
Mary Partlan makes a good point about difficult names. Most folks
mispronounce and misspell my last name, so for years I used my
middle name Gentry for Gentry Goldsmithing. I still have accounts
with that name on it.
I used that name for my music career too. Jo Gentry rolls off the
tongue much better than Jo Haemer.
Thanks to everyone who shared the way the named their business. I
found it fascinating how well business and brand names reflected the
personalities of those that shared their stories.
After some consideration and a lot of scribbles on Post It notes,
I’ve decided to go for Aurien as my brand name. I think it has the
advantages of being short, suggesting metal through the AU and I
think it sounds right in the sense that names like Graff, Verdura or
Cartier sound solid but slightly exotic.
Deconstructing it further, there’s also the sense of glow from the
Aura and in French, a sort of nihilistic aspect in Au rien - to
nothing.
I’ve registered the .com and. co.uk domains, so that’s another step
forwards.
I’ve really appreciated all the advice that was offered.
i have carved woodlucite, wax jewelry since 82, i named mine
soulwood jewelry in memoriam of the soul of the wood, but i don’t cut
down trees, , there’s gold in them woods, dave
When I started my jewelry school in Washington DC I made sure to pay
attention to what people search for first.
The name I chose is Jewelryclassdc. The results have been gratifying
to say the least. Prospective students invariably use the words
jewelry class in DC at some point and the amount of hits has put my
classes on the top of the results page quickly.
I would avoid being too cute or obscure in your references. Dan
I must have wrestled with this question for about five seconds. at
least !. Last name : Shelton, first occupation : metalworking
technician, business name : Sheltech. Slam dunk; thank you- drive
through, have a nice day.