Results: What did you name your business and why?
March 8, 2008 by Cyndi Lavin
Filed under Artist Communities, Jewelry Business Tips, Question of the Month
Silicone Texture Plates
Baroque pattern
Elaine, of CreativeTextureTools, writes:
My jewelry making business is named Studio 925, after sterling being 925/1000 silver. I was once at a trade show and a guy from a very larger provider of precious metals took my card and said, “what’s the name mean?”
I reminded him and he was like, “Oh, geez… right.”
I named the company in 1992, before domain names were part of the scene. It was already taken (as a domain name) by the time I went to look for it. When I chose the name Studio 925, I did try to choose a name that was not too limiting and would allow for future growth.
When I opened my e-commerce store, CreativeTextureTools.com, to sell the Silicone Texture Plates (TM) that I manufacture, as well as other tools, I wanted to express that, well, these are tools for creating texture. I wanted just Texture Tools, but that was taken, so I added the Creative.
These days I would encourage folks to check and buy their domain name before filing for incorporation for their business, it’s an essential part of the process.
You make the point about whether to include your name in the business name — it’s a step that takes great confidence, that I think many don’t have when they are just starting out.
Business names should be simple, allow for growth, and project the appropriate image. It’s also helpful when the business name and domain name are the same.
One of my favorite craft suppliers has a mis-match, and it’s a little confusing.
I didn’t really have a name when I started other than ‘The Bead Lady’. When I decided to get serious about being in business, I realized there were way too many ‘bead ladies’ to be able to use it and make my business name memorable.
I polled all my friends to see what their thoughts were — told them what my main interests were at that time. And they helped me come up with ‘The Wired Bead Lady’ – a nice name but if you’re listed alphabetically people get bored or sidetracked before they get to the bottom of the list…. So I polled my friends again and explained the situation — and they helped me come up the ‘Always Wired Bead Lady’. And as they are quick to point out — that’s even without caffeine!!
Since I love wire and beads pretty much equally it works!
I hired a young lady to draw up my logo — I explained what I had in mind and between that and my business name she was able to work that out quite nicely.
Your blog banner is really adorable!
I named my jewelry business after my 2 grandchildren, Kyle + Olivia. I started Kyoli Kreations about 3 years ago. My husband and I decided some years ago to take our family (kids and grandkids) on vacation each year instead of buying Christmas presents. During the year I sell my jewelry on my website as well as at craft fairs and that money helps pay for our vacations. This year we went on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico and Belize City. My grandkids love our family vacations and look forward to them each year. And by the way, they both love making jewelry too!
Well of course they do, Donna! You’re brainwashing them… LOL!!
I named my jewelry design/bead shop “Cool Moon Creations & Beads”. Largely because of my love of all things with suns, moons, and stars, and another because of the uniqueness – it is just “weird” enough to be remembered – AND as far as marketing – I’m towards the beginning of the alphabet. Works for me!
Both are excellent reasons, Sheryl!
Silver By Fire, Inc. was the name I chose because I fire the Precious Metal Clay in my kiln as in Psalm 12:6 “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.”
How wonderful! Your signature scroll is lovely, Carol