What’s Your Preference?

private · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 01:05 PM

I could go with the obvious and use my last name, no one has it unless they are related... The problem with that is that no one can spell it...

Any help will be appreciated.

I want to take photos of kids under the age of 10 and things that you would hang in their room. Will that help you guys help me?

kirbinster · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 02:00 PM

I would suggest NOT using your name as the business name. If this thing takes off and you end up with lots of people working for you down the road you will find that when customers or prospects call they will always be asking for you because your name is the business name.

Further, in business it is best to always have someone else to differ to for making decisions. If you name it for yourself when you are negotiating with a customer they will expect you to make the decision. If it has some other name you can always say I have to take it to my (boss, partner, CEO, etc....) to make a final decision.

I had a case in point of this a couple of years ago. A very good customer wanted me to contract with him for a service. I did not want to, but I did not want to risk loosing his account. I explained to him that I did not own the business myself, that I owned 49.5% and my wife owned 49.5% with a third party owning the other 1%. I told him I would have to get their input. I was then able to go back to him and explain my partners did not want to do this. I kept his business, had I been the one that made the decision I know that he would have taken his business else where.

Another point along this same line is don't print up cards that say you are the President or CEO (even if you are), always take a lower title so you can defer to someone else if needed in a negotiation. My cards say I am the General Manager.

private · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 02:45 PM

THAT is great advise! Especially with the title stuff. THANKS!

genielamb · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 05:13 PM

try pick a name that is catchy and easy to remember particularly if you are focusing on children. You may find they are your best source of reference and hence you need a name that can easily be remembered. When I first started my company all I did was personalized childrens books. The name I finally settled on was Genie Creations and my logo is an owl dressed as a genie. Kids love it. Try polling your own kids and their friends. If you have time run a little competition among the younguns in your area with the prize being a poster (or picture) created by you to hang in their room. Remember too not to make it totally centered on children as you may want to branch out at a later date. Research the name you come up with thoroughly to ensure you are not stepping on toes especially when it comes to going online with a unique domain name. I had a friend who started what is now an extreemely succesful business teaching math through song. Her company name features the word 'googol' (not google) she encountered no end of copyright problems when she tried obtaining a website to suit as someone already had the URL googol.com and claimed to have copyright on the word. Have fun, be creative but keep it catchy and simple. Hope this helps.

OsmosisStudios · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-2008, 05:16 PM

I go by my username here: Osmosis Studios.

It's fairly distinct (Google it and you'll find 3D modelling companies in Australia, mainly) and it allows me a certain degree of anonymity. My business card doesnt show a "position" within the company: just my name and the web address. This way I can always backtrack and say that I have to check with a partner/associate.

I don't actually have anyone else: It's just me. But I do have some cards made up for a friend of mine, as he often helps me out on larger shoots and certain special things i've done. It allows him to spread my business (he gets a cut too) and yet still remain separate. He tells them that he cant make a decision himself, that he has to ask me and so on: in reality, we discuss it and go from there.

I know alot of people that use their full name, and I dont like it as much. Having an actual business name (even if you dont get it registered, but check local laws) will often give people a better up-front impression