Any "Marketers" here?

[Anonymous]

If so, a bit of advice on "branding" please:

I run my own retail business(es) and I've been taking a CIM course to keep me up with modern thinking. So, what I can't find in my text-books is real advice on naming a business. Some say that you should use your own name as it demonstrates ownership - like Hein Gericke or Paul Smith - but others say you should make up a name that describes what it is - like The Body Shop, or The Sock Shop.

I just don't know which way to go!

[Lou M]

The only thing I know, from an accountany point of view, is that if you use your own name, and someone else has that name you're not liable to be sued because it's your actual name.

Sorry, that's probably no help at all.

Nutty x

[Demonz]

If so, a bit of advice on "branding" please:

I run my own retail business(es) and I've been taking a CIM course to keep me up with modern thinking. So, what I can't find in my text-books is real advice on naming a business. Some say that you should use your own name as it demonstrates ownership - like Hein Gericke or Paul Smith - but others say you should make up a name that describes what it is - like The Body Shop, or The Sock Shop.

I just don't know which way to go!

Depends what you retail. If you sell a single line like just Chocolates - I would go with what it is. Are you rebranding?

[Spiderman]

Sometimes a catchy name that has little or even nothing to do with your business can be a good idea.

I know of an Indian restaurant called Mahatma Cote (my hat, my coat)
and a builder whos business is called Bodgitt & Legitt.

The builder, in fairness has a great reputation and gets most of his business by referals.

So what sort of business is it your thinking of names for?

[Lou M]

My hairdressers is called Funky Chunky - I love it! :lol: :lol:

[sharriso74]

Seen a hairdresser called Dead Swanky. The S keeps getting nicked. Don't know why must be me being innocent!!!!!

[rock]

There's a hairdressers near me called "Curl Up and Dye" :lol:

[nickj]

There's village near me called Knockin and it's newsagent is called 'The Knockin Shop'

[wyrdness]

If so, a bit of advice on "branding" please:

I run my own retail business(es) and I've been taking a CIM course to keep me up with modern thinking. So, what I can't find in my text-books is real advice on naming a business. Some say that you should use your own name as it demonstrates ownership - like Hein Gericke or Paul Smith - but others say you should make up a name that describes what it is - like The Body Shop, or The Sock Shop.

I just don't know which way to go!

I'm wondering about setting up a business and am inclined to go for a made up personal name. Quite a few businesses have done this, a couple of the most famous being Ann Summers or Elizabeth Duke.

There's some good information here:

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/startups/business_plans_entities/oedipus_wrecks_and_other_business_names_to_avoid.m spx

[northwind]

Sometimes it doesn't work so well. Like Richer Sounds, it just seems like a bit of a rubbish name, nobody knows it's named after the founder Julian Richer. And people pronounce it different ways, which isn't good.

So, if you have an amusing, unmemorable, hard to pronounce or indistinguised name, I'd say no. It does vary a lot from business to business- some areas obviously favour more formal names, depending on the industry.

[fizzwheel]

Theres a company in Yeovil called "Wentin Fastners" they sell screws etc etc. I thought that was a great name.

Be careful picking names though. I work for a company called "Screwfix Direct" we sell tools and all manner of DIY stuff. Everynow and again somebody in the call centre gets somebody asking if we sell screws of the adult variety if you get my meaning.

[northwind]

Izax of Newton, a bike fabricators in Newton, run byu a guy by that name. Now that's effective.

[Demonz]

Sometimes it doesn't work so well. Like Richer Sounds, it just seems like a bit of a rubbish name, nobody knows it's named after the founder Julian Richer. And people pronounce it different ways, which isn't good.

So, if you have an amusing, unmemorable, hard to pronounce or indistinguised name, I'd say no. It does vary a lot from business to business- some areas obviously favour more formal names, depending on the industry.

Especially true if it is a small retail business. I think if you have plenty of cash with a national expansion program go for a name that is unique - it will cost plenty before it becomes well known. If your market is local then go with something that identifies what you sell. Bread = Teds Bakery. You'll be known to most as "the bakery" anyway. A Bakers shop known as A.J Hackett wont work so well.

[Anonymous]

Wow! Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

I've been running a white goods retail business for five or six years now, basically since I came over to this country. I didn't see a need to be sophisticated, so just used my name for it: Mike Ockx Electrical. Anyway, I had this idea for a business hiring specialist tools and operators, and thought I might just call it "For Hire".

I've argued and argued with my brother Bill as to whether or not it needed my name in it.

[Peter Henry]

There was once a massage parlour in Skipton called "All Comers" HTH :wink:

[Filipe M.]

#-o #-o #-o

](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

[Ceri JC]

Please, please please: Do not include "Solutions" in the title. It looks incredibly naff. Still, it might get you some free advertising in Private Eye. ;)

[Ceri JC]

If so, a bit of advice on "branding" please:

I run my own retail business(es) and I've been taking a CIM course to keep me up with modern thinking. So, what I can't find in my text-books is real advice on naming a business. Some say that you should use your own name as it demonstrates ownership - like Hein Gericke or Paul Smith - but others say you should make up a name that describes what it is - like The Body Shop, or The Sock Shop.

I just don't know which way to go!

I'm wondering about setting up a business and am inclined to go for a made up personal name. Quite a few businesses have done this, a couple of the most famous being Ann Summers or Elizabeth Duke.

There's some good information here:

http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/resources/startups/business_plans_entities/oedipus_wrecks_and_other_business_names_to_avoid.m spx

Isn't "Frank Thomas" one of these?

[wyrdness]

Please, please please: Do not include "Solutions" in the title. It looks incredibly naff. Still, it might get you some free advertising in Private Eye. ;)

Yes, that's one of my pet hates too. A few months ago I submitted "Feet First Comfort Solutions" (shoes) to Private Eye's 'Solutions' column.

Tescos have some bad ones: "American Meal Solutions" (burgers & fries), "Italian Meal Solutions" (pizza and pasta), "Indian Meal Solutions" (curry) etc. Don't they realise how naff it is?

I'd rather be riding my two wheeled motorised transport solution.

[chazzyb]

Oh dear. :roll:

[Stu]

I've argued and argued with my brother Bill as to whether or not it needed my name in it.

What, you've been having a serious conversation about whether to call your business

Mike Ockx For Hire?








I'll get my coat

[Ceri JC]

I've argued and argued with my brother Bill as to whether or not it needed my name in it.

What, you've been having a serious conversation about whether to call your business

Mike Ockx For Hire?








I'll get my coat

I had to read that twice to get it, but when I did, I found it most amusing. :lol:

[wyrdness]

I've argued and argued with my brother Bill as to whether or not it needed my name in it.

What, you've been having a serious conversation about whether to call your business

Mike Ockx For Hire?
:D :D :D :D :D
Suddenly this thead looks like a giant wind-up.

[Filipe M.]

I've argued and argued with my brother Bill as to whether or not it needed my name in it.

What, you've been having a serious conversation about whether to call your business

Mike Ockx For Hire?
:D :D :D :D :D
Suddenly this thead looks like a giant wind-up.

And why do you think I was banging my head a few posts ago? :wink:

[Stu]

Good one Filipe - quick off the mark there!

Thanks for letting the rest of us fall right in :oops:

[Filipe M.]

Good one Filipe - quick off the mark there!

Thanks for letting the rest of us fall right in :oops:

Glad to be of service :takeabow: :takeabow: :takeabow:

[Jelster]

Wow! Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

I've been running a white goods retail business for five or six years now, basically since I came over to this country. I didn't see a need to be sophisticated, so just used my name for it: Mike Ockx Electrical. Anyway, I had this idea for a business hiring specialist tools and operators, and thought I might just call it "For Hire".

I've argued and argued with my brother Bill as to whether or not it needed my name in it.

Really, I thought your brothers name was "Boll" ??? :?

.

[Scoobs]

Mike Ockx Massive....!

No?

I'll get my coat!

[Anonymous]

Go on, go on! Rip the pi55 out of my name :lol: :lol: I can stand it, as it's my family name - well, more or less.

My father was Belgian and lived in the Congo in the 50s. When all the trouble flared up, he was forced to flee to South Africa, with no papers or belongings. Somehow, when he applied for papers, Dirk Cockx became **** Ockx....and the rest is history. Of course, he too had fun made of him - he became known locally as "Wild Bill" **** Ockx! That's why my brother is Bill. It doesn't explain why my sister was christened Pearl, or why my youngest brother is Anders Jos (we call him AJ). I was actually "Maik" but not many knew how to say that until that Goalie came along, so I have used "Mike" for ages.

[Peter Henry]

And I trust that it has given you loyal service! :wink: