Business Name Sounding Board?

12 years ago

Is it appropriate to ask here? Is it a bad idea to ask here?

I have the business name that I'd love to use and it's not registered here in PA but the domain name is already taken and that has me a bit bummed. I have a few runner up names that are fine but I'm not as taken w/ them as I am w/ my #1 pick. They also aren't registered and 1 whose domain name that is currently under contract (no actual site) but due to expire Saturday. I would want my domain address to be as close as possible to the business name.

DH is feeling quite financially comfortable w/ the purchase of his/our business and seems to want me to be able to do what I want to do FT in the next 2yrs or so but he knows that we have to work up to it. He really wants me to 'find my bliss' and start a furniture painting and home decor business. No store front at this time - just flea markets, craft shows, Etsy and having my stuff in a few local single stores locally if they are interested.

He came home w/ the book 48 Days To the Work you Love and has even asked me if he wanted him to contact some designers that they work w/ on projects. He's talked w/ and introduced me a graphic artist friend of his and he'll do my logo for free.

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Comments (7)

forhgtv
12 years ago
Congratulations on a great opportunity to realize a dream. As for asking for opinions here, I would be cautious about it. Of course, I'm probably overly paranoid, but you just never know who is lurking. Plus, an Internet search can easily pull up our posts. So, say you were thinking of using the domain name that's due to expire. The owner of the name could have an alert set up to notify him/her if the exact name shows up on the Internet anywhere. If you do decide to post ideas, I would suggest that you at least use asterisks for the vowels or some other masking device so the words aren't an exact match to the real words.
ttodd
Original Author
12 years ago
forhgtv - I'm paranoid too! While I was reading your post a name for a website hit me using my 1st and preferred business name. I searched and it's not taken. YAYYYYYY!!!!!!
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forhgtv
12 years ago
Congratulations, AGAIN!!!
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
12 years ago
That is so exciting! Congratulations also!

I opened up my home decor store last August and I am always happy to talk marketing/merchandising/finances.

My business name was taken when I started my website,and I had to use something close to my name. It annoys me how people buy up names they are not even going to use and hold them for "ransom". What should be a $20 website name cost hundreds.

FYI, I emailed gw to see just how much I could discuss my business and here is the response I received:

Deedee,

Yes, as long as you don't share any information such as the name, website url, or ask others to contact you via email, you are certainly welcome to post.

Sincerely,

GardenWeb Staff

Can't wait to here more about your venture!
ttodd
Original Author
12 years ago
deedee99 - thanks for the info! I'd love to hear more about your store and what prompted you! Fee free to e-mail me! That's so exciting!
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
12 years ago
Hi Ttodd,
You are so lucky you have a dh who wants you to " 'find your bliss' ".
I have a good one too, even though we can really get on each others last nerve when we work together too long at the store. lol!

I stumbled upon gw looking for a forum for business owners in the home decor industry. All googles kept leading to this forum that I am now hooked on!

I opened my home decor store because...
1. I love design/home decor
  2) I have a good eye for color etc.
  2) Have experience in management/buying/design through previous jobs
  3) Lost my job as an accessory/upholstery buyer and needed income!
I have no regrets (yet!) It has been an exhilarating and terrifying ride!
Four days off in 10 months....all extra $ right back into the business....a lease signed with a developer who has gone out of business.....the learning curve of IT (how the heck do I set up a credit card terminal and how do I encrypt customers account #'s??)....

Those headaches are balanced with the ability to be creative in my career and meeting and working with my customers.

I am based in a small town in the Midwest in a strip mall. I am between an Ulta, Kohl's, Pet smart...all the usual strip mall suspects:)

We sell all things home and start our price point at 99 cents and go up to a couple of thousand for special order upholstery.

Two things off the top of my head I wish I had done differently....
Gathered email address from day one for a mailing list. Created my own free website using a template (Wix, etc) rather than paying someone to do it for me.

Anyway, just wanted to wish you luck and say I'm rooting for you. Later I will email you privately with my website and you can look it over if you would like. I don't sell on the site, it's just informational only.

I am happy to be a sounding board for you if needed!
deedee
beekeeperswife
12 years ago
I am sure you are already thinking these things, but if you do a home decor business, I think it is critical that you start a blog. Maybe you already have one. It is a resource where can showcase your work, or present ideas that you love, etc. It will give potential clients a "feel" for your style. There are some bloggers that I come across and I know that their style is not my style, and I know we wouldn't see eye to eye. And then there are those that I think, this person could be my best friend, I would just let him/her go wild in my place and I know I'd be happy!

Congratulations on starting your "next chapter". I hope to do the same some day. I probably have about 3 more years before I can start my next career.

If you need any assistance in the Chester county or Delaware (the state) areas, let me know.

-Bee