I think we need a prefix that says "I need a hug" or "HELP!!!" or something like that...lol

I'm not sure if this is a question or a problem or what but I am absolutely tearing my hair out over my business name. I can't sleep or think about anything else no matter how hard I try. I'm constantly brainstorming either in my head or on paper and my friends/family aren't helping (well, they are, I'm just not liking their responses...lol). I proposed a few more names to my mom last night and she nixed all but one and, of course, it wasn't my favorite.

She seems to think that I need to keep all femininity out of my name because some of my clients will be men so I should stay away from any "gender specific" names. I don't agree. I don't want a name that makes me sound like some unisex corporation and I tried to point out to her that a lot of VAs have very feminine branding (colors, logo, name etc). I specifically mentioned some very feminine names that I've heard around the boards (like Girl Friday...I can't remember your exact business name...sorry) and she said, "well, you can tell what she does from that name."

(by the way, two of the names I gave her were Elan Virtual Services - an accent mark goes above the "E" - and Sweet Success Administrative Solutions. She thought both of those were "too girly" and "nondescriptive")

Anyhow, here's my question. What do y'all think? Do you lose credibility or narrow your target any by branding yourself more personally than something that's generic?

I want my name to sound professional but I also want it to have a bit of my personality in it and, yes, darn it, I want it to have a touch of femininity. I'm not trying to sell a corporation, I'm trying to sell me. Do you think, from a client's standpoint, that it'll hurt my chances of getting any work from a man because I brand myself as such. Don't get me wrong, I want to be/look/sound professional but, honestly, I don't think you have to keep your personality out of the mix to come across that way.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Of course everyone is going to have varying opinions on this topic depending on your business view.

So... my two cents...

I stayed away from gender specific names for some of the reasons mentioned exactly. After speaking to a few business friends and asking them directly, if you were to hire a virtual assistant between Company A name and Company B name, who would you hire? From 3 out of my 5 successful business friends, they steered away from my first idea of a business name of "GoTo Girl Virtual Assistant" because they didn't feel that the name alone (with not knowing who, what or how well I'd do it) just didn't give off that professional feeling they would look for.

NOW... before you get discouraged....

Look at all the successful businesses on this board alone that DO use gender specific or niche specific names!! I don't think you lose any credibility because your credibility isn't (or shouldn't) be name based but more experience based and what your customers think.

My personal decision was to go with JP Virtual Solutions, which compared to other ideas was a bit boring in my eyes.. BUT I'm supplimenting that with my logos, websites, ideas and creativity that I'm allowing to flow around that so I don't get stuck in a dry and boring business? Ya dig? LOL!

Just do what makes you happy and what you feel is best for YOUR business. I think if your "product" is solid, your name won't matter (heck, look at "GoDaddy" or "Bing" or "Joomla", etc, etc, etc)!

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Jonna
JP Virtual Solutions

Thanks, Jonna. It makes me feel a bit better that you did the same exercise with your business friends and they gave you better explanations than what my mom apparently gave me (although it kills me to admit that she maybe had a point...lol). It makes a bit more sense to me now.

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

I wanted something with personality, that was catchy and memorable. Thus "The Virtual Office Goddess" was born. I never really worried about gender issues. My concern was being remembered.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I kind of did the same mind searching before I came up with my business name. I decided on a gender neutral name because my long range plan includes a multi-va practice with both male and female associates. And, lets face it, I'm basically a tomboy at heart and girly just doesn't fit my personality.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

How funny, Stephanie! You have several mixed responses here, so here's my two cents...I tend to agree with Lily Chambers (Office Goddess)...Like Lily, I wanted to be remembered so I put the word "Emerald" in my company name even though the majority of my friends kept telling me that it really didn't 'describe' what I do! So, with that dismal response, I sought out to make sure my logo was something memorable...

Imagine my surprise when many of my small business friends told me that my logo looked somewhat like those mudflap gals you see on a semi truck...Gads! Some of my girly friends, however, LOVED the logo and told me to stick with it. My GUT told me to stick with it because I happened to LOVE how it turned out...So, now that my site has been launched, I've gotten quite a few positive responses to it, instead of negative. The name along with my logo sort of made an impact and they work well together (tying the 'emerald' base of the chair to the Emerald in the company name).

As hard as this all sounds and confusing it may leave you, trust and go with your gut. DO not rush into a company name. If you get a few 'poo-poo's' along the way, consider the source and keep going. You're ALWAYS going to find one or two people who don't 'love' your company name, your logo, your website, etc. The bottom line is what do YOU love!? I found what I love and I'm already hoping to attract some new customers--I've put all concerns about what they think of my logo and company name behind me.

There's a great thread on here that I posted a while back on helping out with company names...If I find the thread, I'll send it to you if you think it will help.

Remember to say your company name prospects out loud...hear how they sound. One may jump out at you and you'll say--That's the one!

Hang in there and good luck!

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

I agree with Lily. As long as it's not too girly, then I don't really see the concern with staying away from what *might* be considered a more feminine name. I like the name Sweet Success Admin Solutions. From the posts I've seen on here from you, Stephanie, I think a name like that really suits your personality. You are positive, warm and outgoing so I don't see a problem with that being reflected in your name. My personal feeling is that something like Sweet Success would appeal to either men or women. Also, keep in mind who your niche market is or might be...and consider would the name appeal to them. For instance, if you were going to be targeting the construction industry then you might not want to use Sweet Success.

I would however, stay away from names that might make you sound diminutive or that are too foo foo like. (Yes, "foo foo" is an official term in my book!) You still want to be taken seriously as a business owner and as an expert in your field.

Also, I wouldn't go with Elan...it's too close to Elance.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Kathya said:

Originally Posted by Kathya

...I sought out to make sure my logo was something memorable... Imagine my surprise when many of my small business friends told me that my logo looked somewhat like those mudflap gals you see on a semi truck...Gads!

I had to check out your logo after that post! I like it a lot! But I can see where it is somewhat similar to the mud flap girls. Too funny!

Lezly

Well, you've got some fabulous answers here.

Don't like thinking of you wasting away because you can't decide on a biz name. As pointed out, it's really not that big a deal. It's the total presentation that makes the impression. There are so many many more steps to establishing your brand beyond the biz name; my advice is don't spend any more time on it! Close your eyes and pick!

Sweet Success Admin Solutions is great (is it available?)!

And if you're really still stuck on it, stop thinking about who you are, and consider who your customers need you to be. Then that can be your name.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

I think Sweet Success Admin Solutions isn't too girly at all. It goes right along with the phrase "the smell of sweet success," which is used by everyone, male and female, as far as I know. But, I do think naming your biz something like "Curly Q Admin Solutions" might be going a bit far.

The thing is, no matter what you name your business, there will be people that like it and relate to it and people who don't. What matters most is, do you like it? Because if you go with a name that you don't really like or you wish you had gone with something different, when you tell people that name as you explain your business, it will come through. There are people out there that will love you and your business and will be the right people for you to work with - they're the ones to focus on.