The Game of the Name

-

Blue name tag reading: Hello My Name is <Blank>
I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. 
I don't believe a rose *would* be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage. 
-  L.M. Montgomery's title character, Anne of Green Gables

According to legend, it took three days for my parents to settle on my name.  I'm glad they took the time to really think through the decision, because a name is a big deal.

Our names are deeply connected to who we are. Some of us change our names to signal significant life changes, advance our careers or demonstrate a close relationship to another. And whether we like it or not, our names convey basic information about us to strangers.

Even though it's early days, I'm starting to feel a sense of urgency to choose a business name.

In terms of logistics, my business name is the foundation for a lot work I'm keen to start: the website, business cards, and other marketing materials will all be designed with the name in mind. The sooner those are finalized, the easier it'll be to connect with clients.

But it also feels like a decision that shouldn't be rushed. My business name will introduce me and hopefully communicate a little something about what I do. And because writing is the name of the game, there's a little extra pressure to get it... just right.

To further complicate things, my name has to be appealing to a broad range of clients with different, even opposite, needs.  Too sombre, and I lose my wedding crowd.  Too jubilant, I lose the funerals.

I have a top contender, but the more I say it out loud, the more I write it out, the less attached to it I feel. 

Is this the subtle creep of self-doubt? Or a warning to keep searching?  How will I know the difference?

For now, I keep reminding myself the plan is to go slow. Thinking through big decisions obviously runs in the family.

Define the goal. Let it go. Listen. Repeat.

If you want to namestorm with me - I'd love to hear your thoughts. Post your suggestions in the comments below, or communicate privately at: MindingMOB@gmail.com.

 Photo by BlogMonkey at FreeImages.com
Business "public servant" corporate start  Starting Started “Free time” “Spare time”“Part time” Side hustle “On the side” “side hustle” “Minding my own business” “Minding Her own Business” “Minding Your Own Business” path  career  change government 
new job writing blog Shannon  “Shannon M” “Shannon Marshall” Victoria “BC”“British Columbia”Name naming named namer "name of the game" "game of the name" "naming the baby" "naming your baby"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shannon Goes to Camp

-
Image
"Follow your bliss, and the Universe will open doors where there were only walls."  - Joseph Campbell  Summer may be over, but I'm off to camp! Pretend you already knew I've been working on developing a video game for the last 18 months.  If you didn't know, it's probably because there hasn't been a lot to say until now. I'll fill you in below! The exciting news is I - along with a superstar crew of creative Bad Astronauts - have been hand-chosen by the fine folks at Xbox (yes that Xbox) to attend a five-month virtual Game Ca mp, where we'll be building a test version of our game! We start next week.
Read more

Minding My Own Business

-
Image
There I was, minding my own business, when... There's nothing like crossing a major milestone to inspire navel-gazing deep reflection on how I'm contributing to the world. So I recently created a list of my best skills. Not just my best rĂ©sumĂ© skills ( works well with others , excellent communicator ) , but my best life skills. My best inherently-me skills. I brainstormed, sorted and sifted. At the end of it all, I decided I'm gonna keep my day job. (Surprise! ) How many epiphany stories start with the hero staying right where they are? As silly as it sometimes gets, I actually kinda like my day job (mostly) and I love the people I work with. I'm also gonna start my own business . (Double surprise!) Start super-small. Learn as I go. Trust my network to support me.  Grow my network. Keep it fun! And blog about Minding My Own Business . All in my spare time. Outside my comfort zone, yes. But inherently me. So...what is my own business?  I have som...
Read more

Sometimes I Fall Down

-
Image
I can't believe it's already May. Since my last blog,  I've reached a number of exciting milestones: I got my business license, launched my new Facebook page , and deposited my first paycheque as an entrepreneur! I'm proud of my progress. But truth be told, this has been a tough winter, and this post is more personal than professional. I spent months feeling like I was fighting the office cold, and generally felt a desire to climb into my bear-cave and hibernate through to Spring. In March, just as the sun came out and the robins began to sing, my pace of life slowed even further. I felt tired, sluggish, and couldn't concentrate. My motivation was non-existent. I assumed I was finally getting the flu. I didn't get the flu. But I spent almost a week at home, sleeping 10-hour nights and topping up with mid-day naps. I startled easily, and could feel my pulse pounding in my belly, sounding alarm bells at imaginary threats. At this point, m...
Read more