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Replies

• 

  Chris Collins March 1, 2011 at 12:43pm

  Recently done same thing as I am starting out myself. Cant suggest a name really but got some pointers/links to help. What ever you choose dont have name starting with a letter to the back of alphabet as you will be last on search lists.
  
  http://www.logobee.com/feature1.htm
  
  http://www.nikibrown.com/designoblog/2008/10/21/creative-design-fir...
  
  http://www.breadlinedesign.com/design-company-naming-machine
  
  http://www.kabalarians.com/cfm/kalex-intro.cfm

   

  btw, like "border control" as name
• 

  Gardengirl March 1, 2011 at 1:52pm

  Thanks Chris,  I am going to have a look at the links.

   

  Gary, I like your idea, I will try to use the few grey cells I have left to find something simple.

   

  Have a good day x
• 

  Dan Frazer Gardening March 1, 2011 at 2:17pm

  What do you mean 'Garden Girl' isn't available?

   

  I honestly would think carefully about introducing the fact you are female into the name as it may affect the business either positively or negatively. Keeping it neutral, to me, is the best option as it focusses things on the job in hand and is a much more clean and clear way to sell your work.

   

  Also decide early on what sort of work you definitely don't want to do and avoid it. If you don't have the ability or desire to do hedge reductions then don't even quote for the work, for example.

   

  My business is my name, s I feel confident that I can sell myself as me. I don't want people to think I'm a gimmick, just a good honest gardener, hence Dan Frazer Gardening.

   

  Set up a good website too as that will help a lot.
• PRO

  Gary RK March 1, 2011 at 2:48pm

  If you are looking to grow the business over time I would suggest you keep it professional, unrelated to your area of operation, keep your name out of it (unless you prefer to keep small and local) and steer clear of anything too gimmicky (it will sound great now, but in a while you may 'whince' at it).
  
  Consider it's ability to placed in alphabetical order, whether you can secure the domain name (.co.uk & .com) - this a good site to play about with domain names : www.nameboy.com
  
  Consider how it will look across all forms of media - letterheads, brochures/cards, van, website, newspapers
  
  Start to build a brand now (consider colour, font etc). Build a style guide for future use.
  
  Not sure I can suggest one, but you'll know it's right when you see it or someone suggests it....
  
  Whatever, good luck and use LJN for all its worth...
• 

  Gardengirl March 1, 2011 at 3:14pm

  Hi Dan, 

  The name is apparently already registered, according to Business link. But I think you're right, and I would probably be safer not mentioning I am a woman.

   

  Is setting up a website easy?

  
  Dan Frazer Gardening said:

  What do you mean 'Garden Girl' isn't available?

   

  I honestly would think carefully about introducing the fact you are female into the name as it may affect the business either positively or negatively. Keeping it neutral, to me, is the best option as it focusses things on the job in hand and is a much more clean and clear way to sell your work.

   

  Also decide early on what sort of work you definitely don't want to do and avoid it. If you don't have the ability or desire to do hedge reductions then don't even quote for the work, for example.

   

  My business is my name, s I feel confident that I can sell myself as me. I don't want people to think I'm a gimmick, just a good honest gardener, hence Dan Frazer Gardening.

   

  Set up a good website too as that will help a lot.
• PRO

  Gary RK March 1, 2011 at 3:18pm

  Yes and free in some cases for the first year.
  
  Good place is 'get great Britain online ' website sponsored by business link and google.
  
  Try to find it or I'll post link later. Before anyone diss's it subsequent years costs ARE low. Has tens of templates and allows you to register.a . Co. Uk for free and then build a site.
  
  In my view an excellent low cost starting place
• 

  Gardengirl March 1, 2011 at 3:25pm

  I will definitely keep using the site, you guys are great. I was feeling a bit low but now feel much better having all these info and advices.

  
  
  Gary RK said:

  If you are looking to grow the business over time I would suggest you keep it professional, unrelated to your area of operation, keep your name out of it (unless you prefer to keep small and local) and steer clear of anything too gimmicky (it will sound great now, but in a while you may 'whince' at it).
  
  Consider it's ability to placed in alphabetical order, whether you can secure the domain name (.co.uk & .com) - this a good site to play about with domain names : www.nameboy.com
  
  Consider how it will look across all forms of media - letterheads, brochures/cards, van, website, newspapers
  
  Start to build a brand now (consider colour, font etc). Build a style guide for future use.
  
  Not sure I can suggest one, but you'll know it's right when you see it or someone suggests it....
  
  Whatever, good luck and use LJN for all its worth...
• 

  Gardengirl March 1, 2011 at 4:16pm

  I have no problem being a woman, but I can see how a name like gardengirl could be misinterpreted and attract the wrong people. Gaynor is a lovely name by the way, it would have been a shame not to use it
  
  Gaynor Witchard said:

  I see no problem in advertising the fact you are a woman - I am, and have used my own name from the very start. It is, quite simply, Gaynor Witchard Gardens.

   

  A name for your business is quite a personal thing. I too went down the anonymous route and, like you, didn't want anything 'gimmicky'. Eventually I came to the decision to use my own name. The fact that you are a woman when you tun up for your first appointment will surely become clear, and it's a well known fact that 'word of mouth' is very powerful when you are starting out. So don't let the fact that you are female get in the way.

   

  I wish you well in your new venture.

   

   
• 

  Dan Frazer Gardening March 1, 2011 at 4:18pm

  What I meant about the female thing is I don't like businesses that brand themselves feminine, girly, flowery, touchy feely etc. names like Flower Power etc! I think it could lose you some big-money jobs especially in the commercial sector.

   

  Using your name would be great and I know various local businesses (plumbers etc) that have large fleets and extremely good turnover that use their own name so that won't prevent you expanding whatsoever.
• 

  Gardengirl March 1, 2011 at 4:28pm

  I had a look at the links thanks and got a lot of fun playing with the company naming machine!
  
  Chris Collins said:

  Recently done same thing as I am starting out myself. Cant suggest a name really but got some pointers/links to help. What ever you choose dont have name starting with a letter to the back of alphabet as you will be last on search lists.
  
  http://www.logobee.com/feature1.htm
  
  http://www.nikibrown.com/designoblog/2008/10/21/creative-design-fir...
  
  http://www.breadlinedesign.com/design-company-naming-machine
  
  http://www.kabalarians.com/cfm/kalex-intro.cfm

   

  btw, like "border control" as name