Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? So, we asked some very sharp folks to tell us the stories of how they came up with the names of their brands.

Lindsey Grohoski

Early in 2020, I knew I wanted to start my own website and social media business. I had the idea of having my own business for years before that but didn’t know what direction I wanted to go in. At the time, I was working a full time job for a local hospitality group and working a lot but I knew this was something I was wanting to pursue. Read more>>

David Castleberry

I chose this topic because I find it to be particularly relevant to my brand and it was a challenge. I had ideas for other label names but it came down to a few things: someone beat me to the punch, I’m not as creative as I think I am (which is clearly not true) or my lawyer is too conservative (better safe than sorry). In the end I chose two words that were prolific, true to my ethos and fun to talk about. Read more>>

Paul Granade

Coming up with the name for my company was far more difficult than creating the actual art. i wanted something that not only could potentially become a brand, but also represented what it is that i do. Working with the medium that i work with, which is skulls, i completely understood the stigma associated with this type of medium. I know it’s not for everyone, but i have been surprised by the number of people that have enjoyed what i am doing and the medium i use to do it. Read more>>

Ashley Arrington

Agape Global is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Empowering Communities One Person at a Time. We’re a growing foundation that’s continuing to provide aid and resources to individuals in need of assistance. The name “Agape Global” was birthed as an extension of a ministry that was created . It is called “I AM AGAPE”. It’s a ministry that allows individuals to grow while seeking God and his presence. Read more>>

Diana Acevedo

I didn’t come up with the name of my company. It was given to me by one of my customers! I had been going out each night with different baked items and selling them to people coming out of the bars along the street I lived on. One evening, a fairly inebriated gentleman said, “You’re like some kind of Renegade Baker out here slanging your baked goods!” I knew instantly that was my name. It was too perfect. I hope I see that guy again one day so I can thank him. Read more>>

Stephanie Bunnett

I decided to name my coffee shop, Kunjani, which means “how is it?” or “how is it going?” in Zulu. This is a really common phrase and greeting used in my home country, Zimbabwe, similarly how “what’s up?” is used here. The mission for Kunjani has always been to provide our community with specialty coffee, while making a positive impact along the way. I thought it only fitting to name the business a friendly greeting. Read more>>

Tresa Chambers

Music. Amusement. Museum. At the heart of each of these words is the essence of creative inspiration. The muse. There are nine in Greek mythology that represent art, science and philosophy. Each of us embodies all these aspects of creative inspiration. I named Tenth Muse because I work with creative people to inspire them to call on their muses to grow their businesses. I chose Enterprises to reflect the range of endeavors I intend to pursue. Read more>>

Emily Gomez

I grew up in west Texas, San Angelo to be exact. I’ve been in the DFW area for about 17 years now. About 5 years ago I knew I wanted to start my own business, I just wasn’t sure exactly in what aspect. I was thinking of all the cute little shops back home. They always had the cutest clothes and just really unique items you can’t just find anywhere. So I came up with a plan to open a boutique. My mom and I were brain storming about the name. We went through several. We kept going back to how things would sparkle and dazzle in these stores. So Dazzling Boutique was born! I added the Texas on about a year into being open. It just flowed better. So now we have Texas Dazzling Boutique. Read more>>

Lynette Pettinicchi

I had known since I was a teenager that I wanted to own a business, though had no idea what it would be. After changing my major four times in college, I ended up with a BA in Public Relations/Advertising. After spending just over five years in varying internships and working my way up from junior account executive to senior account executive, an opportunity came for me to branch out on my own. Read more>>

Lori Bley

Honestly, I dreamt it. I have always hidden a single daisy bloom in each bridal bouquet I’ve made. They have always been my favorite. The perfect happy flower in it’s simplicity. Placing one down in the center of the bouquet is me leaving my mark. So when I woke up one morning and said The Hidden Daisy, that was it. I filed the business name change paperwork that day. I couldn’t tell you what happened in the dream, I just knew the answer upon awakening. Read more>>

Laurie Davis

I wanted to launch a natural body care line that promoters relaxation, self care and helping you look and feel better. Products with essential oils that have to power to lift your spirits and shift your energy. While brainstorming on the name energy kept coming to mind. I wrote done everything I wanted my products and line in general to focus on and Inner healing, self care and peace were at the top of the list. Suddenly it was right in front of me, Read more>>

Agustina Garcia Laredo

Land in the US I wanted the name of my company to be very simple and very clear for foreign customers. I had the best coach a businessperson could ask for, who helped me think in a few words how I wanted to help my clients solve their main objective. To help them land in the US with their own business, service, idea or product. Read more>>

Agustina Garcia Laredo

Land in the US I wanted the name of my company to be very simple and very clear for foreign customers. I had the best coach a businessperson could ask for, who helped me think in a few words how I wanted to help my clients solve their main objective. To help them land in the US with their own business, service, idea or product. Read more>>

Amy Leff

I was married and divorced really young. He was my high school sweetheart and we were together most of my high school career and all of college. At the time, I didn’t know myself outside of him. He was the center of my world and I didn’t make any room for myself. Young love… it consumed me. I was always a creative soul… I grew up in Laguna Beach, CA. It’s a creative town where as a community they support their artists. Our high school mascot was “The Artists”. We had a wonderful art department and many of my childhood friends are also in the creative field. Read more>>

Tara Craven

I’m a mom of two little boys and I’ve grown up in Southern California. If you’re not familiar with the area, it has a strong Spanish influence, from the Spanish colonial architecture of San Clemente, to the historic landmark Mission in San Juan Capistrano, most of the street names are Spanish words and you’re likely to find a good Mexican restaurant in every shopping center. I wanted the name of my company to harness the influence of where I surf, where I grew up, my role as a Mother, and my appreciation for Mother Earth. When I think of the role of a Mother, Read more>>

Lindsay DiDonna

I had been making charcuterie boards for over ten years and served them at every Sunday dinner I hosted each week. As I thought of transitioning my hobby into something more official, I knew I needed a name that would catch attention and make a long lasting impression. It didn’t take long for me to come up with something that I knew was the perfect fit. I’ve always loved the elements that make up a charcuterie board, all except one thing…the olives! Read more>>

Carmen Adams

Something that I have seen people struggle with inside the music, arts, and small business fields has always been labeling self-identity. To encapsulate the full magnitude of the time, trust, and passion that go into one’s personal business, especially if that business is led with their own face and efforts, is complicated in the most simple state. I have struggled with grasping my own self-identity for most of my life but ironically, when push came to shove and I needed to label my business, the choice was clear. Read more>>

Reema Boccia

me was to name my company something about myself, but not my actual name. After much consideration, I landed on Two Rivers – I was born in Baghdad, Iraq, the city of the two rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates. As soon as I landed on this name, I knew it’s what I wanted my business to embody – an homage to my place of birth, my family and my ancestry in ancient Babylon and Mesopotamia. There is so much stigma about that part of the world, but the rich culture and people of that region is unparalleled, and I am proud of my heritage from the land of the Two Rivers. Read more>>

Shavone Jackson

The name of my business is inspired by my late father. I watched him balance being an entrepreneur, working a full time job, and being a great parent simultaneously. I watched the transition from completing W-4 forms to only completing W-9’s. I’ve always had a dream of running my own business and working for myself, which he encouraged. Once he passed I was inspired to gather everything I learned from him, and every other resource I had…and go for it. R.B.D is an acronym that stands for Reggie Bolden’s Daughter. Naming my business after him is both inspiring and motivating. Inspiring, for obvious reasons. Read more>>

Gabriella Aratow

My company is called KIS, which stands for Keeper Introduction Services. There were several things important to me in naming my company. The first was that I did not want to use my own name. Most matchmakers name their firms after themselves. I recalled once or twice when I was younger going on job interviews for companies named after the owner. Something about that never landed right on me. I felt that all my labor would get instantly credited to this other person, who already had more power than I did. My blood, sweat and tears would now bolster their name? Read more>>

gwen Gottlieb

Five years ago I started my social media account (Instagram) on a whim, (with the encouragement of a fellow content creator), and I dubbed my account Eats on the Avenue and then later switched to Gwen Eats Well. I was showcasing lots of cheat day foods, and local South Florida restaurants, and I quickly got bored, realizing there was more to life than just good eats! I had a vision of what I wanted my account to look like, and changed my name to Gwen Lives Well, with the goal to feature and share whatever floated my boat – from food to fashion, books, travel, wellness, aging, new product finds, and since then I’ve never looked back! Read more>>