What’s in a name? A lot apparently, as entrepreneurs, artists, and makers of all kinds spend enormous amounts of energy searching for the right name for their business, project, organization, or creation. Below, you’ll find the stories of how various successful brands, creators and entrepreneurs came up with their names.

Eia Vasco

The name of my company is something all my clients get a kick out of. “Run On Sentences” was an unreleased mixtape by Mac Miller. I found myself editing for hours on end with it playing in the background. The mixtape also had a lot of influence on how I would get inspired to create photography, and visual arts in general. In the end it was also a tongue & cheek reference. “A picture speaks a thousand words so I created run on sentences” Read more>>

Gabby Gonzales-Heck

I came from a family of entrepreneurs. When I was growing up, my grandpa had a family-run sawmill, and my dad worked there. He was coined the “Sidekick,” my grandpa’s right-hand man. After he worked there, he decided to take a leap of faith and start his own business—a logging company named Sidekick Logging. Read more>>

Benjamin Brothers

One day I was mowing my lawn and thinking about the future and what I wanted the name of my future business to be. While driving I suddenly came almost overwhelmed about the idea of “Mother Nature” and all she encompasses. The birds were singing, bugs were buzzing, and the leaves were practically dancing with the wind. I thought to myself, “Why hasn’t anyone ever tapped into “Father Nature”? I had just became a father and knew there was something magical about becoming a father. This was it, I thought to myself, “Father Nature” will be my company name. It has so many meanings yet it is virtually an unexplored idea. Father Nature then became the name of my company and it has been for 15+ years. Read more>>

Lisa Swimmer

The gifts shop started in renting a space in a Native American gallery to generate revenue items that sell for under $100. The art gallery was all high end art by local artist.

My family brother had previously sold Native American art as a cultural leader and donated gift shop boxes with the Swimmer collection design.
Thinking outside the box my design started by visiting local libraries and maker spaces to create art by laser. Read more>>

Jeff Roberts

Fibonacci Plants came to be from an extensive search for a store name. We had a name chosen for our entity so all the filing could be made not knowing the direction we were ultimately headed. Once we solidified plans to move forward with plants we started to dig deeper. We didn’t want to go the cliche “plant shop” route, it’s often the go to but makes having brand identity streamlined a bit more difficult if there are a number of stores similarly named in other areas you’re still competing with social handles, web domains etc. There was a growing list of more unique names to use with a nod to plants but something fresh, something never seen. Read more>>

Maryam Counter

Matryoshka’s Bakery was named after Russian nesting doll. The largest doll is considered the matriarch of the family, while the smallest is called the ‘seed’ and represents the soul. Also I’m a mom of 3, which makes me feel like a matryoshka. Read more>>

Tonie Piper

My company name Be A Light Enterprises was inspired by the belief that even the smallest light can break through darkness. I wanted the name to reflect my mission, to empower, uplift, and bring hope to our communities. Whether it’s through entrepreneurship, mentorship, or community development my goal has always been to be a light in spaces where it’s needed most. It’s more than just a name, it’s a calling. Read more>>