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.

Marisol

Empowered Waxing was born during an uncertain time in my life. The salon I had been working at suddenly closed, and I found myself with a loyal clientele who still needed services but no place to provide them. I never imagined owning my own business. As a first-time mom with a three-year-old and no college degree, I was scared and unsure of what I was stepping into. All I had was my determination to make it work for my son, my family, and my clients. The name Empowered Waxing came from that journey. I wanted something that would not only represent my growth, but also reflect the strength I see in every person who walks through my door. It’s not just about hair removal it’s about helping people feel good in their skin. I want every client to leave their appointment feeling confident, strong, and empowered. At Empowered Waxing, it’s more than a service it’s a space where empowerment begins. Read more>>

Justin Frey

People always chuckle when they ask what “Whobody” means. When my oldest son was four, he never said “anybody” – especially in questions. He’d always ask, “Whobody wants to watch a movie?” And that’s always stuck with me. It felt imaginative, endearing, and just… us. Read more>>

Bleema Weissman

You’re absolutely right – naming is one of the hardest parts of building a business! For me, the name had to capture something deeply personal.
My whole life, people called me a ‘rebel,’ but honestly? I never felt like one. I was actually the ultimate people pleaser, always trying to fit into everyone else’s expectations. And nowhere was this more obvious than with my hair. I spent years fighting my natural curls, trying to tame them into what I thought was ‘acceptable’ or ‘professional.’ Read more>>

Nikita

I was holding up a bracelet I made toward the sun, and the light hit it in the most beautiful way. It gave off a soft glow and looked like it was surrounded by a haze. That moment inspired me to name it Glow and Haze. Read more>>

Jorge Cespedes

Our brand name is Olive Juice, a name that has many hidden meanings within; to start with, we love the fact that when you say “olive juice” to someone from far away, it looks like you are saying “I love you” and that makes sense for us because our business is routed in love. The love of sharing a meal with a friend, family member, co-worker or even a stranger. The love of helping people discover that they actually DO love olives or that a creamy blue cheese pairs incredibly well with some local wildflower honey. Read more>>

Mary George Sowers

After years of dreaming about creating my own line, I felt that using my name was the most authentic way to capture what I wanted to build. I’m named after my mom and her grandfather, and I’ve always loved the tradition of family names. In the South, double names are such a big part of our culture, and choosing Mary George felt like a natural way to honor my roots while putting something personal and meaningful at the center of my brand. Read more>>

Dawn (Dawnie) Fultz

I spent most of my life struggling to find my place in the world — Trying, falling short, starting over… searching for something steady, something that felt like mine.

Then I met my husband, Dusty.
A love that listened, supported, and stayed.
He became the quiet strength behind me — the hands that never let go.
And he gave me the nickname Dawnie. Read more>>

Su Li

The name Outsider Artist was born from a feeling.

It came from the quiet defiance of not quite fitting in—whether in fashion, in life, or in the roles we’re expected to play. I’ve always been drawn to people who feel a little different, who see beauty in unconventional things, and who create from a place that doesn’t seek validation. That’s where the term “outsider artist” originally came from in the art world—artists who operated outside traditional systems, creating raw, emotional work driven by instinct, not approval. Read more>>

Colleen Markowitz

Did you know that CLASS Academics is actually an acronym? It stands for “Creative Learning & Smart Solutions.” The name of the business was important to me because I wanted to convey that educating children is not -and should never be- a one-size-fits-all approach. To reach students as individuals, an impactful educator must be willing to implement best teaching practices while making it an engaging and meaningful–all of which relies on the creativity and extensive knowledge that my staff and I possess. Read more>>