What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;
And for that name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
By any other name would smell as sweet.
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name;
And for that name, which is no part of thee,
Take all myself.
Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)
I have been building a portfolio for some time now.... A year to be exact. And have finally decided to take the leap and start my own business. And I have finally figured out what the hold up is...and it's a stupid one.
What do I call my business!? It's such a silly thing to get stuck on and at the same time I know how permanent it can be. It's kind of a big deal! Big enough to keep me awake at 6:30 in the morning. I never wake up this early! The thought came to me, "If you build it, they will come...." Anyone? Field of Dreams...But I didn't hear some creepy voice just my own train of thoughts, "nothing is going to happen if you just sit there on your butt! Maybe you should actually start the business! maybe you are the one standing in your own way! if you start the business the business will come." So yeah I can't put this off anymore. It's seriously holding me up and keeping me up!
Okay so here are my thoughts... Just read it!
I've never wanted to name my business after my own name. I wonder if it would come across as egotistical and self centered.... But after doing some research I see the value in using my own name. Branding would easier, easier to google me because my name is unique. Because it's unique, sometimes it's easy to remember. I don't know what I want to specialize in yet (I have some ideas) and I haven't quite defined my brand so I can figure those out as I go and it gives me room to refine my style, which could change and evolve. Using my name gives me room evolve, grow and refine myself as a photographer and as business. So I have decided that it is probably the way I should go. So the huge and daunting question that has been plaguing me for weeks is what shall I name my business? Your name, dummy! right? No, for reals though....
We had a lesson in Relief Society that was based on a talk, "What have you done with my name" by Elder Mervyn B Arnold. It led me to think about my own names, Meili, Ann, Ware, and what those mean to me, the legacy that my last name has and where my first name came from.
I love my last name, Ware. Meili Ware photography seems pretty good. Okay! Done and done. that was easy! Not quite. It seems easy.... BUT, I think.... someday.... maybe...... I might....sort of..... want to get married. Okay who am I kidding. I do. I want to get married, whether that will actually happen is another thing. So do I base my business name on the prospect that someday I might get married and will want to change my last name to my husband's last name? If so then then my last name will be different from ware and that could complicate things, or not.... I don't know. Meili Ann Photography seems like a better, more permanent choice. Although, it might not sound as nice as Meili Ware Photography, nor does it match the address to this very blog... which wouldn't be so bad....I guess... Because that could change. I could some day give my humble little blog a makeover.
I love my last name, Ware. Meili Ware photography seems pretty good. Okay! Done and done. that was easy! Not quite. It seems easy.... BUT, I think.... someday.... maybe...... I might....sort of..... want to get married. Okay who am I kidding. I do. I want to get married, whether that will actually happen is another thing. So do I base my business name on the prospect that someday I might get married and will want to change my last name to my husband's last name? If so then then my last name will be different from ware and that could complicate things, or not.... I don't know. Meili Ann Photography seems like a better, more permanent choice. Although, it might not sound as nice as Meili Ware Photography, nor does it match the address to this very blog... which wouldn't be so bad....I guess... Because that could change. I could some day give my humble little blog a makeover.
So... do I use meili ware and possibly face having to change it or have a different business name than my real married name? Or do I go with meili ann, which is good but maybe doesn't sound as good but it is more lasting? And my last option is may photography, just to shorten things up a whole bunch, but might not sound as good either...
So if anyone even reads this blog and actually stuck around and read all my ramblings and made it out to the other end...
What do you think? Which name do you prefer?
1. meili ware photography
2. meili ann photography
3. may photography
Please! give me your thoughts! what do I gotta do? promise home made cookies? would that help? 'Cause I will! You just let me know that you are commenting for the home made cookies and leave your address and I'll bake 'em up with love for you! But you have to leave your vote. I sound pretty desperate... I am..... :( I need to get some sleep here!
A) I'm so excited for you to be taking the next step! I definitely agree that you've got a great portfolio, and no matter when you decide to start your own business there will be things you'll learn along the way. So why not start now? :)
ReplyDeleteB) Here's my thoughts on the names: I think May photography is a little too generic. Definitely not as "googleable" as something with Meili. I think the other 2 are both great. It seems like you would prefer to go with Meili Ware if not for that whole last name changing thing. If you really have strong feelings about not wanting to have a business that doesn't have the same name as your married name, then maybe you should go with Meili Ann, but personally I think it would be fine to be Meili Ware Something-Else and still be the proprietor of Meili Ware photography. Ware will always be part of your name, just like Meili and Ann, right?
So my vote would be for Meili Ware Photography. The M & W could also work well together if you wanted to make some kind of logo or something. Nice symmetry. Plus it sounds like it's the name you like the best.
Those are my thoughts.
hmmm I like meili ann too.... gahhhh! I am so indecisive...
ReplyDeleteI think you should go with Meili Ware photography, and you can still change your name when you get married, but your business will just have your maiden name, nothing wrong with that!
ReplyDeleteI was going to write the exact same thing as Julia. You can still change YOUR last name when you get married but leave your business name the same... the business wouldn't be getting married. I think Ware is more distinct than Ann. And I agree with j that May Photography is too generic. If you get a really cool last name when you get married, maybe you can change your business name too (if you want), but if you get a lame one just leave the business called Ware.
ReplyDeleteI like Meili Ware, just because I'm kind of partial to that last name. I was thinking that M.A.Photography sounds kind of cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the votes! you're the best!
ReplyDelete