Friday, August 19, 2011

Possible name change?


When I first started my business in Feb. 2009,  I didn't really have a plan.  I was just flying by the seat of my pants really.  I began by hanging out my shingle (so to speak) and making a few things to sell.  It's hard to really describe how it went after that, it all went so fast.  But I hadn't really given my business name that much thought.  I actually had a website for my drawings and that is where the singleB came from (indirectly, it was singleB in the first place because of my nickname, Bean).  Now I am regretting it, a bit.  I want to change it something a little more, I don't know, evocative?  Grown up?  A name that makes more sense?

But I'm afraid that I can't!  I'm so heavily invested in my Etsy shop, with the name singleB (or singleBbeautiful....another accidental name.  I had previous etsy shop with the name singleB, and when I opened the jewelry shop, I couldn't use just singleB so I tacked on the beautiful.  It has caused some minor confusion.)  Argh.

Some people have lovely, dignified, romantic, memorable names.  And they just use their own name, or a version of their name.  But don't feel that I can do that.  Justine?  Ugh.  It sounds like it came out of a Harlequin romance novel (which, according to my mother, it did).  I can just see "Justine" as some aristocratic young woman (with self-esteem issues and/or who is strong willed and never thought she would find a man who thinks she's beautiful and/or who was confident enough to put up with her having her own opinions) who gets abducted and then falls in love with her pirate/barbarian/bandit/rake kidnapper, because he is so noble and gentlemanly underneath the gruff exterior.  (LOL!  LOL!)

Anyhoo, so Justine Collins Designs, or Justine Collins Jewelry is out.  I just don't like the way it sounds. It sounds hokey.  No?  Am I crazy?  It just seems sort of generic?

This is what is in my mind at the moment:




I don't really know why, the name just calls to me.  It means "bright" in Hebrew.  I love the way it sounds (at least the way I imagine it is pronounced: baa-here-ah?) and the way it looks printed out.  And I could keep my little lady head logo too.  But I have a built a little bit of name recognition with singleB, so I'm afraid to give that up.  I don't know.  This has been tormenting me for some time now.  I need outside opinions.  Have you ever changed your business name?  What do you think would be a good name for my business?  Do you like BEHIRA?  Or is it silly?  Hard to pronounce?  Hard to remember?  Weird?  Pretentious?

Well, I'm glad it is Friday.  I'm going to go home and have a glass of wine and not worry about this for a while.  Have a great weekend everyone!

10 comments:

katherine woods said...

Justine,
You created both my engagement ring and wedding band--and the Mr.'s band too--under the name singleB. Don't give it up! I think it's cute and it is how I've spread your name around. (: Maybe what you're craving is just a revamped logo/emblem?

But regardless, your jewelry is fantastic. I just wouldn't want a new brand name to cause consumers to think you were a rip off of singleB. (Is that possible? I'm not ever sure but it seems plausible.)

Jaime/GirlLovesGloss said...

Gonna be really honest here- I don't like Behira. Dunno, it just doesn't speak anything to me, if it does for you, well then that is different. I just don't think it "jives".
I do however like SingleB, and always have, I guess it seems more personal?

Richelle said...

I think your stuff is amazing, regardless of name! I do like Behira a lot though. Just throwing my 2 cents in!

kerin rose said...

Justine, I would be careful....I changed my name from "corazon studio" to my name "kerin rose" after a move from the southwest to the northeast....no one around here understood what I was saying or could spell corazon..( sad , actually!)....I love behira, and the,meaning behind it, but worry you might have the same 'name in another language' problem!....

how bout J.collins design?...I personally LOVE the romantic names, but unfortunately keeping it simple sometimes works best...just my 2 pennies!
love your work!
K

Anonymous said...

I actually really like the name single B. Behira tries too hard.

Jon Huntoon said...

single B for the win!

Nicole Hyatt said...

I love the name singleB and it seems to fit your jewelry- so modern and original. I don't really feel like the other name fits.

NancyE said...

Behira is a pretty name, but it doesn't stand out or distinguish itself. Sounds kind of "mainstream" to me. Would you want to add something to
"singleB" like "design",etc.?

Justine said...

Hey everyone! Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I think I'm just going to stick with what I know for now. Maybe I will transition sometime in the future? But right now the thought of designing new business cards just wears me out. It must be the hot weather, I'm sapped of all creativity. :-)

Callie said...

I know I'm a bit late, but I really like the Hebrew name. I also like SingleB. Both are intriguing because they aren't self explanatory. I just finished an intensive Biblical Hebrew summer language program and really think it is a beautiful language. SingleB feels a bit more approachable though. Good luck contemplating!