How to come up with a business name?

96TexasZ

New member
Well I have decided to start a mobile business on the side to earn some extra cash on the weekends. I have a good selection of products, but I can't think of a good business name for the life of me. I want something that stands out on a business card or flyer. I thought about Daniels Detail service but to me that seem to basic. There are so many shops around that have names like that. Although im no pro I want my business name to stand out a bit.
 
to come up with mine i sat at a bar witha friend, had a few drinks and wrote down everything we could think of. some names sucked others were ok and we finnaly came out with a few good ones. did a search to make sure we were not copying a name and we found one that worked.

so i would suggest brain storming, write down everything even if its stupid, you would be supprised what you can come up with...ohh and a few drinks helps ;)
 
to come up with mine i sat at a bar witha friend, had a few drinks and wrote down everything we could think of. some names sucked others were ok and we finnaly came out with a few good ones. did a search to make sure we were not copying a name and we found one that worked.

so i would suggest brain storming, write down everything even if its stupid, you would be supprised what you can come up with...ohh and a few drinks helps ;)


Your business name sin't Calgary Detail? right? lol.. I can't imagine that taking too long of brainstorming to think of. LOL
 
I always liked "white glove detailing". It says a lot about the type of service that you would receive. I helped a guy start something like that up once several years ago and then I let him keep it. It is a name that I always wished I could use, but I didn't want my business to be confused with his. So OCDetails is what I am. People always ask me what part of Orange County I am from. lol I guess not everybody picks up on the meaning...
 
There are some really bad detail business names around here. I don't want to name any in case they become members.:redface: One that I can name that is no longer around was "Scratch and Buff" detailing. I never could understand why you would name your detail business that. Maybe they just wanted to be honest about the work they did.:crazy2:

If you plan to go in the phone book, a name starting with "A" would be something to consider because of the alphabetical listing.

"All About the Details"

"Detailing by Daniel" with a cool DbD logo.
 
Mines pretty simple Dave's Detailing...however I think that a name is secondary to the reputation that you build for quality of work.

I've seen some pretty snappy names but the quality of the service and work, where terrible!

That said a business name should be something that is easy to hear and comprehend..and speak of what your service is!
 
I really appreciate all the advice i don't want anything that sounds to sophisticated because i really am just an amature but i do like the "Detailing by Daniel suggestion." Also a logo is something i would have never thought of. I may have to take some ideas to my brother to design something for me.
 
Definitely get a logo and a website going. Both of those help give you some legitimacy. When you have a URL and a professional email address (not that hotmail and yahoo aren't professional....) it just makes you look a little more commited to the service. I love having my @OCDetails.com email address. I love having a website that I can send people to see examples of my work too. I've attracted some fairly high end clients based on them cruising through my website and seeing the articles and the pictures. Even if all you have is a price sheet then it is enough. It just makes you look more professional.

When you get to the point of making a website then make sure you post here and get some pointers. Some of the guys here have fantastic websites that they built themselves. I build pretty simple ones for the most part, but I'm learning how to incorproate some slick things in them. We all love to share, so feel free to ask questions as you go. :)
 
Definitely get a logo and a website going. Both of those help give you some legitimacy. When you have a URL and a professional email address (not that hotmail and yahoo aren't professional....) it just makes you look a little more commited to the service. I love having my @OCDetails.com email address. I love having a website that I can send people to see examples of my work too. I've attracted some fairly high end clients based on them cruising through my website and seeing the articles and the pictures. Even if all you have is a price sheet then it is enough. It just makes you look more professional.

When you get to the point of making a website then make sure you post here and get some pointers. Some of the guys here have fantastic websites that they built themselves. I build pretty simple ones for the most part, but I'm learning how to incorproate some slick things in them. We all love to share, so feel free to ask questions as you go. :)

Its interesting that I have a very good part time biz and have not ever been asked about a web site or been emailed about a detail job...mine is based off of good work, service and referral...Its not that these two things would not be helpful..but IMO a web site can look anyway you want..meaning that you can have a great web site that really attracts people, the whole time you are turning out bad work...for me branding in this biz has been based off my service and work...that's taken a few years for people to start calling back and giving my name out to others with confidence..in the beginning for a weekend guy its about getting out there and showing people what you have...taking some price cuts to get your foot in...building a good reputation!
 
My business name is Top Tier Automotive Detailing.
I have the "@toptierautomotive.com" and even got the website (haven't had it made yet, no time". I also have a a bank account for the business so when clients want to pay by check or what not, they can make it payable to Top Tier.
I'm trying to build it into a more professional business but really don't know know. So I just started with the business and have been modding it since. Soon, I'll have actual invoices with my logo and name on it to have folks sign prior.


Joy
 
if you are just doing it for extra cash on the side you may not want to use a buissness name. if you do then some people may think you have a full blown buissness and will think you are insured, licsensed and everything else. local law enforcement may come by to check for EPA regulations and everything. just do a few family members and friends cars and let it spread by word of mouth. if anyone ask it is just a hobby that you recieve donations for doing
 
if you are just doing it for extra cash on the side you may not want to use a buissness name. if you do then some people may think you have a full blown buissness and will think you are insured, licsensed and everything else. local law enforcement may come by to check for EPA regulations and everything. just do a few family members and friends cars and let it spread by word of mouth. if anyone ask it is just a hobby that you recieve donations for doing

You share a very good point.
 
It's In The Details
Fine Automotive Detailing


All In The Details
Fine Automotive Detailing


In The Details
Fine Automotive Detailing


Beyond The Details
Fine Automotive Detailing


The Finer Details
Extraordinary Automotive Detailing


I was sitting at the bar, having a Dr. Pepper, talking to myself and this is what my answer 8 ball said: "In order to achieve maximum profitability you should have one of the above names." I didn't even know that answer was in there, usually it just says the answer is yes, no or cloudy. :D

Or you could go with:

All This Be Mine!
Detailer Extrordinaire
:rofl

 
Another interesting thing that has happened to me and my detail biz name....I networked this biz 8 years ago out of a local pub...and from that its grown...people today will walk up to me and ask...your Dave with Dave's Detailing...yes I am...I've seen your work, or heard you can do this or that.

Makes me feel great when someone can recognize me for that...It became clear to me that I could have named it almost anything...it was the quality of work that made my business grow..not that fanciness of the name.
 
Its interesting that I have a very good part time biz and have not ever been asked about a web site or been emailed about a detail job...mine is based off of good work, service and referral...Its not that these two things would not be helpful..but IMO a web site can look anyway you want..meaning that you can have a great web site that really attracts people, the whole time you are turning out bad work...for me branding in this biz has been based off my service and work...that's taken a few years for people to start calling back and giving my name out to others with confidence..in the beginning for a weekend guy its about getting out there and showing people what you have...taking some price cuts to get your foot in...building a good reputation!

I'm not saying that it is the only way to go. I'm just saying that having some pictures to show people certianly does help sell yourself. My site isn't pimping my services. It is a 'how to' site. I built another site that has my price sheet on it to give people an idea of what to expect as far as that goes and that is what I put on my cards.

I will say that in the advertising I have done through places like Craigslist, having a website has been a great tool to get the call instead of any competition. 90% of my business is through word of mouth, but it is that 10% extra that I can attract through getting the word out online that gives me that word of mouth. My referals are based on my work as well, but in some markets you need a something else to just get them in the door. I've got a great client that accounts for several thousand dollars in referals every year that found me through a craigslist ad and spent some time on my site making sure I wsa the right guy for the job. When you are looking for somone who is as dedicated to what they do as you are to what you do, it helps to have more than a few lines of text on a business card.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that referal business is great, but websites are for getting the business that doesn't know any of your current customers. ;) It isn't the only way, but it is the way that takes me the littlest effort.
 
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