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!