[tech69]

Originally Posted by Valkyrie5.7

I agree with much of the above info. When I named my website/media outlet I modified an approach that I learned from Frank Zappa. He would say that in the context of a song if a part can be spoken instead of sang, then the spoken word would always win to get the point across. It's just like Brian has been saying: the simpler and clearer the better.

My website/media outlet has a rather lengthy name but it incorporates two car terms that are used very frequently and we have a logo that is very, very straight forward and uses colors that one would associate with the state of Arizona. I did not design the logo, my business partner did, but like I said, the name was my idea.

I learned all this the hard way though. My dad has a decently successful local business that he started in 1990 and tried to give me tips years ago, but I never listened. At the time, my current business partner and I had owned a recording studio and it floundered because of our lack of business sense and sole focus on the art and aesthetic. Now I'm trying again, and doing it exactly as my dad (and many here) have said and things are lot more easy-going and consistent. Just my personal experience.

I'm going to attach a shot of our logo, but if it violates any current "advertising" rules, let me apologize in advance to the mods.

nice logo.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by tech69

Martin talks a big ball game about the "business" side of things yet forgot to trademark his name. There's no rules that apply to that unless you draw the line in the sand yourself by trademarking your name and image. If I named a company Rods n Pistons I can look at Rodandpiston website and I know right off the bat it's worth looking into cause it's different and there's not a conflict of interest. they are not selling services and are not located near where I would be. I would be able to have that name and never have any issues in regards to who's entitled to the name.

Henry, I have to assume you are just joking as I know you are much smarter than that. Copywriting a name costs thousands of dollars so very, very few small businesses do it. And of course that is exactly how I can give advice because I learned from mistakes. It isn't that someone is going to steal the name, God know the guy didn't steal the name from me, two people can think of the same thing. And um, look up the web site, um.....this was 1982 so in like in the days before cars and trucks, people had to walk or ride an animal to get somewhere, it was different than today.

Brian

[tech69]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

Henry, I have to assume you are just joking as I know you are much smarter than that. Copywriting a name costs thousands of dollars so very, very few small businesses do it. And of course that is exactly how I can give advice because I learned from mistakes. And um, look up the web site, um.....this was 1982 so in like in the days before cars and trucks, people had to walk or ride an animal to get somewhere, it was different than today.

Brian

well, that's business for you. Trademarking can make you profits. If your business is about to take off your best bet is to trademark it cause at that point that's when the thieves come around. They're not gonna copy you until that point.

it only cost $100 to check copyrights. it" worth it so you don't waste time and money.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by snakebit68

Thats the ticket! That stinks that you got pursued by the other guys creditors. Sadly, the world is full of halfwits that want to ride the coattails of someone else's success...i.e. naming their business the same as yours in hopes of picking off your customers....but his ex-girlfriend coming after you. They must have made a beautiful couple. Hope she didnt hit you up for his child support...lol.

I am not saying in anyway that the guy was "riding on the coattails of someone else's success" not in the least bit. He simply though of the same name. It's happened over and over throughout history, this is why a clever name may also be clever to someone else and wham, you have two businesses with the same name.

I don't think for a minute he "copied" me, I was a little bohunk shop it isn't like he was "riding on my coattails" he simply grabbed the name out of thin air I assume. The sad part is we have a government agency called "Fictitious names" Fictitious Business Name Filing - Clerk-Recorder's Office - Alameda County and I went down there and registered the name. When this guy came along I was blown away when I called that agency to see how this could happen and they said "We can't stop someone from doing it we can only suggest they don't"????? Then what in the hell good is this agency? Anyway, he probably didn't even use it.

The whole "trademark" issue is a joke anyway. Like any legal document it is basically only good the day it is signed. Think about it, if any of you have had a divorce, did all the documents about child support and what not stay forever exactly like it did the day you signed it after the divorce? Nope, when you made more money back to court she took you and got more child support. Two companies can have the same trademarked name! What it really means for you is if you have more money than the other guy to sue them in court over it, that is just about all it means.

How Screwed Am I? Another Business Has the Same Name As Mine! | SEOmoz

And someone can come out of no where and sue just because your name KINDA sounds like theirs, they may not win, but they have every right to take you to court and make you spend your hard earned money defending it.

This is why choosing a good name is so darn important.


Brian

[tech69]

Oh Martin.

[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by Bad Rat

Its not some catchy name that is going to bring in the business, its YOUR REPERTATION for Quality work, and good referals, thats the best advertising you can have,, word of mouth,, happy past customers,,
knowing how to run that business is as important as knowing the job at hand, which you appairently have,,
but with out some quality work to show that prospective customer, you are dead in the water,, before you ever get off the ground,,,
strive for perfection, thats what brings in the customers,,
I named my shop,, Big Boys Tinker Toys

Bad Rat said all you need to know about a Name..... You can call it Misfit custom's if you want too..... If your repertation is a good one.. That sign out front don't mean *******..... Now on the other side of the coin.. You can have the best sign, Best Hot rod name ever used... And a bad repertation and your boat will sink faster then you can bail it out... Start out small build your name and you don't even need a flashy name after that..Believe me... People will find you...


One more thing about being in business,, NEVER worry about the next guy down the street from you.. Do your own thing and forget about everyone else..And things will fall in place,, Where MOST people fail in Business is when THEY START WORRYING about the other guy down the street and what he's doing..Seen this happen so many times..

[tech69]

that's very good advice. I'd put lots of emphasis on customer satisfaction at first. Not say that once you build a name slack off but doing a bunch of free stuff and going over and beyond expectations helps a lot. There's also how you word it. You can find something that you know you can charge for but you also know that pride won't leave you alone if you don't do it if he decides to not pay for it. So you remind the customer he got a freebie, even though you would have done it anyways. My boss is a master at that.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by Hotrod1979

Thank you guys for the advice. I will tell you a little about my background.
I am from the Netherlands so excuse me if my English is not correct.

I have started in college studying business and got my Bachelor degree in commerce. Then I followed a Master in Marketing and got that degree as well.
I have worked as an marketing communication consultant for quite some time.

About 17 years ago I started to work on Cars and Bikes. I have had this hobby ever since. About 5 years ago this hobby got out of hand and I started to overhaul complete cars. Building cars and bikes took my mind of my stressfull and tiresome job.
Now that I realized that I find more joy in creating things with my hands I want to start up shop for real. I am pretty much a self taught mechanic. I can work on engines, bodywork paint, pretty much everything except for upholstery.

As for a shop name. I don't want to use a dutch name. The dutch hotrodders market is to small so I have to expand my business to Europe. My name is Sjoerd de Groen, not a particularly easy name... LOL.
I thought some input from other hotrodders won't hurt ar all.. That's why I posted this thread..

Is this your work:



I ran across it trying to find how to pronounce your name, and I almost fell over! If it was a Panhead, the color was blue, and the seat a little different, that's my '64 all over again, at least looks-wise. Weird! Mine still had drum brakes and a nickle plated oil tank and a mousetrap, detail differences but overall, at a glance they look very similar.

[MARTINSR]

Very cool bike.

Brian

[Hotrod1979]

Haha yessir that is my bike. It's a shovel based on a FLH. Do you have a picture of yours? Now I am getting curious

[71nova355]

How bout( Rods n' Chains), or( Piston Slap)-I like this..., or something that would work for both bikes and cars.

[snakebit68]

Hey...Rods n chains...thats a cool name. Kinda applies to both bikes and cars.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by Hotrod1979

Haha yessir that is my bike. It's a shovel based on a FLH. Do you have a picture of yours? Now I am getting curious

Yeah, but mine's a regular photo not digital. I'll see about scanning it or something. Been meaning to do that anyway...

[71nova355]

Originally Posted by snakebit68

Hey...Rods n chains...thats a cool name. Kinda applies to both bikes and cars.

thats one point for the good guys!

[mud.man.rj]

I have built hotrods/muscle cars and huge 4x4 mudraces for years ans always called my shop "Hotrods 4 Life" because we that love our rides are hotrodders for life, till we are gone. It's not a legal name and just a backyard thing so open to you using it. It will get the point across and easy to remember 4 Life.