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Permalink Reply by carena28 August 18, 2013 at 10:01pm

I'm using my two Christian names. Other milliners use a play on words which I like. Put hat in front of a common word and see what you come up with. Or you.could use your initials and put millinery at the end of the name. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Bridget Early August 19, 2013 at 9:57pm

When I started, I tried to find a clever play on words, but every single name I came up with was already taken, at the time, I was making a variety of items and used a wide range of materials and media, so went with Mixed Media by Bridget.  I didn't really like it then and still don't, but gave me something to register my business under.  More recently, I have been migrating to using my name followed by Milliner, Designer, Artisan with Mixed Media by Bridget underneath. I find there are advantages to being identified by your name, but can also be confusing, if you have a more common name.  Wish I could come up with a perfect solution, but haven't yet.

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Permalink Reply by Jain Kidsley August 20, 2013 at 5:35am

Some names seem to lend them selves to branding , but I felt that I did not like my name for my brand , so chose mine by playing with words and searching the available "domain" names at the same time, that way I could secure the website long before I needed it. 

Think about how your potential clients might find you by your brand name alone in a google search, you need to make yourself as visible and easy to find as you can.

good luck

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Permalink Reply by Susan Fage August 23, 2013 at 6:00pm

I personally like to use my own name. I feel it adds that real 'bespoke' feeling to the product. But yes agree with Jain some names are easier to work with?

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Permalink Reply by Ashlee Rickard August 23, 2013 at 7:12pm

Thanks very much for your comments ladies, I certainly don't feel like my name is very brand friendly so looks like I'm gonna be doing some research and trying to come up with something else :-)

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Permalink Reply by Kristin Silverman October 17, 2013 at 2:13pm

If you choose something other than your name, in my experience, it's best to pick something that will still hold up if people don't get it exactly right.

My name on my labels is "Silverhill Creative Millinery." My name as registered with the state and my .com and my Facebook address and my Instagram handle is "Silverhill Creative."  Sometimes people have referred to my business as "Silverhill Millinery" or even just "Silverhill." And those are all okay with me because the most important word sticks. So it doesn't matter to me or upset me if people play a  little fast and loose with my name.

My other advice is to pick a name that you really care about and identify with. A name can be cute and clever and be wasted if you're the type to get tired of it or feel like it doesn't fit you.

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Permalink Reply by Elaine Mergard May 27, 2014 at 11:42am

In 1990 I established my brand when we moved to the Coast and decided to do millinery full time to spend time with my 4 kids. I decided to use a made up word and as I wanted to create outrageous hats for that time called my biz "Hatrageous Headwear" .

In mid 1990s a designer I was working with challenged me to use my personal name as customers will find it easier to recall. These Swing labels were then designed with same logo but with my name added. I must admit I was hiding behind my label. Using my name was best decision.One of my USQ students was in a hair salon the day of Magic Millions and admired another customers hat. When she asked who made it the lady said -"Her name is Elaine something" Student then told her 'I am learning from Elaine.'  I am a real advocate for your personal name as it worked best for me.

Coloring for branding changes with trends but after a seminar on such in the 90's I decided on Burgundy and Gold on cream background. I added the little message to customer to make them feel special & it worked. On the back were details of hat Title - "Pink Swiss Princess" or "Black & White spot Elegance"  - all code words relating to color & brim I used. Plus size / price/ code. I have a record of all hat codes with detailed description which I have made in last 24 years -in a book as this was prior to my online learning! I spotted one of my hats on ebay recently -recalled when I was using that straw and knew when I made it in 1995 from my records.   Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Marianne Lewis July 22, 2014 at 5:29am

Hi Ashlee,

I have had a "business" for just over a year.  Charming Lady Designs is the name I envisioned.  People often refer to me as "That Charming Hat Lady" which is just fine with me!  Or Charming Hats, but it works, as Kristin mentioned. 

Here's an exercise to start to solidify your ideas: Simply have several pieces of paper and a couple of writing instruments, a quiet, comfy room and about 30 minutes.  Start listing everything you like about hats, all words that describe them.  Words that describe you (no one else will see this), words that will describe your ideal customer.  Anything else you're crazy about that's not hat related.  Then pull out your favorite 10 or 20 words from this huge list.  Focus on those words, roll them around your brain...you'll create what is right for you. 

Best of luck!

Marianne

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Permalink Reply by MARY KINGSFORD November 6, 2017 at 5:41pm

I'm at the stage of planning the business and I'm thinking of using my name.

I have used a moniker in the past and it caused confusion and payment issues.

any other thoughts on this subject? 

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Permalink Reply by Christine Amanda March 11, 2018 at 9:54am

My surname is so common, and I was not keen on using my name for my work for anonymity reasons (the internet is not a nice place sometimes). I also work in the IT industry full time - I don't want my professional career crossing over with my creative career.

I use the pseudonym Lady Celestine for my online accounts - it's close to my real name and builds a bit of a character and story for my brand.

My label Celestial Closet was originally going to be a clothing brand when I registered the business name back in 2016 - but I ended up making headpieces instead as I'd fallen out of love with sewing! What this name does allow me, though, is that I have the flexibility of selling jewellery, accessories and other wearable art - without being bound by the word "millinery" or "hats".

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Permalink Reply by Elaine Mergard September 27, 2018 at 8:18am

What Colour do you choose for your branding/logo? Does colour influence a customer? Great Advice here https://www.kochiesbusinessbuilders.com.au/how-colour-can-improve-y...

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