Naming a business..

araT · February 27th, 2010, 03:53 AM

Well, I've been sitting here all day trying to come up with something young, funky, hip & fresh..

I've decided to put my years of training & experience into practice again, and I'm going to start up a company from home as a local guitar tech - I feel I do a better job than most of the stores around here, and the fact that I'm a girl is a big novelty - the last girl who set up shop as a tech here made a mint, sadly she's recently moved out fo state and I'm looking to fill the hole before it closes up.. I'll be doing everything but serious wood/paint work, but I have a few reputed luthier friends on hand that I can refer the severe cases to.

One of my big playing points is that I'll have a 3 hour courier service on board (a good friend of mine) who know how to handle instruments, and are very very cheap (most overnights charge more than they do), and they work outside of business hours too.. so I'll be able to offer premium same-day services, as well as a usual (still incredibly timely) 3 day service, and they can choose whether they want to drive out to me or pay ~$20 for couriers both ways.

I need your help in coming up with a witty, clever, relevant name for my business.. I'll be registering a domain and everything

The closest I've gotten to anything good is:

Don't Fret Repairs
Highly Strung Repairs
Strings Attached Repairs

Can any of you help me come up with anything better? Everything else is in place but the name, and this is ready to get the ball rolling, I'll even have quite a few local bands on my side right off the bat helping me get established..

I appreciate all the brainpower folks!

OpenMike1963 · February 27th, 2010, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Well, I've been sitting here all day trying to come up with something young, funky, hip & fresh..

SHOW OFF!

Just kidding! Us old farts can get sensitive, sometimes.

How about "Tara's Custom Guitar Tech Services". Nah: Not funky, fresh OR hip.

Give me some time - I just woke up.

OpenMike1963 · February 27th, 2010, 04:28 AM

Also: That sounds GREAT, Tara! Hope you make a mint.

svenslim · February 27th, 2010, 04:36 AM

"Tara´s G-string Guitar Repair" perhaps? The innuendo is intentional, if you can live with it you may get some extra attention and some humorous exchange with your customers. Everybody could do with a smile and a laugh every so often. I think it´s wise to have the word "guitar " in the name so you could be found on the net -or the yellow pages- when quering for "guitar", same thing with "repair", to avoid confusion with shops that sell instruments.
Good luck with your business, Tara.

araT · February 27th, 2010, 04:45 AM

Thanks guys!!

The "young, hip, fresh" thing is not a stab at any of you, I consider myself an oldie in this dept too.. most of my customer base, I imagine, is going to be ~16 year old metalheads.. that's what we saw most of in the store, anyway.. especially as I'll offer basic restrings as well as anything technical.. I'm hoping as I (re)build a reputation I'll be seeing some more serious musicians (and nicer gear). A big local band here, Cog, used to frequent the store & know my work & will be pitching me, I hope.. (amongst a few others, but they are the biggest)

And as for the sexual innuendo, I'm happy to play off on girly things but I don't want to do anything too sexual.. I'll be doing this from home and I don't need to be attracting creeps to my house.. I was considering going with Mojo repairs, but I think even that might give the wrong impression.

You make a good point on keeping "guitar" in the title, ala "guitar repairs" and I definitely will, I'm just looking for the brandname for it, something catching to stick in front & use in the URL

I've noticed so many of the techs/repairers/luthiers out there are incredibly lazy & just use their name or location as their brandname..

AARGH! why can't this be.. easier?

OpenMike1963 · February 27th, 2010, 04:51 AM

Quote:

AARGH! why can't this be.. easier?

It shouldn't be too easy because it's the title of your business. You want it to be catchy, clear and cool and you want to keep it for the duration of your enterprise. Don't fret: It'll come soon enough.

Oh, look at that: I just used one of your options.

Michiel · February 27th, 2010, 04:55 AM

here's some ideas

Arta Guitar Tech
Guitardian Angel
24/7 Guitar Service (imagine the blinking neon sign on the side of your home

)
No Sweat Guitar Service

Great ambition Tara, hope it takes off really well!

S. Rock · February 27th, 2010, 05:04 AM

it doesn't have to be too complicated. when I was in the locksmith business, I used "Locksmith Services" as part of our name. everytime when someone asked the operater for a locksmith, "BINGO !". there we were. we got alot of business like that. so, maybe something like, "Tara's Guitar Repair" or something similar. go get'em kid !

OpenMike1963 · February 27th, 2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Arta Guitar Tech

That sounds like a keeper!

araT · February 27th, 2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OpenMike1963

It shouldn't be too easy because it's the title of your business. You want it to be catchy, clear and cool and you want to keep it for the duration of your enterprise. Don't fret: It'll come soon enough.

Oh, look at that: I just used one of your options.

I really liked Don't Fret, but it turns out it's way too unoriginal! drat!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michiel

here's some ideas

Arta Guitar Tech
Guitardian Angel
24/7 Guitar Service (imagine the blinking neon sign on the side of your home

)
No Sweat Guitar Service

Great ambition Tara, hope it takes off really well!

Ooooooh, I like "Guitardian Angel", if that doesn't make it as the name it's definitely going in my blurb!!

Thanks

araT · February 27th, 2010, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S. Rock

it doesn't have to be too complicated. when I was in the locksmith business, I used "Locksmith Services" as part of our name. everytime when someone asked the operater for a locksmith, "BINGO !". there we were. we got alot of business like that. so, maybe something like, "Tara's Guitar Repair" or something similar. go get'em kid !

Thanks Sarg, I plan to use "guitar repairs" in my title, but I want a catchy brandname to stick up front, something to appeal to the witty youth of today, know what I mean?

Mojo Guitar Repairs is still turning the wheels in my mind, I can't decide if it's worthy to make the list of potentials or not..

S Macp · February 27th, 2010, 05:54 AM

Oh, I like Mojo Guitar Repairs!

The punny ones make me think of hairdressers, which seem to specialise in that sort of thing ("Curl Up & Dye", "Hairs'n'Graces", etc.)

Jukebox · February 27th, 2010, 06:17 AM

I like the "Highly Strung Guitar Repair"

Michiel · February 27th, 2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by araT

Ooooooh, I like "Guitardian Angel", if that doesn't make it as the name it's definitely going in my blurb!!
Thanks

Cheers! Glad you like it

Go safe our souls!

Fox Rox · February 27th, 2010, 06:47 AM

How about Chick Pickers Guitar Repair? I don't know if it is hip, but it definitely denotes that you are a girl.

mugsy · February 27th, 2010, 07:05 AM

Congrats on your new business, Tara! It's a lot of hard work, but well-worth the effort.

russjm · February 27th, 2010, 07:24 AM

Wired for Sound
araT Guitar Shop
Pro Tec Guitar Shop
Streamline
You Break, We Make
Archtop Guitar Shop
Wood and Wires

Michiel · February 27th, 2010, 07:36 AM

Guitar Karma Repair

Synchro · February 27th, 2010, 08:27 AM

I really like "don't fret". Even though it's been used before it's a good play on words and a positive message.

araT · February 27th, 2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro

I really like "don't fret". Even though it's been used before it's a good play on words and a positive message.

Thanks for the support on that Mark, I agree, it's by far my fav of todays crazy long brainstorm, and I was totally bummed when I started looking if anyone else was using the name & found a few stores, a blog & a guitar teacher using it.. I had a whole 'hitchhikers guide to the galaxy' motif planned for the logo/site, and now it's It's a serious contender again after your vote of support!

workknot · February 27th, 2010, 08:58 AM

Tara's Guitara's Luthier Service.
Pop's

ishtar · February 27th, 2010, 09:07 AM

The Lucky Luthier

Renegade · February 27th, 2010, 09:09 AM

How about...
...Tarajet Guitar Works.

A play on your name and Duo Jets.

Synchro · February 27th, 2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by araT

Thanks for the support on that Mark, I agree, it's by far my fav of todays crazy long brainstorm, and I was totally bummed when I started looking if anyone else was using the name & found a few stores, a blog & a guitar teacher using it.. I had a whole 'hitchhikers guide to the galaxy' motif planned for the logo/site, and now it's It's a serious contender again after your vote of support!

The operative words are "don't panic".

Quietly · February 27th, 2010, 09:12 AM

GuiTara

That is the trading name now the logo I will leave to better brains :-)

Renegade · February 27th, 2010, 09:22 AM

Tara...
I think your new Avatar would make a cool logo for a guitar repair business.

Also want to say "HOWDY", our paths haven't crossed much here lately.

Duo Gent · February 27th, 2010, 09:29 AM

Rockin' Repairs
Singing Strings Luthier

My mind's going blank and keeps going back to variations of the first one I listed. Need more coffee...

Kuroyama · February 27th, 2010, 09:29 AM

1) American Woman Guitar Repair

Or you could fold that in...

2) American Woman Repair Guitar *Title says it all*

Where abouts in the US are you? Region does play into naming.

3) Jeannie's Guitar Magic (There need not be a real "Jeannie")

4) Jeannie's Magic: Guitar repair and maintenance

5) Vixen Guitar Repair

6) GuiTar A Repair

There you go. One for each string.

Michiel · February 27th, 2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duo Gent

Rockin' Repairs

I like that one

coolbus18 · February 27th, 2010, 09:53 AM

How about KIT, Keep or Kept In Tune. Or --You're scaring my dog , How about I take care of you guitar before someone shoots you?

Sarah93003 · February 27th, 2010, 10:04 AM

"Totally Guitarded" Guitar Service

"GuitarSmythe"

"Jet Fret" Guitar Repair

"Strings Attached" Guitar Repair

Jeez, this is WAY harder than you'd think!

Tara, I think that's an awesome idea and I sure hope it works out for you!!

mr coffee · February 27th, 2010, 10:04 AM

Hmm. I'm still running on one cup, need to brew more joe.

Okay....drawing blanks big time, I think Don't Fret is one of the better ones to pop up; even if it doesn't become part of the name I think it would make for a good subtitle or slogan, if you follow.

Regional names work well enough, even if they come off as fairly un-original: Sydney Guitar Repair...or for example, the neighborhood, North Shore Guitar Repair. Does Sydney have nicknames? (googles...) Harbor City Guitar Repair? Same with your own name, it's not a bad thing to use - then people know who you are, that can be a good thing: Tara's Guitar Repair...

Just my thoughts on it. Catchy is fine, but it never hurts to make sure people know a: who you are, b: what you do, and c: where you do it. Simplicity works. Perhaps save the young, funky, hip & fresh for other aspects of the business - graphics and web design, window signage and posters, business cards and T-shirts...

-m

BTW - awesome opportunity, good luck!

-PMK- · February 27th, 2010, 10:06 AM

Fret'n String

Ripley1046 · February 27th, 2010, 10:17 AM

I like GuiTara, or Wood and Wires.

The best advise I can give is make it something unique that's not likely to be confused with someone else. Reputation means everything in this business, so you don't want someone to mistake you for another company that has a bad rep.

I named my sound company 1046 Productions. I've used the 1046 tag on screen names and avatars for years. It's an easy way to insure I get whatever email or URL I'm looking for. The 1046 comes from the string gauge I use (EB 10s), most people don't get it, but it's cool to know my guitar passion crosses into other areas of my life.

Another thing to keep in mind is your logo. Keep it simple and tasteful, as well as easy to read. I've seen too many businesses with logos that are too busy, or difficult to read at a glance. I know most of them loose my business if I can't remember the name from a quick glance at a sign, card, or other advertisement.

Good luck with the new venture. This is totally something that I want to get into. I've been working on my own, and my buddies guitars for years. I'd love to take a shot at doing it professionally. Just need to learn a bit more about fret and nut work before I start messing with others guitars.

OpenMike1963 · February 27th, 2010, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuroyama

1) American Woman Guitar Repair

Or you could fold that in...

2) American Woman Repair Guitar *Title says it all*

Where abouts in the US are you? Region does play into naming.

3) Jeannie's Guitar Magic (There need not be a real "Jeannie")

4) Jeannie's Magic: Guitar repair and maintenance

5) Vixen Guitar Repair

6) GuiTar A Repair

There you go. One for each string.

Tara's probably asleep at the moment 'cause she's in the Australia region. What's keeping you up? Oh, yeah: the Rose.

yettoblaster · February 27th, 2010, 10:22 AM

I heard once to use AA or AAA and then the rest of the name so that it will appear first in the Yellow Pages.

AA-Arta Guitar Works. etc.

dafreeze · February 27th, 2010, 11:12 AM

Great idea Tara, hope everything goes well. If you get half the business as you've gotten responses here you'll soo need to hire help.

mikante · February 27th, 2010, 11:29 AM

Guitar Tara's Panacea or Tara's Guitar Panacea
don't know which one sounds better...

forgive my latin roots but I'm sure it's unique!

Kuroyama · February 27th, 2010, 11:31 AM

Noting that her Avatar mentions her location with is clearly NOT U.S.... (apologies).

I also saw that the "GuiTar A" name was already used. So howabout I swap those 3 out...

1) Harbour City Guitar Repair

Do you surf? Near surfing community?

2) Barrels Guitar Repair (This presumes barreling surf break)

3) Dorothy Guitar Repair (in Oz, and all...OK, Ill try again)

4) KISS Guitar Repair (Keep It SSimple! A return to no-nonsense, back to basics, solid guitar work)

I also agree that a simple "unhip" yet wholly informative name is a strong way to go. To be contemporary, just change logos, or webdesign with the times. Name itself... should not be so contemporary IMO.

S Macp · February 27th, 2010, 11:39 AM

I'm still looking for a luthier called Lex.