Business Name Suggestions

[jaguarwrestler]

ole jags is thinking of branching out into the world of etsy... handmade items (side money)

wanted to make pieces out of barn boards (rustic)

wanted a business name, wanted to start it with Badger or Wisconsin... being as that is where the product is from and likely where the barn wood is from... on a national level (because etsy is all over) would be using either be advised against... or in favor of one or the other? I was thinking using Wisconsin could have both positive and negative results, inside the state it would be fine but on a national scale I'm not sure. Most people wouldn't tie Badger to Wisconsin simply by seeing the word badger.... well some would, that would also work well inside the state... also thinking of a domain, a URL with badger is 3 letters shorter and I would think that would be helpful

thoughts?

[Houndhead]

What is etsy?

[jaguarwrestler]

What is etsy?

handmade items people sell.

like this
http://www.etsy.com/listing/157479368/trestle-style-farm-table?ref=sr_gallery_27&ga_search_query=farm+table&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

[ramjet]

Do a detailed business plan then decide if it is worth your time. If nothing else it may open your eyes and give you better insight to the adventure and then again it may nix the entire deal too.

[aarons23]

You want to choose a name that will be unique to your product that when googled will be found.  I would speak to a optimization specialist and guide you in the right direction.  You can greatly decrease your cost of advertising if your name and website are properly aligned.  If you'd like, Frank Grahek from Grahek consulting has done a wonderful job on my sight (we already had name). He is also in the WWF wrestling family and occasionally pits here.

Research what you competitors are doing....you can get some great ideas.

[littleguy301]

True Wisconsin Barn Boards!

[maggie]

 "Wis Custom Rustic Wood Creations"    or   WCRWC  for short...
sales pitches - "from the Barn to the Bed room, our old is your new"
           I can see the money rolling in now Jag's!   

[jaguarwrestler]

ram,

figured I would make $20-$30 an hour after all expenses but before taxes , not bad for part time work

aarons, the name doesn't need to be SEO optimized, most products will be sold on a site where keyword descriptions are important... but what sounds best on a header, business card, t-shirt, bumper sticker  

I would also build a social media following, again not really seo needed for that

let me give you an example

WisconsinBarnArt

BadgerBarnArt

does using Wisconsin turn anyone off in another state... does a shorter name work better in a domain for people to remember (would be no more than 2 words) or does using Wisconsin help? because we are know for great farming/barns/dairy

[maggie]

NO! not at all  Jag, because there are only 2 types of people out there, those us from Wis and those who wish they were...

[MarkK]

those are better than Gopherwood

[wraslfan]

For what it's worth, I don't think Badger or Wisconsin (or Wolverine / Michigan) would ever stop people from buying from you. Good luck on your venture, Jags.
The old school of thought is always start with an A...you were the first business listed in the phone book. That does not apply so much today. 

[bigG]

There's a plumber scam artist in my area that does the "A" thing. It still works for those who still go phone book.

[jaguarwrestler]

There's a plumber scam artist in my area that does the "A" thing. It still works for those who still go phone book.

as soon as I get a phone book I toss it in the recycling.

[DrSnide]

There's a plumber scam artist in my area that does the "A" thing. It still works for those who still go phone book.

as soon as I get a phone book I toss it in the recycling.

Whats a phone book?

I think using either Badger or Wisconsin works well.  Everywhere I go in the country people assume WI is filled with quaint farms and Packerfans.  Those are by far the two most common references.  

Wisconsin probably brings more thoughts of farms but Badger Barn has a nice alliteration.

[DrSnide]

Oh and good luck on the new venture. A few years ago my wife began making  custom jewelry and has had some sucess selling it.  But for her is largely doing something she enjoys and making a couple extra bucks doing it.  There are some decent etsy shopping websites out there that she had some luck with. Alot of her stuff ends up small local botique shops that take a percentage.  You may find lots of "crafty" or antique shops that will do the same.