[moose02]

Ok folks Ive had my own business for a year now and have done very well however I absolutely hate my business name "sticks and stones landscape construction" not original it was thought of in a whim and we just went with it. I would like a name more professional and nows the time to change it if were going to. Were also entering the concrete counter top field and I would like a name that could be use for both. ANY IDEAS??????

[Stonehenge]

Indoor concrete counter tops? If so, it seems like a mix of services that you couldn't really put together in a name without sounding like "Jake's Cabinetry and Chain Saw Repair."

And I kinda like the original name anyway. Might be able to get a great logo out of that.

[Inspired]

I think a name should say something about you and/or your comapny. Thats probably why you don't like sticks and stones. Although it is unique and very marketable, it doesn't communicate the message you want. Think about what makes you unique in your market and within your group of competitors.

[Dot Pecson]

You could always go with your own name/initials: J.G. Landscaping or something like that. This would make you unique and allow for your expansion into whatever areas you want.

Dot

[RHayden]

Using your own name has its advantages but if I could do it over again I would have went a different route.

[moose02]

"Jake's Cabinetry and Chain Saw Repair."

I had a good laugh over this, I agree %100 with what your saying about running under 1 name seeing as its such a mixed basket. Theres not one person I have talked to who doesn't like the name, so maybe all have to stick with what i have.

[cwilson]

well my landscaping bussines uses our last name at times its good but then again it could be bad casue when you get that occasional speeding ticket or something like that and you have your business name plastered all down your truck side it doesn';t look too for your business or your family name....so defiently go with something casual like All Around Landscape....or something

[Terre]

I've always been more inclined toward a unique company name as opposed to "J. Smith Landscaping.' Maybe it's middle age creeping up, but I feel that a unique name comes easier to the memory and the tongue when one of your customers is recommending you to their neighbor. Do you want them to say, "Sticks and Stones did a great job!" or do you want them to say, "We got a great job from...uh...I'll have to dig out his business card for you."

I'm in the same boat, considering changing my name. I registered "Shady Places" when I was just doing gardening, and since I love shade plants, it seemed logical.

Now, it seems limiting. Since I am apparently unable to confine myself to strictly gardening.

It has also been pointed out to me, that 'shady' combined with a very Italian last name, might have a conotation in someones mind that I didn't intend!

I just can't come up with anything different.

[RHPL]

Six years ago I went against my mentors advice and included my name in my company name: Ryan Heath Professional Landscaping. Back then it was fine since I was the foreman of what was typically a 4-5 man crew. Since then I have grown to 3 crews and am only on site at each job for about an hour guaranteed... normally spend most of the day on which ever site needs the most supervision or needs a second foreman/mason/brick layer for the day. Customers seem to have an expectation of me always being around based on my name. I also have started taking an employee who wants to develope a sales position for himself with me to meetings to show him the ropes. I suspect customers may resist someone else selling the job one day simply based on my name.

And aside from all that, my name is just too long, so I'm changing it next year and pushing the design aspect because it seems that when 70% of people hear 'landscaping' they as me how much to mow their lawn... and I definitely don't do maintenance.
Ryan