SVA Forum

MandyL · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Northamptonshire

Hi Everyone from Northamptonshire

My name is Mandy Lagden and I am in the process of starting up my VA business after being made redundant from my current employer after 25 years.

After getting over the initial shock I have decided I no longer want to work in the “corporate world” but to take all the experience that I have gained over those years and to work for myself. I know I can do this and have enjoyed the process of researching and setting up my business.

I almost have everything ready to go, but have one obstacle WHAT DO I CALL MY NEW COMPANY!!! This is proving to be the most difficult thing in this whole process. I have gone round in so many circles for the last few weeks and still do not have a name.

Question is do I have my name [M J Lagden] included, do I have the word “virtual” included, business solutions, office solutions. Aaaarrrrrggghh. Or do I come up with something completely different. Help!

Its great to be on board!

Mandy
_________________
Mandy Lagden

sara - Office Bird · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:

Hi Mandy,

Welcome aboard!

As for the name I would go for something different. It all depends on the clients you want to target though imo. If you are going for big corporate firms I would suggest such and such business solutions but if you are going for tradesmen something more appraochable like helping hands. I'no good at actually coming up with names but some on here will no doubt give you an idea.

Look forward to chatting to you on the boards!
_________________
Sara
Office Bird
Your Perfect Business Partner

www.officebird.co.uk

admindoc · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

Hi Mandy

You're not alone, I think we've all gone through that dilemma! Welcome to SVA and good luck with your business.

Cheers
_________________
Angela Dawson
The Admin Doctor
t: 01670 618628 / 07855746777
http://www.theadmindoc.co.uk

For monthly SVA training sessions please visit: http://tinyurl.com/39abrt or to support SVA please donate to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

coxvos · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Mandy and welcome.

Naming our businesses is a headache we all face - my business is on its third name in five years but I'm finally happy with the one I've got now. I'll take you through my process:

First name: Cox Administrative Services - abandoned because saying "Administrative" let alone spelling it was tough

Second Name: Cox Virtual Office Solutions - abandoned because I received too many enquiries for mailing and telephone answering services, neither of which I offer.

Finally settled on Cox Virtual PA Solutions which is descriptive of the work I do and I no longer receive enquiries about "virtual office" services.

Hope that helps.
_________________
Regards

Lynn

Sally@Stonetext · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject:

Hiya,

I agree with Lynn, names do change over time and there are also trends to contend with.

Business Services - often means actual physical services for business - stationery, security, office furniture

Personal Assistant - now being used by personal carers

Virtual - no-one really has a scoobie about this apart from us in the business

Personally it doesn't really matter that much. It should be something that is short and memorable (or can at least be shortened for your web and email). As long as you are happy with it; you can say it easily on the telephone and will resonate with your target market. Easy Peasy (NOT)

Make sure the initial letters don't spell out something unfortunate.

Best of luck.
_________________
Sally
Stonetext Online Admin Services www.stonetext.co.uk
Spida Web & Graphic Design www.spidawebdesign.co.uk

Please help to support SVA by donating to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

OfficeStuff · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

Hi Mandy
Welcome aboard.

I would echo what Lynn and Sally have said. I was fortunate in that Office Stuff it was, and remains, because that is as descriptive as it can be of the services I offer - anything to do with Office Stuff! The actual design is on its third and I hope final (at least for a good while) incarnation. I haven't mentioned "Virtual" anywhere on my web site on in any of my marketing material. As Sally says, no-one has a clue what a VA is other than us! The word is included in the meta tags on my new website so I should come up if someone searches for a VA or Virtual Assistant.

People here seem to be able to cope with freelance secretarial services, and are happy to ask me to do quite a lot of things which I would say fall within the remit of an "old fashioned" secretary/PA.... so perhaps you could go in that direction for a name? Only a thought.
_________________
Carole Meyrick
Office Stuff
Perfectly Practical Office Support

cjchappell · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 62 Location: Aylesbury

Welcome on board Mandy.

I went for something different and it worked! Get your friends and family involved, its amazing what others come up with and it can be fun too!

The next part is designing a website, all good fun though!

Good Luck

C
_________________
www.fatcatspa.co.uk
You don't Need to be a Fat Cat to have a PA!

vpa-ni · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

Hi Mandy - another thing to think of is where the name will be listed in the phonebook, etc. I know of a company here in Northern Ireland called Amethyst Business Solustions - but what did I choose VPA-NI. Guess where I am - nobody can be bothered to start from the bottom of the list!!
:cry:
_________________
Heather Greig
VPA-NI
(Virtual Personal Assistant-Northern Ireland)

Phone: 07796 570850
Email: info@vpa-ni.co.uk
Web: www.vpa-ni.co.uk

Sally@Stonetext · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

Maybe I'm weird but I often go to the end of lists and work backwards. I would reckon the the middle would be more of an issue.

Anyway, best of luck.
_________________
Sally
Stonetext Online Admin Services www.stonetext.co.uk
Spida Web & Graphic Design www.spidawebdesign.co.uk

Please help to support SVA by donating to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

cjchappell · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 62 Location: Aylesbury

[quote="Sally@Stonetext"]Maybe I'm weird but I often go to the end of lists and work backwards. I would reckon the the middle would be more of an issue.

This made the laugh, good to know there are others out there just like me! Laughing

_________________
www.fatcatspa.co.uk
You don't Need to be a Fat Cat to have a PA!

caroline · Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

I suggest a large bottle of wine, a few friends and some pieces of paper to write down your chosen words e.g. virtual, office, secretary, admin, M J Lagden, Wizard, Genie, etc. etc.

Get said friends and write down lots of combinations whilst drinking the wine. You'll come up with cracking ones, which no one will remember in the morning, and then settle on something sensible.

Enjoy!!
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MandyL · Joined: 06 Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Northamptonshire

Thanks all for your suggestions, there is certainly some food for thought. Caroline have been down the route of the bottle of wine and the friends and family, but what came out of that session is not printable. Still its an excuse to try it again!
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Mandy Lagden