What Should I Name My Business?

[Dova]

Hi, everyone! I'm about to graduate from massage school next month and need help coming up with a name for my business! I've already registered several domain names and am considering the following:

Thompson Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
(domains: thompsonmassage.com, thompsonbodywork.com)

Thompson Healing Arts
(thompsonhealingarts.com)

Journeys to Wholeness Massage and Bodywork
(journeystowholeness.com)

Soulful Massage and Bodywork
(soulfulmassage.com)

Mind Bodhi Massage and Bodywork
(mindbodhimassage.com)

Mind Bodhi Soul Massage and Bodywork
(mindbodhisoul.com)

Boston Bodhi Work and Massage
(bostonbodhi.com, bostonbodhiwork.com)

Obviously there are pros and cons for each of the names listed above. For instance, I have mixed feelings about using my last name and/or geographic location; although I have no intention of changing my last name if and when I ever get married, I may eventually move at some point. Also, because I hope to eventually offer services other than massage and bodywork (i.e., coaching, workshops, retreats, etc.), I'd like to find a business name that will allow me to expand down the road.

Most importantly, I want a name that will set me apart from the many other MTs in the Boston area; while using my last name might be easy for people to remember, "Thompson Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork," in my opinion, is rather bland and doesn't reveal anything unique about me or my practice. I like Mind Bodhi (or Mind Bodhi Soul) because it emphasizes the mind-body connection, and the use of "bodhi" will hopefully attract the kind of clientele I'd like to work with (people who are interested in health and spirituality, meditation, personal growth and transformation, massage as a way to relax and reduce stress, etc.). I personally like the play on bodhi/body, but I wonder if maybe it's too clever or gimmicky?

Also, there's a well-known business in Boston called The Boston Bodyworker, and I don't want to be accused of infringing upon their name (although I'd portray a very different image and attract a different audience, since I have no interest at all in clinical or sports massage). I'm leaning towards Mind Bodhi (Soul) Massage at this point (and can envision my logo centering around a bodhi tree or leaf), but would love to hear what the rest of you think.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my post and share your feedback!

 

[God Speed]

What Should I Name My Business?

Congrats on your upcoming grad and new business. Soulful massage and bodywork says it all with few words. Good luck!!

 

[Lee]

What Should I Name My Business?

I don't care for the bodhi, too woowoo pothead for me. What kind of decor/atmosphere do you plan to have?

 

[kld726]

What Should I Name My Business?

I like Mind Bodhi (or Mind Bodhi Soul) because it emphasizes the mind-body connection, and the use of "bodhi" will hopefully attract the kind of clientele I'd like to work with.

I don't care for the bodhi, too woowoo pothead for me. What kind of decor/atmosphere do you plan to have?

??? Bodhi = pothead? In what universe? I guess that means you aren't the clientele soulfulmassage is seeking. Bodhi is a sanskrit word traditionally translated to mean "enlightenment". However, your negative response does give the OP something to think about. Bodhi might screen out some clients who either don't know what that word means, or who have a negative response to it.

Whatever you decide, I'd avoid the long names. I think these 3 are nice, but each give a different image. Choose the one that you feel best fits you & the clientele you seek:

Thompson Healing Arts
Soulful Massage and Bodywork
Mind Bodhi Massage (I removed the Bodywork because I think that's too long a name)

 

[california_love]

What Should I Name My Business?

I had no idea what bodhi meant either. I assumed it was part of the OPers name

 

[Janelle]

What Should I Name My Business?

I do not think that the general public has studied sanskrit. I would think that the OP would want clients that appreciate and pay for massage, such as myself.
My reaction was not negative, just my reaction having never heard that word before.

 

[M.P.M]

What Should I Name My Business?

My reaction was not negative, just my reaction having never heard that word before.

If you had said, "What's bodhi mean?" that would have been a neutral reply. Instead, you said, "too woo-woo pothead for me" which comes across as very negative. It's OK to not understand something; slamming things you don't understand isn't so cool.

Either way, you've highlighted a truth for soulfulmassage that many people won't know what bodhi means.

 

[Rafferty D]

What Should I Name My Business?

i didn't know what bodhi was/meant either, but had assumed it was a creative phonetic spelling or a bit of tongue-in-cheek. i thought it was cute.

I agree with the 'keep it simple' idea, however i'm not sure which may be better--which translates into i didn't vote. the regulations in my state REQUIRE my name and license number be clearly visible on any signage and marketing that i do. so i figured that rather than having the extra expense for having all that info on signage and filing a DBA that i'd just use my name and license number as my business name as well, and then i incorporate my 'for families' theme into my communications. it makes life simpler for me.

 

[erg322]

What Should I Name My Business?

I am specifically loving our new board... the poll function is much easier to review than the last version of the board... thanks Techie Josh for the continued upgrades!

I picked "Soulful", mainly because you have it in your call name here for the board, so I figure you resonate with it. And, it does what you are asking for in a simple manner.

Good luck on your endeavors!

 

[Brendan]

What Should I Name My Business?

My reaction was not negative, just my reaction having never heard that word before.

If you had said, "What's bodhi mean?" that would have been a neutral reply. Instead, you said, "too woo-woo pothead for me" which comes across as very negative. It's OK to not understand something; slamming things you don't understand isn't so cool.

Wowzers the sensitivity level of folks on this board. Not a slam, just trying to let the OP know how a name like that might be perceived. My neck of the woods is very conservative, that is why in inquired about what type of office he is planning.

 

[bjjnoobie]

What Should I Name My Business?

I voted for Soulful Massage and Bodywork. While I had heard of the word "bodhi" before, my only thought was that it was "something Indian", but had no idea what it actually meant.

I don't think saying "that's woowoo pothead TO ME" is out of line, OR judgmental. The OP did ask for input on the name options, and the poster said what it means TO HIM/HER. I doubt the poster (sorry, was it naturalhealing?) would have made such a statement if input had not been requested.

Just my two cents!

 

[songsjosiah]

What Should I Name My Business?

Thanks, everyone, for your responses so far. They've definitely given me a lot to think about, and it sounds like the final name will be either Soulful Massage or Mind Bodhi Massage (to those who commented on the pitfalls of having a long name, I can certainly omit the "and Bodywork" part).

As for bodhi, I am considering it for several reasons. First, it does mean "enlightenment" (the word "Buddha" is linked to "bodhi"), and I like the play on bodhi/body. I realize that not everyone will know what it means, but I intend to explain the meaning somewhere on my website. Also, if I were about to open my own massage practice in a place like my hometown (a very small town in rural Ohio), I would not choose a word like bodhi, but since I'm in Boston, I think the kind of clients I'm hoping to attract will either know what it means, or read its meaning on my website and be intrigued.

As for Soulful Massage, yes, this is the first domain name that I registered, and the username I use here on this site, so it does resonate with me. But I found out that one of the people who registered the domain before me offered the other kind of "massage," so I want to make sure that people aren't going to mistake me for someone providing erotic massage rather than professional therapeutic massage.

Anyway, great feedback so far, and I look forward to hearing what others on this board think of my potential business names as well!

P.S. In Massachusetts, I am not required to use my name as part of my business; simply filing a "DBA" form (which I intend to do) will suffice.

 

[Nacho-Nick]

What Should I Name My Business?

Also, to the person who asked what kind of decor/atmosphere I intend to have, I want a treatment room that is painted either a light sage green or Robin's egg blue, very calming and Zen-like. I envision a plush carpet on the floor, calming Asian-inspired artwork, organic linens and oils, and a small fountain or statue. A room that is simply but luxuriously furnished, with no clutter, and that is a soothing oasis of serenity for my clients from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave.