Brainstorming to come up with a catchy business name is something every entrepreneur has done.
Does it stick and also make it clear what you have to offer?
Choosing your business name is an important marketing decision.
It's the calling card for your business
Check that your business name does not already exist in KVK 's Business Register,…
as a registered trademark, or as a domain name online.
In any case, always follow these rules:
One: Don't give the wrong impression.
Your company's name should not make it seem different or bigger than it is.
Two: Avoid confusion with existing business names.
And three: Don't use someone else's brand name.
How did that work out for these entrepreneurs?
15 years ago, we spent a year living in France with our family.
We are, of course, based in the south of the Netherlands, hence 'du Sud'.
That's how we came up with 'Table du Sud'. We liked the sound of it, too.
Actually, we are still happy with the name.
It really fitted with what we wanted to be.
Wanderlust also literally means the desire to move, to go somewhere.
That was also what we wanted to portray.
And at that point, we were just very lucky with the fact...
that it was becoming becoming a trendy word.
We jumped on that trend at the right time.
Well, I used to be called Fatos Hairsalon. That was named after me.
And after a few years, I changed that...
because this really became a business with employees.
So, I'm not the only one working here, other people work here, too.
And we quickly found out that you have to be recognisable; short and easy to remember.
And it was then changed to Studio FHS.
My name is still in there, but it's not completely written out. It's short.
We often hear that the French name sounds very romantic to people.
With Table du Sud, people still think of the south of France, beautiful views.
So that name has actually always been been very powerful for us.
Table du Sud has been registered as a trademark.
And in addition, of course, we have registered the domain names.
The .nl, the .be, and the .com version.
I specifically chose for .com instead of .nl...
because I just want to be international.
Well, .com was no longer available, so that was a disadvantage.
We write in English, but we have a .nl domain.
That, of course, is not so smart at all.
On reflection, maybe we should have thought a bit more about it.
And now it is time for action.
Test your business name with friends and family.
Use the KVK search function…
to check that your idea doesn't already exist, and isn’t already a brand name.
And check if the domain name is still available.
Also consider whether you should register your product name or logo as a trademark.
Want to know more?
Visit KVK.nl/en/starting.