Pondering over a business name

[CanadianBakin']

I bake for a higher end coffee house but also have the opportunity to develop my own business on the side using their kitchen. I plan to do custom orders as well as sell things like nightscotman's marshmallows, macaroons, etc at the coffee house which would require my label. My husband's family thinks I should use some form of bakin' as my name. Whether it be lower case, upper case, plain font, fancy font, whatever. It doesn't really grab me or reflect me but I guess what's more important is whether other people like it or think it's marketable. I thought I would come to you experts and see what you think.

My name is Tina Bacon so obviously this name is a play on what I do and my last name. I'm an avid home baker not a trained one so I bake simpler fare. For the coffee house I do muffins, scones, cookies, cheesecakes, squares, etc. In time we will likely expand the dessert side of things. We live in a suburban area so I'd like something classy but not too far out there.

What do you think of bakin'?

[KatieM]

I'm not sure what to tell you about your name, but I just wanted to offer my support, because I am actually still struggling with this same problem myself. I cannot for the life of me pick a name for my business. So I'm sorry that I can't really help, but GOOD LUCK!

I do like the idea of using bakin' somewhere in the name though.

[Daniel]

Maybe its because i have a couple in me, but when i was thinking of names for you.. I looked to see where you came from.. And i saw Mission, BC.. So if you are looking for a play on words or something perhaps, Mission, Baking Company might work.. And there you have your name. Or maybe Mission, Bacon & Company.. Or something to that affect. I tried.

[Vancouver Lee]

I bake for a higher end coffee house but also have the opportunity to develop my own business on the side using their kitchen. I plan to do custom orders as well as sell things like nightscotman's marshmallows, macaroons, etc at the coffee house which would require my label. My husband's family thinks I should use some form of bakin' as my name. Whether it be lower case, upper case, plain font, fancy font, whatever. It doesn't really grab me or reflect me but I guess what's more important is whether other people like it or think it's marketable. I thought I would come to you experts and see what you think.

My name is Tina Bacon so obviously this name is a play on what I do and my last name. I'm an avid home baker not a trained one so I bake simpler fare. For the coffee house I do muffins, scones, cookies, cheesecakes, squares, etc. In time we will likely expand the dessert side of things. We live in a suburban area so I'd like something classy but not too far out there.

What  do you think of bakin'?

←

Just my $0.02, but I'd ask "What do YOU think of bakin'?" This is your business, the company name will reflect on you, and it's important that you are comfortable with it. I agree that the name has to be marketable, for sure, but don't choose a name that you dislike but others tell you will sell. Again, just my $0.02.

[aidensnd2]

I'd use your handle here. Canadian Bakin'

[chiantiglace]

T. Bacon's Bakin' in B.C.

[Kit]

I like Bakin'. It's short, to the point, and most important, easy to say and remember. It's also one of those things that will strike people as clever and would be more likely to stick in thier minds because of that. Just my opinion.

[Mnehrling]

I bake for a higher end coffee house but also have the opportunity to develop my own business on the side using their kitchen. I plan to do custom orders as well as sell things like nightscotman's marshmallows, macaroons, etc at the coffee house which would require my label. My husband's family thinks I should use some form of bakin' as my name. Whether it be lower case, upper case, plain font, fancy font, whatever. It doesn't really grab me or reflect me but I guess what's more important is whether other people like it or think it's marketable. I thought I would come to you experts and see what you think.

My name is Tina Bacon so obviously this name is a play on what I do and my last name. I'm an avid home baker not a trained one so I bake simpler fare. For the coffee house I do muffins, scones, cookies, cheesecakes, squares, etc. In time we will likely expand the dessert side of things. We live in a suburban area so I'd like something classy but not too far out there.

What  do you think of bakin'?

←

From a business perspective, this is a good choice if its used correctly. First, you have to determine if any of your competition has 'Baking' in their name and see if they market that part of their name in any catchy way. If they do, you'll want to set yourself apart. I can see your entire line branded around this name.

Bakin's choco crumbles

Bakin's razzy scones

etc.

Using the casual spellings in your products like your company name will produce a hook for your individual products. You then could use a peer to peer viral marketing plan to spread the name about. Hire a couple of temps for a day, give them about $20 to go to coffee shops, sit in the middle of people and order similar items, exclaiming outloud how the scones here are no where as good as Bakin's Razzy Scones (This could also be done in grocery stores, hotel lobbies, malls, etc...)

[K8memphis]

I really like Canadian Bakin' or second choice Bacon's Bakin'. I have had a long struggle with a business name also - I finally finally finally thought of one based on a nickname that only my Mom called me. I don't have the name reserved on the internet or anywhere yet so mum's the word on mine for the time being.

But Canadian Bakin' could hardly hit the mark better y'know??!!!

[rjwong]

I really like Canadian Bakin' or second choice Bacon's Bakin'. I have had a long struggle with a business name also - I finally finally finally thought of one based on a nickname that only my Mom called me. I don't have the name reserved on the internet or anywhere yet so mum's the word on mine for the time being.

But Canadian Bakin' could hardly hit the mark better y'know??!!!

←

K8memphis, I was thinking of "Bakin' by Bacon" (or the BBB), then you posted your excellent suggestions.

CB, I say go with your handle, Canadian Bakin' , Bacon.

[MGLloyd]

The Great White North Baking Company

[jamiemaw]

Interesting conundrum whenever one names a new baby.

1. Do you name her after what you think she looks like now--i.e. something a little cute and maybe even trendy and very new-millenium?

2. Or do you go with what you think she'll look like in 20 years and likely be doing after college when she's out in the professional world--i.e something a little more corporate?

There is also a substantial difference between a 'brand name', i.e. what it says on your storefront and business cards, as opposed to the legal name that the Registrar of Companies will allow you to get away with. Ergo the 'dba' or 'doing business as' moniker that one often sees in business registry or bankruptcy ads.

Now, if one wanted to get a little cute (see 1. above), you could name the brand Makin' Bakin'. However that might not age as well as the baby grows up. And for that matter, Bakin' might be a good short-term brand name but you would not be able to register it as such. Certainly, however, it could look great as a marketing flash on graphics and the storefront, but probably as an adjunct to something more substantial . . .

So perhaps it's a good time to turn to successfully launched retail operations that deliver a strong sense of quality and locality. I can think of no better than The Okanagan Sausage Company whose main store is now at Granville Island with operations and manufacturing consolidated in Richmond. Although they started in Oyama, and still have a retail presence there, their name acknowledges something bigger, but also something homemade--and that's a good thing.

Therefore I would recommend that you call your new operation . . .

The Mission Baking Company

This would resolve brand and registry in one go and the word mission has several interesting connotations, a sense of locality at the outset, but also, importantly, a sufficient generic flexibilty to allow the baby to graduste college. The graphic could have a screened outline of the mission, and flashes such as Bakin' would be relegated to the Bread Menu. And once you have a retail operation up and running, why not take a page from Krispy Kreme and put a red neon sign in your window reading "HOT BREAD" or "BAKIN'" or "MAKIN' BAKIN'". Just pray that your vision and products are less flawed than theirs!

Neat angles: Using artisanal flours (Red Fyfe etc.) would work well.

Best of luck with your new venture,

Jamie

PS: Have to add that I enjoy Canadian Bakin' Company too!

Edited January 31, 2005 by jamiemaw (log)

[simdelish]

Your screen name here on eG has always been one of my favorites!

I think it would be a great business name!

[NulloModo]

For baked goods, I'd opt for something more traditional and less silly. When I think baked goods, I think homey, traditional, and with a high class pedigree. So, Mission Baking Co. does seem to do the job very well.

Generally deliberate misspellings such as 'Bakin' ' just annoy me and strike me as juvenile for a proper business, but that may just be me.

Now, if you were going to be marketing your own line of hot sauce or salsa silly and juvenile would be the way to go, but for something like baked good, go the high-class route.

[JSkilling]

I think the key is to go back to what you originally stated - you want an upscale name. Bakin' would not suggest that to me, nor would your cute handle here. It works perfectly in this environment but my first thought is generally pork, not cake! You know that Beggin' Strips commercial where the dog just keeps saying, "bacon!" That keeps running through my mind...

The the kind of baking you are doing, I like "crumbs"

Lookee here - I got to 100 posts!

Edited February 1, 2005 by JSkilling (log)

[CanadianBakin']

WOW! Thank you so much for all your input. I really appreciate the time you've taken to let me know what you think and give guidance to a newbie. This will be a huge help!

[CanadianBakin']

What an eyefull! I just googled "Canadian Bakin'" and it came up with a variety of things including gay porn. Soooo I might just stay away from my handle and head towards Mission Baking Co. or something like that. Thank goodness you guys suggested some options.