You might be surprised to learn that the journey to naming my business wasn’t as simple and straightforward as it looks. 

When I decided to go off on my own and start my freelance career, the weekend after officially changing my last name, I didn’t think much about all the decisions that would follow. I was caught up in the excitement of new beginnings, ready to dive headfirst into more flexibility – with the blind optimism that exists before you know what you’re really getting into. 

It would have been very me to overthink every detail – but I didn’t. I needed a business name, and the most obvious choice was right there: a fun play on words with my first name. Simple, done, moving on. 

This is the story about business naming you need to hear for your own peace of mind and reassurance when you’re in those early stages (or maybe rethinking everything). 

Version One: 2016 

For those who’ve been with me from the beginning, you probably remember when my business name was something different than what it is now. It was cute, yes – especially fitting for someone in her early twenties just figuring out what it means to be a business owner. 

I was checking the boxes – business name, check. Logo, check. Business cards, check. 

But what I didn’t realize at the time was how much that initial choice was quietly shaping everything else. Over the next few years, my brand name was leading me toward a certain kind of voice – more casual, more personal, maybe a bit too cutesy for the sophisticated work I had in mind. If anything, it was holding me back, keeping me in a box that only became more limiting. 

What was I supposed to do? Change everything? I’d already invested quite a bit to establish the website, the social media handles, the way clients knew me. It seemed easier to stick with what was working … on the surface. 

The Email That Nudged Me to Change Course

Buckle up. This is the moment when things hit the fan – though in hindsight, it was the nudge I needed. 

I will never, ever forget it. I was rocking our oldest son to sleep – he was just about six months at the time, and that boy LOVED a good contact nap. Once he dozed off, I cautiously … quietly …  pulled up my phone to check emails. What I found waiting at the top of my inbox completely caught me off guard.

An informal cease and desist email. 

When I say that message rattled me, it did. I was still finding my way in those vulnerable postpartum months, and the fog was slowly lifting. I was ready to find my new work routine as a mom. But in just one moment, I was swept back into a familiar space – feeling unsettled, anxious, and completely unprepared. That night, I reached out to a small business attorney, and within hours, she was walking me through what this could mean and what my options were.

Without throwing too many details at you, I’ll just say that after careful review, both my attorney and I felt there were significant differences between our brands that made the concerns seem unfounded. Still, this experience taught me important things about business ownership that I’d never really thought through before.

All of a sudden, everything became more serious and overwhelming. Humbling, really. It taught me that when you’re building and sustaining something for yourself, it’s not just you and your vision that you’re responsible for – you’re part of a larger community of creatives who are all working to make their own space in this world. That sense of shared purpose can feel inspiring and intensely daunting. 

Of course, this moment felt like a massive setback. But it turned out to be the redirect I was meant to take. I just wasn’t understanding the whole point of it … yet. 

Version Two: 2021

In a world that idolizes people who appear to have it all together and figured out from day one, acknowledging that you need to pivot can feel like admitting failure. But what I’ve learned is evolving = growing. It’s choosing possibility over perfection.

After jumping through legal hoops for months, “fighting” for my original brand name stopped becoming worth it. The energy I was pouring into defending something that no longer excited me could’ve been channeled somewhere else. After seeking legal counsel and weighing all my options, I decided to go all in on a rebrand. 

New name, new logo, new color palette – everything. It was both terrifying and liberating at the same time.

Now for the million dollar question – how did I come up with Woven Copy Studio? 

It was a little bit of serendipity and a lot of collected creativity over the years. Before everything changed, I was working on an Instagram post for my business when a Pinterest quote caught my attention. 

Eugene’s words have stayed with me – inspiring my vision for my work. After spending time on PowerThesaurus.com and clicking into different word choices to soften the idea of “assemble,” I stumbled on “woven.” 

Woven Copy Studio feels like home now. As I approach my mid-thirties, the name I chose isn’t just something that sounds nice – it’s something that has room for expansion, for evolution, for the woman and business owner I’m still becoming. I’ve been able to weave in elements of my personality, my values, and my creativity in a way that feels both professional and deeply personal. Plus, I have an official little ™ to go with it. 😉 

My Advice for Naming a Business

After walking through the process twice now – first, fast; second, slow; I’ve learned a thing or two about naming a business. I’ve also had the privilege of helping several other creatives work through their own naming challenges. If you’re in the thick of this process right now, please know that what you’re experiencing – the overwhelm, the second-guessing, the endless possibilities – is completely normal. 

Here’s what I wish someone had shared with me when I was going through it:

Gather Inspiration In Familiar, Sometimes Unexpected Places

Your business name should feel like it belongs in your world, so start by exploring what that world actually looks like, sounds like, and feels like to you.

Pay attention to the books and magazines on your nightstand, the playlist that gets you in the zone, the sights you pass on your morning walk. Some of the most memorable business names come from those not-so-obvious sources.

As you go, keep a running list on your phone. When something catches your eye or ear, make a note. You’re not looking for the perfect name in these moments; you’re collecting words, feelings, and concepts that resonate.

Later, you can play with combinations, variations, or use these fragments as a guidepost for something entirely new.

Hang Out in the Endless List Phase

You’re going to toss around a lot of names. Some will wake you up at 1 AM in excitement, and others will have you feeling a little underwhelmed. This phase feels chaotic, but it’s actually productive. You’re learning what feels too casual versus too corporate, what sounds aligned versus what feels forced. Each name you consider teaches you something about the direction you want to go, even if it’s not the final answer.

Let yourself explore without judgment or pressure.

Listen to Your Intuition 

There’s usually a moment when the right name appears and something inside you just… knows. It might not make sense at first. You might not be able to explain exactly why it feels right. But that inner knowing is valuable – trust it.

Pay attention to how different names make you feel when you say them out loud, when you imagine introducing yourself with them, when you picture them on your business cards or website. 

Does one make you sit up a little straighter? Make you smile? Feel like something you’d be proud to grow into? These physical and emotional responses are providing you with important information about what resonates.

When Everyone Has an Opinion

Once you start sharing potential names with those close to you, people will have thoughts. So be mindful of who you invite into this process. Your mom will love the one that sounds too personal. Your industry friend might recall another brand with a similar message. And your partner will have their own completely different ideas. 

While input can be valuable – and sometimes people will catch things you missed, like unfortunate acronyms or unintended meanings – remember that this is your business, your vision, your decision. Be open to feedback, but trust your instincts above anything.

Do Your (Legal) Research 

This step isn’t optional, even though it may feel boring. The United States Patent and Trademark Office database will show you what’s already registered from your favorites list – if any. There are also state databases to check, and you’ll want to do a general Google search to see what else is out there.

Yes, it takes time. Yes, it can be disappointing when you discover one is taken. But it’s so much better to find out now than to receive an email later asking you to change course. 

Secure Your Domain & Social Handle(s)

Even if you’re not ready to build a website or establish a social media presence immediately, secure these as soon as you’ve made your decision. This small step removes the worry of someone else taking your chosen name, and it gives your ideas a place to eventually call home.

Consider Trademarking Services 

Trademarking your business can be costly – ranging from $1,500-$3,000+ for professional services. But it’s an investment in protection, not just of your name, but of all the time, heart, and energy you pour into your work. 

A trademark gives you legal protection and peace of mind. It’s insurance for your creativity and your business identity. Not every business needs a trademark immediately, but if you’re planning to grow significantly or if your name is especially unique and important to your brand identity, it’s worth considering. Whichever route you choose, just know that it takes TIME! I waited for my official trademark certificate for nearly an entire year. 

If you’re interested in trademark services for a U.S.-based business, get in touch with Taylor of Williams Law. 

Know that Names Grow & Evolve

The meaning comes from what you do with it, how you show up in the world, and the experiences you create for the people you serve. It’s not about what the name means on day one – it’s about what you make it mean over time through your actions, your messaging, and your client relationships. 

This perspective takes so much pressure off the process. You don’t need to find a name that perfectly encapsulates everything you are and everything you hope to become. You just need to find something that feels right for who you are now and has room to grow with you. 

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Weaving It All Together

This experience taught me more than any branding workshop or coaching program could ever have. And while it was really difficult and mentally exhausting in the moment, looking back, I’m glad I persevered and chose to adapt, arriving at something way better than I ever originally thought or planned. 

The long way isn’t the wrong way. Sometimes it’s exactly the path you need to take to arrive at something better than you could have imagined from the start. Trust the process, trust your instincts. And know that the most fitting business name for you is out there – and it’s worth the wait. 

Interested in talking about naming support for your business? Reserve a Copy Strategy Hour session.