Did you do ALL the research?
10, Jan, 2010 
7 Comments
This week I learned not only the power of naming your company but also the power of truly RESEARCHING the name for your company.
In June 2008, I began researching a new business. I wanted to find something I could do to really TEACH my own children about business and eventually help them start their own businesses. My desire stayed in my heart for awhile but I didn’t do very much about it until I was part of the Wildfire Rally 2009. Something I heard during one of the interviews got me all fired up! I don’t remember who it was, or which day, but I do remember how I felt and the passion that was re-ignited. I researched, talked to prospective clients, asked questions, did more research, made phone calls, and did more research. I decided upon the name and began the process of moving things forward. Although I had originally decided upon Parenting Preneurs, on September 3, 2009 I had a coaching session with Carrie Wilkerson, and changed it to Raising Biz Kids. It was much catchier and it didn’t have the confusion that I was facing with Parenting Preneurs. I searched Go Daddy and the name was available. I bought the domain and we were in business right? Wrong! What I should have done was research a little further – the entire name and part of the name. Was it trademarked? Were there books with that name and in this case was there a TV show with that name? Although I had been in business for over 15 years, I had never had to trademark everything. I didn’t know anything about the process. Quite frankly I didn’t even think about looking at trademarks until our Biz Kids Success Summit when someone e-mailed me and told me I should look at a cool TV show on PBS called “Biz Kids”. Turns out “Biz Kids” is a trademarked name. I contacted them about it and never heard anything from them so I didn’t think much else about it. Then this past Thursday I found out from my lawyer that we were having trouble with trademarking “Raising Biz Kids”. I made several phone calls and eventually talked to the executive director of “Biz Kids”. I was told that even if I didn’t want to trademark, there was NO CHANCE I could use the name Raising Biz Kids as it would cause confusion in the market as the missions of our companies are very much the same. Basically, if I wanted to push the issue we would have to go to court over it. After all the time and money invested, I felt numb, sick, and definitely discouraged. We had a family council and made it a matter of prayer. We re-grouped and decided to move forward and come up with a new name but THIS time we were going to do EVEN MORE RESEARCH!
I’m so sorry! What a hassle, and all that time and expense. I wonder if KidPreneurs is taken?
ooohhhh after all that work you’ve done it SUCKS that you’ll have to change the name but what a valuable lesson you’ve learned! I’m so proud to know you and follow your success. Your business will be even stronger and better with the name that’s the perfect fit!
Hi Sarah,
Trademarks and people who use them are curious items. When I began my gift basket business, I researched all and PART of the name and found nothing according to the govt website for trademarking. But once I spent the money to APPLY for the trademark “Lambs and Ivy Gift Baskets” I was told that it could not be used because there was a Lambs and Ivy company that made children’s bedding. Since that time, I have actually talked to that company and we have done some work together but I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to trademark my name. (The application fee is not refundable either….:(
Here’s an even weirder story about a lady who had a stamp (the kind you use to make cards, etc.) store in Fullerton, California. She called it The Lady and the Stamp. Within a year she was contacted by Disney Company’s lawyers with a cease and desist order because her name was too SIMILAR to Lady and The Tramp. AMAZING!
Best wishes to you as you search for an even more amazing name !
A portion of my investgative business is copyright/trademark infringement. Many people do what you did and then have to make major and expensive changes. As you know, hiring an attorney at the onset is money well spent.
Yes – KidPreneurs is taken! ;-( Everything was frustrating on Thursday but I AM NOT A QUITTER so it’s all good! Thanks so much for your support!
Great. Now i can say thank you
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