Rename My Practice!

[Tammy Manteca]

Will you guys help me?

OK, the time has come. For a long time when I first was trained I had no business name at all, just using my name. When I opened my current office my husband and I put a lot of thought and effort into the name, but four years later my practice has grown pretty far away from the sort of whimsical, in-joke feel of "Solar Powered Massage."

Here are some details about my practice, in case this sparks anyone's creativity (including my own!).

I see lots of people in chronic pain or with long-standing migraine and gait problems; I see quite a few mothers of young children, and many of them are nursing their babies and carring them in a sling; I see a number of young men in their early 20s who already have back problems due to work and gait habits. A large proportion of my clientele, overlapping with the above groups, wants relaxation work, something I recommend heavily to all my clients for its fundamental use as a body-awareness tool and its literal lifesaving properties (relieving stress, a major mediating factor in the biggest "killer" conditions - heart disease, stroke, CV disease, diabetes, etc). I do some breath work and thoracic diaphragm release/maintenance with just about every client, to support all the other work.

I don't see very many people with a current acute injury, and am not currently billing private insurance, although I can bill workers' comp and PIP. I am open to changing this soon, although I think it would remain secondary to what I described above.

My office is in a good downtown location in a well-known, visible landmark building, but there is zero foot traffic (6th floor, no signage opportunities). There are several other health-care practitioners in the building.

The techniques I use are mainly Swedish, combined with some shiatsu and a lot of SRT (an evolution of positional release). I don't do anything I would call "deep tissue" although some clients call it that. My clients aren't particularly sporty although some of them like to keep active through swimming, yoga, tai chi.

I have recently added a slogan/eforum.xxxline, "A Place to Feel Good - A Place to Feel Better" and would like to keep this if possible. What it means to me is that massage walks both sides of the line - it's a feel-good indulgence, and it is also an element of healthcare/repair.

I am going to read through the 8 pages of "great business names" now and see what I come up with.

 

[Pompal 09.]

P.S. I want to include the word "massage" or "bodywork" in the title. I don't want the words "healing" or "hands" or "balance" - they are overused in my area so I need to stand out. "Therapeutic," "holistic," or "integrative" are fine - not required at all, but I think they sound professional and they are not so much used here.

Just thought I'd add those specifics.

 

[I Need Coffee]

Your first name isnt Shirley, is it??

 

[Sam?]

So, I am going to just throw a few things out until I get time to read your whole intro to this thread and your web-pages. I am a bit on the short end of reading today.

Something that may get you started?

From the Thesaurus, I searched solar and saw this:

Main Entry: renewable energy
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: energy from undepletable source
Synonyms: geothermal power, hydroelectricity, renewable resource, solar energy, solar power, wave power, wind power

I am thinking about playing off of "renew".




For a starter idea: Restoration Massage - maybe I like it...maybe I don't... I am iffy on it - but it's something to begin with.

 

[louise d]

hm, that reminds me of Restoration Bodywork, I think I came across that name somewhere on this forum? I like it. alot. kinda like that cool store Restoration Hardware, lol :
But as I'm reading your client base info, I keep coming back to the simple word "Solace". (it also kind of reminds me of Solar) or "renewal".
just some thoughts.

 

[parodoxx]

Ok, I'm just going to throw this out here. Are you sure you want to change your business name? Afterall, you've spent 4 yrs building up the reputation and image of "Solar Powered Massage." Do you really want to just discard that? Sure, the clients you have right now will know that nothing has changed but what about the general public? Perhaps a client that you saw a year ago tells someone else about how much Solar Powered Massage helped them. Then they go looking for you but that business no longer exists.

Have you thought of the business implications of the name change?

Angie

 

[Greg0rz]

Angie you have a good point. It would probably have been more accurate for me to say that I have been somewhat dissatisfied w/the name since the beginning, and finally decided I should think seriously about a change. So right now, instead of toying with "should I or shouldn't I," I am temporarily committing to changing, acting as if change is a definite so that I can really see all the pros and cons of such a move.

If we do go with a change I plan a small media blitz over several months announcing the change.

The thing is I feel like my lack of confidence about the current name is costing me business. It's possible that all I need is a way to feel that SPM is a good name that I can justify when someone asks, "So what does 'solar powered' massage mean?" Right now I have clever jokey responses, but I feel that explaining the business name takes focus totally away from talking about what I *do.*

While it's true that I do have some reputation and image, my client base is still quite small compared to my current growth goals. I am also only just getting started with imagery and have done very little awareness advertising, so SPM brand equity is (I think!) still low enough that I believe I would be cutting losses rather than flushing investment. I'm keeping what you said in mind though.

 

[Dens112]

BJB,

Please keep us posted on how the change name goes if you do decide to do it. I have been contemplating this myself over the last week... but haven't seriously considered it because I thought it would be too much hassle. But I totally agree with you on the lack of confidence of the present name and it holding me back in my business. My practice has taken a completely different course since it's beginning, and I no longer feel the original name fits.
I'll be interested to hear how your journey goes on a name change.
Also, I had seen on someone's website around here... (can't remember who, sorry!) a contest to help them name their business. the winner gets a free massage - I thought it was a great idea! asking for your client's help can give you some ideas on a name on how they feel when they come to you i.e. how you make them feel.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Now I have to know what your current biz name is so I can watch your evolution.

 

[sam j]

I like Solar Powered Massage. Its unique. :}

 

[Woody Black]

BJB,

I will PM you my current name, I stopped posting it once I realized that any clients searching for my biz would find all my posts on this forum

I just thought of another name for you tho - lol, now you've got my creative juices flowing and I can't stop - uh oh! you're all in for it! :jiggy: Creature Comforts. ok, maybe that won't work with your client base, now I'm just OUTTA CONTROL!

 

[Pompal 09.]

creature comforts makes me think of a doggie day spa lol :} its cute!

 

[balloon molly]

creature comforts makes me think of a doggie day spa

oh you're right! that is perfect! anyone know of anyone fixin' to open one?!? :

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi BJB,

That's funny that you mentioned clients asking what "Solar Powered Massage" means. I remember wondering the same thing when I first saw your business name. I like Stonegirl's suggestion of Solace. It's close to Solar, yet evokes feelings of peace & comfort.

What about designing your logo where "Solace" is written large, with the eforum.xxxline underneath: "Therapeutic massage for your body & soul"

Then, in the phone book, you can list your business under the name "Solace Therapeutic Massage"

As for people being able to find you, I think as long as you keep your phone number the same, and do the advertising you mentioned regarding the change, you won't have too many problems.

 

[Smiiile]

Solace Bodywork – Feel Good, Feel Better

 

[Pompal 09.]

I was just typing and the post above me took part of my idea, and I must say I like it! "Feel Good - Feel Better"
It reads well.


A few more ideas--- This first one is a little "reaching". Just trying to stick with the "solar" / "sun" idea.

The Source
A Massage Therapy Center
~ "Feel Good - Feel Better"

Massage Source
"Feel Good - Feel Better"

Harmony Massage
"Feel Good - Feel Better"

 

[Omar]

You guys are great - this is all really helping.

I hadn't thought of having a new name that has similarities to the old one in meaning or structure - I can see the value of it.

The one name I have come up with on my own so far is Second Wind Massage Therapy. There is at least one obvious problem with that name!

Could also be Second Wind Therapeutic Massage, or Second Wind Massage and Bodywork.

The three practice names I have seen that I have liked the most for their evocative imagery and their ability to quickly communicate a lot about the practice are: BearHug Massage Therapy (an MT in my building who specializes in deep tissue, PTSD, and clients w/body image issues), Fresh Medicine (a multifocus center in Oregon), and Breathe Bodywork (you know who you are). All of these names to me communicate healing with an element of hope, light, and action, which I realize is what I am looking for. I think I felt that SPM communicated those things too, but it turns out it's not clear to anyone but me.

 

[HisPrincess]

I think if you feel the name doesn't suit you that you should change it. However, I also feel that its okay to have to explain the name if it means something to you. I picked my current name in a hasty manner and know that down the line I will change it. I even know what I want. I just wasn't bold enough to pick what I really wanted. I went thru that conversation in my head of explaining it and figured I had enough on my plate with a start up. I do like Solace. Sublime Solace hmm. Anytime you can involve the sun in the Pac. NW its a good thing!! Its closely related to your original name. For some reason Second Wind sounds to much like you are changing everything, (to me) and thats not the case right? I will watch with interest to see how much a hassle it is for you but I really don't think its that big a deal and you should feel free to do what you want. Its your business.

 

[Marie S]

Here are some more:

Revitalize Therapeutic Bodywork -
Rejuvenescence Bodywork – Good Health, Better Life
Rejuvenation Massage – Good Care, Better Health

And some more:

Alleviare Holistic Bodywork – Feel Good, Feel Better
Tranquility Garden Holistic Bodywork

 

[elizabethbyers377]

Thanks for more all.

I think I am less drawn to words like Solace, Tranquil, Serene - they are lovely, appropriate words for our profession, but as I hear them I realize that I perceive my own work with clients as more active, and focused on being able to stay active or regain activity. Not sporty exactly - just ADLs usually - but with an element of regaining lost mobility/power, engaging in a different way than being blissed out. (Which ironically is what I like best when I get a massage...)

But thank you so much for the suggestions, because they are really making me take a good look at my current practice, where I want to take it, and the new-client-capture potential of every possible name offered. I wish we were opening a dozen new practices and could use all these names! :