I’ve been watching a very interesting online trend happening right now. Many women solopreneurs are taking back their names.
As in really taking back their names. Changing current domain names to their given name or using their name as the main website that is their main hangout. Being someone who has more than a passing interest in the whole branding gig, I’m fascinated watching this trend play out.
See, I think this is exactly what should be happening.
I recently had a spirited conversation with a colleague over this current trend as we discussed her current business and the new directions she was branching out in. My colleague is a very well known expert in marketing and publicity who has run a very successful online business for several years.
BUT…
She is also a very good business mentor for someone looking to build a solopreneur business
She is a mom of children with special needs
She’s wildly creative
She is an ADVOCATE
Back to our spirited conversation.
My colleague friend has balked over using her name as her primary website. Why? Because she felt like using her name was sort of a ‘know-it-all’ kind of thing.
Like “who am I to use my name…seems pretty egocentric and limiting”.
I have to admit, I was stunned…flabbergasted…astonished. I had never considered it that way.at.all.
Perception, my friend, is everything.
I perceive it as freeing you to be all you can be. I see using your name for your website as the container for all the things you are passionate about. It allows you to take the next natural step in your journey both personally and professionally.
Your name is who you are and what you stand for.
For several years my main website was myrecipeforlife.com, but as my business focus changed, it was very difficult to work that title and marketing into the directions I wanted to go.
I was stuck, hemmed in…cramped.
Using your name gives you elbow room. It gives a sense of expansiveness and lightness…ahhh, doesn’t that feel better?
Well said. I’ve been contemplating establishing a “name” domain for almost 2 years after stumbling across a social media guru’s website that used her name. At first i was stunned, and thought it was a bit egotistical but within 5-minutes of that first thought, I did a 180-degree turnaround and it made complete sense to me. I completely agree with your point-of-view.
Hi Dayvonne,
First, thank for stopping by and adding your thoughts. I find it so interesting the different perspectives on using your name as a domain or landing place for people to find you.
Ohhh..the word ‘guru’ 😉
I’m glad you agree with my thoughts behind it. I truly believe that solopreneurs are also ‘multipreneurs’ and using your name allows you the freedom to follow those pathways 🙂
Thanks for hanging in there with me!
Warmly,
Danielle
Hi Danielle, first of all, if you were in front of me, I’d give you the huge “Elaine push” off Seinfeld and shout “GET OUT” …I cannot believe you are a grandma! Huge congrats… but wow… if I look like you as a grandma… I’ll be one happy camper!
I thought you were going to tell us that Jaxon was a girl and you’d chosen to call him “Rose”…(as a family that is!)
My daughter is called Rose… so that really caught my eye.
In any event, back to the post… I agree. Using your name certainly allows you flexibility to talk about whatever floats your boat.
These days personal branding is so important.
good for you too, for registering Jaxon’s domain name. I want my kids to be online entrepreneurs too… one day I”ll teach them the tricks of the trade.
They are 7 and 9 now. My sons name is Joe by the way. He is worth mentioning!!
I was older (40) when I had my son, and 39 when I had Rosie. Hence it’ll be a bit of a wait for my grandkids… thankfully… so in the meantime… I will focus on getting their ambition levels up to snuff.
Loved the post. Congrats again.
Jayne
Hi Jane…
LOL…thanks for making my day 😉 heehee! I was actually about 12 when I got married (ha!), so I’m a very, very young GiGi.;)
I love, love that you want to miss on the entrepreneurial spirit to your kiddos; I think that that is awesome! I just love the name Rosie…so cute! And hello Joe…nice to meet you too.
And you are right…personal branding is so very important…especially as a solopreneur balancing your personal and professional life on social media.
Glad you agree with my take on the reasoning behind ‘claiming your name’.
Thank you for stopping by and letting me get to know you a bit!
Warmly,
Danielle