Comments on: Podcast: Use (or Drop) Another Name for Your Art Business

By: Mary Gravelle

Mary Gravelle — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:32:00 +0000

I feel like Michelle. I have had a name identity crises having gone through two divorces and kept my married name both times. My maiden name has gone underground and I think I might need to excavate it and use it for the rest of my life. If I remarry, I do not take the new man’s name. I have been signing my paintings with my first name because of this conundrum and named my business with my first name only. How does this all affect the art career?

By: michelle

michelle — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:17:45 +0000

I have a bit of a name conundrum. I had decided not to DBA my maiden name as 3 extremely important people have the same name and was never able to come up in google without paying big money. So I used my very unique married name which made me top in the ranks. I had a little bit of history with that name and then my husband and I separated. My company is a separate name, but I think I may need a different “me” name, as I will not be keeping my married name. But people look for my by my name, not the business name. Any thoughts or advice?

By: Alyson B. Stanfield

Alyson B. Stanfield — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:15:10 +0000

Allison: That’s great news. I know you’ve been struggling with this. I hope it’s all coming together for you.

By: Allison J Smith

Allison J Smith — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:02:19 +0000

Thanks for all your help, Alyson! I am now transitioning to my name! I purchased the URL months ago, but now I am making it prominent and putting the other “names” in the shadows. Giving me all the angles allows me to make an informed decision that I feel comfortable with, so I can go with it and not worry. And as you’ve mentioned, people buy from confidence!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:37:03 +0000

Great podcast. Yep, I need to be more front & center in my business and I need to work on my personal art domain more and invest some time in branding my name. I do offer both commercial art services and I create fine art that I do just for myself. I think branding myself as a fine artist that also runs a successful commercial art studio is a great way to work this split personality out.