Help me choose new company name!

[Rosebud]

I've decided to take the plunge and become a part-time travel agent. I'll be an independent contractor for a large travel company, and thus need my own company name and logo.

I'm trying to come up with a great company name. My friend & co workers have thrown out some ideas (represented in the poll), and I'd love your thoughts on them and any new ideas you may have.

As my business grows, I'd like to focus on romantic travel (honeymoons, anniversaries, etc.) and luxury travel, but at first I'll be booking all kinds of travel for any kind of client to all destinations.

All your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated!

[nawsgirl]

Of the ones you have listed, Bliss Travel is the one that strikes me the most. You could make a really cute logo with that, and it's short so people will be more likely to remember the name.

One I thought of was "Moonlight Travel" since you'll be 'moonlighting' as a travel agent, but it also sounds exotic. Plus you'd have a lot of options for a logo.

Good luck!! My dad worked in the travel industry and really enjoyed it....

[Amuse Bouche]

I like Bliss too, but make sure the name isn't taken in CA. If you're going to create a separate limited liability entity you'd want to create the entity with that name -- there's a search on the Secretary of State's website to see if it's taken. Otherwise, you should do a fictitious business name filing.

I have a friend who does graphic design, and she does some cool logos -- let me know if you want her contact info.

[Rosebud]

I like Bliss too, but make sure the name isn't taken in CA. If you're going to create a separate limited liability entity you'd want to create the entity with that name -- there's a search on the Secretary of State's website to see if it's taken. Otherwise, you should do a fictitious business name filing.

I just checked the website and it they don't have a "Bliss Travel" listed. Good site--- I'm looking at all the requirements for starting a business now.


nawsgirl- Moonlight Travel is cute. Thanks!

[southerner]

Of the ones you listed, I think Suite Life would be the one I'd remember most. I like Moonlight Travel as well. They both have the romantic implications and catchy names.

Good luck on your new adventure!

[SpanishRose]

Bliss Travel....Has a nice ring to it!

[Rosebud]

Thank you all so much for your feedback-- I appreciate it. Anyone else want to vote on these names? I'm trying to get as many opinions as possible.

Thanks! :)

[Rosebud]

Looks like Bliss Travel is winning by a big margin- 48% of the vote. I really like it!

A friend just suggested another interesting name. What do you think of Cloud Nine Travel?

[Aug2002Bride]

I like Bliss travel too....My mom is a TA and she chose her agencies name (Accent Travel) because she wanted it to be first in the phone book. The only other Travel agency in town starts with a "B" so she wanted to be before them too.

[DiscoDiva]

Do any of the names have anything to do with your name?

[KarenS]

Advice from someone who currently targets a very high end clientele: If you really want to work with "luxury" clients - you want to avoid anything cutsey sounding. I personally would not chose any of those names if you're wanting to appeal to a high end clients - they're too cutesy and common.

I would do some research - get magazines like Town & Country Travel, The Robb Report, and so forth and really examine the names of businesses that target these travellers. The worst thing you could do is establish a brand that turns out to be all wrong for the clients you want to bring in and then have to rebrand yourself later. It's worth it to really spend a lot of time researching your target client. And certainly no offense to anyone here, but I doubt that the majority of people voting on this poll are your target customers (myself included - upscale vacations are not in *my* budget, that's for sure! :)).

Karen

[Rosebud]

Thanks, Karen. My DH actually said the exact same thing last night. He thought these names sounded too "cutesy" and "girly." I'm definitely going to pick up some luxury travel magazines for more inspiration.

DiscoDiva- No, none of these names have anything to do with my name. My name sounds really Irish, and I didn't want it to seem like I was specializing in travel to Ireland.

Okay-- off to come up with some new options. Although I'm going to keep a couple of the front runners from this poll on my list, as well.

Thank you all so much!

[DiscoDiva]

First Class Travel
Preferred Travel
Society Travel
Prime Travel
Premier Travel
Choice Travel
Black Tie Travel (I don't really like this one)

[zhannushka]

I actually really like Elite Travel. Just my 2 cents... :p

[Heidi9771]

I agree with Karen. Avoid anything novelty sounding for the type of high end clients you hope to attract. I also like the idea of browsing upscale travel magazines for ideas.

Using your last name also might be a solid solution, depending on what it is... For example (just using random last name here...) Smith Travel. Usually, in marketing, it is a better idea not to use your last name if it overly ethnic sounding, unless you are targeting that specific ethnic group.

[harkinna]

I voted for Suite Travel...but now I think Bliss travel would be better...you could specialize in spa vacations!

[HeatherFL]

I highly suggest you do NOT use Bliss Travel. There is a Bliss Club (adult oriented) and while I have absolutely no issue with them, naming your company "Bliss" can be mistaken for affiliation with the other organization and in the business world you just have to be careful. I really like Karen's suggestions. As someone who used to travel 15 to 18 days a month, 7 months out of the year for business I would probably go to someone named "Elite Travel" before "Bliss or Moonstruck". In fact, I'd avoid places that remind me of Cher.

H.

[sublime311]

I'm kind of partial to Sublime Travel... :D ;)

I agree with Karen's suggestions, and I don't think you have to be boring in order to appeal to rich folk (i.e. Posh Tots).

I can't really think of anything super creative, but how about:

Ultimate Travel
Majestic Travel
Paramount Travel
Serendipity Travel
Absolute Travel
Landings Travel (there's one in FL)
Exclusive Travel
Intimate Travel
Avion Travel (Avion is Spanish (http://www.spanishdict.com/AE.cfm?e=airplane) for airplane, but you could pronouce it like the water - Evian - I think it would be easy to pronounce for your clients AND it would be at the beginning of alpha listings)

[Rose]

I think Karen has a good point. I would go with something more upscale, but I would also want something that stood out and wasn't too generic.