What’s in a Name?
What’s in a name? Everything!
Naming my life coaching business was a critical aspect of creating my brand identity. It’s not just a matter of picking a random name, but rather a strategic decision that reflects the essence of my coaching practice, my purpose and my values as a coach.
I follow many bloggers & coaches that use their own name as their personal brand. But let’s be honest, Jenn Smith is just so generic. It’s literally a combination of one of the most common girls names in the ‘90s and arguably the most generic last name in the USA. Blah. Boring. No, thank you.
I did a little exercise to brainstorm names that were reflective of who I am, what I stand for, and the kind of business I want to build. I took out a sheet of paper and wrote down a bunch of things that I identify with - coffee, mother, wife, my hometown, my favorite color, life is good, redhead, etc. Then I wrote a column of words to describe what I wanted to focus on for this brand - life, motherhood, personal growth, empowerment, etc. I also wrote a few synonyms for each word, hoping I’d find the creative hook I was missing. With my list of phrases and words, I started trying to combine them in ways that created catchy, easy to remember, unique name.
When I saw the phrase Life is Good next to my hometown Coeur d’Alene, I knew I had it. Coeur d’Alene translates to Heart of an Awl, I had used Life is Good as a personal mantra for years & I instantly heard John Mayer singing “I know it’s good” in my head. So I asked Google Translate to turn The Heart of Life is Good into French.
Le coeur de la vie est bien.
That was too long for a business name. I did some more playing in Google Translate and found that a shortened version of the French phrase didn’t ruin the meaning, and actually remained a close translation.
Le Coeur de Vie
As for my coaching philosophy, these powerful words represent a call to embrace optimism. To me, optimism is more than just seeing the bright side of things; it's a way of being that enlivens and uplifts us, no matter what life throws our way. When we approach each day with a sense of anticipation and a belief that the best is yet to come, we invite positivity and abundance into our lives. We imagine the potential for good in every situation, and we are motivated and energized to create the change we want to see in the world.
So let us embrace the heart of life, Le Coeur de Vie, the good that surrounds us, the opportunities that await us, and the endless possibilities for growth and transformation. With optimism as our guide, we can navigate life's challenges with grace and courage, and bring forth the best in ourselves and in others.
