I wrote All Is Vanity yesterday because something has to change.
I’m still humbled by your feedback, readership, the e-mails I can barely keep up with and endorsements from bloggers and writers I admire, since entering the blogosphere in late 2003. I’ve risen in the Ecosystem food chain, and now I’m a Mortal Human. My traffic is increasing and advertisers are lined up for a spot on my blog.
But there has to be more to it than this.
Let me explain. What I’ve accomplished in my life has been the result of risk-taking, drastic measures and leaps of faith. When I was accepted into law school, I left South Carolina for Philadelphia, broke and homeless. Everything I owned fit into my car. But somehow, I found a place to live and the student loans came through. A few years later I decided to move to D.C. With no job, no prospects and no place to live, I loaded my belongings into the car once again. Within a week, I had a job and an apartment.
Three years ago I was at a job that was stressing me out to the point where I thought I was getting an ulcer. So I decided to quit and become a writer. With no job waiting in the wings. For six months I lived off savings and wrote every day. It was during this time my first op-ed and first magazine article were published and more importantly, I’d developed the writing habit.
I had to go back to work full time, but I’m still a writer. I’m not living my dream, though. I’ve become complacent with this blog and the little writing I manage to squeeze into an already hectic day. This has led to boredom and burnout. I’m bored with blogging and burned out by the frustration of too little time to write. It’s been three years since my last drastic action, and it’s time for another.
I’ve always wanted my own business because I don’t like working for someone else. I want my time and energy to go into something I own. My father is the same way. He started an auto upholstery business 30+ years ago, and he’s still running it. The man is his own boss. Maybe it’s genetic. 
Before I started writing, I talked about wanting to be a writer. Now I’m a writer. I always talk about running a writing business. It’s time to be a home-based writing business owner. I legally set up the business more than a year ago, but I’ve been busy doing other things (and dragging my feet). The lady who designed this blog is currently working on my business site. It will be a proofreading/editing/writing business. Additionally, I’ll offer typing services to book authors and assist them with formatting and preparing their manuscripts.
How can one make a living as a writer, you ask? It’s easier than it sounds. Writers are necessary. They’re all around you, but most of the time they’re unseen. Writers write the web content you scan, the billboards you drive past, the radio shows you listen to and the television shows you watch. Writers write the brochures you pick up in your dentist’s office, the annual report your company sends out and the junk mail you throw away. Scripts need to be written for the interactive CDs you buy. Companies need talented people to develop copy: advertisements, press releases, newsletters — any written material you can think of. Someone even has to write and design the menus you read in restaurants. Everywhere you look, a writer’s pen has been there.
You don’t see them most of the time because you’re not supposed to.
I want to write, I want to blog — anything that involves putting “pen to paper,” I want to do. Your task: Help me name my business. I have a name registered, but I may change it. That all depends on you. I need your creative energy. Some writers use all or part of their name for their business. Others use the city, state or area where they operate. Still others use a play on words, like The Write Help and Write to the Point.
Here are a few more examples to help you with your task: Integrity Writing (owned and operated by one of my readers), Williams Writing, Editing and Design, Edit America, The Mightier Pen, A Writer’s Eye, Writers Welcome, Threepenny Editor, Sharon Types, Bright Eyes and Coale Communications.
I’m offering a 50 percent discount on any service to the person who comes up with the coolest name, whether or not I decide to use it for my business.
By the way, this is not the drastic part I mentioned earlier. That happens in the next couple of days. (No, I’m not quitting my job.) Stay tuned…
Addendum: I forgot to add the most important part. God is good all the time, and my cup overflows…
Update: This blog isn’t going anywhere. I will continue to blog. It’s in the blood. In fact, I’ll have a blog on the business web site, which will be used to update prospective and current clients on the latest training received, classes attended, certification, software and equipment acquired, the latest news in the industry, etc.
All businesses should have a blog.
Update II: Reader Jerry M. reminded me of this: I need a tagline, too.
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“Pen to Paper”
Let the name reflect you.
When I saw “proofreading” in the business description, and saw that it was listed first, and knowing your faith, the phrase “Living Proof” came to mind.
The Write Stuff
The Velvet Ambition
You have a great name La Shawn, use it – don’t go generic and bland – plus I would broaden your gift-identification to communications not just writing (you are a very good idea person based on what I have read on your blog, and you will be very useful in PoliCommunications, remember 2006 & 2008 are just around the corner) – so I suggest …
La Shawn Communications
Andy
SmartChristian Blog
“Write for You”
“The Barber Writes”
“Ink Slinger Inc.”
(say that 5 times fast and see if it doesn’t stick in your mind – as it will potential clients.)
Wow, LaShawn. I’m glad you’re taking the leap. It can be tricky, but it’s well worth it. Hmmm. A name . . .
I liked “Living Proof” but it’s not all-inclusive. You do more than proofread.
L. Barber Communications or L. Barber Marketing.
Sometimes simple is better. Those two get right to the point and let people know exactly what you do.
Hope this helps. And thanks for everything. You’re an inspiration.
Lisa
I’m thinking something along the lines of Ink –> Inc. How about Inkorporated or La Shawn Inkorporated, La Shawn Ink. , etc.
Funny you bring this up because I’ve been trying to give God’s gifts to me back to Him in the best ways and one of those gifts is a love for writing. I’ve been scanning the web lately for any contests or self-help sites I could find. There are a ton! As far as a name, hmmmm…..
“Write-Aid”
I like names that tell you upfront whose business it is and what it’s for: General Motors, US Steel, etc. Not CSFB or Altria, which say nothing and mean nothing. How about La Shawn Barber’s Writing Services? Unimaginative, I know, but matter of fact and honest.
The Magic Word
…or Write to my Heart
La Shawn, I’m not very good at this creative stuff. One of the joys of surfing the bloggers and those who comment is seeing all the creative names they come up with. I can only think of one suggestion Wrighteous (W)Riting. May this new endeavor produce as much joy as those in the past. Evon
“The Barber’s Pen”
“The Barber’s Blade”
“Eye of the Barber”
You’ve GOT to have a play on words.
I can’t resist.
The Barbery Coast
Good luck!
JQ
One more! One more!
The Write Touch
Persuasion Inc
Logos Unlimited
The Word Barber
Dialogues
Conversation Inc
Barber’s Monologue
Verbum
Impressions
“This blog isn’t going anywhere.” Your post titled “Why I Wouldn’t Vote For Newt Gingrich”, I believe has influenced American history. I won’t try to explain why with my limited communication skills.
Your other posts influence me daily.
I will try to think of an interesting name for your business, but the best answers come through the Holy Spirit.
How about “Barber of the Quill”
And all your readers should be called “Barberians”
How about
“Barber Communications”;
or
“L. B. Communications”;
or
“L. Barber Communications”
or
“L.S.B. Communications”
And if you wish to go the more corporate route,
“BarCom Inc.”
or
“CopyCom Inc.”
Taglines:
-Writing for today’s world
-Effective writing means effective marketing
-When you want your writing to be right
-Get it “write” the first time
Thats all for me.
Writ Wit
Can’t resist. It has nothing to do with writing, but I just can’t resist.
“The Barber Shoppe.”
“Writing Well”
I like names with multi-layered meanings. The obvious is that you want everyone to know that you are doing what you do with excellence. Then the old ink well comes to mind. And last but not even least your ideas/writings ultimately come for The Living Well.
But it may be that this name has been taken. Remember what Solomon said, “Nothing new under the sun.”
La Shawn Writes!
LSB Writes
La Shawn: The Write Stuff
La Shawn: Write On
Some really off the cuff suggestions…
and yes GOD IS REAL GOOD!
Barbawrita
I like Barbawrita, HOWEVER, I agree that you should incorporate “La Shawn” into your business name. La Shawn is memorable. Also, someday you may change your last name if you get married.
I’d also recommend joining some writing Listservs if you haven’t already.
This is a great one for freelancers:
http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/freelance.html
La Shawn, here are a few ideas:
Write Turns
The Barber Perspective
The Proof Shall Set Your Fee
Barber Dynamics, Inc.
Truth in the Word
Opinion Zone, Inc.
The Barber Touch
Barberetics
The Scribbler
Barber’s Musings
Op-Eds by La Shawn
The Writer’s Pen
A Muse, Inc.
Okay how about Inscribed with Jive?
Inscribed Write
Services to the point.
How about “Magnificent Manuscripts”?
And congrats on taking a bold step forward, La Shawn!!
Great suggestions, everyone. I’ve received a few good ones via e-mail, too. Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
30+ brains are better than one.
How about “The Barber Shop Quartet: Reading, Writing, Editing, & Designing”
Okay, it’s a stretch…
I like “Barber of the Quill,” too, but then I have a thing for clever puns.
Because of your Christian perspective, you could also do something along the lines of “Mt. Sinai Productions: Pronouncements from On High,” or “The Book of Barber.”
Run with it, folks!
“Conservatism is Centrism!”
OK, I know that won’t fly.
Something you can make an acronymn out of is:
“Barber Articulates and Dreams”
OK. No negative acronyms. How about:!
“My Dream”
OK. Too close to MLK’s “I have a dream”. How about these:
“Barber’s Information Trove”
“DC Barber”
“Righter is Centered”
“Centrism is Right”
“Write to Life”
“Grabbing Your Ear”
“My Authoring Service”
Write Makes Right!
What about “Write Now”
Scribal Smarts
Here’s my choice,
“LITERATELY LASHAWN”
“Barber’s Shop Communications”
Simple, effective, to the point (yet allowing you to branch out if it becomes uber-successfull), and containing your name so you can be immortalized forever. If you make it work.
Also, the name is generic enough (no offence intended) that it could be a dandy corporate name, shortened to “Barbers”, especially effective and horrifying if one is intent on gobbling up all the writers and punishing those who don’t fall into your all-encompassing clutches. Dream big.
Lastly, it is an obvious pun, but it works.
to be honest, the question of the name hinges on the target audience. A cutesy, pun infested name will attract a different client than a more serious (if sterile) name.
Same goes for any name that capitalizes on your name or rep in the blogosphere, in that non-bloggers will not get the ref, or worse, will see that there is a joke, and that they don’t get it. If your audience is bloggers and other ‘neterati, then this is not a concern.
While I admire the effort people put into the suggestions (and like more than a few), I myself am at a loss, since I really don’t grok the goal (the details). Go ahead, LB, Andy, Actus… say it
But I do have a suggestion anyway.
You could always create a holding company, then have a brand name for different targeted markets… all with the “a member of the Barber Group” at the bottom of the page/ad/stationary.
A Pro’s Prose
Well, how about letting people know for sure that they’ve come to…
“The Write Place.”
The other submission I have would be LaShawn Barber’s Journalism Services. I don’t know how you’d feel about LBJ services. People might confuse you with Lady Bird…or something.
And one last submission: Exquisite Editing.
If you’re hiring, I have experience with graphic design and tech writing (I did tutorial projects for a year). I’d love a different job.
How about “Black Right Wing Wacko”
JUST KIDDING!!!
How about, “God’s Hand” or “Inkwell” or “Heavenly Hand” or “Righteous Writer”
How about…
“Barber’s Razor-giving you the fine edge your writing deserves!”
“The One-Way Mirror – making sure they see what you want them to see!”
“Red-Eye Editing- privately cleaning your public speaking!”
“Mind’s Eye – helping you get it accross just the way you imagined!”
“Barber Writing and Editorial Services – Our best for your project 100% of the time”
Write Lab ( or Write Labs or Write Labratory)
Then you promote various services that fall under the Labs umbrella with sub-service categories such as Write Assembly, Write Unite, Write Condense, Write Compose, Write Calibrate, Write Arrange, etc… Names that describe specific services but in a more creative and memorable way.
You could also offer an education component in the future where you publish writing aids or offer courses on-line or in person which you would call Write Workshop(s)
Okay. How about:
“Foundation Writing”
“Foundation Editing & Writing”
“Foundational Writing”
“Foundational Editing & Writing”
“Cornerstone Writing”
“Cornerstone Editing & Writing”
Tag line: Building writers one word at a time.
Best of luck in your endeavor. God bless you, I really like your blog. You can tell I keep coming back, and back and …
I am sure once again you will be a success!
I *really* like the holding company idea.
and just off the top of my head, what about…
The Barbed Quill
Writing with a point
Hmmm….
Make your point quickly with The Barbed Quill.
Sharpen your writing with The Barbed Quill.
Streamline your copy with The Barbed Quill.
The Pilgrims Pen
based on the fact that we are not yet home. We are on the pilgrim’s journey, and you, because of your relationship with God and the gift He has given you, can help other pilgrims to express the journey that God has given them.
LaShawn.
I don’t have a good suggestion for a name, however I have two thoughts to pass along to you.
1. I disagree with those above who say “make it specific to what you do”… I say, keep it generic. Consider McDonalds and Burger King. When burgers were what they did, sure, Burger King was a bit more marketable. But once the world shifted and everyone wanted a salad and a piece of chicken, now who has a better name? The more generic name will last longer as life, interests, and demand changes.
2. You do have a great (marketable) name. However, if you have in the back of your mind that you might ever want the option to sell your business, I would stay away from using your name in the business name, because it implies that you ARE the business. While it may be true, it would make it harder to sell if you ever wanted to retire or move on to other things.
Good luck.
Oh, and I do like the Ink/Inc play somehow… kind of clever.
Eric.
I like Rite Aid.
But once the world shifted and everyone wanted a salad and a piece of chicken, now who has a better name?
That was funny.
I concur with SCSI, 1st the holding group then the niches.
Black ink fills the empty page.
Terminally trite I know, but what about “The Barber Shop”? Easy to remember, but you have to explain that it’s not really a barber shop, which makes it stick in the prospect’s mind.
Tagline:
“Professional trims and shaves, typesetting extra”
OK, It’s stupid, but I like it.
All I can say is good luck with the business venture, you are a talent and I have no doubt that you will do very well.
I’ll pray, not specificly for business success, but that God will use your new businees and talent for His glory.
I am very glad that your blog will not be going away. It’s among the best on the web.
Positive Designs, there are no problems, only
solutions unfound.
Truth Prints. Sort of like tooth picks, everyone uses them.
Write and Reason. byline: Communicators you can understand and trust.
La Shawn’s Read. bylead: We welcome blogs.
Hey there, lady. I hope you are well. Writing has always been my dream, too. I pray the best for you.
What about a play on your blog’s name:
Writer’s Corner
Writing Corner
Writers Cornered
Corner Communications
Write Back At You
Write Away
The Written Word
The Corner Desk
Do Barber’s Write? Okay, that was a fun one
FYI, ‘Rite Aid’ is a pharmacy chain based out of PA.
Yup! That’s why you’ve gotta add the “W”. Write-Aid.
No product confusion there!
God, you guys are good!
I would add La Shawn to a previous suggestion:
La Shawn´s Writing Well
I like the idea of the well, deep resources, fresh thinking.
Also liked the Write Lab one too.
How about “Write Right”?
The Pencil Sharpener (ok, too childish)
Writer’s Of The Purple Sage (ok, dated & too esoteric)
Writer’s Block (ok, too negative)
Writing Wrongs (ok, sounds like a behavioral modification program)
Write Right (hmm, not too bad for a writing improvement school) Tagline: Get it Write the first time. (of course, they might simply think you’re a poor speller)
JoyWriters (that’s not bad unless Joy is taken as a name) Tagline: Good writing cheerfully delivered.
A few throwaways:
Write Away
Write On
Write Again
Write Now
How about…
Imagination’s Lair
The Brain Pool
Words Of Value
Once A Writer…
Phew…I’m sleepy. Good night & good luck.
TypoGraphix-When it has to be write. Um, right.
I, Baklava (poster name), provide computer consulting services for the state of CA and promise you that the contract for services in no way is making me lie as liberals do every day in thier quest to destroy capitalism, freedom and America as we know it. I am telling you facts and truth in this post despite the fact that I have a contract with the state of CA government.
“Word UP!”
“Speading the Word”
“E Media TLEE”
How about Rhetoric, unLtd.
My immediate problem: I’m just setting up my blog and can’t figure out how to post to the sidebar to put links to your blog and others I like. Help, anyone?
Merry
Write to the point.
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