My business naming advice? Before polling family members and friends on possible business names, try doing a websearch to see if the domain name has already been taken. I found this quickly eliminated some possibilities. (For example, I really wanted Paper Dress.)

Once you’ve found one (or three) names that are available, register them! Registering a domain name is dirt cheap. And easy. Securing these names in advance eliminates any surprises - because who knows who else is also starting a similar business (or is reading your mind.)

Finally, run the name past family and friends and anyone you know who could be a possible customer/client. Does the name make sense? Will they know what you do? Can they spell it? Easily?

Using your own name is always an option - hey Martha Stewart did it! I decided against using my own name because of the Martha factor. I wanted to avoid any confusion with Martha Stewart and be original.

That’s how Paper Skirt started.