Drop the word "Apiaries" from business name

[sqkcrk]

I am taking a small business course and the instructor thinks that I should drop the word "Apiaries" from the name of my business, Squeak Creek Apiaries. His line of thinking is that the word Apiaries is hard to say and most people don't know what it means and says about the business. He wants me to think of the brand as being Squeak Creek. Not even Squeak Creek Honey Company, just Squeak Creek. I think I understand where he is going w/ this. I just thought that I would ask y'all.

Any thoughts?

[alpha6]

We went with "Bee Farm". People can get an image of what that is. I personally think you need "Squeak Creek Honey" as a minimum. Just seeing Squeak Creek by itself I would think it had something to do with mice. Another way to go about it is keep Squeak Creek Apiaries as the business name but have a DBA (Doing Business As) of Squeak Creek with your bank so when writing out checks or invoices to your business you can just use Squeak Creek if you want to.

[Merlyn Votaw]

I would at least put HONEY in it.at the same time the word APIARES might not know what it is but would try to find out then it might bring in business becuse it does have a different name.. Just SqueekCreek alone don't sound good

[Gregg]

I disagree (just my humble opinion) with dropping "apiaries" from your business name. Our company name is "Stewart Apiaries". I decided on this for a few reasons: sounds a bit more dignified & professional (to me, at least) than "Honey Farm" (and I really don't own a "farm"). We also do more than produce honey, I consider ourselves stewards of the land we place bees on/near, in addition to providing pollination services. Also, educating people in terms of expanding their vocabulary (again, IMHO) is never a bad thing. I think the term "apiary" may intrigue some people and increase their interest as they may not know what it means.

[wolfpenfarm]

I think that would depend on if your primary product is going to be bee related. First of all how in the world is anyone going to know squeek creek sells honey. With apiary, its pretty much a given that you have bee related products.
With squeek creek honey it only says that you sell honey. doesn't say that you are a apiary. Lots of stores sell honey but don't sell bees.

So Squeek creek apiary in use says hey i've got bees, i've got honey, i've got pollen, hives, ect ect ect.......
But most important it says your professional.

So what if people don't know what apiary means. IF they run across it, and dont' know what it means, that a lot of the time will cause them to come see what it is.

[downthehill]

Have you considered a tag line? They are useful in clarifying purpose/brand...

Squeak Creek Apiaries--
Your local supplier of products from the bee hive

Something like that will allow you to retain your name and educate your market.

Just a thought...

[peterloringborst]

how 'bout Squeak Creek Skeps? that'll keep 'em guessin'

[deknow]

first of all, what are the "qualifications" of the instructor? is he running a small business and making time to teach a class to give back to the community, or is he a teacher?

second, whether or not you have "apiary" in the name is secondary to your feelings about it. if you like "apiary", then use apiary, you will be better at selling it. if you drop the word, you will remember dropping the word every time you say or write "squeak creek".

i don't know if this has been the focus of the class so far, or the one thing that you are having trouble with. if there is too much focus on the name, then run away quickly.

deknow

[justin]

i would keep it. with out it you seem like one of those ambigous companies that contracts for gov. jobs. halliberton, plum creek, monsanto, you don't want to be mysterious. ours is rivulet apiaries

[bigbearomaha]

so his rationale is that because some people may have a limited vocabulary, you should simplify your name to something said persons can contend with?

Whatever happened to the notion that people will rise to expectations and creating opportunities to educate.

I think keeping "apiaries" on the card gives you a starting point to educate people.

Once the discussion is started to explain "apiary" it could take the person to a whole new interest level or at least a better education on bees than they had till they met you.

just my two cent

Big Bear

[Tom G. Laury]

How many times can you Squeek Creek over and over and over? I get tongue tied on the second one.

OK, carry on.

[Kingfisher Apiaries]

My bee business is named Kingfisher Apiaries. It sounds better and more professional than Kingfisher Honey. I am also thinking about getting more into the bee end of the business as opposed to the honey end. I like our name and that is what matters.
Mike

[bhfury]

I think depending on what you are selling.... Have you considered adding the words "bee products"? That would give people an idea of what you are selling, and would make them as the question what more bee products are there?

[emichaelbennett]

im struggling with the same question. my company na e is honey tree apiaries. I could shorten it to honey tree, my bank already accpts checks made out to honey tree. I do have honey in the name, but there are pre schools named honey tree, and it invokes thoughts of pooh bear. I think having the word apiaries in the name sets me apart from thoes entities. also people do have to ask "what does apiaries mean". that is the start of a conversasion which may end up as a sale. I think im going to keep it.

[sqkcrk]

first of all, what are the "qualifications" of the instructor? is he running a small business and making time to teach a class to give back to the community, or is he a teacher?

deknow

He is the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Clarson University School of Business.

I'm not having "trouble" w/ it, it's just something that he has brought up for me to think about. I have been operating under this name for 20 some years. I'm really hesitant about messing w/ something that is as recognized as it is. It took me some time to get the local NPR station manager to not call it Squeaky Creek Apiaries. I don't know if they could handle just Squeak Creek.

[sqkcrk]

How many times can you Squeek Creek over and over and over? I get tongue tied on the second one.

OK, carry on.

Yeah, but I bet you won't forget it. And when you hear someone else say something about it you will instantly think of me. Is that a good thing? Hmm.

As long as they spell my name correctly, even bad press is good press. In a manner of speaking.

[sqkcrk]

Thanks for all of the input and support. I can't see changing the name. It'll take alot of convincing for me to do so.

[peacekeeperapiaries]

I think the term "apiary" may intrigue some people and increase their interest as they may not know what it means.

I agree, people are always asking me "what is an apiary"? They see my hat or t-shirt and ask, it actually happens very often. I see it as an opportunity to educate, promote my business (answer is followed with business card), promote beekeeping, and talk about bees.

[indypartridge]

I googled "apiaries". I recognized nearly all the companies on the first two pages: Rossman Apiaries, Draper's Apiaries, R Weaver Apiaries, HoneyRun Apiaries, BeeWeaver Apiaries, Latshaw Apiaries, Glenn Apiaries, Strachan Apiaries, Merrimack Valley Apiaries, Hackenburg Apiaries, etc.

"Squeak Creek" doesn't tell me anything about your business. Now if you had a multi-million dollar advertising account, then perhaps you could raise public awareness to associate "Squeak Creek" with honey and other hive products. I'm guessing that your advertising budget is a bit less.

My two cents is that if you're only gonna to sell honey, then "Squeak Creek Honey"; but if you have any plans to sell other hive products and/or beekeeping supplies, then stick with "Squeak Creek Apiaries".

P.S. In the mid-nineties, when I worked for General Motors, they brought in a "brand management" guru (Ron Zarella) and for about three years advertising focused on "brands" instead of "cars". It was a disaster by every measure and remains a textbook case of losing focus on the product by concentrating instead on the nebulous idea of a "brand".

[wolfpenfarm]

I'm not having "trouble" w/ it, it's just something that he has brought up for me to think about. I have been operating under this name for 20 some years. I'm really hesitant about messing w/ something that is as recognized as it is. It took me some time to get the local NPR station manager to not call it Squeaky Creek Apiaries. I don't know if they could handle just Squeak Creek.

IF you have had your name for 20 years, i wouldnt' mess with it. Its known. Like the old adage don't fix it if it ain't broken.
It is annoying when they don't get the name right. :|