Feed back wanted about coaching business

Hi Gals,

As many of you know, I've been doing some casual coaching for triathlon, running and cycling on the side. I've decided to go ahead and start a coaching company so I can at least have the benefits of writing off my toys, registration fees etc. I hope this will happen before the end of 2009.

I was wondering if I could get some feed back from all you bright ladies here on TE.

I have a logo planned for my company and it includes a W and an M. I came up with it at first because I thought I would call my company Wahine Multisport Coaching and Racing. I really like the logo idea but I'm wondering about using Wahine. It's near and dear to my heart because it's been a nickname of mine for years and reflects my first love... the water. Wahine means woman in Hawaiian, so it has something of a Kona reference as well. It's used often to refer to women who do board sports... surfing, windsurfing and even snow boarding. I do all three. But I'm concerned that because the word is unfamiliar to many may be a negative in that people might not choose my co over another because they don't know what the word means. Also, I'm concerned that the feminine aspect of the name may deter male clients. Honestly, I generally prefer coaching women but I also don't want to close any doors.

So an alternative name would be Wave Multisport or Waves Multisport.

The W first and M second is kinda key to the logo... which is really really cool so I want to keep that if I can.

Any feed back or other suggestions????

Thanks in advance.

I am one of the many people who had no idea what Wahine meant, but I thought it was a cool sounding word. Having said that, I am starting to venture into a new business of my own, and let me tell you, most of your contacts are going to be word of mouth, friend to friend. The people who you have touched are going to recommend you. Whatever you call yourself keep it simple, you should do fine. Of course, the economy is worse than it's been at any time in our lives, so don't quit your straight job or give up on your dream too quickly because of the economy.

I say keep it. I didn't know what it means, either. BUT, I live where there aren't very many Hawaiians. I think most people would just take it as a last name or something. I don't like Wave or Waves. Too limiting, because I assume you will be coaching cyclists, too?

Good luck with your business!

Karen

Keep it.
When I joined this board I thought you were Hawaiian :o so it might be a good thing.

Besides, it's much better than Gidget.

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Originally Posted by Zen

Keep it.
When I joined this board I thought you were Hawaiian :o so it might be a good thing.

Besides, it's much better than Gidget.

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Ouch..Gidget is my bike's name...

Keep it. Even if people are not sure what it means, it sounds cooler,

I like Wahine too.

Veronica

+1 for Wahine! Besides, if you lose someone because of bias against an exotic name, that's another plus! Can you imagine the drudgery of spending time with that person?

I read Gidget when I was a kid, so I knew what Wahine meant. :p

To me, its connotation has always been "tough woman" or "strong woman", not just "woman". So I don't think it will deter anyone. I truly don't. It sounds powerful to me.

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Originally Posted by salsabike

I read Gidget when I was a kid, so I knew what Wahine meant. :p

To me, its connotation has always been "tough woman" or "strong woman", not just "woman". So I don't think it will deter anyone. I truly don't. It sounds powerful to me.

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Well, I watched Gidget as a kid...:p

Count me in as a Wahine supporter...since it appears that you're choosing it over Yoda! :p

Mimi's advice re: word of mouth is right on also...the quality of your work and support is already known and you walk your talk - pretty powerful too!
You will be very successful, f'sure!

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

I say keep it. I didn't know what it means, either. BUT, I live where there aren't very many Hawaiians. I think most people would just take it as a last name or something. I don't like Wave or Waves. Too limiting, because I assume you will be coaching cyclists, too?

Good luck with your business!

Karen

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I agree!!:D I think it is very unique.

I hate to be the lone dissenter...

To me, the word "wahine" has a slightly negative connotation. Now, I only know the word as anyone "of a certain age" knows it - I never surfed, never read or saw "Gidget," grew up as an essentially Midwestern gal who never had an ocean as part of my life until five years ago. But I think of "wahine" as a word like "chick," a word men use about women whose athleticism is secondary to how they look in bikinis. Fuel TV women, to bring the concept into the 21st century.

It's your handle and you obviously wear it very, very well. And I also think it's entirely appropriate for women (as well as other groups) to reclaim words that have been used to slur us, and use them to empower ourselves. (Like the title of my favorite magazine that this forum's censorship rules won't let me post or even insert a freakin' link to - hint, it starts with B and ends with ITCH :rolleyes:.)

But I'd worry about the bimbo connotation, personally. I wouldn't worry that people wouldn't know what it means; I'd worry that they'd draw the wrong impression about what it means.

In any case, good luck! With your talent and drive, I'm sure you'll do great.

wahine is also woman in Maori, so you get the whole pacific in there and NZealanders are big on TRI... I think a "natural" filter for the type of business you think you will get is fine, in the end it will assure YOU more gratification with you clients and keep you from getting people you just don't like to work with...men who are turned off by a feminin-ish name, not someone you really want. If you are working personally with people it seems logical to have some sort of filter. Wave isn't very unique or memorable.

I think using Wahine as part of your company name is cool. When you first posted many moons ago, I thought you were in NZ. Wahine=woman in Maori. I'm sure some NZ expats in your area might come out of lurkdom if they saw the name...

Unique & gets the imagination flowing I say.

Well I would have liked Yoda Coaching. :)

But I say keep the Wahine!

I love the name Wahine too...

Wow, thanks for all the responses!! You've really assuaged a lot of my concerns. Wahine does inspire me more. I guess the verdict is out. Of the other people I've polled I've gotten about a 2 to 1 ratio of for and against.

Oak - I agree, in some contexts Wahine does have a negative connotation. In fact, that's how I was first called Wahine, by a guy on a beach that was referring to how I looked. But then I kicked his but in the water and took on the name with pride. :D:D:D I really appreciate your view and input.

As for Yoda... it just doesn't work with the logo. ;)

Sounds like you've already decided, but I'm voting for keeping it (even if I'm late). Wahine sounds tropical, exotic, and strong to me. I've always liked your username, and wondered where it came from.
When you copyright the logo, will you post it for us to see? I'm imagining a wave with some toes and a bike... I like to dream up images in my head of what it'll look like.

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Originally Posted by Wahine

As for Yoda... it just doesn't work with the logo. ;)

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Ah, but Yoda - you could make anything work..."Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force...feel the Force!!"

:D

Another late vote for Wahine! The "wave" stuff is a bit generic . . . why not use something personally meaningful, given the nature of what you want to do?

Perhaps the state where you are registering your business allows DBAs ("doing business as"), if you want to change your name later for marketing reasons.

I vote for Wahine also. I love symbolism AND for the fact you took a negative word and turned it around right in someones face is really appropriate. I've seen a lot of people quietly become strong even though they might not look it sometimes. It's a perfect way to take those words back.

I'm excited for you :D

Well, the reason why I haven't been around much is a busy life. Busy with life in general and busy starting up Wahine Multisport Coaching and Racing. It's official now and I just wanted to thank everyone again for their input.

I hope to be around the forum a little more, but that might be wishful thinking... I'm training for IMAZ, working full time as a PT, racing, coaching and enjoying a relatively new relationship. :D

Congratulations! Rock on!

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Originally Posted by Wahine

Well, the reason why I haven't been around much is a busy life. Busy with life in general and busy starting up Wahine Multisport Coaching and Racing. It's official now and I just wanted to thank everyone again for their input.

I hope to be around the forum a little more, but that might be wishful thinking... I'm training for IMAZ, working full time as a PT, racing, coaching and enjoying a relatively new relationship. :D

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What an odd coincidence. I have been wondering where you've been! I'm so glad things are going well for you.... Much success in your ventures (business and romance).

Good to see you - even for a brief "wave hi" - good luck on everything!

Oak - that's a nice Morel.

Tasty, too! :D

I guess it's still chanterelle season, but I really don't trust myself to identify them.

Hey Wahine, good to see you around and congratulations with everything. :D

glad you popped back in to say "hi."
Congrats and best wishes on the new business and relationship. Glad to hear things are going well for you. :)

Congrats and best of luck! It's always great to hear an update.

Hey! Sounds like you're thriving. Nice to see you.

Thanks ladies.

Love it. Keep it.