Feed back wanted about coaching business

[OakLeaf]

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 .)

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.

[tribogota]

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.

[crazycanuck]

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.

[Grog]

Well I would have liked Yoda Coaching.

But I say keep the Wahine!

[kelownagirl]

I love the name Wahine too...

[Wahine]

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. I really appreciate your view and input.

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

[Tri Girl]

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.

[MM_QFC!]

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

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

[NbyNW]

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.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Love it. Keep it.