What’s in a name?
If you read my last post where I talked about being uneasy about doing business as ME rather than a more anonymous business name, I want to explain why it felt necessary to make myself so vulnerable. I mean, outside of my deliberate practice these days of embracing things that make me uncomfortable as great lessons about myself as much as the world around me.
As I faced the same lingering shutdown many contractors did in early pandemic days, I also had two kids to assist through remote learning so my break from the field lasted much longer than expected. Thank goodness for aid for the self-employed! During that long 15 months of sitting still and quiet each day while my kids were “in school” beside me, I spent a lot of time contemplating my return to the field. I’d just discovered a sweet spot going into Covid-times that I was eager to expound upon. Those were projects that had an element of home improvements but focused more on the design, function, and energy of given spaces while utilizing some of the best contractors I’ve met in the many years since becoming one myself.
With an extensive background in design, as well as two decades of corporate branding, I wanted to return to the contractor space helping people improve their homes and businesses alike. My problem was most everyone knew me as a painter, wallpaper installer, and handywoman besides a handful of people who’d observed my design skills as I put their spaces back together after providing other services. How would I carefully communicate to my regulars that I am now providing IDEAS and SERVICES to create a new aesthetic rather than just performing labor? How would new people know what I do since my business name was associated with handy work? It was clear a name change was in order. And, since I am known in the community for both marketing and home improvements, why not just go with my own name and make it obvious what I do?
And, so… Stephanie Murray Makeovers was born. I launched the new brand in September of 2021 and I have been overwhelmed by the response. I had been so scared to lead with my own name and signature as my branding, but it DOES feel good when people trust my reputation. The compliments I’ve received on my logo and marketing collateral help me feel good about the choices I made from that standpoint. But the volume of repeat clients and referrals since returning to this space in a different capacity is overwhelming in all the best ways. I am so glad I was brave enough to own my name and all that comes with it. Grateful doesn’t begin to express how I feel about everyone who has supported my transformation, but please know that a day hasn’t passed that I don’t feel it throughout my very being. ❤️
