Author Topic: TOTALLY OFF TOPIC Need business advice from y'all  (Read 2800 times)

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Offline Jeffery8mm

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« on: April 15, 2005, 04:02:06 PM »
Ok, let me set the stage.  My wife and I are self employed here in Newton Ms.  We bought a CarQuest Auto Parts store eight years ago last month.  We added the complete line of Stihl outdoor power equipment in Feb 2001.  Last year we were approached by Snapper and asked to add their line of mowers and eqpt.  We have seen the writing on the wall in the parts end of the business for some time now.  The little man cannot compete well with an Auto Zone :evil:  and an Advance Auto Parts :twisted:  in the same town, not to mention the local NAPA store.  We have decided to DROP the parts all together and go full line outdoor power!!  We are the only dealer in town for Stihl and Snapper.  We are currenty operating as Carquest Of Newton; well, thats gotta go!!!  Thats were you all come in.  we need a new name for our business.  My wife said I had to pick it.  So I am enlisting the help of my best pals and they are here at Graybeards!!!

I cannot seem to come up with something that is fitting.  It needs to be catchy and describe our business at the same time.  If we use your name I will send you a gift package worth your while!  [nothing that cranks and cuts though :cry: ]
Some thoughts

Newton Outdoor Power Eqpt
Leaf and Lawn

Hope this was not a bore to you, I just wanted the opinion of fellow members.
With proper care and maintenance the human body will last a lifetime! :)

Offline MSP Ret

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« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2005, 04:12:02 PM »
"The Cutting Edge"  Outdoor Power Equipment (or Lawn and Garden Equipment)....<><.... :grin:

I hope the guys here come through for you, there should be enough talent
and BS floating around here to come with a bunch of possible names!!... :-D
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline Mac11700

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« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2005, 04:16:07 PM »
Newton Lawn & Garden...

Mac
You can cry me a river... but...build me a bridge and then get over it...

Offline mr.frosty

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« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2005, 04:17:09 PM »
YardQuest Lawn&Garden since it was a CarQuest
" People should say what they mean and mean what they say. Life is too short to be lead down the wrong path."

Offline ogo

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« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2005, 04:21:25 PM »
MSP Ret. That's exactly the name I had in mind. MInd if we split the prize LOL***************ogo

Offline Nuttinbutchunks

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« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2005, 04:32:27 PM »
hmm... The Cutting Edge sounds to me like a place to get a hair cut. How about Newton Lawn Shop, as opposed to Pawn shop?

Oh... I'll think of something.
Ohhhh, I hate when that happens :eek:

Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2005, 04:39:32 PM »
KEEP EM COMING  Thanks for responding so far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff
With proper care and maintenance the human body will last a lifetime! :)

Offline Brett

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« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2005, 04:49:37 PM »
How about...

 Newton's Apple Lawn & Garden Equipment    
We won't let you down.
Life memberships:  <><, NRA, BASS, NAFC

Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2005, 04:55:47 PM »
Brett, My wife [ the Chemistry major fron MSU] loves that!!

Jeff
With proper care and maintenance the human body will last a lifetime! :)

Offline williamlayton

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« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2005, 02:10:11 AM »
I offer no name but suggestions. Newton is a small enough town that folks are not likely too not have need to remember the name right? where I am going with this thought is what is the thing you want them to know.
A snappy name may be important for a restaurant in Houston, Texas in order that I may remember it, in order that I could look it up in the white or yellow pages in order too make reservations or find the street address.
I live in a smallish town that is a suburb of Houston, about 50,000 pop. and I know the location of most places so that I can drive to them without a street address. If I want to call them I can 1) look up that name if I can remember it. 2) Look up that kind of service, lawnmowers, in the yellow pages and find the phone number.
By deduction, assuming a number of competitors, I would want a large ad, separate from the small alphabetically enumerated business', to draw attention to my business.
Assuming few competitors, a large ad and a name that would put my name close to the beginning of all ads referencing lawnmowers.
I guess what I am trying to say is I would keep it simple, easy to research, and the service good enough for folks to suggest you to their neighbor, if they could remember the name or not.
I am thinking of the name of MY lawnmower shop and cannot remember the EXACT name but I know it when I look it up--I also know where it is and I go there without an exact address because I get good service from them--over and above what I can expect from the big orange box, which is close also.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2005, 03:00:48 AM »
Very well said Mr Layton!!!  We dont like those big box stores. Fortunately Newton [pop 5000 or so in city limits] has no big box!!

Jeff
With proper care and maintenance the human body will last a lifetime! :)

Offline mjbgalt

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« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2005, 03:44:28 AM »
All Seasons Supply


-Matt
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline CountryGirl

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« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2005, 04:02:24 AM »
I like YardQuest, Outdoor Power, GreenPower? Well those arent that good but I tried! :)
Never mess with a girl that can out shoot you! :sniper:


~*~*Southern Beauty*~*~

Offline magooch

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« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2005, 04:12:17 AM »
Cutters, Blowers & Stuff
Swingem

Offline Nuttinbutchunks

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« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2005, 01:47:52 PM »
How about PowerYard, giving it that Tim-the-Toolman-Taylor sound, Ooo-Oooo-Oooo :twisted:
Ohhhh, I hate when that happens :eek:

Offline Nightrain52

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« Reply #15 on: April 16, 2005, 05:57:33 PM »
How about Leisure Time Outdoor Power Pruducts. Hometown Service-Hometown Pride.
FREEDOM IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR-ARE YOU WILLING TO DIE FOR IT--------IT'S HARD TO SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE WHEN YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY TURKEYS

Offline TennesseeNuc

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« Reply #16 on: April 16, 2005, 06:56:58 PM »
Matt had a good suggestion.  The word "All" will get you to the top of the yellow pages listing.  I'll take a note from him.  How about: All Seasons Outdoor Power Supply.
Good luck with your new business.
Best,
TnNuc

Offline williamlayton

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« Reply #17 on: April 16, 2005, 10:28:43 PM »
How about your last name and sons--example, william layton and sons all season supply. It is a small town, they know your name---keep your name clean.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline ironglow

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« Reply #18 on: April 16, 2005, 11:55:34 PM »
How about:

    Yard 'n Garden.....or...YardenGarden.....

     One could put the prefix AAA    or A-1
   
    ...for example .....A-1 Yard 'n Garden...that would still put you in first place in the yellow pages..
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)

Offline Mikey

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« Reply #19 on: April 17, 2005, 02:45:53 AM »
mjbgalt:  Hay Buddy, we have an All Seasons Supply in my town and all they sell is Stihl equipment.  I was going to suggest that name as well but ya beat me to it.  

Jeffrey8mm - In addition to the Stihl equipment this All Seasons store sells, they also sell outdoor motorized equipment - ATVs and the like.  

As you sound like a hunter, you might be able to combine some of both aspects to attract a widely different type of customer.

Whatever you and your wife decide to do I wish you great luck and success.  Mikey.

Offline MSP Ret

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« Reply #20 on: April 17, 2005, 03:32:16 AM »
Hey ogo, thats fine with me, as long as the real winner splits the prize with me!!!!....<><.... :grin:
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline Rustyinfla

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help
« Reply #21 on: April 17, 2005, 03:03:44 PM »
I think your Newton Outdoor power sounded good. You might also want to check with the companies you're going to handle and make sure they won't offer their line to someone else with a certain distance and make sure you're not violating that distance yourself.

         Good Luck,
           Rusty <><
If you're gonna be stupid ya gotta be tuff

Offline RaySendero

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« Reply #22 on: April 17, 2005, 03:39:14 PM »
J6,

Think the last name is important in a small town.  Suggest you use yours in the business name.  Also consider sponsoring or hiring a lawn man.  You have the equipement needed for the lawn business and the ability to keep it running.  The local realestate people love to have someone they can call to get this work done when the owner is out of town.  Also many small business like to hire the work.  Plus there are some that just prefer to have someone do their yard.  There are three in my town of 12,000 doing this work at $80 to $125 a yard and up for bigger jobs - Seems they are working 6 days a week March to November and can't get caught-up!
    Ray

Offline Jeffery8mm

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« Reply #23 on: April 18, 2005, 03:20:10 AM »
We are getting some great feedback!!!  Some are in the running!!

I kinda like   Mowers and More but my wife is iffy about it.

There will be a logo created with this name.  Matts All Season Supply definately cant be abbreviated!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D

Keep em coming
Jeff
With proper care and maintenance the human body will last a lifetime! :)

Offline magooch

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« Reply #24 on: April 18, 2005, 03:51:47 AM »
The Power Shop.  More Power To Ya.  Power Time.  We Can Cut It.  Cut Ups. Cuttin Power.  Cut It Out.
Swingem

Offline mjbgalt

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« Reply #25 on: April 18, 2005, 12:02:03 PM »
hey now, you wanted it to stick in peoples minds didnt ya lol

-Matt :)  :)  :)
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline IntrepidWizard

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« Reply #26 on: April 18, 2005, 12:07:26 PM »
DOWN TO EARTH TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is
a dangerous servant and a fearful master. -- George Washington

Offline Patriot_1776

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« Reply #27 on: April 18, 2005, 01:13:02 PM »
I think a good name should be able to sum up everything, and still roll easily off the tongue.  Maybe something like this:  "Lawn, Outdoor, and Garden Store".  Has that slight rhyming effect; or even with that, you could also say "Welcome to LOGS."  

Just my  :money:

 :D
-Patriot
-Patriot

Offline williamlayton

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« Reply #28 on: April 18, 2005, 11:58:27 PM »
W L CLOSE & CO.
HOME & GARDEN
(example)
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline ironglow

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« Reply #29 on: April 20, 2005, 10:06:27 AM »
It is often said that if we include some PC term that means environmentally friendly such as prefixes like "Green" or "Enviro"  that helps with many folks (eases their consciences I guess)..
If you don't want the truth, don't ask me.  If you want something sugar coated...go eat a donut !  (anon)