Candle business branch name?

[Fire and Ice]

As many know, I am enbarking one further trying to get more wholesale accounts in and around my area which is largly tourist area

A friend of mine thinks that in order to get my candles into bigger businesses I need to change the name or have a branch of candles that don't have a religous name.

My candle Company is called Ephesians Soy Candles. I have been in production with this name for four years and it is well known locally with all of my customers and clients. I have an excellent customer base and don't want to confuse people if a business say, an eatery decided to accept my candle for wholesale. She thinks that though the candles are excellent and sell extreamly well, the name will turn most people off. It hasn't thus far though.:rolleyes2

I was thinking about it and decided on a branch name. Thunder River Soy Candles. But my feeling is that EPHESIANS is better known and has an established client base but that's not the way wholesalers will see it.

What are your thoughts? Both candles would look the same. Same jar, label style and so on.

If I had to start over today, I think I would change the name of my company to Thunder River Soy candles because I love the name but right now I don't think renaming the candles will sell them any better than they sell right now.

BTW Thunder River is one of personal special scents.

[Louie]

How about "Son Light Candles" of Thunder River

[Fire and Ice]

How about "Son Light Candles" of Thunder River

I'm not trying to change the name. She under an impression that Thunder River will sell better as name than Ephesians. I'm saying the name doesn't really matter, it the candle that will sell it'self. No matter what it's called.

[Tess]

My Beeswax candles are sold as a seprerate line. Although it dies say in fine print "by Four Seasons Candles" My beeswax name is more catchier and fitting for my BW candles. I can see a benefit from changing your name too. I know lots of folks who won't buy because of stupid things like that.

[7Angela7]

My candle Company is called Ephesians Soy Candles. I have been in production with this name for four years and it is well known locally with all of my customers and clients. I have an excellent customer base and don't want to confuse people if a business say, an eatery decided to accept my candle for wholesale.

I think you said it yourself. Why change something that's already going good? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[sudsnwicks]

I agree with Angela. Besides, those customers who aren't religious may not even realize this is a religious name.

[Trish]

I agree with Angela. Besides, those customers who aren't religious may not even realize this is a religious name.

I was thinking the same thing!

However, I do like the name Thunder River...maybe it's because there is a casino nearby named that? ROFLMAO

[Blest2BAmerican]

1. My thought is that many people don't know that Ephesians is a book of the Bible. 2. My other thought is that Christians will buy your candle over others because they recognize it as being owned by a Christian. Personally I will go out of my way or pay more if I have to in order to support a Christian owned business just as long as the quality is there. 3. You many have been blessed in your business because you were bold enough to identify yourself as a Christian. Don't mess with it. 4. Like someone pointed out, you can have a line named just for wholesale accounts i.e. Thunder River Candles by Ephesians Soy Candles. 5. Lastly, pray about it.

[topofmurrayhill]

I don't think you have to worry about existing customers as much as new ones. Established customers who like your product will continue to buy it even if you change your name. The matter of confusion is something you can overcome.

Branding is very important. I'm conscious of that as a business person and I also experience it as a consumer. I think Thunder River Soy Candles is a vastly better name and I would even be more likely to buy one myself versus an Ephesians candle. Much stronger and more memorable branding.

[shell1226]

I think you have to evaluate if it will help your chance at wholesaling at all if you change the name. You may want to think of it as private labeling, where you do put your name on the candles as well. You could do Thunder River Candles, a unique candle line by Ephesians...or something like that. Know what I mean?

Even though I'm not very religous (for my own personal reasons), I wouldn't buy or not buy a candle just because of a religous name (yes, I knew it was a book from the bible). I do, however, like the name Thunder River much better.

[Guest EMercier]

OK, friends give good advice and sometimes not. I agree with the majority. If you already have a base why change. The question is do you want to change the name? It's your business and if she's not a partner, you keep with it. And true, most don't know it's a book of the Bible. You've worked hard for four years and the name is different. As long as you don't market it as like a healing candle and such (which I've seen) you're fine. Keep the name. I mean if you do the spin off and say it's by you then fine, but don't change everything because one person thinks it would get more business for you. What gets more business for you is the candle, how you handle your business matters, and your presentation.

[prairieannie]

I am inclined to side with your friend on this. I think that getting more wholesale accounts will be an easier task if you change the name for your "wholesale line" simply because there are going to be shops that don't have any desire to sell "Christian candles" and some will see it that way. There will be many who won't know the difference, but PLENTY who do, and will make their decision based on that. Of course there will always be the folks then who accuse you of "selling out" but your decision needs to be business based. I have no doubt that your candles could sell themselves..however there will always be those (especially retail store owners) who make their decisions based on other things as well.

[RobinInOR]

Funny you should post this - I'm doing the exact same thing! So yeah, I think it's a good idea

I was going to do a whole 'nuther DBA, but decided to just name the line. So it's "new line name" by Waters Gulch LLC - and I've got a new domain name that will point to new web pages (even though they will use th same shopping cart)

That way I can package differently - something easier for wholesale/specialty retail, and possibly raise my price a bit. You said you didn't want to package differently - but maybe a new logo to differentiate them?

How will the thunder river candles be different? A different line of scents? colors? how will they hang together except for the name? It might be confusing unless there's an obvious 'why'..

[Fire and Ice]

Funny you should post this - I'm doing the exact same thing! So yeah, I think it's a good idea

I was going to do a whole 'nuther DBA, but decided to just name the line. So it's "new line name" by Waters Gulch LLC - and I've got a new domain name that will point to new web pages (even though they will use th same shopping cart)

That way I can package differently - something easier for wholesale/specialty retail, and possibly raise my price a bit. You said you didn't want to package differently - but maybe a new logo to differentiate them?

How will the thunder river candles be different? A different line of scents? colors? how will they hang together except for the name? It might be confusing unless there's an obvious 'why'..

Actually, they'd be the exact same candles just a different name/Strictly for wholesale.

I would certainly do it were the accounts out of state or even in another part of my state.

I have no idea yet what I'll do but I won't jump the gun. It's not something I'll do next week or next month. But it does have to be the right choice.

I also agree that MOST people don't know Ephesians is a book of the Bible.

[sharyl55]

If you are looking to wholesale the line to gift shops, they will be looking for a name that pops. Thunder River does that. It's a bold name. Deserves a bold label. It would be a marketing ploy to capture the attention of new customers not familar with your wonderful products. You need something that makes the customer not familar with your candles to stop, look, and smell your candle. Once you get them to sniff the candle I'm sure you'll get the sale. Customers today are very visual. You need to catch their eye. Thunder River by Esphesian Soy Candle might do the trick.

[Purple Lilac]

1. My thought is that many people don't know that Ephesians is a book of the Bible. 2. My other thought is that Christians will buy your candle over others because they recognize it as being owned by a Christian. Personally I will go out of my way or pay more if I have to in order to support a Christian owned business just as long as the quality is there. 3. You many have been blessed in your business because you were bold enough to identify yourself as a Christian. Don't mess with it. 4. Like someone pointed out, you can have a line named just for wholesale accounts i.e. Thunder River Candles by Ephesians Soy Candles. 5. Lastly, pray about it.

I agree with Blest2BAmerican with the exception of changing name for wholesale accounts. I have a Bible verse on my labels. These have been very encouraging to Christians and non Christians alike. I have certain people that continue to buy products from me just for the verse being there (they also do like the products). The bottom line for me is that if I can encourage a couple of people every week,the amount of product I sell really does not matter as the Lord always provides.

[Michi]

1. My thought is that many people don't know that Ephesians is a book of the Bible. 2. My other thought is that Christians will buy your candle over others because they recognize it as being owned by a Christian. Personally I will go out of my way or pay more if I have to in order to support a Christian owned business just as long as the quality is there. 3. You many have been blessed in your business because you were bold enough to identify yourself as a Christian. Don't mess with it. 4. Like someone pointed out, you can have a line named just for wholesale accounts i.e. Thunder River Candles by Ephesians Soy Candles. 5. Lastly, pray about it.

Ok, as a Christian (not overly religious but...) I think, why would you want to change your business name that really you chose because it means something to you as a Christian? You know, you may be dealing with, if I change the name just to get more sales, does that mean I'm hiding my religion? I don't know if you're feeling that way, but I know that I might.

But there's also the business mind, that says, "hey whatever it takes to make more money, sales etc. LOL I mean, you don't want people that AREN'T Christians to shy away from your candles just because they are made by a Christian and have a Christian name on them, but there are some that definitely would (unfortunately).

That's a tough decision for you, but I agree that you should give it over to Him, and hope that you come to a decision that you feel comfortable with.

Ok, after all of that, I do have to say I really like the name Thunder River, it's got "punch". I'll shut up now!! LOL