Several years ago, when I founded VETgirl, a subscription-based podcast & webinar service offering online veterinary continuing education, I pondered what to name my new start-up company. Then, how did I pick a logo? As Garret Pachtinger, the COO of VETgirl, and I pondered this, we decided to go with our gut: VETgirl.

With the growing popularity of the word “girl” in pop culture (similar to Grammar Girl, my all time fav grammar podcasts; Skinny Girl; Money Girl, etc.) and the growing prevalence of women within the veterinary field (80% and growing in current veterinary school classes!), we decided to go with VETgirl.

After we picked our name and our logo, we got some savvy business advice from a friend on how to pick a name. Ideally, you want to pick a name of your small business that:

  • Represents you
  • Is unambiguous (Can you tell what the company does from your name)
  • Alphabetical (Yes, people still use the yellow pages to look up companies and companies starting with “A” are often “found” first)
  • Short (Hey, we all have short attention spans. Plus, “Veterinary Online Veterinary CE” didn’t have the same ring as “VETgirl.”
  • Domain name (Is it even available for you online)?

Next, how do you pick a logo? Well, we broke all the rules, but are still happy with our logo. And so you know, big Fortune 500 companies like Target also broke these logo rules.

The logo rules?

  • Pick one that represents what you do
  • Ideally, avoid a color that insights danger (e.g., red, orange)
  • Make the logo simple enough so it can be scaled both large and small (can you print it on both a business card, water bottle, and t-shirt)?
  • Make a logo that has branding capacity (can you wear it on a shirt)?

Not sure where to start? Ask a few friends and colleagues if they like the name. Once you’re looking for a logo design, consider online sources like 99 Designs, which is a great service of graphic designers who create your logo!

Before you know it, you’ve just completed the first major jump of your small business.

Only VETgirl members can leave comments. Sign In or Join VETgirl now!