So Why Phonics? The Story Behind Phonics Digital
Starting a business is an exciting and nerve-wracking journey. Like many entrepreneurs, I had the dream, the passion, and the drive to turn my vision into reality. I was confident in my skills, ready to build a successful company, and I even had my dream car picked out—a white Range Rover Sport, naturally. But there was one crucial thing missing: the name.
The Importance of the Perfect Business Name
I needed a name that wasn’t just catchy, but one that truly reflected what I my ethos. I wanted something with meaning, a story behind it that I could proudly tell. I remember watching The Apprentice, where one candidate suggested creating a business name by combining your favorite color with your favorite animal. But “Blue Shark Marketing” didn’t exactly hit the mark for me. In a moment of desperation, I even asked my 5-year-old for ideas, and he came up with “Red Sheep.” It had a nice ring to it—Red Sheep Marketing—but it didn’t tell a story.
I know a business name doesn’t always have to tell a story. Take Jeff Bezos, for example. He picked “Amazon” from the dictionary because it was the name of the world’s largest river, symbolising his vision of becoming the world’s largest online bookstore. Simple, right?
But for me, I wanted more than just a random name. I wanted something that meant something to me and represented my business in a meaningful way.
The Eureka Moment
Then came the eureka moment—and it couldn’t have happened at a more unexpected time. During the second UK-wide lockdown, I was homeschooling my 5-year-old son, Fletcher. We were working through our daily phonics lesson, focusing on the “OO” and “OA” sounds.
And that’s when it hit me.
Phonics—the method of breaking down language to teach kids how to read and write—was a perfect metaphor for what I do. Just as phonics helps children understand language, I break down digital marketing to help clients understand how it works and what they’re investing in. It clicked immediately: Phonics Digital Marketing. I had found my name, and more importantly, I had the story to go with it.
The Domain Name Dance
But then came the moment every business owner dreads—the nerve-wracking task of checking if the domain name is available. I clicked through, half holding my breath, and … success! The domain was available. I was jumping around, celebrating like I had just completed a Joe Wicks workout. Phonics Digital was officially born.
What I Learned About Naming a Business
Naming a business can feel like an overwhelming task. There’s pressure to get it just right, but here’s what I’ve learned along the way: there’s no one “right” way to choose a name. It doesn’t have to be a clever acronym, an animal-color combination, or even something directly related to your industry. The name can be completely random or incredibly thoughtful—it just needs to be a name that makes you excited, one that resonates with you and your brand.
For me, Phonics Digital isn’t just a name; it’s a reflection of how I approach marketing—breaking it down into clear, understandable parts for my clients, just like phonics does for language learners.
What’s Your Story?
Naming my business was a journey that was both challenging and exciting, and I’m proud of the story behind it. But I know I’m not alone in this. Whether you’ve chosen a name that’s meaningful, random, or completely unique, I’d love to hear your story. How did you come up with your business name?