I think I'm finally going to do the one thing that I've talked about for years, but have been too petrified to begin. I love to feed people, it's my passion. I'm pretty good at it, but have no formal training. I also have little to no money for start up costs, so this will be slow going in the beginning. I'm working out a business plan & figuring costs, etc now but I don't have a name! My first choice would be Sweet Melissa's, but of course that's already taken. My nickname is Loulabell, but I'm not sure I like that. My friends say I should incorporate the word "magic" with Melissa somehow because my baking is magical, but that seems a little hokey to me. Any suggestions?
I love some of the suggestions! Loulabell comes from my middle name which is Louise. I'm wondering now if Melissa Louise Bakery would work since it kind of rhymes? I don't want to put any particular baked good name in the title because I don't have one thing I make better than anything else & I think it could be limiting. There's a lot to think about, but you've given some wonderful ideas. Thank you!
Aw, I LOVE "Sweet Melissa's." The other idea that popped into my head is "Sweets for the Sweet." For Loulabell, if you spelled it Lulabel's or Lulabelle's, would it still be "you"? Those are the spellings I think most people would assume, and if a spelling is intuitive, it's easier for people to remember. However you spell it, Loulabell's sounds like a fun, bakery-friendly name.
There was a coffee shop/bakery here in our small town a few years ago called The Sweetest Thing. It was a huge hit, and they stayed busy. Their bakery goods were crazy good. But the owner of the shop got a feeling that she needed to go to a third world country to be missionary, and she promptly closed up shop. We were all dumbfounded.
I think the name "The Sweetest Thing" is a fabulous name for a bakery.
If you wanted, you could personalize it and do something like:
"The Sweetest Thing - Loulabell's Bakery" (with the "Loulabell's Bakery" part in smaller letters like a caption/description).
:)
Before I read your post, having only read the title, my first thought was
"Bakes a Million" It was just a first thought.
Magic Mel's Sweet Treats
Melissa's Magical Muffins
OK--(20+ years in advertising & marketing) NOT a fan of "magical" anything! LOL Loulabell is awkward & hard to remember.
Go with O. or two words that don't "try" too hard. I wouldn't use "bread" or "muffins" or "cupcake" in the actual name......
Spun Magic?
Spun Sugar?
Sugar & Spice
Everything Nice?
Think upscale....
Maybe something with your town name in it? Milford Mel's?
I think that it might be helpful to somehow incorporate a word that gives at least the "hint" that baking is involved. Other than that, what about Melissa's Magic?
Regardless, congrats on your new endeavor!!!
Dawn
Congrats!! I would go plain and simple...
Cake!
I would name my bakery cake. When I think of cake it makes me happy and I believe EVERYONE should have a little in their lives!!! When you think about baking it makes you happy, right? So think real quick about the one word that makes you happy when it comes to your talent!
Cake!!!(enter the sparkly glitter :)
How exciting for you! So glad to hear you are working on a business plan. It is a MUST!
Your name has has to tell anyone who sees it what you do. They can't think, "Is it a restaurant? Is it a bar? What is it?"
I adore your nickname! It's different. It's cute. "Loulabell's Bakery"
What are you wanting to specialize in?? Breads? Muffins? Cakes? Build the name around the specialty. You can still have other items in the case, but you need to showcase your specialty. "Melissa's Magnificient "X's" You could have a lot of fun making your brand with the double M's (or triple M's).
Your brand and name should always be easy to read, easy to understand, and look professional. Hire a graphic desiner to help you (there are lots of college students near the end of their programs who need work/items for their portfolio). This person may even be able to help you launch your website (something that HAS to be done very profesionally). Ok....so more info than you asked for. Sorry. :)
I love "Loulabell!" It's unique, whimsical, cheery, and sounds magical to me. Simply call your shop by your nick name...and add no other adjectives, please! That will make the name seem corny or worse unoriginal. There are way too many Sweet-x shops that have been franchised. If your goods are truly one of a kind, your name should reflect that. Your tag line (the phrase that accompanies the name) on cards, catering brochures etc.could simply be...creations by Loulabell.
I hate "cutesy" bakery names. It's so overdone. I think you should think more upscale than cutesy.
Loula-Pop Sweet Stop is so corny but I thought of it for some reason and thought it was funny so there ya go.
Good luck with your bakery!!
oooo, i do love 'sweet melissa's' but also love 'melissa's magical' ....what? macaroons? muffins? meringues? i guess none of them work. maybe just 'melissa's magical bakery.' i don't think it's hokey, at least not in a bad way. i'd want to check out your magic!
:) khairete
S.
I like Lulubelle's -- that's my daughter's nickname, too! But I like names that incorporate "cake" or "bread" into the name, so you know what it is -- we have a vegan bakery called "pattycakes," which I think is cute and lets you know what they have.
Good luck! I'm also trying to start a business -- no business training and a little nervous and keep stumbling over the business plan, costs, etc.
Lulu Sweet's bakery
Mystic Sweets - Mystic Muffins
Miss Sweets Bakery
Missy's Sweet Bakery
How about "Ring's a Bell Bakery"?
Since Melissa means "bee" maybe you could work that in. Bakery Bee, Bee's Knees Bakery. A friend of mine owns Marie Louise Bistro in Baltimore, so I do think and Melissa Louise Bakery flows in a similar.
I think people would misspell Loulabell if they were searching for you on line.
