The benefits of purchasing a franchise, as opposed to starting up a new company on your own, are innumerable; they include everything from ready-made business plans to financial assistance. But in a market inundated with businesses selling very similar products, often everything comes down to advertising: having something about your company that makes it stand out from the pack in the consumer’s mind. As far as this goes, one of the greatest assets a new franchisee can receive in his franchise packet is a recognizable name, and there are really two ways that a business name can make its way to a permanent, and positive, residence in a person’s mind. It either has to be repeated until it sticks, or it has to be so novel and unique that no one could forget it.

Fortunately, for those would-be-franchisees who don’t want to pour every last cent into advertising to get their names to stick, there are a handful of franchises available with truly unique names, able to draw consumer attention and memorable enough to stick in the consumer’s mind. Take a closer look at 5 of the most unique names in franchising and see how these franchises are much more than just a clever name.

#5) Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies

Whether you’re attracted to the name or the allure of kona coffee and tropical fruit smoothies, Maui Wowi has a strong gameplan and an equally strong name to back it up. With nearly 500 franchises worldwide and countless awards and recognitions such as, "#1 "Juice Bar" Franchise in the World!, Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500" Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies has proven that their business model works and can be duplicated over and over again. Whether the reason for their success comes from the unique name that people remember, or from the tasty coffee and smoothies that customers can’t forget, as a franchisee, you’re sure to find plenty of repeat business and plenty of success.

#4) The Glove Lady

Women running this work from home business are serious about everything in the world of gloves and safety equipment. This safety equipment franchise capitalizes on a large and completely unsaturated market that shows no sign of slowing down in the near future. As safety restrictions and regulations get tighter and tighter, the need for specialized safety equipment and a good pair of safety gloves continues to grow and this is precisely why The Glove Lady works well in nearly any region. If you’re a guy and interested in glove lady franchise, don’t worry, they also offer a "glove guy" option.

#3) 1-800-905-GEEK

Tape on the glasses, pocket protector, suspenders holding up his pants, the whole picture is painted in just that one word: GEEK. The funniest thing about the name of this work at home business, though, is that as laughable as that stereotype is, it does manage to produce a sense of trust in the consumer’s mind. Think about it. Who do you want fixing your computer: a jock, a cheerleader, or a geek? What’s more, the phone number is the name, so when Joe Customer’s computer breaks down, he doesn’t even have to visit a phonebook to call for help. If the rest of the business is half as intelligent as the name, you wouldn’t have to be a geek to give it some consideration.

#2) The Love Maine Lobster Claw

This is by far my favorite work from home business ever, and that is in part because the name is completely perplexing. It looks like five words picked at random and slammed together for lack of a better name. But when you learn what the business is, it all suddenly makes sense, and that is what makes it all so unique. Imagine a claw game at an arcade. Now fill the glass box with water and drop in live lobsters instead of stuffed toys, and what you’re imagining is precisely what this successful company sells. And though it sounds peculiar, the business actually works, some machines raking in $750 per week. Try and get that name out of your head now.

#1) Doody Calls

When you’re in the pet waste-management field, you really have to take yourself lightly. As straightforward and comical as they are about their job however, the business is entirely serious. With the number of dogs in America always increasing and the number of spare minutes that homeowners have to take care of them always decreasing, the market is rife with opportunity for a business that isn’t afraid to roll up its sleeves and grab a shovel.

Say what you will, but we should have a greater deal of respect for any business that is willing to do something a little out of the ordinary to make themselves stand out. Though it’s all too easy to scroll down a list of home based business opportunities, snicker a little at a comical name, and move on to something "more serious," keep an open mind when looking for your next business. Give time and thought to even the businesses that may not be your first choice. You may be surprised at the treasures you can find.


March 20, 2009