Today I Googled, Moms' Lifesavers. I do it every so often. After much contemplation, I've decided to take my little brand to the next level. So WHEN do you truly own a name? When do your truly own some little words that you've worked hard for? Can someone come right up and take your name and use it in their super, high-gloss review site? Apparently, YES.
I wrote my book with my great friend, Joanne Tocci. In 2006, we self-published our successful tip book for new moms. This was a heartfelt journey to say the least. Joanne and I wrote, published and funded this 'baby'. We did this with the support of our husbands who realized we needed this journey in our lives and it truly kept us sane during Joanne's devastating leg fracture while pregnant and my breast cancer scare and subsequent mass removal. The book had a place of sanctuary. It was a retreat from everyday stress!
Coming up with our name was very HARD. My MIL actually came up with it after much contemplation and brainstorming. After many months, Moms' Lifesavers was born.
Since publishing our little book I've been consistently using my name on blog entries, Twitter, FamilyZip (the site I write tips for) and this blog. It's sort of my name in the mommy industry - I just opened up my Twitter account to indicate my real name. I've NEVER taken money from a company or special interest group. This whole thing has been genuinely mine and not used to make any money. There is NO real money in writing tips or self-publishing books. The income I now make on this business in GOOGLE Adwords that like to post little ads on my blog and writing site. I get $100.00 every few months.
Over the past few months, I've decided to go into the Social Media realm and Event Planning business. I've been extremely fortunate to be finding a new direction AND marketing them successfully. I love doing what I'm now doing...it's now my new passion.
Recently, my hubby sat down with me and indicated that I can't abandon my brand that I've worked so hard to ramp up for over 4 years. He suggested taking my following along for the ride on a different business path...still using Moms' Lifesavers - perhaps MLS Group. So I wanted to test out my following; 1,600 followers on Twitter and 350+ followers on Facebook (half of which are mommy bloggers I do not know personally - and half are my true friends in real life).
We decided to Google my name today, and there it WAS...a HUGE REVIEW site using the Moms' Lifesavers lingo on their site. The name is used as a header to review items specifically for moms. It just stuck out like a sore thumb because this feed came up right under my Twitter Feed...this tells me, these TWO WORDS have LEGS.
Many years ago, the owners of the site ALSO reviewed my book. I also paid advertising on their holiday product page. I even gave them testimony about their nameless original site. These lovely woman KNOW me. They are my facebook friends. I like them. A lot.
What to do? What to do?
What would you do?
I feel a little bummed that I've hit the first road bump along the way in the business world. I just wouldn't use a name that is already out there. I really wouldn't. I know I am just a tiny drop in the bucket, but I guess I honor the journey Moms' Lifesavers was born from...hard work, dedication and love. It is part of me. It's been MY LIFESAVER.
UPDATE!
The website came back to me and removed the Moms' Lifesavers Tag from their site! It was painless and they totally GOT it why they probably shouldn't continue using it. Yeah!
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