I've tried to write this blog for weeks. I want to shed a little light into the heart and soul of JustB and into MY heart by explaining why I chose to name my photography company "JustB Photography". It's hard to write such a simple explanation when it's about someone who deserves so much more than simple! So, bear with me, as I try to do this blog justice!
In the midst of talking during sessions, several clients have asked, "Where did you come up with the name JustB Photography? It's cute! What's the B stand for?" It's the all too well known question in my family. "What's the B stand for?" But we'll come back to that.
When choosing a business name, I was encouraged by mentors to simply use my name: "Charity Wade Photography", "Charity Nicole Photography", "Wade Photography". It would insure that no one else had the same business name....since it's MY name. It would make for easy bank transactions when someone writes a check. And so on and so forth. I was even recommended to change the name once I picked one. It was alot more stressful than it should've been. But I stood by it. I stood by JustB Photography because it wasn't simply something I came up with off the top of my head. It wasn't something that sounded cute, or rolled off the tongue easily. It's a name that means so much more to me and my family. It's a legacy.
My grandpa was a great man! He worked tirelessly to spoil all the women in his life! He treated Granny like the Queen we all knew she was. And his daughter (my mom) was his princess...okay, tomboyish princess, but princess all the same. ;) And his three granddaughters (me and my sisters) were his world! He would spoil us with far-too early trips to the flea market, grocery shopping at Sam's (Oh, the size of boxes of Twix he would buy), riding around on the land, the best phone calls, waiting patiently at the mall while he made sure we "bought everything in there" for school clothes, and the list could go on. And we loved every minute of it. No, not because he spent money on us. We loved every moment of being "his girls"! Going on trivial errands with him as he introduced us to everyone who would listen...whether they wanted to or not. He was so proud to be our grandpa...and we were so proud to be his girls!
Grandpa had diabetes....and quite literally, FOUGHT for his life. The last few years he was with us, we watched him lose toes and, eventually a leg and master the use of a wheelchair and, eventually, a prosthetic. As I think back on those last few years.... I never heard him complain! He never took up our time together sharing details of the battle he was fighting daily. He never used his illness as an excuse to miss ANYTHING. He cherished EVERY minute he could be with us. He was the epitome of every reason we had always been proud to call him our Grandpa!
Grandpa's name was Kenneth B Summerville. Kenneth B ... We would always ask, "What does the B stand for?" And he would respond, "Nothing, just B!" We would try to dig deeper.... "B with a period?" He would respond again, "No, just B!" It drove us crazy! Just B!?? Just B.
So, when I sat down to pick a name for my photography business... I didn't want the expected title by choosing my name. I wanted something that meant much more! I wanted a name that would show my passion for my business. I wanted a name that would have depth and would challenge me to always be my best!
Who better to honor through my business than the man who went above and beyond to be sure "his girls" had everything we needed to succeed? What better name to help remind me to fight for my business when it gets tough or when the odds are against it, than the name of the man who taught me how to "fight the good fight"? What other name could I possibly choose, than one that I remember Grandpa saying over and over?
So, JustB Photography was born. Nothing after the B.....Just B! And for as long as it's up and running, it will proudly carry the name of an incredible man....my Grandpa!
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