My Name’s Not Ruby (But I’ve Been Called Worse)
Fun fact: only 19% of businesses are named after their founders.
When I started Ruby Works Co.™, I didn’t think much about the name beyond what it meant to me. “Ruby” felt warm, enduring, and a little mystical—just like the energy I wanted my business to radiate. What I didn’t realize was how often people would assume my name was Ruby. Or that I’d be explaining my choice over and over again, defending it as though it wasn’t entirely my prerogative to name my business whatever I damn well pleased.
Fun fact: only 19% of businesses are named after their founders. And yet, 81% of the cold emails and DMs begin with “Hi Ruby.” Okay, I made up that second stat, but it feels accurate. Every email that starts “Dear Ruby” or every DM that says, “Hi Ruby, love your work!” reminds me of the strange weight we place on details.
BTW, Why Ruby?
The name Ruby Works Co.™ wasn’t an accident. Ruby symbolizes strength, creativity, and a bit of magic—all qualities I wanted in a brand that helps others bring their visions to life.
Only a few people know why the name Ruby is so special to me, but it always exudes a bold, confident, radiant, immaculate, and comfy chic energy. Those words guided my choice and felt like the right foundation for a company that blends artistry and strategy into something unforgettable.
For a few months before landing on Ruby Works Co.™, I operated with my name in the business title—and I hated it. It felt very off, at least for me personally. TBH, if the entire mission was just to self-promote myself, it wouldn’t be convincing for me at all. I wanted to create something that lived outside of me.
Maybe that’s why the emails and DMs misaddressing me as Ruby don’t bother me. I know they’re just moving a touch too fast and letting their text suggestion do the talking.
Embracing It
If you know me well, I refuse to see things without a silver lining. In fact, as someone who had to start building a sales portfolio and cold calling leads at 23, I know the weight of details and the cost of not getting them right (especially when the information is available).
Recently, someone sent me feedback on a Weird Magic episode. The email critiqued something I’d shared about my own lived experience. It began with, “Hi Ruby!” and instantly discounted their input. If nothing else, the name works as a handy little filter—and for now, I’m not complaining.
I get it.
There’s this odd expectation that if you’re a small business owner, your brand should bear your name, as though that somehow makes it more authentic or personal. If I had named my company Erin Norris Studio, no one would question it.
Here’s the thing: my business is me, but it’s also not. Ruby Works Co.™ reflects more than just my personal identity—it’s about the people I work with, the stories we tell, and the connections we create. Naming it Ruby gave me the space to step back and let the work shine on its own.
And one unexpected perk of choosing Ruby? Self-filtering.
What’s in a Name?
Naming a business is like naming a baby, except the baby eventually grows up and gets its own say (Disclaimer: I’ve never had a baby or named one). Your business name, though, sticks forever (unless you want a hefty rebranding bill). For me, Ruby Works Co.™ felt like a name that could grow with the brand, resonating with clients no matter where they are in their journey.
Do I think it’s weird that I feel the need to defend it? Absolutely. It’s my business; I could have named it “Flamingo Pizza Industries” if I wanted to. The point is that it feels right to me. And while I’m happy to explain my choice when people ask (or assume I’m Ruby), I’ve stopped feeling like I owe anyone an apology for not naming it after myself.
With Grace, Always
To those who call me Ruby: I get it. Ruby Works Co.™ does sound like it could be a company helmed by someone named Ruby. I appreciate the graciousness of people who realize their mistake, and I’m equally unbothered by those who never do. Because at the end of the day, whether you call me Erin, Ruby, or something far worse, it doesn’t change the work I do.
Ruby Works Co.™ has always been about creating something meaningful, enduring, and a little magical. And whether or not my name’s on the front, I think I’ve done just that.