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How to overcome a complicated name: 6 Steps to Ensure “Flawless Recall”

By: Liz Goodgold

Redfire Branding

New research confirms what most of us thought: a complex name hurts your chances of getting a job. And, here’s the double whammy: a difficult to pronounce name coupled with being a minority can lower your chances of getting a callback for a job by a whopping 50%!

With the world (thank goodness!) embracing names beyond Jim, Jane, and John, now is the time to translate your unfamiliar name to the familiar. Show and share how easy your name is with these techniques:

Add a visual guide to your name. Actress Saoirse Ronan routinely adds to articles that her name is pronounced “Sur-sha.” Or Emily Weinstein notes her moniker this way: WINE-Steen so that you don’t say “WINE-STINE.  Remember: don’t use diacritical marks (the complicated linguistic guides such as ē, in the word ease.)

  1. Break Down the Name – Dividing your name into easy to digest bites also works. The Russian name Artemii can be turned into Art-Team-Me.
  2. Play with Rhyme Time – A dear friend always said his name this way: “Mizhir rhymes with leisure.” Or Iwaniak: rhymes with Pontiac. Another woman writes her name, Frezhenay, this way: rhymes with chardonnay. A woman after my heart…and wine glass!
  3. Teach them how to pronounce it on LinkedIn. The social media platform has an easy guide on how to record your own name. Voila!
  4. Add a Metaphor/Simile – I met a man with the last name Brieuliette. He slyly explains: “have you tried the brie yet?” Or a man from Persia explains his name a Eyetern as in “I torn my jeans.” Of course, my girlfriend Alise always makes me laugh by stating “Alise,” as in you “sign a lease”!
  5. Make it Analogous – Unfortunately, I used to get introduced on stage as Liz GoldGood. I solved that problem by explaining that I am a speaker who is as good as gold, Liz Goodgold. Problem solved.

What works for you? I’m all ears.


Liz Goodgold is a branding and communications expert who has worked with over 14,000 employees and entrepreneurs to brand better and speak “gooder.” A former brand manager at Quaker Oats, she creates winning strategies that earn sizzling results.

Quick with a quip, Liz dishes the dirt on celebrity branding on 2 television shows, was a finalist judge for Simon Cowell, and is a frequent guest on TV. Liz is in an exclusive relationship with coffee. You can reach her at Liz@RedFireBranding.com

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Professional Myisha Williams las vegas investors 5

StartUpNV announces Myisha Boyce to join Board of Directors

Angel investor, advocate and small business owner will provide counsel to nonprofit startup incubator, especially in underserved communities

LAS VEGAS (July 25, 2022) – StartUpNV, Nevada’s nonprofit business accelerator and incubator for scalable startups,
announced that business owner, investor and community advocate Myisha Boyce will join its board of directors.

Boyce is the founding member and president of M.Y.S. Firm, a Nevada based woman- and minority-owned professional services
organization. Established in 2014, the business has seen exponential growth over the past several years due in part to its professional and community partnerships.

“Myisha’s personal perspective on the challenges facing startups and small business, especially those owned by women and minorities, and how to overcome these challenges will be invaluable counsel to StartUpNV’s board of directors,” said Jeff Saling, executive director of StartUpNV.

In 2021, Boyce participated in StartUpNV’s AngelNV bootcamp for angel investors. Designed for both first-time and experienced investors, Boyce also actively recruited investors from minority communities to participate in the program.

“It is critically important to ensure that everyone in the community has access to the knowledge that AngelNV can provide to help build generational wealth through investing,” said Boyce. “AngelNV as well as all of StartUpNV’s programs and funds are strengthening the knowledge of how to invest wisely and facilitating access to a network of investors and entrepreneurs that can help build longer term wealth for participants and their families, especially those representing minority communities.”

Focused on building and enhancing strategic professional partnerships that jointly benefit business and community, Boyce also serves as Chair of Allegiant Stadium’s Community Advisory Board and is a member on the board of directors for Access Community Capital, a nonprofit community development financial institution. She previously served as a legislatively appointed commissioner and chair of the Legislative Subcommittee within Nevada Department of Business & Industry’s Commission on Minority Affairs, was appointed in 2022 by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to the Community College Workforce Training & Programs Committee, and volunteered as chair of the Business Council for the Las Vegas Urban Chamber of Commerce.

About StartUpNV
StartUpNV is a non-profit (501c3) statewide business incubator for scalable Nevada startups, providing expert mentorship and access to a network of capital partners for funding through vehicles like FundNV (www.fundnv.com), AngelNV (www.angelnv.com), the newly established SeedNV (www.seednv.com).
Learn more about StartUpNV at www.startupnv.org.

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