Why the weird spelling?
aka… where the Covailnt name came from.
There’s something about taking an idea and naming it that has some transformational property to it. A name gives that nebulous thought something tactical to bounce around and mold. After all, a name is the cornerstone of an identity.
So much meaning can be packed into a simple collection of sounds.
It was important for me to understand a bit about this ‘nebulous idea’ that came about after moonlighting with a few of my coworkers. At first this concept of mutual freelancer success and collaboration was so far reaching, it could morph into anything. (I remember stumbling when I tried to describe it the first time. Whoever I was talking to gave me the unenthused “so it’s everything… to everyone?”).
It needed some discipline, so I set out to put some definition around what this concept would do. In the really early days this is all I really knew:
- This platform should allow freelancers to connect and see details like the current bandwidth of another freelancer.
- This platform should focus on making freelancers successful by collectively sharing resources and skills across the community.
With that framework in place, ideas and names had something to be validated against. The next couple of weeks were spent looking up synonyms, mumbling over syllables and doodling word mashups. Everything I came up with felt forced, or disingenuous, and I started to get a bit frustrated. How could this concept be any good if I didn’t even know what to call it?
Just like some of the best creative ideas, inspiration waits till you aren’t looking for it. And that’s exactly what happened.
At its core, this concept works because of the bonds that build these relationships. Bonds… and chemistry. And that ignited a spark.
Break out that old science textbook
I was never a great student in grade school, but I did like science. Somehow this idea of covalent bonds (the bonds that exist because two atoms share electrons) landed in my brain. This mutually benefiting arrangement seemed perfect for describing how two or more freelancers might work together, sharing their talent, opportunities, and other connections with each other.
Pushing the concept further
Covalent definitely sounded right, but I thought it needed to do a little more legwork before it was the final name of this concept. The default spelling drives home the chemistry connection, but what if there were other ways it could speak to the concept? I started to break the sounds down.
(kō-vā’lənt)
kō…Co… Together. Ok, that seems to make sense…
vā’l… vail… Available? Avail…like to succeed? hmmm
ənt… eh a double meaning here might be tricky… what if I just simplify it … ok, where’s that leave it..
Covailnt
It’s a name! It’s a weird spelling... but it is the right spelling.
Sometimes people will read it and raise an eyebrow. Some even suggest I change it. I think that little bit of skepticism is ok, and to a certain degree, I welcome it. Creating a little bit of initial wonder before delivering something stellar is definitely my style.
More importantly, the name and weird spelling evolved into something that is more than a simple collection of sounds. It transformed that nebulous idea into a tactical concept built on our directives. It’s our identity, and Covailnt’s very first success.
Covailnt is a web app for freelancers who need to work with people they trust. Covailnt makes it painless for freelancers to connect and collaborate. Users can see other’s skills and style at a glance, instantly know who’s booked up, and work with those who work the way they do.
