Buzzard’s tale

It started with needing a domain name. Trying to nab a good one is like chasing a greased pig at the Kaufman County Fair. You're sittin' around with your buddies, your mama, a few randoms, and a whiteboard brainstorming till your head feels like a scrambled egg. If a domain is good, catchy, or clever, someone's already snatched it up faster than you can say, "Gone pecan!"

We needed something unique, memorable, and easy to spell. After weeks of head-banging frustration, something clicked. If one of the words has a bit of a negative twist, the odds of it being available shoot up like a bottle rocket on the Fourth of July.

The business name had to reflect our brand and be available as a domain. It added a layer of complexity as thick as Me-Maw’s gumbo. I thought deeper and focused on what mattered most—my family. My mother, a mentor and a huge influence in my life, was a madwoman in a Mad Men world, diving into the ad game at 17 and carving out a career. She encouraged us kids to think critically and creatively, even turning waits at restaurants into brainstorming sessions with storyboard templates for TV commercials.

My father passed away in 2022, and his passing made me reflect on life and the values he instilled in us. He was a Louisiana cowboy who taught us discipline, hard work, and integrity. He always said, "Ride for the brand," emphasizing the importance of character and loyalty.

One year later, I lost a dear friend I'd known my whole life. When I got the news of his passing, I immediately left Dallas to be with the family. I was with his two surviving brothers that night, looking over hundreds of pictures and sharing memories. Amidst the grief, we started catching up. One of the brothers, a Grammy-nominated musician, asked about my new business. I explained the value proposition and mentioned I might call it Blonde Buzzard. He threw his head back and laughed, "Blonde Buzzard?! Like your brother? I love it! Hahaha!" He explained he liked it for other reasons, too, sharing a story about how a mentor suggested using alliteration for band names, just like Stan Lee with Bruce Banner and Peter Parker. "Pull the trigger, Marc, and don't look back. Blonde Buzzard, all the way."

Then there's my brother and our small town, Carencro. With his blonde hair and blue eyes, my brother was a real wild child. One day, while my dad was laying down the law, he bolted, arms in the air, shouting, “I’m Superman!” Without missing a beat, my dad hollered, “Get back here, you little… Blonde Buzzard!” And the nickname stuck like gum under a school desk. Carencro means “buzzard” in Cajun French, and though buzzard has different connotations here and across the pond, we prefer the European meaning—hawk.

Needless to say, choosing a name wasn’t a straight shot from point A to point B. BlondeBuzzard.com was up for grabs, staring at me with a special meaning few would understand and a purchase price of 99 cents. I knew there’d be some challenges with the name, but I thought, “Screw it.” Let’s ride for the brand.”