Lifestyle

Last Chance to Shape the Conversation: Name Change Survey Seeks Diverse Perspectives

Published

7 months ago

December 5, 2024

Michelle Langton

Photo courtesy of Easy Name Change

Byline: Louie Aldip

Changing one’s name has become a growing focus in personal identity management, with more people seeing it as an important part of their self-expression. To understand this trend, Easy Name Change, a company specializing in assisting individuals through the name change process, is conducting a survey to collect data on the experiences of those who have changed or plan to change their names. The survey seeks to provide insights into motivations, challenges, and potential improvements to the process.

The survey targets several key groups:

Engaged or newlywed individuals aged 25-40
Divorcees aged 25-60
Anyone who has legally changed their name

The survey is open to all genders, though many respondents are expected to be female. Individuals who have changed their name in the past 24 months or plan to do so in the next 12 months are invited to participate.

Trends in Personal Identity Management

The personal services industry, which includes name change services, is seeing notable growth. Market forecasts suggest an increase from $1,379.77 billion in 2024 to $1,891.41 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%, highlighting a shift in how people manage their personal identities.

A researcher at Easy Name Change remarks, “People’s perceptions of their names are changing. More and more, names are viewed as flexible elements of personal identity.” While marriage and divorce continue to be common reasons for name changes, there is a rising number of individuals who are making changes for personal or gender identity reasons.

Administrative and Financial Considerations

The name change process can be time-consuming, often involving multiple steps, from court petitions to updating personal and official records. The survey aims to quantify the amount of time and effort involved in these tasks.

A legal expert at Easy Name Change explains, “Court approval is just the first step. After that, individuals need to update their name with various institutions and organizations.” Initial results suggest that most people spend between 20 and 30 hours completing the necessary updates across different platforms and documents.

The survey also explores the financial aspects of name changes. Preliminary data shows that individuals spend between $500 and $1,000 on name change-related costs, excluding any potential lost wages for time taken off work. These findings could contribute to future discussions on making the process more affordable and accessible.

Broader Implications for Identity Management

The insights gathered from this survey could help shape future industry practices and influence policy discussions around identity management in a world where digital and legal identities are increasingly intertwined.

A spokesperson from Easy Name Change notes, “Name changes reflect broader social shifts in how we understand personal identity. This survey aims to shed light on the practical aspects of these changes and help develop policies and services that better meet people’s needs.”

As the survey wraps up, Easy Name Change hopes to provide a comprehensive look at current name change experiences. Individuals interested in contributing can participate in the survey here.

Lifestyle

Why Derik Fay Is Becoming a Case Study in Long-Haul Entrepreneurship

Published

13 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Entrepreneurship today is often framed in extremes — overnight exits or public flameouts. But a small cohort of operators is being studied for something far less viral: consistency. Among them, Derik Fay has quietly surfaced as a long-term figure whose name appears frequently across sectors, interviews, and editorial mentions — yet whose personal visibility remains relatively limited.

Fay’s career spans more than 20 years and includes work in private investment, business operations, and emerging entertainment ventures. Though many of his companies are not household names, the volume and duration of his activity have made him a subject of interest among business media outlets and founders who study entrepreneurial longevity over fame.

He was born in Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1978, and while much of his early career remains undocumented publicly, recent profiles including recurring features in Forbes — have chronicled his current portfolio and leadership methods. These accounts often emphasize his pattern of working behind the scenes, embedding within businesses rather than leading from a distance. His style is often described by peers as “operational first, media last.”

Fay has also become recognizable for his consistency in leadership approach: focus on internal systems, low public profile, and long-term strategy over short-term visibility. At 46 years old, his posture in business remains one of longevity rather than disruption a contrast to many of the more heavily publicized entrepreneurs of the post-2010 era.

While Fay has never publicly confirmed his net worth, independent analysis based on documented real estate holdings, corporate exits, and investment activity suggests a conservative floor of $100 million, with several credible indicators placing the figure at well over $250 million. The exact number may remain private but the scale is increasingly difficult to overlook.

He is also involved in creative sectors, including film and media, and maintains a presence on social platforms, though not at the scale or tone of many personal-brand-driven CEOs. He lives with his long-term partner, Shandra Phillips, and is the father of two daughters — both occasionally referenced in interviews, though rarely centered.

While not an outspoken figure, Fay’s work continues to gain media attention. The reason may lie in the contrast he presents: in a climate of rapid rises and equally rapid burnout, his profile reflects something less dramatic but increasingly valuable — steadiness.

There are no viral speeches. No Twitter threads drawing blueprints. Just a track record that’s building its own momentum over time.

Whether that style becomes the norm for the next wave of founders is unknown. But it does offer something more enduring than buzz: a model of entrepreneurship where attention isn’t the currency — results are.