Jill - here's what it looks like with the Impact font and all caps. I have to agree with you on this, after looking at it like this, I like it better than the italic font I was using. Thanks for the tip!
I also lightened the shield border a little to separate it from the black letters; I wanted it to look subtle, not a stark contrast to the letters sitting on it, but enough that it's noticeable.
The red outline is the cut path I'll be using when creating stickers of the logo. I'll add the web address and/or phone number beneath the entire logo before creating the sticker.
edit - I think a blue gradient shade with the words at the bottom a little larger with a white outline looks better to me.
...the one positive to paying someone else to make stuff for you is that you know it's finished after you pay for it, because it's pretty rare that you would take it back in a few days to get re-worked again because it's going to cost you. BUT, if you end up doing it yourself, you get this compulsive drive to keep wanting to make it better, and it seems it's never "done" (if there is such a thing). HOWEVER, I think THIS is the final one