https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 04:23:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1418568 Wed, 12 Feb 2014 16:24:24 +0000 lizzywiz 1418568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the great advice, everyone!<br /> I have decided NOT to contact her. Our field is small enough we will eventually meet naturally and I will wait for that.<br /> I am awkward and unschooled in business, so after reading your comments I have decided it is better not to initiate something that could eventually go south due to the above mentioned awkwardness :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1408081 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 17:07:48 +0000 LemonLong 1408081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't. If there's only two of you, people she wouldn't be able to take on would find you anyways. If there were a larger number of people in the area providing the service then it would be a benefit to form an alliance but it just wouldn't make sense if she is your only competition. </p> <p>Besides, what if she takes your outreach the wrong way and starts a smear campaign against you? It would be hard to recover from that. Develop your own client base first before you do any communication to her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1408017 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:39:23 +0000 Modern Daisy 1408017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends. IF your strategy to enter the market is to take away her existing or potential clients, then I don't think it's a good idea. But if you're sort of in a different niche and could potentially help her by taking on clients she wasn't able to then I would contact her to talk about that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407975 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:24:33 +0000 Happygal 1407975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: this is very germane in my life right now! I spoke with my dad (businessman) about how two people I've spoken with have taken my idea and run with it. I guess I'm too enthusiastic and encouraging about it! And I feel lazy that I haven't put more effort into it, so that's what I'm focusing on now. Anyway, we talked about how it can be good to share ideas, but you need to be smart as well. Would it be possible you would end up referring clients to one another? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407972 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:24:02 +0000 illumina 1407972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My Husband and I have a small business and we do reach out to our competitors...mostly to collaborate or pass on work one of us doesn't have the capacity to fulfill. </p> <p>However in a limited market, like you say, I probably wouldn't do it. It would just seem a bit weird and there may not be mutual gain. It's tough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407969 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:23:19 +0000 LindsayInNY 1407969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: My only concern is that if the customer pool is limited in the first place, is there enough of one to require two businesses in the area? How would yours be different from hers? Does she have an office whereas you'll be doing house calls, for example? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407957 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:18:23 +0000 pui 1407957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never introduced ourselves to our competitors. We're aware of them and I'm sure they're aware of us. I do not really see any reason why we should communicate? We don't get any referrals from them lol.</p> <p>We're in a suburban area, but we compete with companies in the city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407942 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:11:18 +0000 birdofafeather 1407942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: i would reach out, but in the friendly way @mae: wrote. i'm also a photographer and although the market is saturated, there are still times that i pass on my "competitor's" information and they pass on mine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407924 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:06:03 +0000 lizzywiz 1407924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayInNY: Ok. I am kinda psycho about online anonymity (I know, I'm a weirdo) but here are some details:<br /> City of about 900,000<br /> Service is a very specialized medical rehab that typically is not covered by insurance, which limits the customer pool.<br /> I already own all of the supplies I need from working in the field and I would make house calls, hence the low start up costs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407913 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 16:00:27 +0000 lizzywiz 1407913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Your answer is perfect. PERFECT. If I do decide to make contact I am definitely going with your email idea.<br /> And I do have something that she may want to borrow, so I wouldn't be blowing smoke.</p> <p>@MamaMoose: and that is exactly why I may not initiate contact :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407908 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:57:11 +0000 LindsayInNY 1407908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's hard to say without know what kind of business you plan on opening and what area you live in (super rural, suburbs, etc.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407906 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:55:55 +0000 Greentea 1407906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: I probably wouldn't... but it depends on what you are doing I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407900 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:53:24 +0000 Mae 1407900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My instinct is yes, but I think it depends on the type of business and the type of area and regardless it may or may not be well received. With no more info, I guess I'd say a brief email or something maybe couldn't hurt. Just like "Hi I'm ____ and I'm opening my doors soon to ______. I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that I'd be happy to help out if you ever needed [something that has to do with your business] or if you'd just like to connect and do coffee some time!" </p> <p>Definitely don't ask for anything or make it seem like you're trolling for info or tips. I think offers to help someone in the same business as you are what build good relationships, and hopefully you'll get to the point where you can at least be comfortable with each other and serve as backup if needed. (I'm thinking of my own business getting started in photography-- you sort of can't survive without photog friends! I have borrowed and let people borrow equipment, second shoot for each other, take a look at things for people when they have questions, and serve as backup in case of emergency. Yes they are competition but they are also invaluable when you run your own business!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407893 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:51:21 +0000 MamaMoose 1407893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lizzywiz: What would you say to her "hey, I'm planning on trying to compete with you for the limited business that's available in this area, just wanted to give you a head up". I think that unless there is a BUSINESS benefit to both of you for you to have a relationship, then I wouldn't approach her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407881 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:47:46 +0000 lizzywiz 1407881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: That is exactly the kind of thing I was thinking! Also, it just seems weird, like the elephant in the room, to not acknowledge each other.<br /> But she could be shocked and disheartened that there is a new player on the field and that would make for a very awkward introduction! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407871 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:44:57 +0000 cmomma17 1407871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not a business person at all, so don't mind my reply if it's useless. :)</p> <p>But when I read your post it made me think of my doula. She was one of the only doulas in my area, and worked in a much larger region so she could get more business. However, she needs to be in touch with her "competition" so they could potentially serve as a back-up in case something happened in case she missed the birth! I think she would also give out the other doulas names if she couldn't take on a new client. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/starting-a-businessshould-i-communicate-with-the-competition#post-1407818 Fri, 07 Feb 2014 15:22:53 +0000 lizzywiz 1407818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am obviously a business novice. Be gentle in your replies.</p> <p>I am hoping to start a business in the next year. There is no question of its financial viability- it will cost me nothing but time and even 1 client would make it profitable, so I pretty confident in my decision to put some time towards it.<br /> But, I keep wondering:<br /> It is a very specialized market and there is only one other provider in my metro area. She is certain to hear of me as soon as I go live.<br /> I was wondering if I should contact her in anyway to introduce myself?<br /> I honestly don't know if the market can support two of us which would make me very threatening to her- on the other hand, she may have more business than she wants/ can handle and I would love to get referrals from her.</p> <p>Thoughts? </p>