Little Susie Q. was walking her normal route to her purple panties shop one morning when she paused in front of a dark and rundown shop she’d never noticed before. She peeked through the grimy windows to see rows of lime green Speedos on display.
“Another underwear shop? How could I have missed this?” she whispered to herself and continued to spy through the window.
“May I halp you?”
The man’s voice behind her scared the crap out of Susie and she nearly leapt out of her leopard skin stilettos.
“Oh! Hello.” was all she could say.
“May I halp you?” he repeated softly.
Susie detected an accent but for the life of her couldn’t place it. She stared at him rather blankly as she tried to figure it out. Susie had a habit of spacing out on people.
The man cleared his throat and continued. “Dees ees my shop. I am JuanPierrePhillipe O’Toole…the third.” and offered his large hand to help Susie steady herself.
“Mr. O’Toole,” Susie politely took his hand “I’m sorry you startled me. I…I was just noticing your store for the first time. I have a purple panties boutique just around the corner.”
“Jes. I have zeen your shop. Eet’s very nass.”
Susie hoped “nass” meant “nice” and thanked him. “Maybe we should join forces or something. I have a great website that’s bringing in tons of orders but local business has been kinda slow.”
“Dat vould be very nass.”
So the two of them met and plotted regularly. Susie wanted to offer package his ‘n her deals to each other’s customers. What could be more brilliant than Susie’s lacey purple panties set off by JuanPierrePhillipe’s lime green Speedos? They were certain every celebrity couple would want a package or two…or two hundred. Working together, the sky seemed the limit.
Not long after Susie began to notice her business was slowing down. The few regular customers she had at the shop seemed to have vanished. She couldn’t figure out what was going on.
Just then Adred the Magic Cat strolls in looking for her kibble. “What’re all your people doing over at the weirdo Speedo shop?” she asked nonchalantly, “And where’s lunch?”
“My customers are at O’Toole’s?”
Adred nodded. “Ears are working, that’s good. Where’s. My. Lunch?”
Susie pointed to the bowl in the corner and rushed over to JuanPierrePhillipe’s lime green Speedo shop. Sure enough, there were her regulars.
After giving everyone in the place the hairy eyeball, Susie walked up to JuanPierrePhillipe “Can I please speak to you. Outside. Now!” She was already dragging him out the back door.
“Vut ees ze problem, Sussy.”
“It’s Susie! Why have you stolen all my customers?”
“Vell, I figured eef I sold ze purple panties here for less monies zen you charge…zen maybe I vould make more monies. Eet’s jest biznezz, you understand.”
“No, I certainly don’t understand. I think it’s rotten!” Susie stormed back to her shop where Adred was just finishing her meal.
“Told ya.” Adred smirked. “Listen, I haz friends, Susie. We can take care of this guy. It’ll cost you though. Two bags o’ catnip, at least. Maybe three. Let’s say three. ”
“Adred, no! He’s not a rat. Well, not a real rat anyway. I just can’t believe he did this to me.” Susie slumped down into the corner and held her head in her hands.
The cat took a deep breath, preparing herself for having to show compassion. She set her paw lightly on Susie’s knee. “Listen, this happens sometimes. People have a different idea of what collaboration and partnership means. Many people are only interested in their own bottom line. There’s no crime in that. But you can’t let it get to you. You can’t let it stop you from continuing to build bridges with other entrepreneurs.”
Adred lifted her paw to Susie’s chin, “Look at me, Susie.”
Susie sniffled and met Adred’s eyes.
“Susie, that guy’s a wanker. His business won’t last. The moment those women put his cheap-ass panties in the washer and they fall apart, they’ll come back to you. Stand tall and do not let this get you down. You promise me?”
“Yes, I promise.” Susie said. And she meant it, Adred’s words made sense (they always do).
–
When you see other people in your niche “borrowing” customers, ideas or even *gasp* your words…it means you’re doing something right! This is not a threat, it’s a compliment. Take it as a sign to keep doing what you’re doing.
Collaboration is always a risk. Truth is, we’re often collaborating with “competitors” who may have different ideas regarding business ethics. It doesn’t mean they don’t care or aren’t great people…they just have a different approach.
Trust your instincts, go with your gut and roll with the punches when necessary. But do, always, seek out new connections with your business.
PS: One of the finest examples of an amazing (albeit extremely unlikely) collaboration is my work with Peggie Arvidson. Our Perfect People Pickle Palmistry Solution has been a mad success. So. Much. Win!
