Friendly Competition Wins

Tuesday Thoughts for Women Entrepreneurs, Female Business Owners, Small Business Owners

A couple years ago a woman walked into an event and sat down alone at the table. Realizing she was new to our programs; I went over to introduce myself and make her feel welcomed. Although the event was in a comfortable room at a country club, as an event planner, I wanted venues to be reflective of my home thereby greeting guests like I would at home was my philosophy.

At the end of the event, the woman came up to me and thanked me for my hospitality and asked me to contact her about sharing my challenge of running a company after a medical diagnosis in a new book she was collaborating on with other women. Earlier this week, that book arrived with my story right next to hers because of the alphabetically spelling of our names and because being a gracious, warm hostess established an instant bond.

By nature, people are competitive beings, in sports, school, organizations, and economic pursuits. Growing up participating in all of these activities combined with a keen Scorpio personality, I excelled in competition until opening up my first business where some competitors embraced me and one in particular went after my clients. I was almost given a sizable contract, my competitor and I were vying for, until the prospective client told me the other company told them I spent too much time with my children and not on my business.

As I pushed my chair away from the interview table I said, “I would suggest you speak with my clients, not a competitor about my dedication to their work.” By the time I stomped my way back to my office five blocks away because I was furious at my competitor, I told myself I wouldn’t take the offer if I was given it because of the question and assumption on the part of the interviewer. Sure enough, he offered me the job, and I turned it down, because sometimes other things in business matter more than money.

So today as you contemplate vendors, customers, partners or advisors that sometimes doubt your work ethic or value, take time to consider if the business is worth your time and effort, especially if your gut instincts are shouting at you. When you turn down a potential bad project, you end up opening your time to a better one, and you’ll be happier, and most likely richer, in the end.