I am starting a business in competition with a friend. How do I tell her?

Hi Aunty B,

I have a very small dilemma on my hands. I want to start up a children’s music class in my area, which is a fairly small regional city about the size of Hobart. I have a background in biology and am currently completing my PhD. I have two small children, who are nearly four and two.

I want to bring in more money without committing myself to an employer. I am also a musician and I adore children. Therefore, a children’s music class makes sense, as it would give me the flexibility I need with my studies and also work well around my children’s preschool hours.

The problem is that a friend of mine has a fairly successful music class for toddlers and I don’t want to appear to be encroaching on her territory. I wouldn’t be conducting my classes in the suburbs she works in and my basic class format would be very different, but I still feel a bit uneasy about it.

It probably sounds a bit silly, but I don’t know quite how to approach the subject with her. I would like to get some guidance and feedback from her, but I also don’t want to sound like I’m asking her permission to do the class.

Any suggestions on how to approach this with her would be gratefully received.

Thanks,
B

Dear B,

Wow. If I were her I would want to rip your throat out with my bare teeth! Of course you are going into business in competition with her.

But then I would say that. I am very entrepreneurial and if I were in her position, I would be planning to move into those suburbs you are eyeing off and then setting up The Global Toddler School of Music before next week.

Here is what you must do. Sit down with her and be very honest. Tell her that this is what you want to do and ask her how she feels about it. Ask her what her plans are. Tell her your idea.

Suggest ways that she could benefit – after all you have been picking her brains about this for a few years and it would be nice to give something back.

You may be able to refer people to her. You may be able to specialise in specific instruments that she doesn’t cover.

Acknowledge that it is her example that has given you the idea which is why you should rightly feel a bit awkward approaching her.

You want to come away from this with your friendship still strong and a plan that will help both of you. At the end of the day that is what business is about.

In fact, if I were you I would talk to her about coming on board as a business partner.

So go with goodwill and don’t be defensive.

Good luck!
Your Aunty B

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