I run a small retail business. Not an easy way to make a living. I've been working hard for 2 years and am now just about making minimum wage.
As part of the business I sell items made by other people. Over the summer I worked with a lady who'd been made redundant get started with selling. I tried very hard to be supportive because from experience I know that redundancy can be a really mentaly tough time.
Anyway, I've just learnt that she now plans to take a shop lease across the road and open a business that competes directly with mine. I'm gutted. There really isn't enough money in our small town to support both of us.
There are so many other places she could have done this - why directly across the road!? As well as being a bad business move it also seems just plain rude!
Having just started to get on my feet, this feels like a massive blow.
I know I am going to have to start protecting my business and tell clients that they can only sell with me if they don't sell with her. It all feels like it is going to end badly and cause upset in this small town.
Should I try and put her off and point out to her that I'm hardly making any money after 2 yrs?
Is there anything else I can do?
Or is this just life and I should suck it up and knuckle down?