...to want to start an identical business?

[Anonymous83]

A few months ago, I had an idea for a business based on something I really enjoy doing. I don't want to say too much (which I know is annoying, sorry) as it's outing but let's say it involves teaching.

I found myself thinking about it more and more and came up with all sorts of different class types/scenarios/ways of expanding the idea. I am in no way the entrepreneurial type so to actually come up with a good idea was quite a big deal for me!!

Decided to google and see if anyone else was doing something similar. I found one business doing the same thing - to my surprise, all the ideas I'd thought of, they were already doing (I know that sounds like BS but I swear it's not!! Even the name I was toying with was similar to theirs!!). At first I thought oh, no, someone's had all the ideas I'd already come up with when I'd thought it was unique. Then I thought, this is ok, it's only one business in the whole of the UK doing it and the fact they are doing it successfully must mean it's not a completely stupid idea.

BUT then I looked at where they're based and FFS, it's 3 miles from where I live!! So they cover my local area!! And weirdly the woman who started it up has exactly the same professional background as me (completely unrelated to the new business).

If they'd have been based a few hundred miles away, I'd have had no worries about doing something similar. But I can't, can I, when they're right on my doorstep? It would look like I had completely stolen their ideas and started a copycat business?? But I feel so gutted that I can't pursue the one idea I've had in MY WHOLE LIFE.

Any clever ideas??

Move to a new area?

Contact her and see if she wants a partner?

Decide to go for it, compete with her and just brazen it out?

All competition is healthy isn’t it? If the demand is there why not?

Seems a bit pointless unlesxvtheres LOADS of opportunity in the area and she's run off her feet. Next city over??

You'll always have competitors in some form. Sooner or later someone else will do it too, you may as well get in first!

Yanbu, if either of you were any good you both would encourage sales for the other increasing awareness and need for whatever unique thing you're offering about. You might be competitors but that doesn't mean you're not good for each other.

Might be nice to send them a small message once you get going noting your similarities and saying how it is a total fluke and how nice it is that you might get someone who knows a little of what you're going through. You could also decide to base yourself in next major city over and the surrounding areas of that which also cover your own? EG if she's 3 miles north, you go 3 miles south and you're 6 miles away from each other?

Wow, thanks all. I was expecting to get a bit flamed so it’s lovely to get supportive mssgs. Totally agree that there’s always competition somewhere but I’d feel better if I was looking to do something that loads of other people were doing rather than just one niche company as then it wouldn’t look so much like I was ripping off someone’s idea. Food for thought...

I've just started a business I thought was unique. Turns out many have tried before me and failed. So I'm trying to find out as much as I can about why they failed. So I can learn from their mistakes. I'll make different mistakes I'm sure.

Google was not the first search engine. I just did things in the best/easiest/quickest way.

Can you compete in the same market? Are there enough customers to really go for it and provide a source of income you can live from?

Can you work a different patch? Be non-competing across a different target market?
Ie teaching French instead of Spanish? I know it's not that simple but do you get what I mean?

Or can you brazen it out if a war of words erupts on Facebook? Would it impact your credibility to be called an idea thief with no way to deny it?

I would try to meet up with her and sound out any collaboration opportunity. Is she turning customers away? Does she have people from outside her 'area' that she would normally work? Does she have enough capital to keep running the business? What can you offer? How does your skill set complement hers?

I would be honest, but that is just me. I would probably be put off it and never stop kicking myself. If you're not a natural entrepreneur (like me) how would you plan to develop your skill set to plug all the gaps? Perhaps start from there while you watch and wait? See if the business thrives (in which case, there is plenty of room for competition) or if it shows signs of failing.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

I don't see how you can do it if there's someone else 3 miles away doing the same thing. You probably won't get enough business anyway, especially if she is well established.

I really would move to another city and set up there.

Shoelaces - lots of wise words there, thank you. Part of what made me think I was being clever was that I’d thought of how to target lots of different customer types - but that’s what she’s done too. Think I’m like you and would want to be honest/connect with her in some way...a “war of words” is not really what I’d want!

Cyantist - yes, you’re right, I’d absolutely have to research the market properly.