Friend beat me to a business idea

[Pashola]

This is a lightheaded AIBU...
I'm not usually a crafty person but lockdown has got me bored and thinking, I've found an idea that I want to start making and possibly start to sell, if it doesn't take off then no big deal.
I haven't told anyone about this idea (it's all over the internet anyway, it's not a new idea) but besides my DH, I was keeping it to myself until I'd made a few and was going to start a page.
One of my good friends has just messaged that she has made the same item and is hoping to start selling them 🤦🏻‍♀️

We live in a small town so if I do it too I'll be stepping on her toes and I don't want that. AIBU to be upset by my only idea that has failed before it even began?

You should be delighted that you are going to be saved time and expense. These always seem like a good idea but very rarely are.

Competition doesn't equal failure.

Read Lean Start-up by Eric Ries.

Is it a cloth face mask? As I know all the makers in Australia can't keep up.with demand. So you know two in a town won't be so bad.

I agree with Crokof!

Usually just starting a page isn't enough. There are lots of pages. You need to market it and to more than friends and family. Making the product becomes the smallest part of what you do. There's the photographs - which means thinking about lighting and colours. Lots of details that are not making the product! It can be fun, but it is far more of a commitment than making the product and having people buy them, assuming you'd actually want it to be a business that lasts.

However, if it's something you really feel passionate about, don't let this put you off, use it to help factor in all the extras involved!

Making masks?

That’s life I’m afraid. Unless you are a genius no idea you have will be unique or even interesting, and if you don’t act fast enough someone else will beat you.

No it's not face masks, it's more a kids decor type item.

I'll just let it go, it was going to be more of a hobby for me and if it took off, then great, but it will literally look like I'm just copying her now, especially as I'm not usually the crafty type.
I just never have these ideas or urges so was quite excited about it and now i have to let it go.
I might just make one for my kids and take some photos, some other non-mutual friends might still be interested

Oh I hope it’s not a Christmas box, or a pen painted plate.
Groan
It’s that time of year
Although I think people buy the boxes if they are well made

If you make it and the product is of a good standard you could sell them on Etsy. Could you make one before you next see her and say you can’t believe that she is making the same thing as you?

I've found an idea that I want to start making and possibly start to sell,

'Possibly sell' ?

Why would you make them and not sell them, or are they cakes and it's just an excuse so you can eat them yourself?

If you sell via Etsy/folksy/eBay/amazon handmade then it won't matter if you live next door or even in the same house. Buyers won't care.
It only becomes an issue if you are selling via your local Facebook page, so don't do that!
Tell your friend and aim for different markets.

I too was going to suggest Etsy. Then it also doesn’t matter where she lives in relation to you as you’d be posting the yen’s out to customers. Have a look and see if the item is already sold there.

Could you suggest doing it together?

Yes discuss doing it together and using Etsy if applicable?

But business isn’t a zero sum game. Is there only one doctor in your town? One shop? One bar?

Don’t let someone doing something identical put you off because in reality it’s not identical. People will gravitate to you based on your marketing and message. Some will like you some won’t. That’s business but there are always more customers.

If an aim is to make money selling handmade items it’s important to do the maths: in most cases there isn’t a market at prices high enough to cover your labour costs.

If they're a good friend how about doing it as a joint venture? Or do it on etsy so it's postal and wont matter that you live near each other.
Alternatively just dont bother, there is rarely much money to be made in such things.

Yabu for not telling us what it is!

OP. Think long and hard about a joint effort. Many friendships don’t last doing that. I know from experience. (Looong story).

Can you make them well enough to sell? Will you make money by doing it? Are you prepared to put in the work involved? It is hard work, for sometimes little reward, to get your products in front of the right customers. Have you thought about insurance (public liability at least), postage and packing costs, tax implications, any relevant legislation to what you're selling, does it need to be CE tested?

YANBU to be disappointed

Can't you be honest and tell her you made some and we're thinking about selling them? She may suggest going into business together ....

Just create an Etsy shop instead

If you say what it is we can help you decide whether to go for it

Me and a friend make the same thing and we are just very careful to set roughly the same price point and then we just get on with it! We advertise and package differently, my niche is insanely bright and crazy fabric, whereas hers are more muted and sensible. We compliment each other and comment on each other's posts.

There is not always a tiny amount of space for us. This doesn't mean your friend has stolen the only seat in the theatre. Just do it and make it your own! Plenty of companies make the same thing, maybe advertise further afield. My friend tends to sell more locally than I do, that's another difference. Your passion and the fact that it was your idea may trump her initial enthusiasm in the end.

Did you tell her about the idea?

Please don't suggest going into partnership with her. That should never be done casually and usually ends in tears.