A while back, someone on Naturalprenuer asked this:
I used to give a lot of information away on You Tube when I first began making products. Eventually the hobby turned into a small, yet profitable business. From time to time (more often than not), I get people asking “Where do you get your products from?” “Where do you get your jars from?” “How did you start your business?” “Can I just have all the information you worked so hard for, for FREE?” LOL! How do you politely answer those that want all of your information and/or product knowledge? -Montina
That’s a great question. If someone ever asks me for help, by default, I will try my best to do so even after the fact that there can be undesirable consequences for it. No one wants to help another person if it means them competing against them with those tools afterward. Here were some of the greatest responses that I felt were received:
Vanessa says: I get the same thing for my fabrics all of the time. Searching/finding resources is a job within itself. There are very few who I “exchange” info with. I no longer share. Everything is not for everybody and I find that most who ask do not themselves share info.
Another thing that I have learned from my own experiences is that some people can taint your reputation or your relationships w/the resources that you share with them by abusing or disrespecting the very privilege that you have entrusted them with. Charging for this privy information will be an excellent “weed eater.”
Eshe says: The best answer is, “Girl, you can Google -Up anything!”
Mireille says: People are funny like that. But I feel like the people who ask you this, you can give them even the ingredients for free and they will screw it up because they don’t get the basics any way.
Miriam- I think if someone is trying to access ALL of your information, they won’t succeed. As someone said earlier, it’s a process and if you don’t work through the process, your product won’t succeed. Since I started Tshombe, I have shared tons of info with friends who have caught the entrepreneurial bug from me. I have set many on the path of contacting their Sec’y of State to register their biz, I’ve connected a few to my trademark attorney (www.flatefeetrademark.com), etc… But when it comes down to it, if they do not have the passion and drive to do the homework to create their own unique product, they will probably get overwhelmed by the sheer complexity of it all and give up.
I really, REALLY love this answer:
I think there has to be a balance. There will be some who just want to be nosy and not do anything with the info. Those you can spot and just give a pat answer and they’ll go away. There will be those who are truly seeking. Those you should be able to spot as well. Give them an answer that was more thought out and detailed. If they come back, maybe you can set up a mentorship or something. I can’t imagine a small business owner would be so defensive to not want to share ANYTHING with ANYONE who asks just so they can retain their leg up on the rest of the industry. If someone tries to steal your idea just know their success won’t last long, it never does. If your stuff is that good it will stand the test of time. If it gets flooded by competition then maybe you need to step up your game. We all started out at the bottom. Some people really do need a hand getting out of it… -Lyria
I’d say that if you have the time, give the person the help that they may ask you for. Who knows? Maybe they could someday return the favor when you’re in need. You also have to think about all of those who selflessly helped you. It would only be right to give back that same love that someone else showed you.
