"A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats" :: Community Over Competition

As an entrepreneur, you probably assume when starting a creative small business that it's you against the world. You are the small fish in the large pond, with sharks lurking around every corner. You're struggling to break even, meanwhile competing against not only other small businesses, but corporate giants who are solidly established in the same industry you're trying to break into. Every client who goes to another competitor is just another indicator that you aren't cut out for this business. Your competitors have over 5K followers across all of their social media platforms and you're struggling to make it to 500. It's easy to resent these other people, right? I mean you deserve what they have. You work hard too! You know your stuff, you know you're talented. If it weren't for your competitors, you'd surely be far more successful and in effect, happier, right?

And now I want you to take everything you've just read, and repeat after me: "That. Is. Bullshit." Excuse my language, but let's call it like it is, shall we? It is that exact mindset that will not only hold you back, but will most likely, eventually run your business into the ground. So now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about #CommunityOverCompetition and how it can not only help grow your business, but your self confidence and ideal clientele as well.

First, let me say that I don't think being competitive is a bad thing. Competition keeps you motivated and striving to be the best you, you can be. It makes you continually reassess how you run your business and how you can grow it. I recently read this quote in an article from The Rising Tide Society (which is an AMAZING entrepreneurial movement centered around community over competition) and it is one of the best explanations I've heard yet: "Community over competition is competition rightly ordered - it's putting relationships before opportunity. It's an understanding that the best businesses serve others. Yes, the best businesses serve others -  their customer's lives are enriched through the company's products or services." In layman's terms, be a good person, love on others, and focus on doing right by your customers and your business. It's that simple.

When I first started working for Maggie, I had no idea what to expect from the wedding industry. I'd worked mostly in corporate America, where I would hear, literally everyday, my coworkers bash each other and their competition. It was an extremely negative environment. A big reason why I left, besides finding myself and my passions, was because I was so worn down with the constant stream of neighbor bashing and ill-will. Thank God I was pleasantly surprised by this industry! I have heard nothing but praises, positivity and encouragement from everyone I've spoken to thus far among the wedding industry, whether they be florists, designers and planners or photographers. They all seem to really enjoy each other's company and genuinely want to see each other succeed.

And, to make it even better, community over competition can even HELP your business. But Danielle, you gasp, how could this be possible?! Well, I'm glad you asked. We asked several of our "competitors" AKA good friends within the wedding planning and design industry to share with us how community over competition has helped their business, but first, here's a little inspo from the owner of Double G Events:

When I started this business six years ago, there were only four main planners in the Connecticut area and I never took the time to introduce myself or get to know them. HUGE mistake and if I could do it all over again, I would. As I grew, personally and creatively, I got to work alongside and get to know my competition and understand that they are some of the only people that will know what you are going through on a day to day. These people below are some of the most amazing and talented creatives I have met and now, they are not only my colleagues and co-workers, but my friends, allies and confidants. As a solo-preneur, we don't have the luxury of being in an office environment with someone in the next cubicle to bounce ideas of off, collaborate with, laugh, joke, vent, get lunch ... we are working from our home offices and studios, in our pajamas (yes, this is true - sometimes!) and it's comforting to know that some of these gals and guys are only a phone call, text or G-Chat away. There was a brief moment in 2014 where I wanted to close up shop, pack my bags and move to Colorado; mountains were calling me (they still are but I still got lots to do in Connecticut)! I met with Ms. Amy Cagginello of Amy Champagne Events and she said to me point blank, "I'm your competition and I'm telling you NOT TO QUIT! You have a portfolio, you have a passion. Don't let your past experiences dictate your future." And that re-ignited the fire under my bum. If my direct competitor was telling me to keep going, I was gonna listen. So I reworked my website, re-branded my image, logo, everything and started from scratch. I finally finished my business mentorship with Candice Coppola of Jubilee Events and now, we have just celebrated our sixth anni-birth-sary and I couldn't be more proud. I have learned that if you want to succeed in entrepreneurship you must surround yourself with people who challenge you and make you see things outside of your comfortable box. My fellow creatives have all contributed to my success; we have all jumped at one point and are continuously helping each other fly. 

​If that doesn't explain the love and respect our community has for each other, I don't know what else to say except, "A rising tide lifts all boats." ... and I hope we all win.

photo credit :: The Rising Tide Society

​Community over competition has helped me in so many ways. The most impactful hasn't been a recommendation or a referral (although those are beyond awesome) it's having a friend who goes through the same struggles I do on a daily basis. We have such an amazing job but sometimes the world could be crashing down on us with either a troublesome client or vendor drama and knowing that someone gets it, and gets me, has helped and inspired me through some tough situations. Ones that I laugh at now. I love my competition for that very reason!
- Amy Cagginello, Amy Champagne Events

For me, there are a few really fantastic components to the community over competition concept. I love that we can all bounce ideas off of each other, share suggestions and resources, and vent (if necessary!) to a group of peers and colleagues who just GET IT! No explanation required! I also think it is pretty amazing, and really- so rare!, for our little community to recommend each other regularly. Since we can each only be at one place at one time, usually!, often times we have to say NO to a client simply because of a date. But the fact that we can recommend other planners who may be available on the date is a really fantastic way to make sure everyone has the chance to find their ideal client! Share the love- it’s contagious and it comes back to you three fold later in life!
- Sarah Taggart, A Polished Plan

​The Connecticut wedding industry is so much more than a community to me. I rely on my fellow wedding planners for advice and support constantly throughout the year. I would lean on one of my fellow planner friends in an emergency if I couldn't follow through with an event day and I value their opinions about trade secrets, vendor referrals and just overall business advice. It is the community we have created together that makes competition not even a word in my vocabulary. Each of us posses our own unique talents that make us attractive to our ideal clients. I know that my ideal client isn't the same person who does book with my competition. It was learning that there is enough business for us all and there is a perfect client for each of our needs that makes my business stronger.
- Stacie Shea, Stacie Shea Events

​Community over competition is so beneficial in so many ways, not just to each of us personally and intellectually, but it's also such a positive practice that affects our couples! Getting  to know our colleagues allows us to be inspired and challenges our creativity. We could have a great idea, but brainstorming it with others who are in the same boat can turn a small idea in the best reality. We all love someone who understands us too, don't we?

It also allows us to put couples in the right hands should we not fit what they are looking for. After all, the matters closest to or hearts are the best intentions for our clients. We always recommend couples to our colleagues and friends if we are unavailable as we would want them to work with the best of the best!
- Diana Chouinard & Libby Basile, Jubilee Events

​One of the biggest benefits Community over Competition has had for my business has been the trusted sounded board I've developed with some pretty amazing people and peers in this industry. As a small business owner, many of us share the same concerns and issues that can arise with clients and the day to day operations of the business. Often times, I've needed someone to run a thought or and idea by, and what better perspective is there than from someone who shares similar experiences. As a result, you obtain unique insight into the matter at hand, and in turn develop strong relationships built on mutual trust and respect. I truly believe that helps elevate all of us and the industry as a whole.  
- Bill Parkinson, William Parkinson Events

So, the next time you start hearing that devil on your shoulder, whispering about comparing yourself to others, telling you that you aren't good enough, or even worse, encouraging you to undercut your "competition"... knock him the hell off, brush your shoulders off, hold your head high and embrace #CommunityOverCompetition.