A new friend

Last week I posed the question: ‘Am I being stalked?’. I knew that the person doing this would see the blog post if she was indeed watching what I do. So I did wish to communicate with her – as well as seeking others’ opinions on how they would handle such an occurrence. Well a problem shared is a problem solved – so thank you for the comments I have received (many by email and privately).

I did receive an email from the founder of the ‘copycat business’ herself. It takes a big person to make such an apology. Since this initial email exchange (see below) I have had more correspondence from her thanking me for my marketing suggestions and agreeing to phase out balloons in any of their promotional work. So a great result in turning a foe into a friend. This was never about her being a competitor because I have no intention of entering that geography… It was about protecting the essence of our creative energy.

Here is the correspondence I received:

Dear Naomi,

First and foremost, an introduction of who am I. I believe you have heard of the company called XXX – and this company is very much inspired by Red Balloon & Red Letters.

Seeing two very successful women take off in this business has inspired me very much to start something similar. I understand that I’ve become too consumed in trying to be these two very successful women (yourself and Rachel Elnaugh) that I may have accidentally tread on the wrong road path – a path that is not my own.

I would like to apologise if I have cause any kind of unpleasant feelings on your end. I’m very new to being an entrepreneur, and quite frankly – am looking up to you and Rachel as my role models.

XXX is totally based in XXX – and we have no intention at all to penetrate the Australia market. We’re here to introduce the concept to people who are dwelling here – to buy experience gifts for their friends and family who lives in XXX.

You have given me a wake up call indeed – a call for me to finally realise I have to create my own personality rather than duplicating yours. That is something that I will now focus on.

Once again, I’m truly apologetic about my distasteful actions and I would appreciate your understanding on this.

And here is my response….

Hello XXX,

Thank you for this apology it is appreciated and accepted. I have mentored many people and supported them as they commence their business journey. In fact, I just met with a young fellow in Spain who is about to start an experiences business and I was most happy to share my years of wisdom with him.

You are in a different geography… And I wish you well – experience gifting is very exciting and a fabulous business.

I have one request – and that is that you cease using balloons in your promotion or even with the gifts. The world is a small place and there are many expatriates between each of our countries. I would hate people to think inadvertently that we are one in the same company.

You have a beautiful concept – perhaps you could make it more of a feature… Getting big luscious ribbons produced in a signature shape – so that every one knows it.

I’d appreciate you letting me know that you have removed the helium balloons from your activity.

I do wish you all the best… and lot’s of fun on your entrepreneurial journey and I’m sure that we will meet in person at some time in the future.

Kind regards
Naomi

I love a happy ending… and a problem shared brought the best result.

Thankyou.

Naomi Simson is the 2008 National Telstra Women’s Business Award winner for Innovation. Naomi was also a finalist for the Australian HR Awards and a finalist for the BRW Most Admired Business Owner Award in 2008. Also in 2008 RedBalloon achieved a 97% Hewitt employee engagement score. One of Australia’s outstanding female entrepreneurs, Naomi regularly entertains as a professional speaker inspiring middle to high-level leaders on employer branding, engagement and reward and recognition. Naomi writes a blog and has written a book sharing the lessons from her first five years.