Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by luluperuse on December 17, 2010 at 10:43am

Thank-you for sharing that!  It applies not only to my hooping, but to the new business I'm starting up, as well.

 

Sometimes I feel threatened because I think my "competition" is better than me... is that a good thing, to be pushed a little to try harder?

 

I'm not generally a competitive person.  I get competetive when a person is getting competitive with me first, and then I am like, "Oh yeah?!"  But mainly I challenge myself with the vision of where I want to be.

 

Also, what if you are from a small town and there is already a hoop instructor, and you want to respect them and what they do, but you also wouldn't  mind teaching as well?  Should you not teach out of respect for them, or do what will bring you joy?  Not even that I want to teach, but I would love to bring hooping to the community through jams and things, but feel like I am stepping on this person's toes.

 

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by elizabeth molino on December 17, 2010 at 12:23pm

Tell the instructor what you mean to do. That way you wont feel like you're sneaking it. I would even go so far as to ask if you could post flyers about the jam in their studio. Why not? Both of you will benefit from it as far doing what you love goes.

I sold a woman a hoop once and she told me that she had been wanting to try it out but was just looking for the right person to buy a hoop and learn from. Different strokes for different folks. Maybe you could bring people into hooping that the other instructor couldn't. It makes no difference why.

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Permalink Reply by Barbra of HoopPretty.com on December 17, 2010 at 11:59am

Very powerful article, Shakti! Your dad is a wise guy. ;) I'm following his blog + tweets now.

 

We all have something unique to offer and this is a great reminder of that. Comparison is a killer.

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Permalink Reply by Lara on December 17, 2010 at 1:02pm

This is such a relevant topic, Shakti. It's certainly a part of one's journey in small business, at some point in time.

 

I tried taking imitation as flattery at first. But what finally squashed the icky feelings for me was realizing how much I owed my "competitors" for my own success. I traded in irritation for gratitude ... realizing that other companies were helping me to remember to push myself, continue innovating, and never stop creating!

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Permalink Reply by Neon Emu on January 26, 2011 at 12:10pm

Jeez that is a great way of looking at it. Love your transformation, you have inspired me to remind myself of this more often. :)

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Permalink Reply by Danielle Lee on December 17, 2010 at 9:57pm

I definitely agree in the atmosphere of abundance! It has totally worked in Madison. It used to just be me teaching hooping and selling hoops, but now there are a total of four instructors! I've made a point to talk with each of them about what has worked for me and where I think things have been successful, and to help promote them (although we are all independent).The collaboration has been awesome: we each are different people so we each have our own niche.

 

I think it's really cool too because the more that hooping is accessible to the general public, the more people want to hoop! My classes have continued to sell out, and I think it's because of the atmosphere of openness and abundance. Plus, each of my "competitors" has remained a great friend within the hoop and we can continue to learn through cross pollination.

 

I like the parallel with yoga studios: there are a ton of them around. Let's do the same with hooping!

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Permalink Reply by Maria/HoopME! on December 17, 2010 at 11:02pm

I love what Danielle said. I've often thought that hooping should be similar to yoga....there are so  many avenues to take it! I hope that's not oversimplifying either practice to say that.

 

This is timely for me, because I recently had a hoop instructor tell me that I should definitely fear competition. I reject that thinking.

 

I could probably be seen as an interloper where hooping is concerned. I have only been hooping since June. On a complete whim I tried a small beginner class and suddenly found I had my hands full with a business. I didn't do much in terms of advertising and promoting except share my love and enthusiasm for hooping. There are very few hoop instructors in my area, and people are interested and enthused by what hooping is all about. I don't sell myself as a professional, I have too far to go. I'm a beginner who can facilitate others journey by sharing what I've learned thus far. North and South an hour and a half from where I live are a number of very excellent hoop instructors who have been at it far longer than I.  I've always been very straight forward with fellow hoopers when I pick their brains. I ask for advice, I know I need it. If I like an idea I ask if I could use it or incorporate it with what I'm doing.  In terms of the other few hoop instructors who are around me, I think we can and should work together wonderfully! We all teach differently, appeal to different types of people, all at different levels, there is room for all. If a hoop instructor with experience and business savvy moved into my area tomorrow, I would be the first at his/her door, asking questions, wanting to learn from. Not to compete, but to better my personal practice.

I have and will continue to recommend other hoop instructors, and other local hoop makers to my own students. I had a gentlemen tell me that it was crazy to do that, and it was no way to run a business. I told him I wasn't going to let money win over ethics. That doesn't work in the long run. Building community is more important. Our businesses will thrive and grow if we support each other, encourage each other, and  yes, boost each others business here and there when appropriate.

 

I love the point someone made when they said this is like the art community. There is competition in the art community, but there is also support. Healthy competition is one thing, unsupportive is another.

 

Great post and great food for thought!

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Permalink Reply by Dreena of Cirque-ular Hoops* on May 16, 2011 at 2:36pm

This is a great thread.

 

You echo alot of the same sentiments or scenarios that I'm in as well.

 

I found hooping by accident about a year ago, and had wanted to try it. In treatment for obesity (yes, I was a very, very large person and fighting for my life...) I found that this might be an activity that I could do.  I couldn't find much information so started with looking at things online.  I had hoped to find a hoops somewhere and wouldn't you know it...I couldn't get one locally (that I knew of) or missed some opportunities. 

 

This worked out well anyways, because my husband ended up building me a series of hoops..try and try again...I needed a whopping 56" hoop to actually be able to keep it up and move with it.   My friends started noticing my improved health and asked what I was doing and I told them.  I started feeling like maybe I COULD actually take a class somewhere, with other people!, but it was still embarrassing as I was quite large, had a bad hip, other health issues and couldn't hoop for very long (and geez! the size of my hoop! LOL). (it wouldn't fit in my car).  I had made enquiries about joining some classes that other friends had found on my behalf, but totally backed out.  for all of the reasons I mentioned before.

 

 So fast forward to the summer, me just hooping at home and my friends REALLY wanted a small backyard hoop gathering.  That's how we started...just a few plus sized ladies...hooping in the sun in the backyard. 

 

WHen snow started to fly they URGED me to consider renting space and teaching a small class and showing them what I'd been learning via youtube and a beginner class of SaFires.  So I contemplated thru the fall, and yes with my friends holding me up and feeling good about my health changes...I jumped right in.  Just like you!  Funny how life has plans for us sometimes... 

 

I taught my first class at the end of November 2010.  It's weird, I'm very shy, this is out my league, but I'm doing it because other people, plus-sized, struggling with health can benefit. I benefit from the activity. I also ADORE the people I'm meeting. It's changed my life. 

 

By accident or the universe's greater plans....because anyone who KNOWS me knows that I'm shy.  Think of the chubby kid hiding in gym class...that was always me!  But oh my stars, I'm having the time of my life now thanks to friends, family and supportive and inspiring people.  So thank you to anyone in this hoop community who has ever leant me a kind ear and word of encouragment!  You all are awesome!

 

Thanks for your response, it touched my heart in many ways. Your thoughtful view, your considerations on both sides of the fence.  It's too easy to be misunderstood and everyone needs support at some time.  Here's to lifting each other up and hooping for the greater good!

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Permalink Reply by Whitney Renee on December 30, 2010 at 3:46pm

I love your dad's article. As a business major, I get so tired of getting competition shoved down my throat. I think I shall show this article to a few of my profs. (The few that tolerate "others opinions") After all, I do want my degree. lol. =]

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Permalink Reply by Harlow [Hulacination Hoops] on January 26, 2011 at 11:34am

Oooh thanks for this. I just started selling hoops last year and have only really just started selling them regularly. At the moment I really just focus on providing people with the hoops they want for as little money as possible because that's what I wanted when I started hooping but there was no one around here that did that. I know they're not the best hoops but they're good for beginners. I started getting more business oriented with them recently and I could see myself getting competitive. I'm almost nervous someone else around here will start selling hoops to the same spinning community I'm part of because I'm fairly certain they'll make them better haha, but at the same time I know that's totally irrational because that's not really what it's about (:

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Permalink Reply by EvervescencE on May 16, 2011 at 1:33pm

Your Dad IS brilliant! Thank you for sharing this.  I think it can be intimidating trying to make your way into established business territory but this article reminds me why it is worth it do it.  For me doing what I love is about living a life that is true to myself, a life of passion, and I know scarcity thinking won't get me there.  Thank you (and your amazing Dad) for this reminder. :)

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Permalink Reply by Ann Humphreys on May 16, 2011 at 8:38pm

This is great.  You and your dad are both awesome.

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