This is the fourth post in my series of posts of things to consider before you launch a creative business.
Today we’ll explore the reasons to (or not to) keep your new business a secret.
Have you ever told someone close to you that you wanted to do XYZ and they gave you several reasons why it wouldn’t work or why you shouldn’t do it?
Did you wish, right away that you hadn’t said anything?
Did it affect what you did next? Did you decided NOT to do XYZ because of what they said?
One of the most important things to do when you are thinking of starting a new business is to decide how many, if any, other people you will share your new venture with.
Early on in the planning stages of your business you may want to keep your ideas to yourself, especially if the people around you don’t tend to be very supportive or open to new ideas and changes. There is nothing that will take the wind out of your sails quite like a “Negative Nellie”. You know, the friend who has something negative to say about just about everything.
Are you working a day job while you are starting up your own business? Depending on where you work it may be a good idea to not let co-workers in on your plans. It may be a really good idea not to let your boss get wind of your plans. You never know what is going on behind the scenes in the boardroom and how knowledge of your new business might go over. If cutbacks are coming knowledge of your new start-up may put you at the top of the list of people to cut.
You may decide to keep your idea a secret if you feel it could easily be copied. While no one will rock your idea like you will, you may still want to keep your idea to yourself. At least until you are farther along, have a bit of experience, and have built up a reputation or client base. By that time you can consider any copy cats as competition that will keep you on your toes.
On the other hand here are some reasons you may want to spill the beans…
Do you have friends who are successful business people? You may find that by sharing your plans you have a network of teachers and mentors ready to assist you.
You may want to discuss your new business with the people you live with as it will probably affect them. You will be working longer hours and you may need your partner to take up some of the slack. If you are taking up some of the common living space with your business it is important to discuss this with your housemates.
What are your experiences with keeping (or telling) a secret like this?
Did something come of it that surprised you?
Please share your ideas in the comments below.
You can find the other posts in this series here:
By: Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess
- Real Life Sales: Getting Your Crafts Into a Shop - November 18, 2020
- How to Make Money Blogging - November 4, 2020
- How to Make Money Blogging - November 30, 2017
This is so true. I have a group of friends that I can easily talk to about my crafting ventures without worry of getting purely negative responses, but other than that, I don’t bother talking about it in any great length or at all.
Thanks for the feedback! I’m the same way.
I know exactly who to tell and who not to tell. I have a core group of about 4-6 friends that are always asking “when are you going to start selling your stuff”. So, when I told them that I was in the process of taking the proverbial plunge, they were extremely happy and supportive. My mom, was the only one that I was leery about telling, but it turns out, she’s as excited as I am. So, as much as you want to keep starting up a business a secret, you can sometimes find support in the least likely of place, giving you even more of a boost! 😀
I made this mistake both at work and with my family. I keep my business plans under wraps now. Lesson learned. My best friend lives in Australia, but is my cheerleader and my research and development diva. She can find anything online, me..not so much. I found some good mentors and an excellent business coach. I am not where I want to be, but keeping things quiet has helped tremendously.