What to say to people who intend to steal your ideas?

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What to say to people who intend to steal your ideas?
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Downsizer Forum Index -> Small Business Questions, Ideas and Advice

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Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 07 3:33 pm Post subject:

You don't make money running feltmaking courses - everyone thinks they can do it already

I was really embarrassed on a course I went on that was run by Chad Alice Hagen because it was full of biddies saying 'Oh, I don't do it like that!' and insisting on doing it their own way

The pinching ideas comments won't happen when I reach my proper market. Update on the mentoring scheme - I've been accepted if I want a place and they want to team me up with a succesful glass maker

sneeuwklokje

Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 277

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 07 9:35 pm Post subject:

Stacey wrote:

sally_in_wales wrote:

The only one that really irked me though was the lady who bought a booklet, then said 'that will be so useful, I'm going to photocopy it for all my friends'

That's outrageous

(

I feel your anger. It's even worse when an organisation steals your work, and, when you challenge them on it, they say: "oh so sorry! But, it was so good, can you write more?" Err...yes, only if you pay me? And then they pretty much laugh in your face, and *still* steal your work.

Why the hell people expect you to work for free, I have no idea. I seriously doubt they would.

Congrats on the acceptance!

Sarah D

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 2584

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 07 6:26 am Post subject:
Well done Stacey, hope it goes well.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 07 4:07 pm Post subject:

wellington womble wrote:

Stacey wrote:

I've applied to be part of a small business mentoring scheme where they'll assign me a consultant to help me find how to get to the market that's right for me. The last woman who did it makes applique tea cosies (amongst other things) and she now has a turnover in excess of 60k

That's an interesting resource? Is it a local or a national thing?

This is worth a new thread in its own right.

marigold

Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 07 4:29 pm Post subject:
Nothing you can do about stupid rude people, unfortunately. Off topic, but here's an idea for you Stacey - saw some ridiculously expensive knitted bunting featured in a magazine recently and thought of your felt jewellery and visualised luxurious felt bunting Thingmas decorations.... Just a thought

Blacksmith

Joined: 25 Jan 2005
Posts: 5025
Location: Berkshire

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 07 4:41 pm Post subject:

When I was plumbing, quite often after spending an hour working out a clients problem, quoting them a price, I was told " Oh its a bit more than i wanted to pay, my son in law will do it for me... how does he drain the system ? "

Was often tempted to say "Oh don't bother draining it, just change the valves over quickly.... be alright"

"Well madam, that is why I am charging you �75.00 to do the job... I know what I am doing......

Tittch

Joined: 17 Feb 2006
Posts: 1768
Location: Chichester

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 07 4:47 pm Post subject:
We used to have that with people copying our miniature books , so Matt then started to make little kits for people with instructions. Most people gave up about 30 seconds after they started and decided it was much easier to just buy the finished article!

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 07 4:57 pm Post subject:

marigold wrote:

Nothing you can do about stupid rude people, unfortunately.

Off topic, but here's an idea for you Stacey - saw some ridiculously expensive knitted bunting featured in a magazine recently and thought of your felt jewellery and visualised luxurious felt bunting Thingmas decorations.... Just a thought

I definitely want to think about thingmas deco's

I have 8 weeks to get loads of work done for the next show and then I'm going to concentrate on making stuff for the thingmas market and finding somewhere to sell them.

dottyspots

Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 286
Location: South Yorks

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 07 8:02 pm Post subject:

I've been planning to make some little felt and beaded stars - but nowhere in your league as they aren't from felt I've made, rather they're little things to sew up just for our own tree and perhaps a few pressies for people

I'm going to make some mini stockings too (knitted though), but again, for our own tree.

However, I've knitted a few corsages which I'm going to take with me to the next fayre I do this month just to see if there's any interest. They're wonderfully soft (made from Alpaca Silk, amongst other things), some with some beading. A few friends suggested I make some to sell, but I'm never sure whether it's people just being kind as I think they're so simple to make, will just have to see.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46269
Location: yes

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 07 8:22 pm Post subject:
i invented a method of producing images which has been copied and used in a national exibition the person credited his inspiration as other peoples work ,he got the cash but im smiling still cos the originals are FAR better than the homage it happens all the time in fine art ,in manufacturing and food , concentrate on producing the best and selling it well

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 07 8:47 pm Post subject:

I had a sudden bit of inspiration about your kits, stacey (completely out of the blue!) Instead of making up loads of kits, you could just make up one or two, for display purposes, and then if people want to know how to do it, show them the kit - if they want one, then point them to the raw materials in boxes, tell them to pick two from box A, one from box B and a handful our of box C, and put it in one of your lovely bags with the appropriate instructions.

Should allow you capitalise on the opportunity, feel all smug, offer bespoke kits and not be bored rigid making them up before you go.

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 07 8:45 am Post subject:

That's how I already make them up WW

The instructions have to be printed and laminated though and the care infor cards printed and cut out and the soaps have to be melted and moulded and wrapped and the raw fibre put in bundles (or people will just grab massive handfuls) They pick their own soap and own fibre bundle It all goes in a borwn paper bag with a sticker on it. I just find it incredibly dull

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 07 7:39 pm Post subject:
Ah well, so much of for my inspiration!

Stacey

Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 8380
Location: Kernow

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 07 9:20 am Post subject:

wellington womble wrote:

Ah well, so much of for my inspiration!

It's still a very good idea

It must be - I had it too

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 07 6:19 pm Post subject:

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