How She Handled a Competitor Who Copied Her

Anyone can duplicate a design, a product, or a pitch, but they cannot replicate your specific operational reliability, industry expertise, or deep customer relationships.

I learned that imitation often comes from people who once underestimated you, they may replicate what they remember, without realizing you've already evolved far beyond the version of you they knew. I don't respond by competing or explaining, I keep building, protecting what I create, and allowing growth, ownership, and execution to speak for me.

They can have all the ingredients, and still can't cook like me.

I've had moments where I've watched ideas I poured my heart, time, and energy into be imitated, and at first, it was hard not to take it personally. But I reminded myself that someone can copy an idea but they can't copy my story, my relationships, or the heart behind why I started, so I chose to keep showing up, evolving, and letting my impact speak for itself.

I haven't really experienced competition in the traditional sense, especially working in public service. Our work is much more collaborative, and there are often multiple organizations trying to address the same needs in the community. There have definitely been times when ideas, approaches, or ways of doing things have been picked up by others. I've learned not to focus too much on who gets credit for an idea. If something I helped develop is useful enough that someone else wants to build on it, I try to see that as a positive. For me, the best response is to stay focused on the quality of my own work, keep growing, and continue bringing something valuable to the table. You can spend a lot of energy worrying about what someone else is doing, or you can put that energy into continuing to improve what you do. I've found the second approach serves me much better.

Multiple times I've been imitated by people who refuse to acknowledge my influence. They sit, watch, study, and apply, but never express gratitude. Initially, I was offended at their pompousness and blatant disregard for my efforts and expertise, but then I realized that unprocessed individuals will never proceed with protocol. They simply do not understand how it works. Being angry at someone who sees your trials and triumphs as their ticket to success, without ever acknowledging your contributions becomes vanity. It is a waste of your time and strength. I've learned instead to take it as flattery. Oscar Wilde said it this way, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness." No matter how much a person wants to dunk like Michael Jordan, unless they put in Jordan's work ethic, possess his natural and trained ability, and have the capacity for his instinctive savoir-faire, they will simply be imitators seeking to obtain the glory of the real thing. When you've paid the price and endured the testing, you bear the marks of the true champion. Even then, humility is the best road to take.

I learned that imitation isn't a threat, it's confirmation that you're doing something worth noticing. I stayed focused, stayed kind, and kept creating at a level only I can deliver.