Competition and Confidence
I don’t know what it’s like in schools these days, as it’s been over 25 years since I was there myself, but I remember competition being seen as a good thing and competitiveness being encouraged as a positive trait. Can the same be said for industry and the competitiveness of the market? I think you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle competition. Some remain calm and humble in their approach, while others let fear show itself through anger and frustration. Personally, I think competition is healthy and something that keeps you on your toes.
This little bike industry we’re part of is small, and once you get into the more niche corners of it, it becomes even smaller. In any industry, you’re going to have competitors, but that doesn’t mean the competition has to be hostile. I see it more as motivation, because if there’s no competition, what’s pushing you to improve what you’re doing? It’s almost naïve to think you can cruise through an industry without someone eventually coming along to challenge your ability to adapt and become better. You see it happen all the time some companies rise to the challenge and evolve, while others simply drown.
Character and confidence play a huge role in how people handle competition. Since starting Rune, we’ve had other brands reach out to us, and many have been incredibly humble, complimentary, and supportive. Others, though, have reacted from a place of fear and insecurity, choosing confrontation over composure. To me, that kind of response only highlights a lack of confidence and ultimately does more to stunt an industry than help it grow.
It also comes down to choice. Not everyone is into the same thing, and having different options available is what helps an industry grow. If you’re getting into bikes but aren’t drawn to carbon frames or mainstream branding, and that’s all that’s available, you might quickly feel like the industry simply isn’t for you.
That’s a big part of why I started Rune. As someone who has always been particular about bikes, and who was fortunate enough to have experience within the industry, I felt there was space for something that was missing. In the same respect, though, it would be pretty narcissistic of me to lose my mind if someone else started something along similar lines. I believe people should be free to share their ideas and offer their own perspective, without others trying to dictate what they can or can’t bring to the same audience.
Some of the best industries out there are also the most competitive. The more people innovate and create something that resonates, the more it pushes others whether they’re already established or just entering the space to raise their level and do something even better.
My wife is American, and she’s always joking about the lack of options we have in the UK for even the most everyday products. She literally gets her mum to include ziplock bags in the clothing packages she sends over for our daughter. In America, you seem to have a hundred options for anything you want to buy, whereas in the UK things can feel pretty limited. As Brits, we often think the amount of choice in the U.S. is ridiculous, but I’ll say this they do make some bloody good ziplock bags.
I’m not saying this little bike space should turn into some ruthless competitive market not at all. What I am saying is that competition, when approached with the right attitude and a genuine confidence in what you’re doing, can be a great motivator. It pushes people to improve, innovate, and ultimately helps move an industry forward in a healthy way.