#SmallBusiness #Boundaries #Privacy #Etiquette
Hey everyone! 👋 So, I’ve been running a small online business lately and it’s been going pretty well. But you know what’s not going so well? Dealing with nosy people asking way too many questions about my business. 🤨
I mean, sure, I understand people being curious and all, but there’s a line, right? I don’t really feel like sharing my financial details or my manufacturing secrets with everyone who asks. 🤷♂️
So, how do you handle nosy people asking too much about your business? Here are a few ideas I’ve come up with:
– Politely deflect the question by saying something like, “I appreciate your interest, but I prefer to keep those details private.”
– Change the subject to something more general or light-hearted to steer the conversation away from your business.
– Set boundaries early on by letting people know in a friendly way that certain topics are off-limits.
What do you think? Share your thoughts and any strategies you’ve used to handle nosy questions about your business! Let’s help each other out. 😉
Little laugh, a wink, and “Corporate secrets!” said with a grin. Asking a question doesn’t entitle anyone to an answer.
Tell them when they invest in your company at the 100k level you will let them in on the formula
I’ve had some online businesses where I just told no one abt it. The most direct way to fix the problem. But in your situation, I agree with what conscious borders said
Underwhelm them
Shut it down. If the light hearted humor approach doesn’t work be direct. “I don’t discuss business matters with people not involved in the business”.
In my experience eventually you’ll get to a point where you won’t care and people won’t ask as your business will be too big to copy.
“Were you looking to create your own business? Here is information about my $10K coaching program where I will happily reveal my secrets of how I am building my business.”
“Are you curious, or are you interested?”
Depending on who they are to me and their answer I’ll give them the info.
I’m not afraid to share the secrets of my success (unless actual IP of proprietary information) – the market is big enough, and I know 99% of people will never put in the work
I’d ask you – why are you so concerned about sharing about your business?
I’d be as direct as possible so there’s no misinterpretation. “I prefer not to say or share right now but happy to offer advice in anything else you’re curious about”
They can pay you for a consultation. Asking for sources is so rude. You can teach them best practices for finding one that works or they can pay you big $$$ to divulge your source. People don’t really think through the things they ask since they just want answers and for you to cut to the chase, and that’s not how stuff works.
Outside of partnership info or clients information, I’m happy to share with people when they ask. I’ll tell them how much I make, my company/s etc. After all, when I was in a sales position I tried to get all the info I could to help my client. I’m happy to do the reverse.
I love the “how much are you making” one because, did you ask for gross or net? Two very different amounts. One would be great to retire early but I hsvr to pay taxes to keep your fat ass alive. (not you OP. But ppl who ask these questions)
“I don’t feel like talking about work”
“It’s in stealth”
Like the song goes:
“Wanna know the rest? Hey, buy the rights…”
[OMC – “How Bizarre”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2cMG33mWVY&ab_channel=OMCVEVO)
Tell them between $1000 a month to $100,000
I’ll tell people if asked when it’s an honest person who is looking for general info. But if someone is being just annoying I usually ignore them.
Ask them for a huge loan. $275,000. Tell them you’re good for it. You’ll pay back every single penny with interest. Then when they decline ask to hold onto $8,000.
I would just answer with jokes “less than working the same number of hours at Wendy’s!” – “I’ve got a bunch of elves locked up in the basement here – they make everything and it only costs me a few boxes of toll house cookies each week”
How did I do it? I got really drunk one night and woke up as the owner of a new startup!
Generally answer them. I may not give a precise number, “last month we did 5 figures of sales” or something, as far as the other details I’ll generally share them. The people I’m actually competing with already know the answers. If I’m that dependent on a person finding out that info I wasn’t going to succeed long term anyways.
Curiosity about the business is fine, if I’m really getting tired about it I’ll just say “business is going well, but it’s been a long week id talk about anything else”
Shhhh, trade secrets
Tell them: pay to answer
There’s reslticely little information I’m private about. Maybe trade secrets. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and what we’ve learned across the way. But it’s always your choice regarding how much discretion you want to have, and how you want to handle it.
“Oh I don’t want to bore you with my finances”
I usually lie, and bullshit them, or just blow them off and ignore them.
Tell them you don’t keep proper records so you don’t know how much you are making.
“It all depends on the day.”
Followed immediately by a pivot to stay on topic or wrap up the conversation.