Episode #360
The Stories We Make Up: Competition, Comparison & Getting It Wrong
How often do we see something, fill in the missing pieces ourselves and then react to the story we've created? Probably more often than we'd like to admit. Julie and Dan are back together at Casa De Collins for one of those conversations that starts in one place, takes several unexpected turns, and somehow lands on a lesson we probably all need. Julie shares the story of a small business owner who spent years growing an independent bath and body brand, opened a brick-and-mortar location and then discovered that Bath & Body Works was moving in right next door. Cue the panic. But Julie sees another side of the story. What can small business owners learn from situations like this? How do you protect yourself, understand your agreements and, more importantly, stop allowing competition to convince you that there isn't room for you? Because somebody else doing what you want to do doesn't mean you missed your chance. Sometimes it's evidence that there's a market for it. Then Julie shares a viral clip from a San Francisco Giants game that had the internet judging a husband who appeared to let his wife struggle with a baby and food while he sat comfortably in his seat. Julie judged him too. Until she heard the rest of the story. What looked like an inconsiderate husband turned out to be a tiny glimpse into a much bigger story involving exhaustion, grief and a wife intentionally trying to care for her husband. Julie realized she'd filled in all the missing information herself and gotten it completely wrong. 09272026dj That leads Julie and Dan into a conversation about assumptions, comparison, business, relationships and the stories we tell ourselves about what other people must be thinking. They also manage to wander into hurricanes, fall in Connecticut, Julie's upcoming trip to New York City, Brave Moves, ballroom dancing and Dan's unfortunately named favorite pants. Because, well...Casa. In This Episode The difference between leadership and control What Julie learned from Kenneth and Caroline Kollasch What happens when a major competitor moves in next door Why contracts and lease details matter for entrepreneurs How small businesses can differentiate themselves from major brands Why competition doesn't mean there isn't room for you The danger of comparison and despair The viral baseball video Julie completely misjudged Why a few seconds on social media rarely tell the whole story How assumptions affect our businesses and relationships Why your fear of being “salesy” may be another story you've invented Redefining success as we head into Q4 Why sometimes we all need to recalibrate And, yes, Dan explains “Ballroom Pants” The Big Takeaway Julie sums up one of the biggest lessons beautifully: “If somebody else is doing it, that means that it's possible for you.” 09272026dj Competition doesn't automatically mean stop. And the story you've created about what someone else thinks, wants or intends isn't automatically true. Sometimes we need more information before we decide what something means. I want to hear your thoughts about the show and this episode. Text us here... Support the show Casa De Confidence is a podcast for women navigating midlife reinvention, entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth. Hosted by Julie DeLucca-Collins, the show explores confidence, sustainable business success, visibility, authority building, and aligned growth for women entrepreneurs ready to lead boldly and live intentionally. Through real conversations and practical insights, listeners gain clarity, strengthen confidence, and develop strategies to expand their impact, voice, and opportunities. Liked this episode? Share it with your midlife woman, entrepreneur friends! Love this show? Let us know how we helped you increase your confidence by leaving a review. For more about me and what I do, check out my website . If you’re looking for support to grow your business faster, be positioned as an authority in your industry, and impact the masses, schedule a call to explore if you’d be a good fit for one of my coaching programs. Follow Julie DeLucca-Collins on Instagram at @julie_deluccacollins
