How Rivals Became My Greatest Allies

In business, we’re taught to see competitors as rivals, people to outwork, outsmart, or stay ahead of. But what happens when disaster strikes, and the ones who step up to help are the very people you thought you were competing against?

That’s exactly what happened to me. And it changed the way I see business, and humanity, forever.

The Storm That Changed Everything

As a single mother of two, I was working hard in our fourth-generation family business when, in one devastating moment, a tornado tore through everything we’d built.

Warehouses flattened. Trucks overturned. Roofs peeled off like paper. What my family had built over generations was suddenly hanging by a thread. The damage wasn’t just physical. It was emotional. Financial. Existential. I stood there, staring at the wreckage, wondering if we’d ever recover.

And then, something extraordinary happened.

The Unexpected Lifeline

My competitors, the same businesses we’d viewed as rivals, showed up. Not to capitalize on our misfortune. Not to steal our clients. But to help.

They offered tools, manpower, even temporary workspace. They shared advice, connections, and encouragement when I needed it most. In our darkest hour, they became our unexpected lifeline.

A New Definition of Competition

That experience shattered every assumption I had about business. I realized competition isn’t always a battle. Sometimes, it’s a bond. When disaster strikes, titles like “competitor” fade away, and what’s left is simply people helping people.

I learned that real success isn’t just about outplaying others. It’s about lifting each other up. That trust and generosity aren’t weaknesses. They’re the foundation of lasting success.

Why Relationships Are the Real Currency

This is why I built Success Thru Connections. Because the truth is:

• Strategy matters.

• Skill matters.
  But without genuine relationships? None of it lasts.

The businesses that thrive aren’t just the ones with the best plans. They’re the ones with the strongest networks, built on trust, reciprocity, and shared humanity.

One Question for You

If your business were in crisis, would your competitors help you?

It’s a revealing question, not just about them, but about you. How have you shown up for others? Because in the end, business isn’t just about transactions. It’s about connections.

If this story resonates with you, you’ll also appreciate my blog “Building Bridges to Success,” where I dive deeper into how meaningful connections lay the groundwork for lasting success.

Want to Hear the Full Story?

This moment was a turning point in my life and career. On the latest episode of Success Thru Connections, I share the raw, emotional details: how we rebuilt, the lessons learned, and why this experience redefined success for me.

Listen to the full episode to hear what really happened, and why it changed everything I thought I knew about success.