The same is true for companies. Why does Coca-Cola have 90% market share? Because people have tasted the competition–Pepsi–and concluded that Coke is just better. If there was no such thing as Pepsi, Coke would not do as well because people would not have a comparison by which to judge it.

The same is true with startups. Some will gravitate toward the top, some will fail (quickly). But not to be overlooked is the incredibly important role of the failures…for they are the ones that hoisted the successes up to the top by giving people a comparison by which they can weed out the “good” from the “bad.”

Sorry for rambling, but my point is this: You are right, do not fear competition, embrace it. For one day it may be your competition that hoists your company to the top once people see how much better yours is than theirs. Don’t fear competition, but rather, cradle it, embrace it, and then like Arnold in Eraser…destroy it.