From: "BalloonArtist" <BalloonArtist@compaq.net>
To: <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject: sharing information
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 18:31:49 -0400

I live in a small town (without a lot of  balloon jobs) with several
children's entertainers.  I have had two other entertainers who do VERY
elementary balloons ask me to teach them my balloons.  These entertainers
are not new to entertaining, either.  I have learned my balloons by spending
hours reading e-mails and looking at web sights.  I have also spent a bundle
for tapes and books.  I don't want to teach balloons to these "colleagues".
I feel that they, too, can invest time and money to be a better balloonist.
If they increase their skill level, I wouldn't mind a "show me this and I'll
show you that" trade of ideas and balloons.

I think I would be crazy to teach my best balloons to the competion.  They
are a little too "close to home" for me to teach.  If we did not have the
same potential client base, I would be more apt to teach them.  Keep in mind
that we live in a small area.

Has anyone else run into a similar situation?  How do I tactfully tell these
people that I won't teach them balloons?  I want to remain on a friendly
basis.