Please Stop Calling Businesses Not Sharing Their “Trade Secrets” Gatekeeping

As balloon decorators, we’ve all been there. You’ve spent hours perfecting your craft, learning new techniques, investing in the right materials, and working tirelessly to build your business. Then, someone asks you for a step-by-step guide on how to recreate your best design or wants to know exactly where you get your balloons. And sometimes, the question isn’t even asked politely—it’s often followed by a comment about "gatekeeping."

Let’s be clear. It’s not gatekeeping when businesses choose not to share their "trade secrets." It’s simply a way to protect their hard work and keep their competitive edge. So, let’s talk about why we need to stop using that term and why it’s totally reasonable for a business to keep certain information private.

1. It's About Protecting Your Business

Every balloon decorator has spent a lot of time and effort perfecting their craft. Whether it's a custom balloon garland technique, a creative installation idea, or a product source, that’s your intellectual property. You’ve put in the hours to learn and improve your process, and you’ve made an investment to get where you are. Sharing every detail for free would mean that others who haven’t put in that work could easily replicate your designs and undercut you.

Let’s face it—if you give away all your knowledge, you're also giving away your ability to maintain a unique selling proposition (USP). The things that set you apart from others in the business, such as your style, techniques, and sources, are part of what makes your brand valuable.

2. Every Business Has Their Own Journey

No one knows exactly how hard you’ve worked to build your business, and each company’s journey is different. What works for one business might not work for another. The systems you’ve put in place, your workflow, and your pricing model have been tailored to your experience and goals. Sharing that with others might sound helpful, but it may not be practical for someone just starting out or someone in a completely different market. Everyone needs to walk their own path.

3. Respecting the Craft and the Industry

In any trade or industry, there’s a learning curve. Whether you're an artist, a baker, a designer, or a balloon decorator, you gain knowledge and expertise over time. This expertise doesn’t come from simply having access to someone else’s “secrets”—it comes from trial, error, practice, and determination. For newer balloon decorators, learning through personal experience is valuable. Sometimes the best way to grow is by experimenting and figuring out what works for you, rather than relying on someone else’s step-by-step blueprint.

Let’s also remember that this is an art form. Balloon decor is a creative business that requires a unique combination of skill, imagination, and technique. It’s about finding your style, and your niche, and cultivating your own methods. By not freely giving away "trade secrets," you're allowing the artistry and individuality of balloon decor to thrive.

4. Why Competition Can Be Healthy

It's important to recognize that competition is a healthy part of any business. Instead of calling others “gatekeepers,” we should view businesses that are protective of their processes as having strong boundaries. They're ensuring that they maintain their edge in the market and that they don't lose the unique value that makes their business stand out.

Sharing basic tips or offering advice is one thing, but fully revealing everything you do? That’s a different story. Competitors shouldn't expect businesses to simply hand over their methods. After all, it’s not the information that sets a business apart—it's the execution.

5. Building Community, Not Competition

There’s a way to support fellow balloon decorators without compromising your business. Communities of balloon artists can share inspiration, collaborate, and exchange ideas, but that doesn't mean you need to give away your hard-earned “trade secrets.” Helping each other grow through encouragement and shared knowledge is fantastic—creating an open environment where questions can be asked and advice can be given is key. However, it’s also essential to understand that protecting your business and what makes you unique is part of the overall process of growth and sustainability in the balloon industry.

Final Thoughts

In short, calling businesses who protect their processes “gatekeepers” is unfair. Every business has the right to guard what makes them stand out. Whether it's their unique design techniques, sources, or business practices, it’s important to respect that. A successful business isn’t built on just sharing everything you know—it’s built on hard work, dedication, and the desire to continually improve and innovate.

As a balloon decorator, we should encourage new businesses and those looking to improve to learn, practice, and grow. Share the love and advice that helps elevate the industry, but also recognize that protecting what makes your business special isn’t "gatekeeping." It’s smart business practice. So, instead of focusing on what others aren’t sharing, let’s celebrate the uniqueness each business brings to the balloon decor world!

What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to leave a comment below!