What If Someone Else Already Did My Idea?
It happens all the time. You finally get excited about an idea, only to Google it and discover… someone else is already doing it. Maybe more than one person.
The natural reaction is: “Well, I guess that’s over.”
I’ve been there too. When I built PrepAgent, there were already tons of real estate exam prep companies. And with LaxPlaybook & Bballplaybook, there are plenty of basketball and lacrosse resources out there.
But here’s what I learned: an idea that already exists isn’t a dead end. It’s a green light.
You Don’t Need to Be First
Many of the biggest companies weren’t the first to market.
Google wasn’t the first search engine.
Facebook wasn’t the first social network.
Spotify wasn’t the first music platform.
Canva wasn’t the first design tool.
They didn’t succeed by being the only option. They succeeded by being clearer, simpler, more useful, or more consistent.
PrepAgent wasn’t the first real estate exam prep. But it stood out because of how we explained things, how we taught, and how approachable the experience felt. That’s what made it work.
Why “Already Exists” Is Proof, Not a Problem
If someone else is doing something similar, that tells you:
There is already a market.
People are paying attention (and likely paying money).
You will not have to spend years explaining what your idea even is.
You can see what works and what doesn’t before you start.
Competition means validation. If nobody is doing it, that is usually a red flag, not a golden opportunity.
The Real Difference: How You Do It
Even if five businesses offer the same thing at the same price, people don’t pick at random. They pick the one that connects.
The one that explains things clearly.
The one that feels trustworthy.
The one that speaks their language.
People don’t just buy an idea. They buy your personality, your clarity, your energy, your values.
That’s your edge.
With LaxPlaybook, the content isn’t just “plays and drills.” It’s how I break it down so players and coaches actually get it. That’s the difference.
What to Do When You Find Competitors
Instead of quitting, here’s how to use it:
Study them. What are they doing well? Where are they weak?
Clarify your angle. Who are you for specifically? How can you frame it differently?
Keep going. Launch anyway. Start anyway. Improve along the way.
You don’t need permission to bring your version into the world.
Key Takeaway
Yes, someone else may have done your idea. But no one has done it in your way, with your story, your voice, and your values.
Originality is not about being the first. It is about being the right fit for the right people.
So if someone already did your idea, take it as a good sign. It means it works. Now go make it yours.
