When I owned my coffeehouse (2001-2004) people frequently askedme if I hated Starbucks. I didn't. After all, Starbucks isresponsible for re-introducing the culture of coffee in the UnitedStates and for establishing it in countries where the cafe culturenever before existed. Starbucks put the romance into the coffeeexperience. Without those romantic notions consumers wouldn'thave given a second look at my drive-thru, or stop by for afireside chat over a delicious cuppa joe with their friends. Thankyou Starbucks!

Still, the truth is that the coffee giant made it impossible foran independent coffee retailer like me to compete, so I didn't.Instead my business became what Starbucks is not. It too became ahousehold name but for reasons far from its convenience and fastservice.

Stop viewing your competition as the enemy and instead use it asthe catalyst to brilliance. Instead of investing your preciousenergy into hating or envying your competitors use it to become thevery best entrepreneur you can possibly be. Here's how.

Give your customers another reason to choose your brand.

I knew that my delicious, fair trade coffee wasn't enough tobring customers through the door so I gave more dimensionto the consumer experience. I added open mic nights, broughtin great bands, and did art shows and book signings. I even openeda private conference room to local businesses andorganizations.

What can you offer in addition to your products or services?When you stand out from the competition by offering something ofvalue that your competitors don't, you give your customers a betterreason to choose your product or service. How can you help yourcustomers go beyond a simple purchase and truly experience yourbrand?

Learn Inc.com's remaining four reasons to make nice with the competition.