What’s your view on asking friends and family to support your brand? We asked members of the community to open up and share their views on this controversial topic. Check out some highlights below.

Samantha Geerts

When you own your own business regardless of what it is, friends and family can turn into sticky situations but can also be great as long as they understand boundaries. Asking friends and family for support is a delicate balance, but I believe it’s best approached with respect and clear boundaries. My goal is for their support to feel natural and genuine—not forced or transactional. Offering my services to friends and family at a discounted rate or as a gift feels appropriate, as long as there’s mutual clarity about what’s included. Encouraging them to recommend me to others or share my work on social media is another wonderful way they can show support. However, I avoid expecting—or being expected to provide—free services or steep discounts regularly. It’s important that they see my work as a professional business, not just a favor. Read more>>

Natalie Hanna

I believe support from friends and family is earned. When I started out, I was only 22 and I looked like a teenager! Everyone knew I was a brand new agent which made it hard for people to trust me just yet. Which I get – who wants to hire someone new to the business? I faced constant rejection all the time. Also, asking people to support my business has always been awkward for me! I never want to constantly nag the people I know and love for business. Also, people may be closer with other agents or never want to work with friends or family at all – that’s okay. That’s something we as real estate agents just have to accept as part of the business. I’ve learned that you can’t ever expect friends or family to support your business, but you can work to earn their support! Read more>>

Hannah Kopplin

In my experience, opening a small business is built off support from your family and friends. I had been told this before opening my business a few times, but it wasn’t until I was in the thick of year 1 that I realized they were NOT lying. When it came to needing help at an event or the kitchen for a few hours with very little capital to pay employees – my friends and family stepped in and show up for me in ways that I will never forget. A huge success story I have behind this topic was the first three years my mom played a really big role with not only helping IN the business (for FREE!) but also being a shoulder to cry on when the inevitable obstacles of opening a new business would hit me like a brick. Two years later in March of 2022 – I was able to offer her ownership in the company and afford to not only support myself, a few employees, but also her! As of this year we are supporting 4 full time employees, a dozen part timers, and ourselves. Tots on the Street wouldn’t be where it is today – my dream come true – without the help of my mom.  Read more>>