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.

Jordin Taylor

Baking cakes was always a fun hobby to me. Something to take the stress away. My friends and family were the first to tell me I should really take this seriously and make this into a business. A few years later, by the help of my mom i finally got the courage to pursue Blush. It took me a while because I knew when I started a-lot of the responsibility and consistency would fall on me. Read more>>

Crystal Jackson

I’m so fortunate to have such a strong support system from my friends and family. My friends are always tagging me on posts for shoutouts on black owned business socials. My family seems to always send referrals even if I’m not licensed in their state. It’s been overwhelming with the amount of positive support. Read more>>

Chris “Noel” Elder

Asking friends/family to support your business isn’t something I would suggest to anyone starting a business. I always say, just start the business and the people that want to support you, will. Read more>>

Tobi Igbalajobi

I honestly feel like a sizable chunk of the support I have and a large portion of my audience are my friends, or friends of friends. I am so thankful to have such a great support system of family and friends. In addition to the numerous connections over the years whether through school, or work, my congregation members, and others I meet, that have helped me get to where I am with my page. I didn’t really have to ask for support. I just would cross engage between my personal page and my foodie page, and different ones would actually check out my foodie content as a result. Read more>>

Kelly Hester

I sent out an email campaign to friends and family asking them to buy our products to help support our business. The response was very encouraging each time I did it. Read more>>

Jennifer Lara

When you get into entrepreneurship just know, the least people to actually support you will be your own family and friends. It’s crazy how that dynamic is but it’s the truth. Business is business and you can’t mix the two. Unfortunately but very fortunately, strangers will be your biggest support system! Read more>>