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.

Annette Pearson

As a small business owner, the only way for me to build my business at the beginning was to lean into my community of friends, family and former colleagues. They know me best and can speak to my values, my talents, my capabilities and so much more. The people who know me best can speak to how I build and maintain relationships, understand and resolve issues and nurture individuals and teams. Read More>>

Aiyoki Oliver

Asking friends and family to support your business can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it feels natural to turn to those closest to you for encouragement and help. On the other, it can be disheartening when the support isn’t reciprocated, especially when you’ve gone out of your way for others. For me, this topic hits close to home because my journey has been one of resilience and self-reliance. Despite knowing many people, I’ve often felt the weight of limited support, whether it’s in the form of grant funding, emotional encouragement, or even acknowledgment of my efforts. Read More>>

Anna Papoutsakis

Real estate is an amazing business with so much opportunity. Every personality under the sun, every background, every education level, etc, can succeed in real estate. The bar for entry is actually quite low compared to some other licensed services, so there is also a big misconception that the work is easy. More than selling properties, it is a relationship business, and the toughest part is lead generating at a high enough level that your pipeline is continually full. Read More>>

Maria Schmitt

As a small business owner, I think we’ve all run into a situation where family or friends free or discount services from you. It’s okay to say “no” if you’re not in a position right now (or at all) to offer free or discounted services. It’s important to set those boundaries and expectations early. Educate them about the importance of supporting your business and communicate the value of your work. Read More>>

Beatriz Isava – Cardozo

One of the most challenging parts of starting a business was asking my family and friends for support. I’ve always been the type of person who supports my loved ones’ businesses without being asked, so I hoped they would naturally do the same for me. Read More>>