There is often more than one right answer, and this seems to be particularly true for the question of whether folks should lean on family and friends for support with the brands. Your circumstances, relationships and other factors can determine what’s right for you – but we wanted to get a conversation going on the topic as it’s something that comes up often in our chats with entrepreneurs and creatives in the community.

Tabara Diaye

I believe friends and family play an integral role in supporting a business, especially in its early stages. They are often the first people who truly understand your vision and can help amplify your message. For me, they’ve been invaluable in spreading the word about La Basketry over the past 8 years and sharing the love for what I do. If you can’t rely on your closest network to show some form of support—whether big or small—it can feel like a missed opportunity. However, it’s important to manage expectations and strike the right balance to avoid overburdening those relationships. Read more>>

Alex Ward

For my husband and me, our brokerage is built on family—quite literally. We co-own the business, and my mother works with us. Family has always been the foundation of what we do, and that has shaped how we approach the idea of asking for support from those closest to us. Read more>>

Kiuana Brown

When it comes down to your friend and family members for your business, you have to separate. Understand that your target audience is not your family and friends and that the support that you will get, WILL COME! Most of the time, friends and family support after the world supports your business or more of when you take it serious and respect your own brand. I will say when it come to business and they want a service done, they actually support and pay for the full service. However, I know other people in the beauty industry that says their friends and family asks for discounts or free services and all honesty I look at that as a disrespect thing but thank God I haven’t ran into that. When it came down to the last major event I did, which was Hulu, the support and love was great but you had some that supported for their benefit. Overall, you have to give them grace for it and keep pushing. Read more>>

Braylee Brown

I think it’s great to ask friends and family for support, and it’s totally fine to ask them to help spread the word or buy something if they’re interested. I love sharing what I’m doing and letting them decide if they want to be a part of it. I first started by posting about my candles on Facebook, then brought an order form to school to share with my classmates. Everyone was really excited to support me! I also mentioned my business at Pinnacle Gymnastics, and now some of my teammates and coaches have bought from me. My goal is to keep growing my business and hopefully attend a craft show soon! Read more>>