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.

Justin Day

When starting a business … reach out to everyone and anyone! Family, friends, random businesses, influencers – literally everyone, reach out to them and offer your services/product for free to get started. This is how Day by Day Digital was born. Well, actually let’s back up a bit … Justin Day’s creative marketing and SEO career began in college when he started an event company with his friends. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Law

My deep desire to pick up a camera and capture small moments of life started when I had my first son. I was your typical mom who had a bajillion Pinterest boards of dreamy newborn photos I wanted of my own children. My dad gave me his older Canon Rebel and that’s where it started! If it wasn’t for his generosity I probably wouldn’t have put forth the effort and money to buy my own camera. Read more>>

Lisa Haynes

When I first started my business, like many others have said in the past….your family and friends don’t always show a lot of support in the beginning. As I look back, my skill set probably wasn’t the best back then and now I can understand why the support wasn’t there. But as my client load started increasing; I improved and started getting some recognition. A few of my friends started noticing; but my family still wasn’t showing me any love. Read more>>

Bria Booker

When starting a business, it can definitely be hard. You will have some who support you from day 1 and you will have others who wont even express the congratulations. It is very important to keep those friends and family close to you who continuously support everything you do. I have a many friends and family who have supported both of my businesses since the beginning and I appreciate them dearly. In my honest opinion, you shouldn’t have to ask others to support you, you just pay attention to those who support you automatically. Read more>>

Kristen Wooldridge

It can be intimidating to put yourself out there and ask your friends and family to support your business. I remember creating my Instagram for Kristen’s Kitchen and asking myself who was really going to care that I make cakes, much less want to place an order with me. I was and am still consistently surprised by the overflow of support that the people in my life have shown me. Almost all of my orders are from people I love, or are referrals from those people. I am so glad I took the leap. Read more>>

Grant Goodwin

I have noticed that asking friends and family to book with me for a photoshoot is a huge struggle, especially when they do not come from a background that understands art or running your own business. Most of the time, I am asked for a discount or expected to be doing it for free. I have explained an endless amount of times that even though I am family, they are still hiring me for a service and I should be compensated for that service. It also supports me in terms of paying my bills, making up for buying new equipment if needed, and whatever falls in between. Read more>>

Valentina Dominguez

Mama V is nickname that was given to me and the basis for Mama V Events. Mama V Events is a more specific and personal business name, but that hasn’t deterred those around me from supporting and promoting. I am blessed to have the people I do around me. There are so many people that will promote Mama V Events without me having to ask. I have such a supportive group surrounding me that I never have to feel alone with this business. I can post and within a few minutes multiple of my friends have reposted on their stories. Read more>>

Michael Self

Asking friends and family to support your business I believe is a typical standard and a must when evolving your business and relationships. What I don’t believe in is forced support. It’s important to know and understand your audience and your true support system, but it shouldn’t be your only means of advertisement and communication. When starting my business, some knew ahead of time and some found out after, but at the end of the day EVERYONE knew that Mike Self was not only a Realtor but a baker as well. Read more>>

Omar Howard

Freedom is a Choice, INC is 501c3 non-profit that needs your support. My goal is to help youth find their purpose. We offer mentoring service to underprivilege youth, trouble youth, etc… We use evidence-based curriculum as well as take kids on field trip to bring exposure. Please support a community organization that strive to bring help to our youth. Read more>>

Melissa Bordeau

This has been huge for me! When I first transitioned into a full time photographer, I received a ton of help from friends/family. The first photoshoot I did was engagement photos for my sister and brother in law. Once I started to promote my business on social media and within my circles, a lot of friends and family that needed photos started to reach out to me, and I am so grateful for that. Read more>>

Kimberly Ikediobi

With my business, I quickly learned that strangers will support you more than your own friends do. I have a couple of friends who are huge supporters of Natural Kuru and it means the world to me, but I also have some friends who have never purchased from Natural Kuru but have natural hair. It does hurt me sometimes when I think about it, because I would definitely support them if roles were reversed, but I have hundreds of customers who show so much love and I appreciate them dearly. Read more>>

Teresa Meade

I have been in business for 2 years now , Jacq & Joe’s was birthed in the pandemic in 2020, so asking family and friends to support an online coffeeshop was foreign in itself , some family members and friends could tell how passionate I was about coffee so they immediately wanted yo support , while others wanted to see if I would last in the coffee industry , they wanted to see what I could do on my own before they supported at all, which was understandable because you can mad at someone for not supporting a vision that only you can see. Read more>>