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.

Jemannie Luong

When it comes to starting a business, there are many daydreams and sleepless nights. Many business owners will recall the time when their business was just an idea waiting to become reality. And yet between the early plans on paper and the final physical creation, there is another vital part of being a business owner no one thinks about: asking friends and family to support your business. Read more>>

Destiny Auckerman

I Believe that it is so important to ask your friends and family to support your buisness. Starting a buisness is hard and has a lot of ups and downs but having the people you care about by your side is so important. During one of my first big weddings my friend Lauren offered to be my assistant. This included holding my checklist, making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be and overall supporting my work. I am forever grateful for the support, love and help that I know I have in my life. Read more>>

Brailynn Camille Granville

From mom: As a young black girl with Autism, they tend to be overlooked and undercelebrated for their accomplishments. We would love for our friends and family to support our business, The Ausome Kid through our available sponsorship opportunities. All proceeds will go to marketing materials, merchandise for consumer products, legalities, and other requirements that are necessary for expansion. Join us on our continuous journey to Autism awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. Read more>>

Zackeshia Brimidge

The “Ready to Push” Bag (Keshia B. Collection) is an exemplary quality knitted push bag made with love for expecting moms and partners filled with all essentials needed to prepare them for their bundle of joy. Our primary goal is to help expecting parents prepare for the arrival of their baby whether they are first-time parents or not. All essentials in the bag will be sourced from reliable brands with a 100% guarantee of superior quality products. Read more>>

Jen Kandziora

Transitioning to full-time photographer is not something that happens to most people over night. But for me it did.
In 2017 I was a full-time waiter, a part-time photographer, a full-time wife and mom and I was struggling with making the transition to full-time photography. Money is a factor. Time is a factor. Equipment (or lack of) is a factor. And photography is tough. It can be a very lucrative business, but… it’s art. I wondered if people would pay me enough for my art that I could afford to leave the job that actually paid my bills. And would my family support the switch? Read more>>

Lindsey Aston

Friends & family have played a key role in helping launch my business. My oldest brother & sister-in-law are business owners, they showed me how to create a website, how to make business cards and a ton of other things that were super foreign to me. Whenever I had the vision for my business, I remember I had spent hours trying to write a business plan. I watched multiple YouTube videos on how to write one and after a few rough drafts, I finally had it complete. I took it to my brother’s house and sat nervously as he read it over. Read more>>

Chad Savage

My friends and family have helped support my business in so many different way. From simple acts like sharing my work on social media, to referring me to clients and hiring me for different shoots. I set up many different shoots with friends as I was learning my craft, which helped me become a much better photographer. Countless friends have helped me by filling in for shoots when a subject was needed – specifically for commercial photoshoots. All my family and friends played a huge role in helping me to become the photographer I am today. Read more>>

Egypt Thomas

When I started my business I didn’t start with employees or a team and honestly, 2 years in, I still don’t have those things. But what I do have is a loving and supportive group of family and friends who will help when needed. My business requires a lot of hands on work; it’s very labor intense. I spend hours upon hours blowing up balloons for events, creating props for sets and editing tons of photos. During those times I will ask my family and friends for their support to get the job done. Whether that’s an extra set of hands to help assemble a 24ft. balloon garland or their advice on the final edits of photos. Read more>>

Ashley B.

Asking friends and family to support your business is one of the first steps in every new owner’s journey. When I opened Ashtrology Candles I did a soft launch. I invited a few close friends, old co-workers, and family members to test my candles before branching out to the public. I wanted to ensure that the product I created was perfect. If it weren’t for the support of my blog subscribers and family my business wouldn’t be possible. Read more>>

Devin Hancock

Learning to get the right support was key for my business growing. I Really wanted to learn about how I could also be the support in which I was seeking. Over the years I’ve been able grow different and focus on who I was and what I offered rather than who didn’t support. Once I did that, right clientele came and that included family and friends. Read more>>