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.

Emilie Wilbur

I recently shared a reel objectifying something that really hit home: close friends can’t even like your post, but strangers go out of their way to support your small business. When you own a small business, there is nothing more important than having your closest friends and family backing you up along the way. So many people express their doubt, jealousy, or just nothing at all. Read more>>

Christelle Anani

If nobody else supports you, your family and friends should. I am fortunate to have a good circle of people around me who love, support, and boost my efforts in this season. My family has provided a safe space for me to quit my 9-5 and chase my dreams, and I am forever grateful. My friends have prayed for me, supported my products, posted me, and used my products/services which helps me greatly. I’ve seen firsthand how some people will just watch and not engage, and I almost let myself get in my head about it. Read more>>

James VirGodo

In a perfect world one would like to be supported from everyone they come across but the reality is everything isn’t for everyone and people owe you nothing. We live in a time where everything is accessible and if people choose to support you they have the power in their hands to share, repost, like, comment or scroll pass. We as entrepreneurs have the entire world at our disposals daily, I don’t care enough to worry about if friends or family support me because if they truly are those titles they would do it. I’ve endured a lot in my journey and I’m earning my support by first supporting myself, believing in myself and remaining in a new thought that being aligned with a rich mindset will unlock more support that’s to come. Read more>>

Kaylie Wilson

I always commend the friends and family in my life for pushing me to where I am now as a co-owner of a female owned shop, which is empowering in the industry alone. In all, there are always a few people who stand out to me most; my mother, Savannah, Sharon, Andrew, and my partner Kenneth. My mother was an avid supporter since I started in the industry and has always shown the utmost support for not only my craft but also opening the shop. Savannah is my business partner and other artist at our place and she is truly a saint. Read more>>

Keshauna H

When I first started, I would ask all my family and friends to support me. I would forward the same messages to everybody in group chats and on social media. Now the support is natural without me asking and I’m grateful for that. Read more>>

Brittani Northern

When it comes to asking our friends and family to support us , it can be troubling because of course since we are family/friends we should support each other right? In my opinion no that’s not true. Some family/friends will support but they aren’t your target audience. Sadly someone who doesn’t know you will support you more than your family/friends. I used to ask myself why my friends/family didn’t support me? Why was this stranger always supporting me by sharing and liking posts? And I had to come to terms that , Strangers will support you! Strangers are the reason our businesses are thriving , YOU never know who’s rooting for you behind closed doors. Read more>>

Ki Carlisle

One of the biggest misconceptions that new business owners often find themselves overwhelming over is the lack of support from their family and friends. I have to be honest, the closest people to me were actually the last to seek me as their professional eyebrow stylist and I never took it personal! How could I? Most of the time when you are starting a professional beauty service; most of your family members and friends already have their set team of beauty artists that they go to-so I had to understand that. Read more>>