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.

Lauren Haller

I’ve been fortunate to find my people along the way. I am surrounded by hundreds of family members and friends that know the person that I am and how far I’ve come. When I created GrownAtHomeDesign, my immediate family and friends were right there to encourage me and support my ideas as they’ve evolved. Find your people! Weed out the negative and your support system will be a driving force. Read more>>

Shira Litvin

Whenever I get large wholesale orders I get my mom to help me with packaging She usually bring over one of her friends to help, we get to spend quality time together and get the job done. My mom also joins me whenever I go to markets and that’s a great experience for the both of us. Read more>>

Britany Bibeau

This is one of those topics that has become very taboo. Nobody wants to ask their friends and family to support them. They just want to feel supported. And truthfully in today’s society nobody supports you more than somebody you don’t know. It’s almost as if the support from friends and family hast to P earned. I’m not saying as a small business owner I haven’t had friends and family supported me because I’m very grateful to say that I have been supported and I have a great support system in place. Read more>>

Tanisha Green

Asking friends and family for support seems to be a major part of business starting out. I think we all have been in that space of just think that family and friends will be out first and biggest supporters. For me, that wasn’t the case. My biggest supports are complete strangers, and I am very thankful for them. Although family and friends are not my biggest supporters, that is not a factor that I take personal. Read more>>

Brianna Downs

Going into this industry is a humbling experience. You can not go into this field expecting applause. Although it is expected, it shouldn’t be what makes or breaks your vision. Only you know why you want to do it and what motivates you to get up and go hard for what you believe every day. I thought I would have a pep rally behind me when starting out. I quickly found out that those who may have claimed they will be in your corner are only there for the moment or when things are good. Read more>>

Jasmin Christian

As a business owner, especially in the times of content creation and influence, we tend to have this persona of having it all together. Remaining humble and not being afraid to reach out when we need help will catapult your business. Knowing that your audience will see you in all lights, or at least the lights you show, and growth of ones audience does come from a place of vulnerability. Read more>>

Jada Howell

I’m wanting to take a new direction with the format of my salon business. I currently operate out of a private salon suite and my goal, and ultimate business dream is to transition into a mobile business format. I want to convert a van into a salon and, rather than my clients coming to me, I will go to them. I’m at a point where support is paramount to this transition. Because of the early stage of the growth of my business, friend and family support is of the utmost importance. Read more>>

April Boone

When I first started my business as a loctician back in 2016, I wanted support from my family and my friends, whether it was to invest in my business or for them to sit in my chair as a paying client or to just spread the word about me it did not happen until. The strangers started to support me more than my family or friends, advertise me more than my family or friends and sit In my chair rather than my family or friends. Read more>>

Vickie Yooneek

It is my belief that we all search for validation from family and/or friends, honestly it is a common human natural instinct to think that that would be the infinite group of people that would support us the most. The truth is, this is where we will find the least amount of support and motivation. The people around us sometimes become conformed to who we were they are still focused on our past selves, and what we used to be. Read more>>

Jenee Mackiewicz

When starting a business, especially when you have two children at home and you just left a 9-5 job you worked your whole life to get, you have to lean on the people around you. I was a school counselor and felt called to be a wedding photographer. I had no idea where to start or even begin getting clients. I knew that I left a career that I spent 6 years getting educated for and was leaning heavily on my friends and family to help spread the word and allow me to take the beginner photos of their families. Read more>>

LeeAndra “Dj Chef Dro” Epps

Asking your friends and family for support is such a weird space but it’s only in the beginning that it feels like this. In the beginning of starting something new sometimes it seems like you’re the only one that sees the vision completely. Friends and family have a way of only seeing what’s present/current and care so much about you they project their fears of failure on you. Read more>>