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.

Angelica Doporto

I officially started Mama Llama Pottery the summer of COVID. I was fresh out of high school and was deciding on what I wanted to do in the future. My mom was cleaning out the garage when she pulled out a ceramic piece that I created when I was in middle school. I remember picking my piece up and was very shocked I created something like that. Read more>>

Ariel Walter

I’m currently at the beginning stages of my career, and I find no issues with taking on my family and friends as clientele. In fact, some of my very first clients were friends and family. At first, I was hesitant to work with my friends and family because I’ve been told that it is hard to separate family from business, but I haven’t had any issues with it. I treat all of my clients equally and non of them have treated me any differently when working with me. Read more>>

Whitney Hernandez

This is a hot topic! What I have learned from starting DFW Signs is, I am not for everyone and that is okay! That is not to say that I don’t have supportive friends and family, because I do but I have just realized that the people that really support you, you will know. There will always be people who can outdo you and do things more advanced than you can but to me, that is not important. Read more>>

Shataia Townsend

I have what you call a family of choice, who’s not only blood related but the family that are my friends, supporters, and my village. What’s appropriate is praying for one another, being able to bounce ideas off of each other and being able to help one another network to fulfill your own goals. What’s not appropriate is being judgmental and having a since of entitlement because you’re a family member or friend. Read more>>

Andrea andChrista Sullivan

Friends and family have played such an instrumental part in the success of Sully Good Eats Inc. There have been multiple events that wouldn’t have been as successful without the support, input, and influence of our friends and family. We always take the time to stop and look back to tell our friends thank you every chance we get. We truly value the time they have put in to help our business. We not only thank them for physically showing up and supporting but its also the act of giving up their free time to support/promote our business. Read more>>

Jasmine Ferrell

I often try not to ask friends for too much help, as I know they have their own lives and goals to focus on and hate to take up too much of their time. I tend to ask my family more for assistance and even in those instances, I try not to overload them with work. I do believe there are many ways to support a business and any way that those closest to me can assist is a great asset to me. Read more>>

Keisha Cineus

My friends and family are my biggest supporters. I am blessed with everyone who is around me, I would not have made it this far without the encouragement and support they have shown not only my business and talent but me as a whole. I can go and say I need everyone to vote for me for a particular award or tag me in a post and they will go crazy. Loved is an understatement I am Blessed! Read more>>

Vanessa James

Starting a business you always hear people say, your friends and family won’t support you. Strangers that you don’t know will support you first. Unfortunately, for a lot of folks this is very true. However, for me, it has been the direct opposite. My family, friends, and sorority sisters have been my biggest supporters. My first order, my largest order, my first whole sale order, all came from people in my circle. I think I also have the advantage of the people around me fitting into my target market so that makes it a lot easier. Read more>>

Cassandra Coronado

This day and age everyone knows someone with a certain type of business and unfortunately is looking for a discount. The best way to ask for support is not asking for a discount but paying full price and of course sharing the name whether its social media or word of mouth. I will always be grateful for my family and friends support. If you’ve used my business, I please ask to write a review, or tag my business with your photos. Read more>>

Richard & Ryan Taylor

Asking friends and family to support your business is no easy task. It is something that we have had to do while starting our business to keep our doors open and it has really shown which family and friends truly support us. We have had to get comfortable with charging family & friends rather than giving freebies otherwise we would run the risk of closing. Fortunately, our immediate family have been very supportive and understanding of the hurdles that come with starting a new business venture, however there is still some guilt that comes associated with asking someone to support your dreams, especially if it does not appear to be growing as fast as you would like. Read more>>

Genesis

I’ve recently been thinking a lot about how we expect our closest family and friends to be the most supportive for our “little “businesses that we create, but that is a very flawed assumption. We need to realize that people are innately selfish and it’s not to be seen in a negative light but people engage with content and products or services that bring them the necessary satisfaction. So when business owners expect their family and friends to be their biggest fans, you will likely be disappointed. Read more>>

Lotario (Rio) Wilkerson

Personally having family and friends support me was a blessing. When I first started in photography some of my family members came together and bought me my first professional grade camera. Just because I had a camera does not mean I was a good photographer at all but regardless of that , my friends and family still wanted me to take pictures of them. Having them support is great because not only do I get to try new methods and feel the comfort of shooting with them but they also tell other family members , their friends , Read more>>