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.

Brooke Fugate

Most people think asking friends and family to support your business can be a little scary but honestly it doesn’t always have to cost money for them to support your business. They can support your business as in a share on social media, commenting or liking a post, giving a shout out online or recommending your business to someone. I love when my friends and family help and support my business. Read more>>

David Williams

We feel great asking our family and friends for support, why because they’re our biggest cheerleaders who want to see us succeed so it’s a great feeling to have them supporting us , I draw the line by not asking too much even though our family and friends always give more than enough and that we are thankful for, we needed our business to open and the hood in the restaurant needed fixing to pass inspection my friend took time out of his busy schedule to get it done without charging anything this type of sacrifice don’t come easy. Read more>>

Misty Peterson

Asking friends and family to help support and promote our business has been essential. Without them we wouldn’t be where are now. It is NOT easy getting your name out there in the beginning for sure. 90% of our customers are friends, family and from word of mouth. Some of our biggest bulk orders are from friends giving out our card and referring us. Read more>>

Sandra Ansuaa Yeboah

Getting friends and family on board to support cannot be overemphasized, because charity they say begins at home. But truth be told, this issue does not only involve family and friends. We need the entirety of industries, companies who are understands the message we carry as an organization, who are willing to learn to be passionate about women sport since women sport has been a hard nut to crack in our part of the world. Read more>>

MacKenzie Franklin

First and foremost becoming a business owner or entrepreneur you have to embrace all stages of the process. The journey is not always glorious and no one truly knows the behind the scenes but you so if you want the support- you have to ask for it. Read more>>

Emily Aleman

I think it can be very rewarding and helpful to have friends and family who support your small business. There are times when asking family to pay for your product can be awkward, but I have found that in my case most of my family and friends are more than willing to pay for my embroideries. Read more>>

Austin Zagar

Asking friends and family can be difficult at times but having that support system in an industry like photography can make a huge impact on your growth as a person as well as a business. Sometimes its hard to ask family and friends to pay for services that others normally would if not related. Read more>>

Kay Vick

We all want to be affirmed in the choices we make, especially when it comes to our businesses and the support we receive from our friends and family. Read more>>

Sara Parries

As a small business and a one-woman show, I find that I need help quite frequently. I find that asking questions and getting my family and friends involved with my business has made it what it is today. For example, my mom helps me with all of the company’s finances, my dad loans me his truck with I need to move my inventory for craft fairs, my sister helps me with social media and website photos. Read more>>

Briana Zalamar-Edmonds

When it comes to success, it’s very important to know who’s truly down. Often times, people mentioned over the years “Don’t forget about me when you blow up”. But never had the intentions of supporting me as I prepared myself for the next chapter. Strangers will support you quicker than the ones you’ve known for a lifetime. Read more>>

Madalyn McArthur

I have to admit that I probably wouldn’t be quite where I am without my friends and families’ support of my business. They have supported me both financially and emotionally. My husband helps me sell my products, he also helps me brainstorm for new products and is pretty much my quality control person when it comes to putting wholesale orders together or marketing materials. Read more>>

Lane and Noemia

Most of our business has come from friends and family. They know us personally and feel comfortable supporting us. We don’t have a physical shop but we do go to craft shows. Most of the time, we barely cover the cost of the booth. We also sell online but it is very competitive and hard to get visibility. Read more>>