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.

Yuri Alvarado

I feel very comfortable and without the support of friends/family l wouldn’t have ever considered starting my own business. Read more>>

Grace Mitchell-Jenkins

I have a huge community of family and friends that support me. I’m truly grateful for them taking a chance on me to provide service for many celebrations. Read more>>

Zukye Ardella

I feel as though you should not have to ask family or friends to support your business. It is something that should be done without asking. Read more>>

Erica Passic

As much as some of us hate to ask for help, you must when starting a business. When I started my crafting business in 2010, I had reached out to all my friends, and family with daughters to help me out.  Read more>>

Sharon Ringier

When it comes to asking friends and family to support my business, I believe in using discernment and managing expectations. Read more>>

Kiersten Morton

Starting off I asked friends and family for support until I noticed support can be as little as a repost, comment or like. Read more>> 

Ali Wise

Asking family or friends for referrals as a real estate agent should be a no-brainer and something that everybody should do. Read more>>

Elizabeth French

When it comes to asking friends and family to support my business, I believe it’s a delicate balance between leveraging their support and respecting our personal relationships. Read more>>

Bianca Word

When it comes to asking friends and family for the support of my business, I always feel a little hesitant because not all the time people’s actions match their words. Read more>>

Jamie Ann Burke

“Let me share this incredible chapter of my journey with you! Picture this: instead of the typical route of hiring models, I had the immense privilege of having not just one or two, Read more>>

Lauren McIntyre

When I first started out in 2016, most of my customers were family members and friends. Instagram was a different game back then, but I was shamelessly plugging my business left and right. Read more>>