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.
Sean Garvey
How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? I feel great every time I ask for support. It let’s me know who my real supporters are and who aren’t. What’s appropriate, what’s not? Using active listening and and being professional is appropriate. Being very unprofessional and getting emotional when rejected is not appropriate. Where do you draw the line? I draw the line when it comes to lack of integrity. The importance of integrity means a lot to my production brand. Any interesting stories or anecdotes you can share that influenced your view or that illustrate why you feel how you feel? Yes. I have plenty. Read more>>
Jt John Thomas
Support from family and friends can be shown in various ways. Appropriate support could be shown by them purchasing our products, or through other monetary ways (Ex: investing or donating). Other appropriate support could be shown by them simply being our side cheerleader constantly motivating us to keep going, and/or someone we hire to manage sectors of the business that could add experience or growth. I believe there is nothing wrong with asking for support. I am a bigger believer that when you produce quality work and people see the passion behind what you believe in, people begin to notice and naturally want to support. Having positive friends and family to support my brand, PROFILE Your Style, is something i’m truly grateful for. I am never one to ask for assistance or support, so when i see it genuinely happening, it adds fuel to my drive and motivates me to keep reaching new heights.I absolutely believe that as entrepreneurs we are constantly growing and learning. Sales, advertising, investors, product, etc. take a team, and sometimes we are our own teams. To have people who support us in any way is a blessing and something we should not take for granted. Read more>>
Mario Cruz
Bárbaro Mojo began with a simple idea on Christmas Eve, but it was the unwavering support and enthusiasm of our closest family and friends that gave us the confidence to bring our hot sauce to the public. Their love for what we were creating inspired us to take that leap, and ever since, they have been instrumental in the growth of our business. Our own friends and family are with us and help us in every step of our growing business. From helping us set up and sell at events and markets, to sharing our products with their own friends and families, and referring us to their communities and networks, their support has been invaluable! They also contribute by using social media to share photos of themselves enjoying our sauce at home, and even creating recipes for us to feature on our site. Our success today is largely due to their ongoing encouragement and support—they truly are our strongest advocates. Read more>>
Jasmaine Tinsley
I think it is normal to ask your friend and family to support your businesses . However, don’t have the expectation that they will. All your friends and family won’t share your business, purchase from your business, etc. The most support you will get will come from strangers. From personal experience, you will have a small circle or family and friends who will support you, but always be your number one supporter. Rep your Merch! Share your own business and do it better than anyone else. Sometimes family and friends can be your biggest hater. For me I have some friends and family who’ve never shared my business or supported me in that aspect. And I have had some friends and immediate family that have supported me. It really just depends on who’s in your circle. But always support you harder than anyone else. Read more>>
Aliyah Waller
Since launching my photography business in April 2024, I have been enthusiastic about seeking support from my family and friends. I recognized that leveraging my personal network would be an effective way to gain initial exposure and reach a broader audience. Their willingness to share my work among their own circles was instrumental in helping to establish my brand in the early stages. Additionally, I offered free sessions to friends and family to gain valuable practice in the field before formally launching my paid services. This not only allowed me to refine my skills but also provided an opportunity for my network to experience my work firsthand, further promoting my business through their personal recommendations. Read more>>
Anayo Awuzie
I’m 100% on board with asking my family and friends to support my business. I believe the people that have watched you over the years, know you best, and have seen you grind to create something you believe in will always be your biggest and earliest supporters. With Carefree, a lot of my friends and family are actually part of our target audience so it was a no-brainer to tell them about it and ask them to support. Now, one thing a lot of new business owners get upset about is when they start a new business and their family/friends don’t buy their products. But support can come in so many ways. They may not be your target audience and so asking them to go all in on being your cheerleader for your new product or business is really just a vanity act as opposed to a genuine way of showing support. But they can share with people who they know are in your target audience and help support that way. Read more>>
Ronald Fedrick
I feel like family and friends should support just because it’s you, but that’s not how it works in some cases. I mean if you have a product to push it will be a plus one for a close friend or relative to be the first tester, but sometimes you have to let them catch on. When I started I didn’t think twice about opinions because I knew that my drive, work ethic, and authenticity would grab the public eye and the people around me had no choice but to be apart of what’s going on. I never took no as an answer my best advice to anyone is to push your product through your city and town, then watch the reaction. Family and friends could be your biggest downfall just because you guys may be in the same market and somehow your product overlap theirs and that’s where secret business rivalries begin. I love the support from my close ones but my drive is for the people who listen and understand and apply what I’m saying to their grind. The culture is your best friend. Read more>>
Ronald Fedrick
I feel like family and friends should support just because it’s you, but that’s not how it works in some cases. I mean if you have a product to push it will be a plus one for a close friend or relative to be the first tester, but sometimes you have to let them catch on. When I started I didn’t think twice about opinions because I knew that my drive, work ethic, and authenticity would grab the public eye and the people around me had no choice but to be apart of what’s going on. I never took no as an answer my best advice to anyone is to push your product through your city and town, then watch the reaction. Family and friends could be your biggest downfall just because you guys may be in the same market and somehow your product overlap theirs and that’s where secret business rivalries begin. I love the support from my close ones but my drive is for the people who listen and understand and apply what I’m saying to their grind. The culture is your best friend. Read more>>
Kasey Patin
Friends and family are at the heart of my success for both of my business ventures. Without even asking, I have been encouraged and supported to start my cookie business and the podcast that I’m a part of. Having their support is essential. It feels amazing to have my supporters ask about new flavors for my cookies and even what is an upcoming subject on the next podcast episode. Read more>>
Ni’kia Harling
Starting a business is an exciting journey, but it can also be overwhelming, especially when it comes to securing support. For many entrepreneurs, friends and family are the first line of defense in building a network of support. Asking for support from family and friends could provide numerous of advantages such as emotional support, networking opportunities and etc. Read more>>
Giovanna Riccio-weisse
I have been so graciously blessed with the upmost, supportive friends and family when it comes to my business and pursuing my career. I find that within my loved ones and my business, there aren’t necessary “rules” when it comes to what’s appropriate versus not. My friends and family have always wanted to motivate me and push me to succeed, whether it was ordering desserts for their holiday tables or just double tapping my post on their feed, it truly makes me feel like the luckiest person alive. With that, of course that makes my passion grow fonder. Making cookie boxes and trying new recipes is my favorite because it allows me to be creative, and also gives back to my loved ones with all the food I feed them… and trust me, it’s a lot! Read more>>