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.

Nadia Astudillo

There are many ways family and friends can support your photography business! After I invested in my first professional camera, I needed high quality images in order to launch my website. I offered many free sessions to family and friends, giving me the opportunity to give a professional client experience and gallery, while also being comfortable enough to experiment and grow in my skills as a photographer. Going into each free session with the desire to serve and offer the best client experience and deliver a professional gallery, resulted in referrals – and built my portfolio – which opened the door to paid clients! Most family and friends will be open and willing to help you get started and learn new things, it never hurts to ask! Read more>>

Carmen O’conner Jackson

I feel that asking family members and friends to help support is very challenging. Sometimes I can’t come up with the proper way of asking them to support me because some make me feel uncomfortable or I’m scared my feelings might get hurt from their answer. I met someone who believed in me, she has her daughter in a lot of fashion events and then she introduced me to more people that was part of fashion events. So, I turned them into my fashion family. They have supported me for the past year. Don’t get me wrong I do have a few family members that believe in me and support me the best way they can. My four sons and my little sister are my biggest supporters, and my mom was shocked when she seen how good I was with sewing. But my fashion family has helped me fulfill my dreams of things that I’ve always wanted to do. Read more>>

Dana Hartert

I designed and styled vintage jewelry since I was in high school. It was an easy transition for me to go from personal hobby to business plan. I gained support from friends and family early on because they had already been exposed to my style and jewelry pieces. Often times requesting to buy off of me or for holiday gifts before I had even started my business. Read more>>

Michael Joseph Murray

I was fortunate to see a great show of support for my first foray in film production. I devised my own crowdsourcing campaign for my short film and calling card, Marcel The Muscle Man. I sent many emails and posted all over social media (amusingly, I hope) soliciting would-be benefactors for my modest cinematic endeavor. People came out of the woodwork to open their hearts and wallets to me. The show of support was both touching and game-changing. Read more>>

Bailey Ritter

I can say I am ever so lucky that I haven’t ever had to “ask” many of my family members or friends to support my business. Most of them just show up and have my back. They think of me when they see things or opportunities I could go for that would better my businesses. They have also always been good with sharing my posts, coming to my vendor events, and such. I’m grateful for my support system and know that if ever needed I could go to them and ask them and they would be there 100%. It has really overall showed me that the ones who really truly care and support you will do everything in their power to be there for you, even if they can’t physically be there, without you having to ask. Read more>>

Johnny Jones

I believe that in order for you to ask your friends or family to participate in your business you must first evaluate not only your relationship with them but also how youve seen them act in various situations. You may have a friend who is the best Cinematographer in the world but if they are a control freak in many aspects of their life, situations may arise where that character trait conflicts with your business. Talent and temperament are very important aspects when you start to consider if someone would be a good fit to support you. Read more>>

Bo Bestvina

Sometimes at a party with friends, the last thing I want to talk about is my business. But friends refer music students my way, so its got to be talked about. And the typical conversations like “my daughter has played piano for four years…etc.” have to happen. But at some point I change the topic to something like sci-fi movies. This actually happened at a piano, where someone there was thinking about piano lessons and wanted to talk to me all night. I answered questions for 10 minutes before asking her if she’d seen any good movies recently. Read more>>

Chanda Hakaknson

Seeking support from family and friends is key to a successful business. They understand how much it means to me and offer encouragement, working hard to help because they care and want to see me succeed. Their support provides a sense of security and motivation, making the challenges of running a business more manageable. Read more>>

Yanna Lowe

When you start a business, expecting your family and friends to support you is normal. However, your family and friends’ support (profit-wise) will not grow your business on its own. I always tell people that success comes from strangers who support you in more ways than your family and friends ever will. When I first started Curl Flip®, my business took off with the support of my peers, close friends, and family. I was thankful, motivated, and optimistic by their heavy support alone. However, the support dies down from those closest to you after a while. My business’s success and elevation didn’t happen until I grew my social media following and exposed my business to millions of strangers: every day, a new customer (stranger) purchases from my business, not family and friends. Read more>>

Monjoa Likine

I believe that if you want people to take your business seriously, you have to build something serious first. I don’t expect my friends and family to support me just because I have a dream—I present my business to them the same way I would to an investor or stakeholder. I want them to not only see the vision but also understand the proof behind why it will work and why it matters. Read more>>