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.

Shakeitha Middleton

I have mixed feelings about asking friends and family to support my business. On one hand, your closest relationships are often your first customers and biggest cheerleaders – they believe in you when no one else does. But there’s also something that feels uncomfortable about potentially exploiting those relationships for commercial gain. Read more>>

Kristi Kincaid

I believe the saying of, “a client will become a friend faster and easier than a friend will become a client”. I don’t care who you are, it hurts your feelings. You want to be supported by the people closest to you, but they seem to be the hardest ones to convince that you actually know what you are doing. Read more>>

Lars Anderson

Starting a small business is hard work. The biggest takeaway I’d have for folks considering starting a business is this: It’s never a 1 man show. The people who may have told you they started their business completely by themselves, did everything themselves, etc, are more than likely trying to sell you something, like how you can do the same. The reality is that the help that family and friends can provide through their support is integral to early and continued success. As a quick example, I would still be working the same job I hated if it weren’t for my wife encouraging me to take the leap of faith required to go into entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Jenna D’Agostino

I feel like I am extremely lucky when it comes to the support from my friends and family. They show that support in a few different ways. They book me for catering their parties, teaching cooking classes for them, giving me referrals to their friends and family, and also sharing my posts on social media. I have not had to ever ask for this support, they just give it to me and I am forever grateful for it all. Read more>>