We recently connected with Angela O’brien and have shared our conversation below.

Angela , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

This can be a tricky topic. Ideally, our friends and family would be our biggest supporters, but that’s often not the case. From my own experience, I’ve found that those closest to us are often the last ones to truly back our endeavors. When you begin a new venture, it’s natural to want to share your excitement with the people around you. But over time, I’ve learned it’s often better to keep your goals to yourself in the beginning.

This is where developing the right mindset becomes crucial. You need to strengthen your mindset daily so you can withstand the challenges of entrepreneurship. It’s about building an unshakable belief in yourself—knowing that nothing or no one can stop what God has put inside of you.

As you grow, you’ll realize that people who haven’t pursued their own dreams may unintentionally try to discourage you from following yours. I remember when I started my entrepreneurial journey over a decade ago, the support from those close to me was almost nonexistent. But my drive and determination kept me moving forward. For those just starting out, though, this lack of support can be a real barrier.

It’s essential to understand and believe that there are strangers out there who will support you and your business. Stay focused on your goals, push forward, and always have a personal “why” to return to when you feel discouraged—whether it’s providing for your family, gaining time freedom, or something else. Do the work, and let your results speak for themselves. If the people around you want to support you, that’s great. If not, that’s okay too. Keep moving forward and welcome the support of those who believe in you.

Angela , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a business coach from St. Louis, MO, and I’ve been an entrepreneur for over a decade. My passion is teaching aspiring and experienced business owners how to create generational wealth through entrepreneurship. I coach adults on how to start and scale their businesses, but I also believe in the power of educating the next generation. I’ve documented my journey of teaching my own two daughters and have since helped thousands of others do the same.

What I’m most proud of is the brand I’ve built as a single mom. My mission is to help not only other single moms but individuals from all walks of life buy back their time. I do this by showing them how to leverage business credit and OPM (other people’s money) to invest in income-producing assets. So many people have big dreams but don’t know where or how to start. That’s where I come in—helping them turn their dreams into reality and create lasting wealth for themselves and future generations.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I would say my authenticity and the proven results and testimonials speak for themselves. I don’t just talk the talk—I actually live it. I’ve grown my online following to over half a million by simply being myself. I believe that’s a crucial part of building a strong and genuine brand.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’m an avid reader, and books have played a huge role in my personal and professional growth. A few that have had a significant impact on my journey include Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Think & Grow Rich, The Psychology of Money, and The Richest Man in Babylon. These books helped shape my mindset, expand my financial knowledge, and guide my decision-making as I built my business. I recommend these to anyone just starting out, as they provide timeless lessons on wealth, mindset, and financial freedom. Even now, I still re-read them often to reinforce those foundational principles. There’s always something new to learn!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theangelaobrien.com
• Instagram: @iamangelaobrien
• Facebook: @iamangelaobrien
• Youtube: @iamangelaobrien
• Other: TikTok: @iamangelaobrien