What’s your view on asking friends and family to support your brand? We asked members of the community to open up and share their views on this controversial topic. Check out some highlights below.

Tia Henry

Asking family and friends to support your business can sometimes feel even more daunting than asking complete strangers. There’s an instinct to expect unconditional support from those who care about you, but often, these same people might ask for discounts or extra services for free. While it’s natural for loved ones to want to help, it’s also important to recognize that their support doesn’t always look the way we expect. In my years as a freelance photographer, I’ve learned that if someone asks for something they weren’t offered—whether it’s a discount or extra work—they’re not necessarily supporting you; they’re supporting what they think you can do for them. And that realization can hurt. But it’s also been a crucial lesson in setting boundaries, understanding where I stand, and practicing forgiveness. Read more>>

Sarah Williams

Edwin* had always loved being outdoors and enjoyed the serenity of his garden after longs days toiling in a cloistered cubicle. The rustling leaves swirling in the wind helped calm his heart and mind, and the brilliant colors sparked his imagination after the dull toupes a d greys of the walls and computers of corporate America. As the years passed, he added to his collection of grand and unusual plants. His love for his garden grew, even as his strength to maintain it ebbed. Finally, he retired and was able to enjoy his garden daily, only to find it required more effort than he was able to give. Read more>>

Alyssa Durham

When it comes to asking for support or help, I am a very independent person. I own and operate Little Birdies Treats & Coffee, LLC along side of my husband, Austin. Asking for help isn’t my strong suit. In the 2.5 years we’ve been in business, we’ve had to ask for help in a multitude of ways from watching our kids to moving large pieces of equipment to taste testing. You can imagine how well the requests for taste testers goes over😉. Asking friends and family to support your business can feel natural, but you also want to ensure the ask is thoughtful and not overbearing. Here’s how you might approach it: Read more>>