Family/Friends & Business Don't Mix!!!

Guest Writer Damion W

If there is one thing I learned from a good friend when I started my business is that family and friends do not support you. To test this theory, he sent a link of his business to all he knew - very few responses. When he started another business, he asked a close friend to send out a message (about his business) and because his name didn’t appear or picture didn’t appear, he received more responses from the same contact list then before. Why is this? No answer can really be made unless we can not help our own succeed.

The assumption is that family and friends can’t see the next one close to them succeeding if they have not or even tried to pursue something as great. Yet, when they asked for something out of “your business” they expect it for free as if your association is a good enough payment. If you have a family or friend who has started a business, know that any request from you is incurring an expense on them. Regardless of how small the request is, time is money so whatever that person has to do to fulfill your request is taking away from them.

Business cost money. Regardless of what you see on t.v. or hear people say, Business Cost Money. Support Your Family/Friends In Whatever They are Doing That is Positive. And know that “support” comes in many ways other than saying “I can get you business” or “I know people who would buy if you do this”. People, THIS IS NOT SUPPORT!!! If you know of a cost-free way to help, then JUST DO IT!!! Why are you exchanging with your family/friends just to get a handout??? Support is Money, Coins, Dollars, Funds – the only way a business will grow. When you support someone’s business, you give money, your time, your expertise – not a d@mn statement of what you can do if you were wearing their product for free or if you were given free service.

Did you reason with Sean John, Polo, Timberland, Nine West, Nike, Jordan, Gucci, your accountant, your cellular service provider, your cable service, MLG&W??? When it came down to wearing one of these styles or obtaining these services, you paid. So quit treating your family and friends differently because with an attitude like this, they will NEVER make it if they have you for support.

Family and friends are also the reason why some are not in business or think they can’t make their small idea into something huge. Instead of talking about it, be about it. Quit offering negative advice and assumptions!!! If that person wants to sell paperclips, help them do that. Don’t tell them they can’t. I’m sure the people at Swingline and Post-It (just to name a few of the small office supplies you use) would laugh at you. Support your family and friends in whatever positive business venture they pursue. Buy their service. Buy their product. Quit asking for free sh!t!!! Give them something on the product or service even if its not the full price. Show them that you want to help. Quit asking for free products because it isn’t free for them to give it to you. Be a support not a crutch. They don’t need to lean on you for their own dreams. They just need to know that they can do it which is what is going to push them further and make it over the obstacles they will have to cross. Don’t become one of the obstacles they need to cross. Trust me when I say this – when they make it to the finish line and you were only an obstacle, you will be forgotten. I’m out.