Starting a business with support from your loved ones can make all the difference in its ultimate success. Sure, you may be able to go it alone, but your chance of succeeding is much greater when you have the help of those who matter to you the most.
Don't say we didn't tell you the secret of success!
Starting a business with support
from your loved ones can make all the difference in its ultimate success. Sure,
you may be able to go it alone, but your chance of succeeding is much greater
when you have the help of those who matter to you the most. The following
is a list of steps that will help you gain the support of your friends and
family.
Educate them about the
business.
If you sense some skepticism from
your loved ones, it may simply be because they don’t know what exactly you’ll
be doing. Talk about the industry itself and what you will be contributing to
it by starting the business. What unique qualities do you have or what novel
ideas have you come up with that will give you an edge over your competitors?
Make sure you answer their questions as specifically as you can to not only
educate them, but also to demonstrate your own expertise.
Tell them exactly what kind of help
you need.
Some people just need the peace of
mind that their friends and family will provide them with moral support and
encouragement. Others may need physical help to set up a retail space, for
example. Still others may need financial help or even just some assistance
spreading the word about the new business. Tell your loved ones what you need
and how exactly it will help your business. It is so often the case that
friends and family members want to reach out and help, but don’t know what they
can do.
Put their referrals first.
Did your mom refer her friend from
her book club? Is your newest customer your best friend’s landlord? Make
referrals that come from friends and family your top priority. Think of them as
having VIP status with you; if your referrals feel appreciated and important
because they “know the owner,” they will be eager to talk about your business
with their friends and family, and provide you with even more
referrals.
Show your appreciation for their
help.
Gratitude can be shown in a myriad
of ways. The most important thing is to be sincere. Consider taking them out
for a nice meal and making a thoughtful toast, sending them a gift basket with
all their favorite goodies, or spending the time to write a handwritten note or
letter telling them how much their support means to not only your business but
to you personally.
Go above and beyond their
expectations.
Find ways, both big and small, to
exceed the expectations of your friends and family members. They are the most
important people in your life, so make the effort to show them in both your personal
and professional life. Don’t take their support for granted; no one is
obligated to help you just because of your relationship with them. Your efforts
to go above and beyond will likely not go unnoticed, and you’ll feel good about
doing right by those you care about.
Remember that relationships come
first.
Whatever you do, don’t let your
business get in the way of your relationships. There may be times when you feel
disappointed that someone hasn’t supported you in the way you had anticipated. Not
everyone will be able to help you for a variety of reasons. Maintain the
relationship regardless; your loved ones should come first in your life.
Having the support of friends and
family is something we all want when it comes to big decisions, like starting a
business. Be informative, unafraid to ask for help, and willing to return the
favor. How do you enlist the help of your loved ones? Please share your ideas
below!
