Starting a Business: Convincing Your Friends and Family

You eagerly present your plan to your friends and relatives, expecting that they will share your excitement. Instead, the shocked silence is palpable. The silence is short lived, quickly replaced by the interrogation and nay-saying. "How will you survive?" "What makes you think that will sell anyway?" "I can't believe you're giving up a great job with benefits!"

Before snapping back at them, take a deep breath. Remember that they do have your best interest at heart. Their questions and comments, though hurtful, are made out of love. Preparing yourself in advance can assist you in explaining your decision to those who love you.

You will need to be prepared to present the nature and work of your business to a variety of potential clients and investors. Presenting your business plan to your family and friends can serve as a great opportunity for you to get comfortable with talking your way through it. Develop clear explanations and examples that will demonstrate your competence and preparation.

Your friends and relatives may be skeptical of your ability to draw a reasonable income. How much you tell each person depends on how close you are. If your finances and theirs are intertwined, they certainly have a vested interest in discovering how you plan to pull your weight. Others, who are not affected by your financial decisions, can be steered to a more general discussion of your business ideas.

Be sure to have a clear picture of your company's mission and vision. Explaining a concrete plan is easier than getting people on board with a vague or esoteric concept. Practice your marketing skills as you talk up the selling points of your idea.

Enlist help. By putting your friends and relatives to work, even with something as simple as spreading the word to their friends, you can help them to feel like they are part of something new and exciting. It will also show them that you are serious about your company. Be careful, however, not to take advantage of their generosity.

Listen to what your friends have to say. They know you well, and their concerns may be relevant. Think through the issues that they bring up, and determine how to address them. This does not mean that you should let your friends talk you out of going into business, but it may be that a slight change of direction or focus is in order. This is especially true if more than person raises the same concern.

Ultimately, you are an adult, and your career decisions are yours to make. True friends will not begrudge you making your living as you see fit. However, they do have a vested interest in seeing you succeed. Utilize your marketing skills to bring them on board, while taking seriously any comments or concerns they may have. Your loved ones will be your biggest source of support in the difficult months ahead, so be sure not to alienate them.