By Tatiauna Miller

Lately I’ve noticed a common sentiment among new business owners; frustration on why their friends and family won’t support their business. I not only hear this expressed in conversations, but on memes, Facebook and Twitter feeds. We see these questions all the time. As a person that tries to support small businesses, I decided to share my thoughts on this. Now a disclaimer! The below reasons have nothing to do with anyone “I know”. So, if you’re feeling a little Carly Simon-ish, calm down because this column is not about you!

1. They don’t want to see you succeed: This is the most commonly thought of reason. Believe it or not there are a few people that just can’t stand you and will go to bed praying your little business will be a dud. It’s probably some competitive flaw in our nature that prevent some people from elevating others to succeed. I think it’s also immaturity, but not everyone grows up.

2. They’ve been burned in past: In my opinion asking someone to support your business whether it’s word of mouth, sharing a Facebook post or patronizing their business is like a relationship. You’re asking me for some sort of commitment such as time, money or other resources in return, I expect to receive something and it better be good! I know a ton of people that stop supporting friends and family business because they never received the service they paid for but felt awkward to harass them too much because it’s your friend. This leads me into the next reason.

3. Business owners treat you like a friend but expect full price. What I mean is if I’m being asked to support a business of a friend of mine, especially and upcoming business it’s just wrong to ask for a discount. I expect to pay full price because I would hope that every little bit helps. But if I’m paying full price I expect the same level of customer service as the new client. I’m paying the same price for the same thing, don’t have me waiting while you’re serving everyone else cause I’m the “homie”.

4. Your friends and family just don’t know. Some people don’t want to share their projects and or dreams until everything is ready and nothing is wrong with that but don’t expect anyone to jump on the bandwagon ASAP just because it’s you! Imagine your family calling each other up trying to determine when Janice got a hair salon and how come we didn’t know she can do hair, what interest rate she got on the business loan etc.

5. Your family and friends have zero faith in you and your business. These people will trust you enough to drive their drunk ass home but will not trust you with a haircut, oil change or portrait commission. They act like you’re doing their emergency brain surgery after spending the night at Motel 6.

6. Small business support jaded; I get so happy to see FB messages or IG messages from people I hadn’t heard from in 15 years. Until I read the message and it’s some request to support their small business/ pyramid scheme. Soon as I see that I want to curse! I’ve gotten support requests for nail polishes, leggings, jewelry, makeup and of course Herbal Life. I have a rule if you’re going to sell me something that is supposed to make me lose weight and/or look better, you better be a damn 10! I’m only buying from a 10 not a 4 or work in progress, I need to see a “12 pack of abs”, tight asses and happy faces! Don’t try to sell me any make up and you always look like you rolled out of bed. I need to see some make up magic tricks before I purchase something.

Small business owners just remember sometimes it’s not about you, sometimes it’s about them and their insecurity and issues.

Thanks for giving me your time! Have a beautiful day, laugh more and live more!

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