Navigating Friends Who Don't Support Your Business

"Ready to call that friendship quits? Don't be so hasty...."

Got a brand new business idea? Indeed, and you can’t wait to share that news with those closest to you. We all have that one person we want to text, call and gab about our new business ideas and accomplishments with. But what happens when the one closest to you is not as “hype” about your newfound business idea….as you are?

Don’t stress. The fact of the matter is you will have some people who voluntarily choose not to support you because they’re not interested in the entrepreneur lifestyle. What works for you, doesn’t always work for everyone else. It’s important to understand who you are in a close friendship with, know their habits and their ways, and understand that they don’t always have to connect with you on that level. The entrepreneur lifestyle is a preference, and may not be for everyone. So if you’re running off at the mouth on creating a social media content calendar, trying to find out if you should register as an LLC or Corporate Partnership, and just can’t wait to attend one of those Ronne Brown DC networking events (once COVID lifts of course), and your friend only wants to talk about who pissed her off at work that day, recognize the disconnect and don’t take it as a diss. Just know that you come from two completely different playing fields.

Here are a few things to consider:

What is your friend doing to not be supportive? Is she rolling her eyes every time you bring your business up? Is she knowingly changing the subject, or cutting you off? Is she throwing snarky remarks in there?

If so, then it’s time to address the situation not by flying off the handle, but in a grown woman, one on one type of conversation kind of way. Let her know how you feel, but also understand that real friends should not be patronizing you or belittling your dreams. Know that jealousy is a real thing, and the fastest way to lose friends is by opening up a business, and seeing who is there for you in the long run. Trust me, once you get a creative idea and actually run with it, I mean really run with it, your supportive circle can get smaller and smaller.

If you are in this situation, don’t fret. Take it as life having its seasons and maybe your friendship with someone who is jealous and unsupportive is over.

Learn how to build your brand with other like-minded individuals who share your same values, attend some networking events (online or at a safe distance), follow relevant hashtags, exchange your contact info with another entrepreneur for a possible collab opportunity, browse Instagram groups and see who’s doing what in your area, and who’s under the same industry as you. What can start off as a cup of coffee can end up being a positive budding friendship, or what’s better, a business partnership.