Entrepreneurship: How To Get Family To Support Your Dreams

We know how YOU view entrepreneurship and starting a business, but what about your family? in this lecture, we take a peek inside the mind of those closest to you.

Many of your family members may think like employees. This means they are content with their set schedules and enjoy receiving a paycheck every 2 weeks. They know how much money they will have and can budget accordingly. The thought of not having a set pay, or not getting paid every 2 weeks (could make them feel uncomfortable. They have bills to pay. It's critical for you as an entrepreneur to see things from their perspective and understand their point of view.

Is your significant other resistant to you becoming an entrepreneur? There are many potential reasons for their lack of enthusiasm.

If we want our family to support our entrepreneurial aspirations, we must be honest with them from the start. It's critical they understand what could happen and become mentally prepared.

There are 2 important questions you must ask yourself about your loved ones:

1. Are they risks takers or risk averse?

2. If in a relationship, will entrepreneurship cause the dynamics of the relationship change?

The answers to these questions will dictate how you approach them about your desire to become self-employed.

Some people are risk takers, while other prefer to stay as afar away from risk as possible. The average entrepreneur doesn't mind taking risks. it's critical you as an entrepreneur know if your loved ones are risk averse and take that into consideration when talking to them.

Is it possible both you AND your loved ones are right? Absolutely. By looking at things from their perspective, you can create ways for them to see things from your point of view also.

This is a critical aspect of business and entrepreneurship: As the entrepreneur, you must look at all possible scenarios, with a special emphasis on how it will affect your loved ones. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How will the family dynamic change?

• Will my partner have to do things they didn't have to before?

• What sacrifices are you willing to make to keep your loved ones happy? 

These are just a few questions you must have thought about and must discuss as you begin your entrepreneurial journey.   

It's critical you as the entrepreneur be willing to see things from your partner's perspective AND make concessions to keep them happy. Relationships are a give and take. By hearing your partner's concerns, you could be one step closer to receiving their blessing and support.

One of the easiest ways to get the support of your family is to simply tell them why you want to start a business. In this lecture, we discuss some of the top reasons people start businesses, and how they can benefit those closest around you. By showing them the benefits, you're possibly one step closer to gaining their support.

This is the time to determine what is most important in your home. For example:

• Picking kids up from school

• Being home at the same time every night

• Helping with household chores

Whatever is most important in your home, agreements can be made to make sure these needs are met.

A great way to get family on your side is to keep them engaged with the business. In many instances, having a voice in the business can keep them engaged and supportive. Keep them in the loop.

It's important to remember that no matter what you do, some will not be on board with your ideas. The key is to plant seeds, Just because they aren't supportive today doesn't mean they won't be in the future. One way to get them on your side? Become successful. 

Just because your family isn't supportive right now does NOT mean they won't be supportive in the future. The key is to remind yourself of the benefits of a business supported by your family.

Another motivation to keep going is to groom the next generation. Even if the adults in your family aren't supportive, the kids will be watching. Is there a chance they will want to follow in your footsteps in 5-10 years? Absolutely.

Another great reason to keep going is if your family joins in, you keep even more control over the company. many entrepreneurs either sell their business to others or dissolve it altogether if they decide to retire. With a family owned business, the bsuiness will remain in the family even if you choose to stop working.

As you embark on your entrepreneur journey, keep the following in mind:

• Remind yourself why you started your business initially

• Family may be hesitant to support you because they simply don't understand business

• It can take time for family to embrace your ideas, so be patient

• In time, you they can become your biggest supporters

Remember: success can make a believer out of the most skeptical family member, so never give up!