How to Support a Friend or Family Member in Their New Venture

How to Support a Friend or Family Member in Their New Venture

• Offer encouraging words
• Share positive ideas and feedback
• Refer business their way—everyone knows someone!
• Introduce them to your network of friends and family
• Keep cheering them on—your support can make all the difference!

The impact you can have on someone’s success is incredible, and it costs nothing but a little time. A kind word, a referral, or a simple introduction can help turn their dreams into reality. Watching someone achieve their goals is priceless! Do you want to be the one lifting them up—or the one holding them back?

Surround Yourself with Supporters, Not Naysayers

If you believe in what you are doing, surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you.

After 30+ years as an entrepreneur, I’ve heard every doubt and criticism:
“You can’t do that.” “That’s too risky.” “No one will buy that product.” “Only certain people can succeed in business.”

But despite the naysayers, I have started, bought, merged, and successfully sold multiple businesses.

Here is my advice:
Building a business takes effort, investment, courage, and risk. Every day, people take risks—think of firefighters. They run into burning buildings to save lives, despite the danger. Imagine if they listened to those who said, “That job is too risky—you should do something safer.”

I’m grateful for risk-takers!

Stay focused on your dreams. Push through challenges, and you will come out stronger on the other side. If you believe in your product or service, keep going—no matter what the doubters say.

Every Success Story Starts with One Person Saying “Yes”

Every time someone benefits from your product or service, it is proof that what you’re doing matters. That purchase wasn’t just a transaction—it was someone saying, “I see value in what you offer.” Let that fuel your determination to keep going. Each happy customer is a reminder that you’re making a difference!

Build a Circle of Encouragement

Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people who will encourage and support you. Naysayers won’t help you achieve your goals—so don’t give them power over your dreams.

Find fellow business owners who support you and do the same for them. Be a cheerleader for others, and they will likely return the favor. Creating a strong referral network can be a game-changer!

One great way to do this is through Step Up Referrals—a platform designed to help you build connections with tools like Digital Referral Cards. By adding other businesses to your Digital Referral Card, you’re not just promoting your own business—you’re creating a network where everyone wins. When you share your card, you’re also sharing the businesses of those in your circle, and they do the same for you!

Pay It Forward

Supporting others is a powerful way to grow. Help fellow business owners the way you would want to be helped. Let’s uplift each other, overcome negativity, and move forward together.

Let’s Step Up, refer, encourage, and celebrate each other’s success!

Because in business (and in life), the storms we face reveal the strength of our convictions.

Written by Mauri Rene

For more information about this author, click here: Mauri Rene

By, Mauri Rene