Scenario: A girl friend of yours starts a new side-job or perhaps that's her primary means of income. But, all the same you now have a friend who is an entrepreneur; she now has an online business, with business cards, a website, and products for sale. She informs you of this business, and invites you to her online page, namely Facebook.
This, my friends, has become quite common. Just a week ago, I saw a report on a local news channel about women and what has been deemed the "side hussle." This can be a great venture and opportunity for women who are working to support themselves and their families.
This CAN be great, if the women who become their own boss remember the meaning and manifestation of FRIENDSHIP.
• Just because someone is your friend doesn't make them your customer.
• A friend can support YOU. Yet, not necessarily monetarily support your business. (Never overlook "friend-support," for oftentimes it transcends material things delving into the mental and emotional. THIS is the kind of support many of us NEED.)
• If a friend shows interest in a product you sell, feel free to engage, especially if they have questions. BUT, it's never okay to forcibly bombard them with aspects of your business they never signed up for.
• Talk to your friends about other things aside from your business. To only discuss business is the equivalent of a romantic couple/spouse only discussing work with their significant other. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER DYNAMICS OF YOUR FRIENDSHIP?
• There are many statistics which support the fact that business growth is often achieved when one branches out from personal friends and family members. Your friends aren't the only potential fans for you and what you're selling.
There are plenty of catchy little "isms" I appreciate, such as Bros before hoes, Gals before Pals, etc. This scenario applies: friends before dividends (I just made that up. I'm open to the statement being tweaked, but the meaning rings clear and true). When you make your friend a mark, are you truly being a friend?
WHAT DO YOU THINK, FRIENDS?
