A Practical Guide for Family + Friends Who Want to Support Entrepreneurs
- Casey Ariel Thobias
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
How to show up for the dreamer in your life in tangible, transformative ways.
It’s not always easy knowing how to support someone who’s set out to do the unimaginable — turning an idea into a business, rallying others around a vision only they can see.
Even with the best intentions, support can fall short when we don’t know what helps most — or when the entrepreneur in our lives doesn’t quite know how to ask. That gap can breed frustration, distance, and misunderstanding. But it doesn’t have to.
Here’s a clear, practical guide to showing up meaningfully for you the entrepreneur in your life. Each one of these gestures can be game-changing.
1. ✈️ Sky Miles: A Gift of Mobility
If you have unused credit card or airline reward points, gifting flights can be a lifesaver. Entrepreneurs often need to travel to pitch opportunities, speak on stages, or build connections — and flights aren’t always affordable when cash flow is tight. Your sky miles might be the exact bridge they need. If you know a trip is coming up, offer to cover their travel. It might save them time, money, and stress — and be the difference between them showing up or sitting it out.
2. 🏨 Hotel Points: Comfort During the Climb
Lodging can be a huge expense for founders traveling to new markets. They might not have family in the cities where they’re pitching or presenting — but your hotel points can create a home away from home. Let your entrepreneur know that they can tap into your points when travel is tied to their business goals. It’s one less burden for them to carry and a powerful way for you to stand in their corner.
3. 🏠 Living Rent-Free: Offering Shelter Without Shame
Some entrepreneurs return to their hometowns to stay afloat while bootstrapping. But pride, fear, and shame can delay the ask. Be proactive. If you’re able, let them know they’re welcome — and that you see their return not as a failure, but as a courageous step in their journey. That invitation can lighten emotional and financial load, making room for clarity, recovery, and resolve.
4. 💍 Spousal Covering: Giving Them Room to Breathe
For partners of entrepreneurs, the best support might not be a financial investment in the business — but financial stability at home. If you're able to take on household expenses during a critical growth phase, say so. And say it often. Let them know they don’t need to carry both the weight of the dream and the bills. The freedom to focus, unburdened by guilt or pressure, can transform how they lead and grow.
5. 🧭 Introductions: Your Network Is a Lifeline
It’s true — in business, who you know can be more valuable than what you know. A warm intro to a funder, mentor, sponsor, or fellow entrepreneur could open doors that cold emails never will. Even if the connection doesn’t pay off immediately, you’ve helped them practice articulation, expand their circle, and plant a seed for future opportunities. Don’t underestimate your social capital. It multiplies when shared.
6. 💰 Investment: Small Steps, Big Impact
Not every business need comes with a giant price tag. Many times, what founders need is a few hundred dollars for a trademark, $50 for an LLC filing, or help covering a certification fee. Talk to your entrepreneur about breaking big goals into smaller, fundable projects. Then step in where you can. Progress doesn’t always require five figures — just consistent momentum and the power of micro-investments.
7. 🌱 Community: Be a Villager
We romanticize the idea of “village,” but what does it really mean to be a villager? It means showing up. Entrepreneurs often feel isolated — misunderstood by family, second-guessed by peers, and emotionally worn thin. You can be the antidote to all that. Check in regularly. Celebrate small wins. Speak belief into them when they question themselves. Your consistent presence can protect their mental health and help them remember: they are not alone.
Final Word
Entrepreneurship is a marathon of the heart, mind, and pocket. The smallest gestures — a room to stay, a word of encouragement, an intro to someone who gets it — can ripple into momentum that changes everything.
If you’ve been wondering how to support the entrepreneur in your life, I hope this list gave you the clarity and confidence to act.
We are because you are.
Here's to showing up, together. 🤎
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