Navigating Criticism from Friends and Family as a Woman Entrepreneur

By Jean LaVallie , Founder and President Women Entrepreneurs Secrets of Success (WESOS)

Starting a new business as a woman entrepreneur can be incredibly exciting, but also deeply challenging—especially when the people we care about most don’t share our enthusiasm. Often, it’s friends and family, the ones we expect to be our biggest cheerleaders, who unintentionally become our toughest critics. When their doubts seep into our own thoughts, it can feel like the seeds of self-doubt are being planted, threatening to derail the dream before it’s had a chance to bloom.

Just last week, I held a brainstorming session in the WESOS Network community center, and one of our newest participants bravely shared that she was struggling with this exact issue. The unsupportive comments from her closest circle were starting to make her question her business idea. My heart went out to her. I couldn’t help but remember my own journey, and the resistance I faced when I first shared my vision for WESOS—a nationwide community where women entrepreneurs could support and uplift each other.

It’s a story many entrepreneurs know all too well. When I talked about building a space where women would collaborate rather than compete, some of my friends and family questioned the practicality of the idea. They didn’t see the vision. And that’s where it gets hard—because if we don’t believe in our vision, the negativity of others can stop us in our tracks before we’ve even really started.

Thankfully, during our brainstorming session, several seasoned entrepreneurs spoke up and reassured this woman that she wasn’t alone. Every entrepreneur faces this hurdle. The journey is rarely straightforward or easy, but it’s worth it. The reality is, you don’t need everyone to understand your vision. You need you to believe in it wholeheartedly.

I’m driven more than ever to expand our WESOS community because I know how essential it is for women entrepreneurs to have spaces where they’re supported, understood, and encouraged. It’s in these communities that we find the strength to keep pushing forward, even when the world (or our loved ones) doesn’t see the potential we see.

I often think about the person who "invented" the Pet Rock, Gary Dahl. Can you imagine the looks and comments he probably received when he first pitched the idea to his friends and family? Yet, despite the absurdity of it all, Dahl made over $6 million from selling what was essentially a joke. He sold more than 1.5 million rocks! It’s a story that serves as a reminder that not everyone will understand or appreciate your vision right away—and that’s okay.

At the end of the day, entrepreneurship isn’t about avoiding criticism; it’s about forging ahead despite it. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, seek out communities that will lift you up, and trust that your passion and vision will lead you where you need to go.

After all, the only person who really needs to believe in your idea is you. The rest will follow. Have you struggled with this challenge in your journey? We would love to hear your story!

Women Entrepreneurs. Experience the "Heart of WESOS", where building authentic relationships leads to business growth, shared resources, collaborations, referrals, inspiration, and more! Get started for free today: WESOS Community Center

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