Why Asking for Support is a Strategy Right Now

Right now, small business owners are navigating rising costs, supply chain uncertainty,
policy whiplash, and workforce disruptions — often all at once. On top of that, many of us
are still conditioned to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. It isn’t. It’s one
of the smartest business moves you can make.

It takes a strong person to admit your own limitations and admit to yourself that you
need help. It takes even more strength to ask others for support and allow yourself to
receive that support. But, reaching out for support can greatly increase your ability to
weather whatever comes next. Here are just a few ways you can benefit by asking for
support.

Reduce Stress

Starting and running a business can feel very lonely.  And in today’s environment, with
tariffs, inflation, and constant policy changes creating real uncertainty, that weight can
feel even heavier. That’s a lot of stress that can negatively affect your emotional and
physical wellbeing. When you enlist the emotional support of people who care deeply
about you, such as your family, friends, co-founders, and other members of your
community, you can more effectively cope with the ups and downs of building your
business.

Energize New Thinking
There are many things you don’t know when you start a business. By seeking out others
who have experience building businesses, listening to their approaches, and asking for
advice, you gain more knowledge and different perspectives. This energizes new
thinking and leads to breakthroughs in developing strategies, solving problems, and
overcoming obstacles.

Strengthen Relationships

When you ask for support, you give others the opportunity to share their knowledge,
talents, and gifts. You are saying you value their gifts and trust them to be a part of this
venture you hold so dear. When you allow yourself to genuinely receive their support,
they experience joy from giving. This exchange builds a stronger bond between you and
them. These relationships can also become strategic ones – peer networks, buying
cooperatives, and shared resources that reduce your costs and make your business
more resilient.

Become More Relatable

As entrepreneurs, we sometimes pride ourselves on our self-sufficiency. Being self-
sufficient is good, except when it negatively affects our ability to ask for help. When you

focus on trying to figure everything out by yourself or think you can do everything better
than anyone else, you are being dishonest with yourself and may look conceited to
others. Asking for support shows others you’re not perfect, and you acknowledge your
success comes from the help you receive from others.

Build Collective Power

When you reach out and ask for support, you’re also building collective power. Business
owners who connect with each other can negotiate better with suppliers, share
resources, and create the kind of community that makes everyone more resilient, not
just your own business.

It’s hard to get what we need if we don’t ask for it. In a moment when so much feels
uncertain, the businesses that will be resilient and thrive are the ones that lean on each
other. Your courage to ask for help isn’t just good for you — it’s good for all of us.