The Harsh Truth: Why Your Circle Supports Employment Over Entrepreneurship

When I landed my first “real job,” my phone lit up like a Christmas tree—texts, calls, likes, comments, even a few surprise gifts. It felt like the whole world was celebrating me. Fast forward a year later, I launched my first business. I poured months of planning into it, took financial risks, worked late nights, and hit "publish" on my new Online Shopping Website Shop Sales Ja with excitement.

Silence.

Maybe a like or two. A “nice” comment. But that was it. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many entrepreneurs find themselves in this exact emotional paradox: Why does getting a job bring so much praise, while starting a business brings hesitation, doubt, or even quiet disapproval? Let’s dig into the uncomfortable but honest reasons behind this dynamic—and what you can do about it.

1. Society Has Been Trained to Celebrate Stability

From childhood, we’re conditioned to equate success with safety. “Get a good job, work hard, climb the ladder.” This is the blueprint most of our parents, teachers, and even peers were handed—and for many, it’s all they know.

A job, especially one with a recognizable company or title, checks those boxes. It's predictable. It comes with a paycheck, health insurance, and social status. Starting a business, on the other hand? That’s a leap into the unknown. There's no fixed salary, no manager giving you feedback, no structured routine. It scares people. And people don’t usually cheer for things that scare them.

2. Your Ambition Can Make Others Uncomfortable

This one’s hard to accept—but it's real. When you start a business, you're not just stepping out of your comfort zone, you're stepping out of theirs.

For someone who has always played it safe, your risk-taking might trigger insecurity. They might admire you deep down, but on the surface, they minimize or dismiss your journey. It’s easier to support something that doesn’t challenge their own choices.

That’s why you’ll often hear:

• “Are you sure this will work?”
• “You should have a backup plan.”
• “That’s risky in this economy.”

It’s not always hate—it’s projection. Your boldness reflects what they’re too afraid to do themselves.

3. Cultural and Family Expectations Play a Huge Role

In many cultures, especially tight-knit or traditional ones, respect is tied to titles, degrees, and job prestige. Parents often dream of seeing their child become a doctor, lawyer, engineer—not a freelance graphic designer or e-commerce entrepreneur.

The job title offers familiarity. It’s something they can explain to their friends. “My daughter works at "Sutherland Global” feels safe and impressive. But “My son just launched his own digital agency” might be met with confused looks or probing questions.

It’s not personal. It's generational. It’s what success used to look like. Now, we’re changing that.

4. Entrepreneurship Doesn’t Offer Instant Validation

When you get a job, there's a clear milestone: an offer letter, a start date, a salary figure. It’s easy to share. It’s easy for others to understand. People can say “Congratulations!” and move on.

But when you start a business, there’s no grand announcement. Your launch might be quiet, your growth slow, your success invisible—for months or even years. People don’t know how to react to that. There’s no LinkedIn template for “I just bootstrapped my dream.”

And sometimes, they’re waiting for proof before they cheer. Validation comes late in entrepreneurship—and only if you don’t give up before it arrives.

5. Lack of Support Doesn’t Mean Lack of Love

Here’s a perspective shift: Just because your friends and family don’t support your business doesn’t mean they don’t love you.

Support looks different to different people. Some are too afraid for you to cheer. Some are quietly watching. Some are confused but curious. Some want to support you, but don’t know how. They don’t understand the journey—because they’ve never walked it.

6. So, What Can You Do About It?

a. Find Your Tribe

Surround yourself with other builders, dreamers, creators. People who understand the grind. Online communities, local entrepreneur groups, even a mentor or accountability buddy can fill that gap.

b. Celebrate Your Own Wins

Don’t wait for applause. Document your milestones—big and small. Share them with pride. The right people will notice, and more importantly, you’ll stay motivated.

c. Let Results Speak

You don’t need to convince anyone. Keep building. Keep refining. Keep showing up. Eventually, your work will become your resume, your portfolio, your proof. The cheers will come—sometimes from the least expected places.

Final Thoughts: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

Starting a business is hard. Doing it without support? Even harder. But here's the thing: You're not doing it for approval. You're doing it because there's something inside you that refuses to settle. That vision, that passion, that purpose—it’s yours. And that’s enough.

Jobs are easy to understand. Businesses are harder. But guess which one changes lives?

Keep going. The world may not clap now—but one day, they'll ask how you did it.

Have you experienced this shift in support? Share your story in the comments or tag someone who needs to hear this.