Overcoming Family Expectations: My Biggest Obstacle as an Entrepreneur

Starting my own business wasn’t just about learning how to craft, market, and sell—it was about overcoming the voices that told me I shouldn’t. The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my entrepreneurial journey hasn’t been external competition or financial struggles; it has been the influence of those closest to me—my family. The ones who love me the most, yet the ones who continuously talk me out of running my business full-time, encouraging me instead to follow a ‘secure’ career path in coding.

The Battle of Voices

Unlike many entrepreneurs who can create distance from negativity, I don’t have that option. I live with my family, and they know everything about my life. Every step I take, every decision I make—they have an opinion on it. And that includes my parenting, my career, and even how I raise my daughter. Their concern comes from a place of love, but love doesn’t always mean support. It often means protection, and protection sometimes translates into discouragement.

I used to share my excitement with them about new opportunities, hoping they would celebrate with me. But over the years, I learned that my excitement was often met with skepticism, indifference, or even attempts to talk me out of my ideas. They couldn’t understand why I would risk a stable, promising career in coding for something as unpredictable as running a handmade jewelry business.

Learning to Stand My Ground

The hardest part of this journey has been learning to separate my own voice from theirs. I had to develop a skill that many entrepreneurs never have to master—tuning out the constant doubts from those I love. It’s a mental battle every single day, a constant practice of standing firm in my beliefs and not leaving room for their doubts to become my own.

Instead of allowing them to talk me out of my dreams, I’ve learned to shift the conversation. I no longer seek validation from them for my choices. Instead, I focus on what I need from them: their help, their love, and their presence—not their permission. This shift didn’t happen overnight. It has taken years of self-reflection, confidence-building, and trusting my own instincts over external opinions.

Choosing Action Over Words

Now, I no longer share my big ideas or plans until I’ve already taken action. I realized that by keeping my vision to myself, I protect my dreams from being diminished before they even have a chance to grow. It’s lonely at times—not having anyone to share the excitement with—but I’d rather build in silence than allow my dreams to be crushed before they even begin.

I used to feel like a failure for not pursuing a career in music after fighting so hard to get my degree in music composition. But looking back, I see that every skill I’ve learned, every experience I’ve had, has contributed to where I am now. Running my business isn’t a detour—it’s part of my path. And who knows? One day, I may find a way to reconnect with music in a way that aligns with this journey.

Trusting the Process

Everything in life has its time and place. Every skill, every setback, every lesson—they all come together in ways we don’t always see at first. My story is still unfolding, and I trust that one day, everything I’ve worked toward will make sense in ways I never imagined. Until then, I will continue to push forward, create, and build a life that aligns with my own vision—not someone else’s.

To anyone else facing the same battle—know that you are not alone. Your dreams are worth fighting for, even when those closest to you don’t understand them yet. Keep going, keep building, and let your success speak for itself.

With love,
Châu Nguyễn.