Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But what happens when your friends get too close for business comfort? A woman I met last year through a friend recently moved to town and called me to ask a design question. Then she told me she didn’t have many friends and wanted to get together often. I like to think I’m fun to be around but my gut told me it had more to do with my design skills. Bottom line: she didn’t want to have to pay for a designer.

At some point in your business life when you least expect it, a friend or relative will call to ask you for your services. At that point you have three choices: you could charge them your normal rate, give them a discount, or turn down the business altogether. If you’ve ever committed to doing something for a friend or relative and later felt a knot in your stomach, you may want to go with that feeling. Oftentimes, mixing business with pleasure is like holding a candle to a gas heater. Someone is bound to explode.

Some people are clear about doing business with friends or relatives. If your friends or family call to ask for your services, there’s nothing wrong with politely telling them that you appreciate their call. Then explain your business policy. Agreeing to do something you don’t want to do isn’t worth the possibility of losing a friend or alienating your family.

For some folks, working with family or friends is time-consuming, aggravating and simply not worth it. Figure out your “working with friends or relatives” policy and then stick with it.