The Breaking Into Business Alumni Newsletter usually focuses on ways to improve your skills or master your craft. But Maker's Row - an online manufacturing community dedicated to helping artists, crafters, and makers learn, connect, and produce - suggests several ways that you can support your friends who are starting a business. Just in time for the giving season.

Get together: It's easy to feel isolated or alone when starting a business. Invite an artist friend to lunch or dinner. Show that you are there to support them by asking questions and listening.

Lend a hand: Find out how you can pitch in or contribute. Maybe you have a skill that you've sharpened over the years that could help them. Perhaps you can make an introduction, a connection, or share a resource.

Share the love: Celebrate with them! Small victories keep us going when business is young, and having someone there to witness them makes these triumphs more special. Shining the light on their small steps forward goes a long way toward boosting confidence and lending to success.

Michael Arnowitt is a classical and jazz pianist. Well-known for the clarity and elegance of his musical ideas and presentation, Michael has performed all over the world. In A pril and May of 2017 he will tour Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. Learn more about his tour and answer his call for suggestions on his website.