To pivot or to persevere? Or more bluntly – to give up or to not to give up? This is a haunting question, a question that has ramifications far after an answer has been chosen and it’s also a question that almost everyone in our community has had to face at one time or another. How do you know when to give up and when to keep trying?

DJ Teratory | DJ & Audio Engineer

I see my family, I look at my life and always think about how much more I want to be. I’m always hungry for more, to be bigger and better than who I am now. If I give up I would be cheating myself that would mean I’m just settling and I don’t settle. I work hard in everything I do, every event that I’m booked I make sure I give my 100% plus more. I know God has a plan for me and he wouldn’t want me to give up. I always ask for strength and for him to bless me with opportunities and he always comes through. My goal is be my very best at what I do and become the person who doesn’t have to introduce themselves when they walk into a room. That’s how much of a positive impact I want to have so giving up is never an option. Read more>>

KATRINA MILTON | CEO OF JUNIE’S SWEETS

I’VE BEEN AT THIS CROSS ROAD SO MANY TIMES IN LIFE. IT TRULY MATTERS FROM THE FEELING OF THE HEART. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, IF YOU HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE YOU ARE NOT HAPPY AND YOU BUSINESS IS STARTING TO FEEL LIKE A JOB TO YOU. AND THE LOVE IS NOT THERE ANYMORE, I WILL SAY THATS WHEN YOU NEED TO COME TO THE ROUND TABLE AND FIGURE OUT WHATS THE NEXT BEST THING FOR YOU. BUT IF YOU JUST HAVING A ROUGH WEEK OR MONTH OR EVEN YEARS BUT THAT LOVE AND FIRE FOR YOUR BUSINESS IS STILL WITHIN YOU, DON’T GIVE UP. WHAT I TELL MYSELF WHEN IM GOING THROUGH THOSE ROUGH PATCHES JUST CONTINUE TO CLIMB AND MAINTAIN BECAUSE YOU WILL PREVAIL. Read more>>

Evencia Janvier | Mixologist

I think the first step when considering if you should keep going or if you should give up is to identify your overall purpose. Everyone serves a different purpose in life and it’s up to you to really understand what yours is. My business in particular involves making drinks, however I feel like my overall purpose is being able to connect with the amazing people that I meet through the process. Personally, even if I feel discouraged or not motivated due to a slow season or just personal reasons, I catch myself still jumping to respond to a client if they reach out to inquire about a service/product. Without their support there would be no Jell-E Shots. I say even if you feel like quitting or giving up, don’t! You don’t know who’s watching you and applauding for you on the other end and you don’t know who you could possibly be motivating. Keep going!. Read more>>

Cassandra Ross | Founder & CEO of ThreadCrate

This was something that I originally struggled with. I am human right? We all have moments where we want to give up- especially when things start to get tough. I, just like many other entrepreneurs, took a big jump and started a business in the middle of the COVID crisis. When more people start businesses, they do not start them in the middle of a crisis. When you start your business, you have a gleaming outlook on the success of it. You are positive and motivated, and just downright excited! For me, this process was a bit different. I was very unsure whether or not my sewing subscription box was going to “make it”. I started this in the middle of many Americans being furloughed, but I saw a need. That need kept me going because I knew that many of the fabric stores had closed due to the pandemic and fabric and sewing notions were needed. That is how my sewing subscription box got started. Read more>>

Joshua Brown | Entrepreneur

You know wether to keep going or giving up by the feeling you get every time you think about what you’re striving for. When working towards something there’s going to be obstacles and adversities that come along the way, but it’s that passion inside that ignites every time you consider giving up, but you know you won’t feel satisfied until you get it done. If you get that feeling about whatever you’re working towards, that’s how you know, keep going. Read more>>

Bryant Small | Award Winning Alcohol Ink Painter

I’m not certain. That seems to be something to determine in the moment, based on the scenario. In life, there are some things that you “give up” on. However, there are moments of surrender. There are moments in creating, when something isn’t working…you want to give up on a painting and start over. Or scrap an idea completely. Change directions. It happens at some point to each of us, I believe. However, in some of those same moments, you can choose to keep going and work through an idea; continue to push through a painting that “isn’t working” and stumble into something that is inventive and awe-inspiring. In all honesty, I rarely give up in my creative process- I’m driven by experimentation and exploration. Because, alcohol ink isn’t overtly predictable, I’m working my way through my paintings and rarely does the thought of giving up comes into play. I’m pushing through and continuing the process until it feels right. It’s a give and take. If there’s anything being given up – it’s control. I’m surrendering to the art and allowing the color and energy to move through me to create. Read more>>

Anthony & Bridgette Portugal | Owners, Deceitful Strength Fitness

Making the decision to keep pushing to make the business successful is definitely a struggle. Without business experience, we weren’t exactly sure what to expect. We’ve learned that success isn’t achieved overnight nor linear. There’s ups and downs. So when we start to question whether the grind is worth it, our motivation comes from getting positive feedback from our customers. Hearing how the products that we’ve designed, developed, and manufacture are not only helping but outperforming products that multi-million dollar companies are producing is euphoric. It reminds us that we do have a “winning” product that helps people successfully achieve their goals. That’s what keeps us going!. Read more>>

Tamika J. | Singer/Songwriter

Damn that’s a great question because as an independent artist, we always think about whether we should keep going or give up. Sometimes it is a battle in the mind because there are moments that make you want to throw your hands up and walk away and then there are those high moments that inspire you to keep going. The best way I can answer this question is where does the peace reside? When I thought about giving up on music, I didn’t have peace with it because I love what I do, I love creating, I love singing, I simply love music and the idea of not continuing my passion did not bring any kind of peace. So I decided to “keep going” and that is where my peace lives because I am not giving up on myself. I have so much to show myself and the world!. Read more>>

Natalia Patino | Actress, Singer, Writer, & Creator.

In terms of creative projects, I firmly believe in finishing anything I start. Even if it doesn’t make it outside the confines of my laptop’s video archives. I keep going, because I know, in one way or another, I am learning and improving. I don’t believe in giving up. If something doesn’t seem to be working, I would know to adjust my course of action, or simply step back to gain a different perspective. There is a solution to everything, and if you truly want something, you will find it, and you will keep going. Read more>>

Noa Jay | Entrepreneur

One way I know whether to keep going or give up is when I always revert back to what I just started on. At times, I wonder why I always comeback. I take it as me having the drive to continue to apply myself to my business. I feel as though my passion for it is a strong one. All I have to do is think why I started in the first place. Read more>>