Was there ever a time you almost gave up?

We connected with some of the most resilient folks in the community and one of the most insightful questions we had an opportunity to ask centered around whether there was ever a time they almost gave up. Highlighting some of the responses below.

Stephanie Saulsbury

Yes, there were two times in my life when I almost gave up, but one of the most defining moments was during an extremely unhealthy relationship with my daughter’s father. I was already feeling unfulfilled—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. There was no growth, no evolution in him as a partner or in us as a couple. Still, I tried to hold on. Read more>>

Breana Jeanfaivre

Yes—absolutely. As much as I love being a photographer, there have been moments where I’ve questioned if I could really keep going. Balancing motherhood with running a business is hard, and on top of that, the photography community in Atlanta is both huge and incredibly talented. It’s easy to fall into comparison and imposter syndrome, wondering if my work is really good enough. Read more>>

Fvllaz

Yes, there was a time I almost gave up, It was during the early stages of building my brand. I was putting in long hours, trying to balance different responsibilities, and it sometimes felt like the results weren’t matching the amount of effort I was giving. Read more>>

D. Marcel

I’ve never thought about giving up but I definitely have moments of doubt. One thing I’ve learned on this journey so far is to always expect the unexpected. Things don’t always go as planned and when it goes down you don’t want to have all your eggs in one basket. Read more>>

Juanita Woodson

Absolutely. The years 2023–2025 have been the most challenging of my life. I faced serious health issues, went through multiple surgeries, and endured the devastating loss of my twin brothers—Mekhi in 2023 and Micah in 2024. Those back-to-back blows shook my world to its core and made me question if I even had the strength to keep going. Read more>>

Brooklyn Jones

There was definitely a time I almost gave up. Everywhere I looked, it felt like everyone had a camera in their hand, calling themselves a photographer. The market felt crowded, and I started questioning what made me different or why someone would choose me over the next person. That competition pressure made me doubt my place in the industry. Read more>>

Hector Muñoz

I believe that everyone goes through those trails and tribulations of not knowing what to do or feeling like they may have to throw in the towel. Honestly I feel like as a photographer you feel it all the time especially in the beginning. Read more>>

Endya Johnson

Yes, there was a time I almost gave up. I was feeling completely overwhelmed trying to run two separate businesses—Luxe Strands Boutique and Live Lavish Boutique. I was juggling inventory, marketing, and customer demands for both, and it felt like I was constantly stretched too thin. Read more>>

Jahmyra Taylor

Absolutely. In 2022, I faced the kind of loss that shakes you to your core. The year began as one of the best of my life—I had just moved into a beautiful apartment in one of Atlanta’s best neighborhoods, was thriving at my job with a major Atlanta-based company, running my business ARYM Agency, in a happy relationship, and surrounded by friends. Read more>>

Sheena Roberson

There was a moment when I nearly gave up, deep in the grind of building HIGHER, the first and only national cannabis conference for women of color. The obstacles felt crushing: scarce resources, relentless skepticism, and the unbearable weight of carrying not just my dreams but the hopes of an entire community. Read more>>

Akili Atkinson

Recently, when DEI was painted as a problem and contracts tied to disability inclusion were cancelled, I almost gave up. It felt like shouting into the wind, trying to explain what should already be understood: everyone deserves a fighting chance for employment. For a moment, I forgot who I was, then I remembered, I am not just a fighter for myself. Read more>>

Selena Lightfoot

There has been plenty of times of me thinking about giving up times where I wanted to delete all my music and just give it up times when I wanted to delete the business page and say forget it. Read more>>

Ashley Taylor

Absolutely. There was actually a point where I almost walked away from this career completely. I was working in a high-volume insurance clinic, burnt out, seeing 20 patients a day, and barely scratching the surface of what they really needed. I felt like I wasn’t actually helping people and I was mentally and emotionally drained at the end of every day. Read more>>

Posh

There have absolutely been moments when I almost gave up. This is the part of business ownership that most people never talk about. There have been late nights, tough seasons, and more than a few tears. The pressure can feel like it is coming from every direction and sometimes it seems easier to walk away than to keep pushing. Read more>>

Christopher Ingram Karis Walker

Never. Regardless of success or failure, quitting has never been an option for us. The culinary grind is full of long hours, unpredictable outcomes, and moments that test your patience, but our passion and purpose have always been stronger than any obstacle. Read more>>

ToNe Atlanta

I have quit doing music so many times, but I’ve never stopped. The music industry has so many snakes, fakes,and hate that you will develop ptsd and have trust issues. From shady booty music artist, to janky promoters and radio personalities, to street ran labels that don’t want you to be better than them. Read more>>

Danielle Lorentz

Earlier this year. At the beginning of March, right before our auditions for Company (literally the day before), my now ex-husband came home from work early to tell me he’d been having an affair with his best friend (a married close friend of mine) and was leaving me. Read more>>