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.
James Grant
Absolutely not. I have this core value that I teach my kids: ‘we can do hard things.’ Life isn’t easy, and when challenges arise, you can either see them as opportunities or obstacles. If you see them as obstacles, you become a victim and your own worst enemy. When I started this entrepreneurial journey, there was never a backup plan. Read more>>
Alexis Hunt
Yes, in 2021 and 2022 I went through a really difficult period where I fell into depression. It was a time when I felt like giving up, and I had to pause everything—my businesses, my goals, and the pace I was keeping—to focus on my mental health. That season forced me to slow down and really do the inner work. Read more>>
Jasmine Jones
Yes, there was definitely a time I almost gave up. When I first transitioned Hustle Pretty from lip glosses to feminine hygiene and body care, I felt overwhelmed. Sales weren’t always consistent, and I started comparing myself to other business owners who seemed to have it all figured out. There were days I wondered if people really needed what I was offering. Read more>>
DeSean Lewis
Plenty, whew. Moment of transparency here: As a suicide survivor, I know what it feels like to be at that point of feeling as if there is now way out of a situation. You get to a point where everything continues to pile up on your life. Nothing is working. Jobs aren’t hiring and the only option you see is to exit stage right. Read more>>
Myron Roberson
When we first started, it was right before the pandemic, and there were definitely moments when I almost gave up. We didn’t have a lot of clientele, and our reach in the community was very limited. It felt like all the effort wasn’t producing much fruit. But then, I was given the opportunity to cook for a couple of professional football players. Read more>>
Naia Izumi
Yea for me that was the pandemic. Read more>>
Sara Baurley
Hmm… today, yesterday, and honestly, every day? Imposter syndrome is very real. I constantly remind myself to look back at where I was just a year ago and recognize how proud I should be of my progress. Read more>>
Elliot Freeman
Most definitely. There’s been a few times where I almost gave up, and I feel like that’s natural for anybody that wants to be successful. Success doesn’t happen overnight and it’s not always easily achievable. Read more>>
Jabari Baker
There was a point last year when I almost gave up — not just on my business, but on my career as a whole. When you’re putting in endless hours behind the scenes and don’t see results, it can be mentally draining. At the time, I was working a job where I loved the people but couldn’t see real growth. Read more>>
Patrick Young Jr
I almost gave up this year after being Laid off At Old Lady Gang than Fired from Fedex for leaving boxes by a dumpster, than fired from Gus Famous Fried Chicken without my last week of pay. It put me in a bind. Thank god for Unemployment and Ebt and the state of GA. Read more>>
RAZZA Moore
Yes there was a time when I felt stagnant felt like my career wasn’t going the way I planned. Until I got booked to perform at sunfest festival May 6, 2023 my first big festival gave me hope again. Read more>>
Shaquin Thomas
When my business started to slow up during the pandemic, I started to give but I remembered my resilience during the day my father was transitioning. I was cooking food for 200 people and my father was taking his last breaths over the course of 4 hours. I never stopped that day and I finished the food and was able to tell my father goodbye. Read more>>
Soufside Dre
It has been plenty of times that I almost gave up. The time I found out my mom passed I was about to throw all this away but my support system came strong. Read more>>
Jerry King
I was nearing my breaking point and seriously considered returning to law enforcement. It was an easy escape—my qualifications meant I’d be an attractive hire for any local agency. But pride was holding me back. The last thing I wanted to hear was ‘I knew you couldn’t make it.’ My lowest moment arrived six years into my journey as a photographer. Read more>>
James Milliner
Yes but the power of failure is a mind thing u have to keep moving foward and keep working hard no matter who is behind you Read more>>
Tony wright
I was finishing undergrad and I had realized that we didn’t have money for the shows and one of my staff had stole clients from me. I was so crush because I had to sue them and start from scratch or I felt that way. Read more>>
Dajah Hardy
I almost gave up plenty of times but i looked back and seen how far I’ve came each time and the accomplishments I’ve made along the way and asked myself why would I give up now. Read more>>
Joey Edwards
There was a moment I almost gave up on music—and that was when my dad passed away. Losing him felt like the world stopped. He wasn’t just my father, he was my foundation, my motivator, and one of the few people who truly believed in my vision. When he left, it felt like the light in me dimmed. Read more>>
Brianna Shelko
Absolutely—there was a moment last September when I seriously questioned if I could keep going. For the first time, I had –$263 in my account. I remember staring at that number and feeling like I had failed—like maybe the risk I took, the sacrifices, the grind… maybe it wasn’t going to work out after all. Read more>>
