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.
Tiffany Stewart
Yes — right before I started BirthWrite, I almost gave up. I was on the verge of accepting a $40,000 job, not because it was aligned with my vision, but because of the pressure someone else was putting on me. They either didn’t believe in me or didn’t want me to believe in my own potential without them. Read More>>
Myriam Lopez
Yes! MANY times. Being an actor is one of the hardest careers out there. The constant rejection, the uncertainty, the emotional highs and lows—it can really wear you down. There were definitely moments where I questioned if it was worth it. But somehow, the passion always pulled me back. Read More>>
Norine Fahie
When I first started my podcast, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I knew I wanted to create a platform for women to share their stories, but I didn’t understand marketing, social media strategy, or even what SEO meant. At the time, I wasn’t getting any exposure and felt like maybe I should quit before I got too deep. Read More>>
Twyla Grider
Yes—more than once. In fact, I think about giving up at least once or twice a month. It usually happens when something I’ve been working toward doesn’t come together, when sales are slow, or when I’ve pushed myself through a sleepless night to meet a deadline. But I’ve come to see those moments as part of the creative process. Read More>>
Nadege Edman
In 2023, i was going to close my business. I was planning to finish the last craft show i had lined up and dissolve my business. The craft show was a 3 days in Howard County and was well known. It was my first time there so i didn’t know what to expect. Read More>>
Mela and Don
Definitely, on what we refer to as “the worst day of buslife”. Our 30-year-old bus was hemorrhaging oil, our ACs were broken in the height of summer, and we’d already dropped almost $10,000 on repairs before this happened. Our spirits and bank account were wiped out. With an oil pan jury-rigged under the bus, we limped to a mechanic. Read More>>
April Manigault
I think every event designer has had that moment where they say, “That’s it, I quit!” There are always challenges—an event that doesn’t feel like your best, a client who tests your patience, or the simple reality of missing time with loved ones because you’re always on the go. Read More>>
Jessica Johnson
Oh absolutely— yearly. lol, it doesn’t really go away, but you start to learn that feeling uncomfortable is a huge part of growth and often times I’ve been hard on myself if I don’t see immediate results. Read More>>
Hannah Macready
Honestly, I think about giving up all the time. Life is hard, and the challenges I grew up with don’t magically disappear just because I’ve built a career I’m proud of. The doubts, the obstacles, the weight of it all… they still show up. But I’ve learned that “almost giving up” is part of the process.
Zach Meyer
Absolutely. Over the past two years, I’ve immersed myself in mastering a new medium—Pan Pastel—and it hasn’t been easy. There have been far more failures than successes, and many pieces have looked downright ugly at times. During those moments, I’ve questioned whether I should give up. But what keeps me going is my commitment to growth. Read More>>
Sonny Kruger
I get frustrated and there have been times that I’ve been down, but I don’t ever consider giving up as an option. I am one stubborn and determined man who does what he sets out to do, even if it takes a long time and doesn’t seem realistic. Read More>>
Priyank Thakkar
Was there ever a time I almost gave up? This morning. Yesterday morning. Last week. Pretty much every other week if I’m being honest. The truth is, giving up isn’t some big dramatic movie moment. It’s small, quiet. It’s you staring at the ceiling thinking, “Yeah, screw this.” I get those days all the time. Read More>>
Lisa Nicole
Yes, I almost gave up on content creation after we had a house fire. It was a very traumatic experience and I had more important things to deal with. I had to move several times, while still working full time and being a mother. We also had to repurchase almost everything essential in our house. Needless to say content creation wasn’t a priority. Read More>>
Shaquasha Llopiz
Yes there was a time almost gave up. I found out in 2023 that I had bad carpa tunnel in my right (dominant hand). I was getting cortisone shots and seeing a hand specialist for 5/6 months. After some time my doctor told me that it had gotten so bad that I would have to get surgery. Read More>>
Jonathon Davis
Absolutely. I almost gave up on ‘The Audition’ entirely. We were set to film in 2023, and I felt like we had everything lined up—our cast, our locations, all of it. But as often happens, life had other plans. I went through some difficult personal issues that made me take a step back from the project. Read More>>
Sophia Brown
Yes—during a performance of the Black National Anthem at Black Grad. It was outdoors and raining, and in the middle of the song I slipped and accidentally let an F-word into the mic. I didn’t realize the entire audience of kids, grandparents, and families had heard me. Read More>>
Milyssa Rose
When I lost my close friend and mentor D. Cox, it nearly broke me. The grief was so heavy, I seriously considered walking away from music altogether. He had been such a guiding force in my life and career, and without him, everything felt dim. But instead of giving up, I chose to honor his legacy by pushing forward. Read More>>
Evelyn Odreman
Yes, there was a moment when everything felt like it was falling apart — finances were tight, the help I had didn’t last, and I honestly wondered if I could keep going. But I couldn’t give up, not with Whiskey, my dog, by my side. She stayed with me through every late night and every setback, reminding me what this all meant. Read More>>
Sage Love
Of course! There have been numerous times when I wanted to give up. The measure of my character is manifest in the fact that I never did, no matter how difficult the circumstances. I cried the ugly tears, splashed cold water on my face, fixed my makeup, put on my boxing gloves, and CRUSHED IT! Read More>>
Tiffany Hobbs
About 10 years ago, radio legend and current KFI super producer, Tawala Sharp, called me in to do an air check at KFI. An air check is basically a demo. I went in and bombed it. I didn’t know what I was doing, or if I was coming or going. Read More>>
Elana Mugdan
I feel like I’m always on the verge of giving up. Every day I think, ‘Surely there are easier paths than the one I’ve chosen.’ I often wonder if I’ll ever become successful as an author, and I often fear the answer is ‘no.’ But then I take a step back and consider that question. How should I define “success”? Read More>>
Maurice Edwards
There was a time when I almost gave up, but it wasn’t due to the trauma I witnessed in the field—it was the way I was treated within the very system I had dedicated my life to serving. After years of leading high-impact investigations and building a reputation grounded in integrity, I suddenly found myself targeted over something as trivial as parking tickets. Read More>>
Grace Gonzalez
If you had asked me this question a year ago, I would have said ‘constantly.’ I have considered quitting the world of social media too many times to count. I’ve taken month-long hiatuses. I’ve thrown tantrums. Last year I gave myself an ultimatum to either make something happen with this whole ‘blogging thing’ or quit by the end of 2025. Read More>>
Audrey Baunez
Yes, a few years ago I did. On paper, everything looked perfect—I was engaged to my amazing future wife and deeply in love, but professionally I hit a wall. I was working full-time in what used to be my dream job: I loved the projects I was directing and the team around me. But little by little, especially after the pandemic, things shifted. Read More>>
Ashley Schroepfer
Every day. It takes an insane amount of energy and effort to stay the course. Read More>>
Ethan Lartey
Never been a time where I almost gave up. It’s not my nature and I wasn’t raised that way. If I’m in something or doing something, I’m in it 100%. Building shopGODSENT hasn’t been a straight line, and there were seasons where the weight of it all felt overwhelming. One moment that stands out was when I first transitioned from Virginia to Dallas.
Emily Hovermale
Every other day, honestly—that’s part of being a small business owner! It’s such a rollercoaster of emotions. When business gets tough or family stuff happens, I definitely think about giving up. Read More>>
Ben Ramirez Reed
Absolutely. I think for most people, they would point to struggling during the recent global pandemic. For me, I struggled and was worn down just after the world began returning to normal. My business specializes in two main areas: leather costume and reenactment gear (think leather armor and accessories for Renaissance Faires) and leather dog supplies (collars, leashes, etc). Read More>>
Erika Valeska
Yes! When I first created the project I invited two friends to be part of and we “built” it together but we finished in a fight and they leave the project. I thought several times in give up but I was very in love and pasionate about the project. Read More>>
Tamara Grantham
So many times! I sometimes wonder if all authors have gone through as many pitfalls as I have. To be honest, most of us avoid telling all the negative things–I know I do. I’m so thankful I never gave up. I wouldn’t be where I am now if I had let one of those pitfalls keep me down. Read More>>
Lydia Thomas
Yes. Here is a poem I wrote during that time: I don’t believe in accidents, My soul out on a ledge, Asking me to jump with her, I hold my pain to my chest, Like it’s a badge of honor, Like it is me. Read More>>
April MOffatt
It’s not so much that I almost gave up, but I almost never started. I had been dreaming about picking up a paint brush again when I turned 40 and learning to paint classically with instruction. I wanted to see if I could make a career of it. Read More>>
Trelly Mack
Honestly, there has never been a time that I thought about giving up. I always knew that in order to be successful at something. You have to sacrifice, you have to be consistent, dedicated and first and foremost, you have to have faith in God. I always look at it like the only way something is not going to happen for you. Read More>>
Ed Chen
Yes. When I was 16, I reached a point in my life where the pain and difficulties felt unbearable, and I attempted to take my own life. Looking back, it became a crucial turning point. Read More>>
RAXX
Honestly, I’d say almost every day. Being an independent artist isn’t easy it’s a constant grind, and there are days where the doubt, the setbacks, and the silence from the industry make you feel like maybe it’s not worth it. I’ve definitely had moments where I thought about walking away. Read More>>
Star Stone
Yes- after going viral in a YouTube video in 2019(to over 17 million views!)- I struggled with the negative comments- it greatly impacted my mental health, my identity and relationships. Read More>>
Angel Morgan
Growing up in Chicago, your cousin’s were your brothers and your sisters. Recently in 2024. I lost another brother to gun violence in Chicago. I cry writing this because I have already lost so much my mom, my dad, my grandmother, my baby brother, and now the only person Who encouraged me with my business from the beginning was now taken away. Read More>>
OJ Perry
Yes, and quite a lot of them. I’m often doubting my potential, but I’m also a fighter. Giving up never really was an option. Read More>>
Wilma Davidson
My middle name should be ‘Persistance.’ I have rebranded myself several times during my life–not because I failed, but because I wanted to stay relevant. It would have been easier to say, ‘Oh, I don’t really need to work, so I can let up and just be a mom. Read More>>
Natalia Martins
There were many moments when we almost threw in the towel. Entrepreneurship is not this romanticized idea where you simply make money, have happy clients, and receive recognition. Real entrepreneurship requires tremendous discipline, because there’s no boss or anyone telling you what to do. It’s you against yourself — a daily battle with a lazy mind and excuses. Read More>>
Chason Forehand
In my Sr. year of H.S. I hit a wall. I was already using drugs and unconsciously mixed the wrong combinations that landed me in the nurse’s office, then the hospital, in a catatonic state. Read More>>
Jason Farley
There were definitely moments I almost gave up — more than a few, honestly. The first was during my time in the Army. I barely created any art at all, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever return to it. Read More>>
Nicholas Maio-Aether
When I found out that I had AIDS — literally, a T-Cell count of 199, so AIDS, not just HIV — I was only 22 and less than a week from graduating with my bachelor’s degree. I was working 2 jobs, 70 hours per week, in addition to being a full-time student. Read More>>
Camille Sanders
Oh absolutely! When I first started Winscent Wicks, I was hand pouring LOTS of candles late at nite after work in my tiny one bedroom apartment. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel. But I’m so proud of myself for focusing on the big picture. Read More>>
Ariana Perez
Yes, of course. Haven’t we all? There have been times when I almost gave up. Moments when the path felt too heavy, when the doubt was louder than the dream and it seemed easier to walk away than to keep trying. Life has a way of testing how much you want something, especially when the road isn’t clear or the wins don’t come quickly. Read More>>
Eadrict A
Yes but i just keep going !!! Read More>>
Cynthia Prieto
There were definitely moments when I questioned everything, whether this would work, whether the business would grow, and whether I had what it took to take it to the next level. Entrepreneurship can feel incredibly lonely at times, and the doubt creeps in fast. What I realized is that so much of it comes down to mindset. Read More>>
Stephanie Bailey
There have been two pivotal moments in my life when I struggled deeply with my mental and emotional well-being. The first occurred early in my teaching career, during a time when I was battling undiagnosed and overwhelming OCD. The condition affected every area of my life, and I reached a point where I seriously contemplated ending it. Read More>>
Natalie Dohman
All of these questions have been powerful in nature and all kind of go together. As I had mentioned, I am a survivor of many things, one being several traumatic experiences. Read More>>
Eileen Seitz
No, I have never given up. I live in a different reality where I see that everything happens for GODS timing. I have had rejections many times in various ways. People canceling appointments, people being late for appointments they made with me. For me I live each day one at a time. Read More>>
Ramon Bruin
The art world is a beautiful world, but also a harsh world with loads of scammers. Some even don’t realize they scam artist, because they have been doing it for so long. We all know the stories of managers who are scamming musicians. This happes a lot in the artworld to with art handlers and galleries. Read More>>
Cammry Lapka
Yes. Even after my grand escape from the midwest; I faced a lot of hardship when I moved. I had entered some bad relationships – since I had no friends. I lost a pregnancy. Housing was a constant carousel, I struggled to make ends meet for a very long time, and I fought substance abuse. Read More>>
Ashley Vinas
Honestly a couple weeks before getting invited to be a part of this wonderful magazine again I was ready to give up. I have been operating off of Instagram the past 13 years and built up a wonderful customer base, but unfortunately, my page was taken down and I lost every one of my customers and I have been struggling. Read More>>
Houston Bernard
Yes, many times. Its very hard to be an artist. But, what I learned is that if you manage your expectations to just expressing yourself and that is enough, then that is enough. If you expect yourself to be famous or have some other wild expectations, which we all have had at some point, then you are destined to fail. Read More>>
Derek Kendall
Yes i used to think about it. It can be an emotional roller coaster for sure. But my determination always paid off in the past so why stop , right? No matter how hard it gets….winners never quit! Read More>>
Dalmeda Carson
I almost gave up my business. Transitioning from turning my hobby into an online business took a lot more of my time and resources than I realized. I had to learn new things quickly like how to put together a website, pricing, and creating social media content. It felt overwhelming and discouraging as my engagement and sales weren’t what I thought they would be. Read More>>
Stephanie Herman
My one dream in my youth was to become a ballerina and dance for George Balanchine the director of New York City Ballet. But, after seven years of training as a scholarship I was not picked for the ballet company. Was too tall? All my friends got into the company but not me. My world was shattered. Read More>>
Sarah Lewis
Oh all the time! There are a lot of highs and lows with owning your own business and there were endless late nights where I was crying to myself, overworked and overstressed and questioning if I should just get a regular corporate job because it would be easy. But, if owning a business was easy, then everyone would do it. Read More>>
Haibei Wang
Back in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, the world came to a halt. The entertainment and music industries shut down, and most of my projects were either canceled or postponed indefinitely. I began to question my worth — wondering if I was contributing anything meaningful to the world, and whether music could truly help people who were suffering. Read More>>
Trey Everett
There have been plenty of times where I’ve felt hopeless, or truly defeated, but my natural inclination is to keep pushing. Keep fighting. Identify what I want, speak it into existence, and then do the work to go find it. So I don’t think I’ve ever really contemplated giving up. Like really giving up. Read More>>
