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.
Oréan Collier
Yes — many times. I came close to quitting more than once, and each near-miss left me raw and rethinking my path. Early in my design career I won a national contest, through “Marie Claire Magazine” (chosen from 300 entries) and was flown to New York. The article read “ You a Handbag Designer , Your Design could be sold in stores the following season. Read More>>
Terry Tyus
I’ve been doing photography videography for 10 years so there’s been gaps in between where I thought about giving up some years. I will give it a break for a year just so I can figure out what I wanted to do next at my career going on for five years or more. Read More>>
Ray Fearon
I’ve always focused on doing my own thing. Starting a wedding photography business. Making content for small businesses. My own psychology practice and now youtube. When you’re getting started and watching content on How to start on youtube, you feel like everyone is successful. And that they are successful very quickly and easily. But, it’s a lie. Read More>>
James Carter
Absolutely. There was a point where I really wondered if I should just shut Creative Flair down. Google launched its new AI search tool and almost overnight our click-through traffic dropped by about 83%. We’d spent years building up that visibility, so watching it evaporate was a gut punch. But that moment forced me to stop and rethink everything. Read More>>
Pamela Joy Trow
During COVID, I received a grant to create a postcard campaign for the You Good? Campaign, which helped the community know there was one phone number to call for mental health support. The campaign was incredibly successful—the postcards were colorful, culturally inclusive, and distributed in stores and public spaces across the county. Almost none were left. Read More>>
Scott Arbital
I think every entrepreneur reaches moments where they want to give up — and usually more than once. Read More>>
Madi Kreates
Was there??? Man if I had a dollar for all the times I almost gave up, lets just say I would have a lot of dollars. There are so many times I sat there thinking I would be better off not here, better off not making art, better off not trying to help other people…. Read More>>
Tanya Maurya
Yes, many times. Two years back I actually hit my lowest point. Orders from Instagram had completely stopped, I was only baking for counter sales, and even that felt draining. I started doubting myself—maybe I wasn’t doing enough for my brand, maybe the competition was too strong. Eventually, I stopped baking altogether. Read More>>
KINGDRUMS
Absolutely!! This music industry isn’t for the weak, it’s times that it seems nothing is moving, and the world has forgotten about you. Its time where you may not have placements for some months even years like me, but you have to stay consistent and push through those moments of doubt because the WILL test you! Read More>>
Adrian D’Souza
Throughout my life as a musician there were always periods when I gave up. But soon after, when the moment felt right, I got back on my feet and returned back to the music scene. Sometimes, it’s good to take time off to gather your thoughts and make sure you are feeling motivated. I believe success starts with a Dream. Read More>>
Erica Hubbard
Yes, there have been plenty of times I almost gave up on my dreams due to the people around me and lack of support. It took me awhile to figure out that centering myself around optimistic individuals who believe in me and encourage will always help make my dreams come true! Read More>>
Martika Bell
The first 90 minutes of my morning are dedicated to personal time. I wake up at 5:00 A.M. and spend that time reflecting, praying, and reading my Bible before showering and going for a walk. I don’t check my phone until 7:30. Protecting this “me time” is essential—it sets the tone for the rest of my day. Read More>>
Melissa Locke
The most joy I have gotten is from my Platform which is Feeding the Food Insecure through Food Rescue and Sustainability. I feed the the unhoused and families in California. There are 200,000 unhoused in the state. Read More>>
Filipe Oliveira
I almost gave up on learning kitesurfing. There are so many forces to manage: the wind, the waves, the board, that it felt impossible at times. I’d watch more experienced kitesurfers and feel frustrated, convinced I’d never get there. But I kept trying, falling, and getting back up until one day everything clicked. Read More>>
Evan Harris
This is a phenomenal question! I never say I’m walking a path, because I don’t believe life is a straight path, or even a winding path. I would say I’m wandering through life. Here’s my thought behind that: I picture life as a big city that you’re unfamiliar with, and you have no map and spotty cell service. Read More>>
Rebecca Wilson
A battle I’m currently facing is the call to step into starting another business—one that stretches me far beyond my current understanding and comfort zone. It feels less like a personal ambition and more like a higher calling. This isn’t about me, but about filling a real gap in our community. It’s about reclaiming what’s been lost for so many and helping pave a new path forward. Read More>>
Rachel Repinz
Right now, I’m really trying to stick with a process, giving myself time to really dig into it and get messy. When I was younger and first finding my identity as an artist (and person), I would often work on one choreographic project, present it, then move on to the next. I had a lot of little chunks of work that felt like a collage of vastly different moments, feelings, and experiences, but nothing that really “sat” together as a larger body of work. Read More>>
Avery Looser
Yes, there have been moments when I almost gave up. Producing your own work is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be exhausting, especially when you see the paths of your peers moving faster or in ways you hadn’t imagined. There were times when team members I counted on left, projects stalled, or I felt like I was giving my all without seeing progress. Read More>>
Gina Kunadian
Lately, what’s been bringing me the most joy outside of work is simply slowing down and soaking in family life. With three boys and another little one on the way, my days are full of laughter, sports practices, and those everyday moments that often get overlooked but mean everything. Read More>>
Heather Feliciano
OhYes!!, I have many moments to be proud of recently. I’m one step closer toward my dream job and I’m going for another degree. It makes me really proud because adulthood, parenthood and entrepreneur hood, (life) can be overwhelming. I’m proud of remaining solid through the upheavals life pushed me to grow through. I’ve had some seasons that have made me question my path and my dreams. Read More>>
Jennifer Prisk
A regular day for me begins with a swim, answering a slew of emails, checking in with friends, family and colleagues, especially any who are unwell or in need of a listening ear, and then it’s on with the show that could entail a myriad of different events and projects. I’m semi-retired and busier than ever. Read More>>
Diane Bailey Nutz
To me, those three words are intertwined. This world often lacks integrity. I feel integrity enhances my intelligence and ramps up my energy to continue working out to stay healthy. Sticking to this ethical code of being truthful and honest even when it is difficult will make me a stronger person emotionally and physically, Read More>>
Roger Ribeiro
My typical day starts with getting my son ready for school, taking him to Jiu-Jitsu practice, organizing my workday, and then starting work, taking a break to practice my Jiu-Jitsu, having lunch, working some more, going to the gym, working some more, and then resting. It’s busy, but I love it! Read More>>
Jillian Goodman
Recently I had a moment that really made me feel proud while performing at the Keystone Mountain Town Food Festival. I played a 90-minute set with Diego Espinosa (guitar), Augusto Doglione (bass), & Santi Doglione (drums) all from Los Hermanos Latin Funk, and Brent Gordon (saxophone).
What made me proud was being able to do an entire set, all but one, of original songs. Read More>>
KA Sandholm
Now is a critical time – I can’t sustain myself from drawing comics and traveling to conventions anymore so I will have to get a dreaded ‘day job’ again. I have had enough to know that there won’t be one I can stumble upon and accidentally love, and it is also difficult when I know so clearly what I want to do. Read More>>
Eddie Jelinet
NEVER! When I really have passion for something, the option to give up doesn’t exist for me. Something people might not know about me is I am constantly working on something new to challenge myself with. I have been training myself as an artist to be able to complete a mural in one day, yes one day! Read More>>
Sonya Goss
Yes, in this media industry, I almost gave up, but I became motivated to keep pushing through, and I’m glad I didn’t because now I have become more successful in what I truly love and passionate about. When I first started my business, I was booking sessions and events almost every weekend. Read More>>
Krystal M. Chuon
Outside of running my small business, playing video games has been bringing me joy. I recently purchased a Steamdeck which has opened up a wider world of video games for me. My preferences are cozy games with an emphasis on storytelling and dynamic characters. Read More>>
Derek Harrison
Early morning sunlight and outdoor walk to start the day. Healthy breakfast, then into the days work. Emails, phone calls and all of the “non-creative stuff” that needs to be done but is far from fun. Once that is done if there’s time, getting started on whatever I’m currently painting and/or preparing to paint something. So, stretching canvas, doing drawings, studies, etc. Read More>>
Scorpio
There were a few moments when I almost walked away from music these last 10 years but the deepest one hit in early 2022. My best friend who was like a brother to me passed away unexpectedly and shortly after, other parts of my life started to fall apart. Change was happening quickly & all at once and it really rocked me to my core. Read More>>
Bonny Butler
A few nights ago I had my very first Art Reception as “Artist of the Month” at one of my favorite Gallery’s, Gallery 113 in Santa Barbara. For the first time, I was able to hang, show, display and sell several of my largest pieces together on a large wall, and seeing them side-by-side filled me with lots of joy and pride. Read More>>
Symphoni Wiggins
My youngest two children are autistic. I am avoiding the battle of the 2 youngest getting older and getting them ready for the world with their disability. Read More>>
Heather Royal
I’m chasing myself. I’ve never phrased it that way until now, but I’d say I am chasing the fullest, truest version of who I am- or want to be. Everyone has detours, but I’m someone who has had a sense of what I want and what I’m meant for from a young age. Sometimes the detours are intentional; I’ve definitely made choices that rerouted me from the path I’d like to be on, but those side journeys are necessary to build- strengthen my foundation or gain perspective. Read More>>
Charles Chan Massey
A normal day?!?!? Hah! Every day is different but they all start with at least one cup of strong coffee. That’s a must for me, even when I’m on the road, which happens quite often, as my husband Joseph and I really love to travel and explore new places as well as revisit more familiar ones. Read More>>
Demeatrie Funderburk
I would say that currently I am wandering a bit on the path less traveled. As an only child & multi-hyphenate creative, I am constantly building multiple worlds that have various branches. Each one of those branches come with its thorns and dead leaves however, I have always told myself to just stay the course. Read More>>
