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.
Jonai Lee
There has been plenty of time I almost gave up, but I chose to keep pushing toward greatness. I had to fight through self-doubts to accomplish my goals, not just for myself, but to make my loved ones proud. Self doubting myself just because I was taking longer to achieve things, but “time waits for no one/man” . Read more>>
John Gunn
Yes. The darkest moment of my life was when I held a gun to my head and pulled the trigger. I paused with about a pound of pressure away from death. My mom was in the kitchen making dinner, and at that exact moment she dropped a pan. The sound jolted me, and it broke through the fog I was in. Read more>>
Zach Freeman
The toughest season for Veterans Moving America spanned late 2021 through most of 2022. After weathering COVID in 2020, we faced a hiring crisis as business surged, making it nearly impossible to find veteran talent. Unexpected leadership vacancies strained our culture, and I felt the full weight of keeping things together. Read more>>
Ivette Moreno
Post-Partum Depression has been very hard on me and my business. in 2020, aside from making tumblers I also sold glitter and vinyl sticker sheets, After having my first daughter, I almost gave up all together. Read more>>
Kenyon Glover
There have been numerous times that I have actually given up. I have attempted suicide on my life on 4 different occasions and I am only still here because God spared my life all 4 attempts. Read more>>
Micah Talley
Oh yeah, definitely! I think it’s super normal to feel discouraged sometimes—especially in this industry, where it’s so easy to compare yourself to others. There have been moments where I’ve questioned if I was doing enough or if I was “behind.” But I’ve learned to remind myself that I’m not late—I’m right on time for my journey. Everyone’s path looks different, and that’s okay. Read more>>
Jo Lavelah
The thought of giving up crosses my mind at least 1-2 times a month haha. Some seasons are harder than others and not everyone can handle the amount of pressure from building something in public and feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing sometimes. But I’ve grown to love the game, learn from it, and let it shape me. Read more>>
CYNTHIA ANDERSON
Aug 2023, I was ready to not only give up but end my life- I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. My whole life had been changed during covid. I had gotten sober and took over the station and songwriters organization. There was drama at every corner and I’m not a fan of that. Read more>>
Michael Gordon
Yes for sure I’m certain anyone trying to build a brand or business stands in front of the mirror some days and says maybe it’s time to quit. Maybe I can’t do it…I’ve have utilized every avenue available to me to continue to grow. I’ve borrowed money, maxed out credit cards, sold cars. Read more>>
Cody Nickson
There are moments in business when things slow down, you start glancing at job boards, maybe even dust off your resume. I’ve talked to other entrepreneurs who’ve felt the same way. When the numbers drop, whether it’s your fault, the market, or something else, you think, “Well… might be time to get a job and pay the bills.” But that feeling lasts about two seconds. Read more>>
Chiamaka Offorjebe
Funny enough, giving up is actually one of my biggest fears — and ironically, it’s what keeps me going. I’ve definitely had moments where I felt hesitant, overwhelmed, or unsure of myself, but deep down, I know I’d rather try and fail than sit with the regret of never trying at all. Read more>>
Megan Bond
I was working hard, and had a lot of personal struggles. I was working through mental health problems, as well as planning a wedding. During this time, I also had a $30,000 business dispute that I lost. It was a difficult time, and I took a second job to make it through. Read more>>
Clifford Walker
Absolutely. I remember early in my entrepreneurial journey, things just completely fell apart. I tried to scale too quickly without truly understanding what I was doing. I attempted to build a team but lacked the leadership skills to support them. Deals were falling through left and right. It got to the point where I seriously questioned whether I was cut out for this. Read more>>
Chef Sammy Fox
No. I can’t remember a time where I almost gave up. I may become very overwhelmed and inundated with tasks, procedures and training. And, I might feel like I wanna give up for the day, but there is no way that I could ever give up. I have pursued my passion, my passions are part of who I am. Read more>>
