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.
Shaochen Wu
On my business? So many times; the closest times were during the pandemic and after I had my first child, for very different reasons. But I’ve been through enough highs and lows to not make any rash decisions about shutting it all down. Read more>>
Brandt Thibodeaux
There have been lots of times that I have almost given up and there have been times where I have given up. Giving up doesn’t have to be negative. Failing is how we learn the greatest lessons. Sometimes we push too hard, past the signs that the universe is sending us. Read more>>
Matthew McClelland
I’ve never considered giving up, because music is that thing that has always given me a sense of purpose. However, distraction is sneaky. There have been periods where I involved myself in things that didn’t serve my ultimate goals. That lead to periods of very slow progress. Read more>>
Shamon Ingram
YES!!! There have been many of times I have wanted to give up and I truly am a living testament to the ‘Footprints’ posters you may have seen time and time again. You know the one about the Footprints in the sand? Read more>>
52 PIX
When was there not? In all honesty we have almost given up on 52Pix with it being difficult to find willing and ready clients. So in a day of decisions we were set on focusing on all but specifically one; Artists/Creators. As we knew more than we actually thought, we started making: music videos/documentaries/content, through this we have focused primarily on videography. Read more>>
Matt Wolf
In June 2020 I started coming up with a list of careers I could do instead of being a pastor. Unfortunately, my degree studying theology, and the dead languages of Hebrew and Ancient Greek, didn’t provide very many options. In 2020 everything was upended. Out of precaution we shut down our in-person gatherings just like everyone else did for three months. Read more>>
Leanne Holitza
There was a time in my journey when I truly questioned if any of it was landing, if the messages I was sharing, the energy I was putting out, and the heart I was pouring into my work were reaching anyone. I recall the profound sense of speaking into a void. Read more>>
Alan Stenback
I’ve definitely had (and still do!) moments where I’ve questioned the grind. I joke that “the struggle is real” and “every day I’m hustling,” but there’s truth in that. Running multiple creative endeavors across fine art, photography workshops, aerial video and commercial work – takes more than vision. It takes stamina, adaptability and a weird mix of faith and grit. Read more>>
Lexis Krieg
There’s been more than one moment, honestly. I started out as a freelance designer and selling my artwork at craft fairs. But once I had kids, balancing both got hard, and I shifted into focusing on art and creative workshops instead. It was a way to return to myself as I adjusted to life as a mother—I let design fall to the side. Read more>>
