To persevere or to pivot is a question that do-ers have been asking themselves since the beginning of time. It’s never a straight road when you are doing something new, blazing a trail, breaking a ceiling, or pushing boundaries, so it’s only natural to wonder whether to give up midway. How do you know whether to keep going or to give up?

Kelsey Bentz | Performer, Singer, Livestream Producer

This question has popped up multiple times throughout my life, and used to make me squirm, but it’s one that I’ve pulled up a metaphorical chair next to and come to be familiar with. I’ve always been a stubborn “non-quitter”, generally speaking I throw myself into my commitments and passions wholeheartedly and want to see everything through to the very end. But when it comes to my greatest passion in life which is singing and performing, there have been many moments of doubt because performance is a professional field riddled with “no”s. Read more>>

Key PhantaCee | Fashion Designer, Motivator & Business Owner

When it comes to the idea of giving up, you have to ask yourself two questions. The first question being “can I see my life without this”? When it comes to my business VLVP, I thought about giving up plenty of times. The thought of “is it even worth it?” is natural to have as a business owner. There are moments when it feels like all odds are against you. No matter how much money you pump into your business or the amount of hours you dedicate, it seems like it’s going nowhere. So you decide to drop the ball and take that break. Yet, once doing that your life now feels empty, and you feel like you’re letting yourself down. Read more>>

Jasmine Johnson | R&B Artist

Just know that giving up is never the other option. You never stop, you may have to rethink how you are getting things done, but you never stop getting them done. Keep going. Read more>>

Vanessa Lawrence | Chef & Caterer, and Spice maker

I believe that the only way to go is to keep going! When you are driven by passion, moving forward is the only way to go. When you go to bed at night and when you wake up in the morning and that “thing” whatever the thing may be for you; is the first thing that you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about before going to bed, it is worth pursuing! The only way a dream dies is when we stop. Read more>>

Benz Shareef | Owner, Creator

This question and being an entrepreneur go hand in hand. The moment you decide to start your own business. I believe you have to make a personal agreement with yourself that giving up just isn’t an option. That of course is easier said than done as the trial and tribulations you face as an entrepreneur can certainly make you ask yourself this question often. That along with not receiving instant gratification for your time and hard work in your business, since that seems to be the norm of associating success these days. Read more>>