Was there ever a time you almost gave up?

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.

Jasmin’e Gentry

December 27, 2022, I actually had given up and if it wasn’t for my family, boyfriend, children and customers I wouldn’t be here today! I got the worst call of my life at 6:23 in the morning, my building was on fire and it was blazing. What took at that time 3 years to build took 73 seconds to completely burn. I lost everything! Read more>>

Ben Dickstein

Yep. My first semester of grad school. That would have been a HUGE mistake. I completed my bachelor’s degree at Ohio University and, as luck would have it, was accepted into my first-choice graduate program at Boston University. Moving to Boston brought a wave of culture shock. My graduate cohort was filled with students from some of the most prestigious schools in the country. Read more>>

Jamila Teasley

There was a time when I almost gave up when Mink’d Effect Beauty faced a devastating loss in 2024. Losing essential equipment and momentum felt like everything I had worked for was slipping through my fingers. It was more than just a business setback; it was a deeply personal blow that shook my confidence and made me question whether I could rebuild. Read more>>

Miss Ada Denise

Great question ! Yes ! Yes back in 2018 when I found out that I was pregnant I thought that a lot of my goals , hopes and dreams would be no longer obtainable ! Read more>>