To pivot or to persevere? Or more bluntly – to give up or to not to give up? This is a haunting question, a question that has ramifications far after an answer has been chosen and it’s also a question that almost everyone in our community has had to face at one time or another. How do you know when to give up and when to keep trying?

Nayla Morshed | Author & TED Speaker

I think from a young age we’re taught to persevere through everything. But, that’s not really a sustainable way of thinking or going about things. At some point, life is going to hit, and you’re going to be very quickly burnt out. I’ve had many instances where I was presented with two options and had to give up one thing. When choosing to give something up, I always give up what’s not serving me. Read more>>

Varyb Iyer | Music Producer, DJ, and Podcast Engineer

There are times where I definitely feel like giving up on music and going towards what’s considered a “normal or “stable” career. The pressure of overnight success is tremendous at times and I’ve had people, mainly my family, question the validity of what I’m doing. At the end of the day, I’m doing what makes me happy money aside. I personally believe that everyone should do what they’re passionate about, and not be pressured to do something that they don’t have the heart for. Read more>>

Katie Melannie Franco | Film Photographer

Short answer: Never. I say this because sadly I have seen people- owners, mainly small businesses , who unfortunately had to close down due to financial or even personal reasons, but even though with the short amount of time they had it running, I can assure these small business owners has loved every second of it and seeing the support from clients/customers (regulars!) friends and family is what makes it special and what keeps it hold in place and in memory . So for someone who wants to start up their business – “giving up” I would see it more of a -break- . No one is a failure. Read more>>