Never Quit in Business: How Persistence Drives Success
- Thomas Smugala
- 18 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Oh, the economy's bad. Oh, the economy’s good. It’s bad; we need to tighten things up and stop advertising. It’s good, we need to expand our business. Bla, bla, bla, bla, bla! After 40 years self-employed, I can say, from my experience, good, bad, or ugly economies have never had an effect on anything I have done with regards to business. Truth be told, when the US economy does get bad, we have always just worked a little harder and expanded our businesses. There is never a good time or a bad time to start a business. If everyone is thinking the end is here, there is a great opportunity for a hard worker to fill the void and take home the prize.
There is never a good or bad time to start a business. The odd but true reality is that business is nothing more than working hard and never giving up. Entrepreneurs who never quit often achieve what others deem impossible because resilience drives progress. Startups are inherently unpredictable, fraught with competition, market changes, and unforeseen challenges. While ideas, strategies, and capital are important, it is the refusal to give up that separates thriving companies from those that fail. Persistence allows leaders to learn from setbacks, adapt to changing circumstances, and continue innovating despite obstacles.
Business is about getting up, going to work, and staying there until you can't work anymore.
Business is about getting up, going to work, and staying there until you can't work anymore. You work and work and work, and you do whatever is necessary to not stop working. And soon, you will have a successful business. You will put kids through school, you will have a few great vacations, a home, a car, and everything else you need for a good life. All you have to do is pull yourself out of that sunken sofa and get to work and NEVER quit.
We asked some of our business friends how the economy plays into their success:
"I’m aware of the economy, but I don’t let it dictate how I show up in business.
Hospitality, at its core, isn’t driven by headlines or market swings. And when you’re truly passionate about creating experiences, taking care of others, and building something meaningful in your community, there’s a kind of momentum that happens naturally. I’ve found that when you work hard on genuine hospitality, amazing food, stellar service, electric atmosphere and memorable events, guests respond. And that creates its own economy inside your business.
"So yes, I respect the economy but I believe passion, consistency, and a commitment to excellence—the economy has not stopped anyone from traveling, eating, drinking in the grand scheme of life."
There is never a good or bad time to start a business. The odd but true reality is that business is nothing more than working hard and never giving up.
"As a Business consultant and sales coach focused on B2B sales on a national level, I do keep the US economy at the forefront of my mind as it not only affects supply chain it also affects allocated funds for company initiatives, whether it be on products or services. My job as a coach is to help them prepare for the complexities that come with the sales conversations by leading with empathy, and also focusing on greater outcomes, stretching their budgets as far as they can, while maximizing outcomes and impacts."
Through the years, as a professional photographer and editor of 573 Magazine, I’ve faced repeated failures, but I've continued to push forward no matter the issue. Each failure became a learning opportunity, giving me insights that refined my game and my decision-making. Every hit and fall only gave me more energy to get back up, dust myself off, and get back in the fray. Without persistence, even the best business ideas risk fading into obscurity before they reach their potential. By refusing to quit, you make your stand. Business never follows a straight line; profits, market share, and customer loyalty often require years of effort. If you abandon your goals at the first sign of difficulty, you miss out on reaping rewards. The bottom line: never quit in business, persistence pays off, and drives entrepreneurial success!
"The economy doesn't necessarily run my business. It’s really more instinct for me. You can feel when people are tightening up or loosening up before anyone even says a word. Even things like tariffs have affected some of my ordering, and some things have definitely changed since COVID. That being said, I am currently renovating a historic property on Broadway in Cape. I am historically preserving as much as possible."
Coworking spaces have revolutionized the way professionals, freelancers, and startups approach work.
In the current business world you don't even need to have your own office or try to do business at a loud coffee shop. Coworking spaces have revolutionized the way professionals, freelancers, and startups approach work. Coworking environments offer flexibility, collaboration, and a professional setting without the long-term commitment at a faction of the cost of traditional business space. Places like Codefi in Cape Girardeau or WorkSpace in Farmington, or Catalyst Center for Business in Perryville offer great support and easy to afford work space.
Places like Codefi in Cape Girardeau or WorkSpace in Farmington, or Catalyst Center for Business in Perryville offer great support and easy to afford work space.
“I listen to some of economy news on YouTube, but it doesn’t affect how we do business. We are always so focused on our guests and finding ways to attract new guests, we only have time for business management. I guess I haven't noticed any dip or growth based on the economy. We stay pretty booked at Fredrock and just keep going.”
In essence, while a dream, good planning, and execution are important to business success, they are worthless without the relentless determination to keep going. Entrepreneurs who internalize the principle of never quitting position themselves not just to survive in bad economies or competitive markets, but to excel, innovate, and achieve success. In business, quitting is the only guaranteed path to failure.
Get Out There! Start a business. Take a class. Go for a hike. Sing in the shower. Do something. Do anything. Get out there, that sunken sofa won't miss you.
Pics, words, and other nonsense by t. smugala.
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