Entrepreneurs: The Decision to Never Quit and Why Persistence Beats Talent

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Where entrepreneurs come to grow it's passage to profit with Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart. It's time for your new business journey. So we'd like to welcome our guests to the show and ask the penetrating question, when you look back, what was the one decision or moment that most changed the trajectory of your career? And what did it cost you to make that decision? So our feature guest, Romaine Waite. Welcome to the show. What was the one decision that changed the trajectory of your career, and what did it cost you? [00:00:31] Speaker B: Well, thank you, Richard and Elizabeth, first of all, for having me. So the one decision that I made was just to not give up. I think that's something that I. A decision I made very early. You know, just like, come hell or high water, you're going to do this thing. And I think just having that mindset initially has really changed things over the years because it wasn't about any particular moment. It was about the end goal. And so that requires just consistency and discipline. So having that mental decision happen made the difference. [00:01:04] Speaker A: I love that keeping the end goal in mind is so important because it's sort of your bulwark when things get to be too difficult. So thank you for that. Jeff Pereira, welcome to the program. What was the one decision or moment that changed the trajectory of your career? [00:01:20] Speaker C: For me, it was saying yes to my wife. She said, make me a bagel. I said yes. And that really changed the trajectory of both of our lives into something that we could have never imagined. So sometimes when your significant other or loved one asks you to do something crazy, you should step into it. [00:01:39] Speaker A: Way to go. That is a great answer. I don't think we've heard that one on their show. [00:01:44] Speaker B: That's a good one. [00:01:45] Speaker A: Jeff 300. [00:01:46] Speaker D: Except for us. I really wanted you to start a law firm, and you were like, this is insanity. [00:01:52] Speaker A: But, yeah, that was insanity, but we did it anyway. Dion Hargrove, what was the one decision that changed the trajectory of your career? [00:02:01] Speaker E: The one decision that changed the trajectory of my business was definitely putting myself from behind the business and in the front and becoming the face of my business. As an engineer, we are used to being the people in the background, doing the work, getting the products out and having someone else or something else like a mascot or avatar that I did create to represent us. But in the space that my business is in, authenticity and trust is very important, and the people need to see the face of the CEO. So I had to overcome my camera shyness and everything and say, hey, world, this is me. [00:02:37] Speaker A: That's great. And you're right, it's a tough transition. I was something of an introvert. I guess I still am. And, you know, getting out there, being in front of people can be uncomfortable, but it's part of the role, it's part of the job. And that you took that on is commendable. Absolutely. [00:02:54] Speaker E: Elizabeth. [00:02:55] Speaker D: Well, I think during COVID I was doing interviews for people and putting on YouTube. I think really trying to learn as much as I could about video. And YouTube really changed the way I was going. And now if you look at what small businesses need in 2026, they need video. And we have this video studio. So I think really getting into the YouTube stuff changed my trajectory quite a bit, actually. [00:03:17] Speaker A: Yeah, I think so. But you've always really been good on camera and in public. Yeah. So I think it was a. That was a good move for you. For myself. I'm just going to say something. I can't believe I haven't said this before on the show, but it's really moving from corporate to entrepreneur. I was in the corporate world for many years. Great training, great experience for me, but I just couldn't stand it. I was too much of an entrepreneur, too independent minded. And I decided that based on circumstances and the encouragement of Elizabeth, started a law practice and it turned out to be like the best career decision I think I've ever made. So that's where that's at. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast and leave a quick review. Also, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X and subscribe to our YouTube channel for bonus content. Learn more at passagetoprofitshow.com.