By Maricel Saenz
May 2024

For me, turning points are those moments where we change direction, where we see a better path ahead of us and consciously decide to turn the wheel and choose again.

The question is when and how you decide to change your course? Sometimes I continue to push through because I see a path that no one else can see. And then there are moments when I learn something new and realize there is a better path for us to take.
As a founder, persistence and resiliency are critical attributes in navigating what it means to create new concepts and bring them to the world. When we decide to push through no matter what, how tired we are, how many times others have said no, how many things are not going exactly as planned, are we being resilient, or are we being stubborn? I don’t know. Stubborn people are those who refuse to change their mind — who stick to their guns no matter what. Or is that resilience?

What I do know is that, as founders, we see a vision of the world that we believe in deeply, and we dedicate our lives to making it a reality. We do our best to craft pitches and speeches so we can share that vision with others — even though the clearest manifestation of it might exist only in our head. So when the world changes, conditions change, trends change, that vision can get murky — for others, but not for us.

What others might perceive as stubbornness is, in fact, a profound resilience rooted in our unwavering belief in a future we are trying to create. It’s not just about being obstinate; it’s about holding onto that vision despite the challenges, the doubts and the naysayers.

Think about it this way: If Thomas Edison had given up after his first attempt at creating the lightbulb, where would we be today? If Steve Jobs had caved to the pressures of the market and abandoned his vision for the iPhone, would our world look the same? These individuals weren’t merely stubborn; they were resilient in the face of adversity because they held onto their vision of the future with an unshakeable faith.

It’s not about blindly refusing to change course; it’s about having the courage and conviction to push forward despite the obstacles in your path. It’s about trusting in your vision of the world and believing wholeheartedly that it’s worth fighting for.

And if you see a turning point ahead of you, and you have decided that you are going to take a new path, get settled and rooted in your core values and beliefs, and then with all of your strength and joy for the future, turn the steering wheel sharp in the new direction, and never look back. Have trust and confidence in your decisions, and continue in the quest for the best path to make your dreams come true, and to find the best version of yourself.

In the end, what is important is the impact we have on the world around us. And if that impact is fueled by our unwavering dedication to our vision, then it doesn’t matter if people think you are stubborn or resilient, it matters that you push through, that you stand up to continue to fight, and that you make things happen.