Every entrepreneur reaches a moment where progress feels uncertain. Sales slow down. Engagement drops. The vision feels heavier than it once did. And the question surfaces—do I pivot, or do I push through?
Knowing the difference between the two isn’t just business strategy; it’s leadership discernment. For Black women entrepreneurs especially, this decision often carries emotional weight, financial risk, and legacy implications. Here’s how to recognize what season you’re in—and respond with clarity instead of panic.
Understand the Difference First
Pushing through means staying the course while refining execution.
Pivoting means changing direction while honoring the core mission.
Neither is failure. Both are strategic.
The mistake happens when we push out of fear—or pivot out of exhaustion.
When It’s Time to Push Through
Sometimes the discomfort you feel isn’t a sign to stop—it’s a sign you’re growing.
You may need to push through if:
- The vision still feels aligned, but execution is inconsistent
- Results are slow, not nonexistent
- You’re receiving positive feedback, but not traction yet
- The issue is systems, structure, or visibility—not demand
- You’re tired, not misaligned
Growth seasons often feel uncomfortable. Mastery requires repetition. Pushing through means improving processes, tightening strategy, and staying committed long enough to see momentum build.
Push when the problem is refinement—not relevance.
When It’s Time to Pivot
A pivot becomes necessary when the business no longer matches the mission—or the market.
You may need to pivot if:
- You’re forcing an offer no one is responding to
- The business drains you consistently, not seasonally
- Your audience has changed and your message hasn’t
- Data keeps confirming what emotions are resisting
- You’ve outgrown the original model
Pivoting doesn’t erase your progress—it leverages it. Many successful businesses didn’t change their purpose, they changed how they delivered it.
Pivot when alignment is gone, not just comfort.
Ego vs. Evidence
One of the hardest parts of this decision is separating ego from insight.
Ask yourself:
- Am I holding on because I’m afraid to start over?
- Or am I walking away too soon because I’m tired?
Look at the data. Listen to feedback. Pray, reflect, and get counsel from people who understand business—not just your feelings.
Pivoting Doesn’t Mean Quitting
Some of the most powerful pivots look like:
- Changing your target audience
- Adjusting pricing or packaging
- Shifting from services to programs
- Moving from in-person to digital
- Rebranding messaging without changing the mission
A pivot can be subtle—or bold. What matters is that it’s intentional.
Pushing Through Requires Support
If you’re pushing through, don’t do it alone.
- Strengthen your systems
- Delegate where possible
- Revisit your “why”
- Get accountability
- Protect your rest
Burnout clouds judgment. Clarity thrives in supported environments.
Knowing when to pivot and when to push through is a skill every woman in business must develop. Both decisions require courage. Both require honesty. And both, when done at the right time, lead to growth.
Trust yourself—but also trust the process.
Your business isn’t meant to break you.
It’s meant to grow with you.
Written by Samantha Young
