even. By the time things were done, I was exhausted and…
““even. By the time things were done, I was exhausted and depressed and just really, really unhappy. We all were. But it didn’t have to be that way. That experience taught me to take agency in my own professional narratives, and that endings don’t have to be failures, especially when you choose to end a project or shut down a business. Shortly after the restaurant closed, I started a food market as a small side project, and it ended up being wildly successful. I had more press and customers than I could handle. I had investors clamoring to get in on the action. But all I wanted to do was write. I didn’t want to run a food market, and since my name was all over it, I didn’t want to hand it off to anyone else, either. So I chose to close the market on my own terms, and I made sure that everyone knew it. It was such a positive contrast to the harsh experience of closing the restaurant. I’ve learned to envision the ideal end to any project before I begin it now—even the best gigs don’t last forever. Nor should they.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker learned to proactively shape how projects end, turning closures into strategic, positive moves rather than failures.
In simple terms: Control your project endings for better outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Plan endings early and own them.
Themes
agency
entrepreneurship
resilience
career
growth
mindset
Mood
reflective
empowering
pragmatic
Type
advice
personal development
business strategy
When to use this quote
- startup closure
- career transition
- side hustle launch
- business shutdown
- personal branding
Key Concepts
strategic closure
personal narrative
pivot
creative control
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you design a positive exit before starting a venture?
- What signs indicate it’s time to close a project?
A Different Perspective
Ending projects without a plan can waste resources and morale.