Ever get that sinking feeling that disaster is barreling down the tracks and you’re just frozen there, helpless? Yeah, I’ve been there. Life and business constantly throw us warning signs, but the real question is: do we act before the train hits or do we stay paralyzed, waiting for the inevitable?
A friend recently told me she’s moving back to a city she left seven months ago, hoping to salvage her life and career. No grand plan, just reacting to circumstances she didn’t see coming. She’s caught in that classic trap many entrepreneurs face—clinging to a past version of success that’s vanished, especially in industries like music where AI and automation have radically reshaped the landscape. She won’t admit it, but the game has changed, and she’s standing still on the tracks.
Not everyone has the grit or stamina to pivot, especially in the creator economy where side hustles and AI tools can either be lifelines or distractions. I tell people all the time: take any job to keep cash flowing—clean toilets, deliver groceries, whatever it takes. Survival is the baseline. But she’s struggling, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. With a kid to support and no steady income for nearly two years, she finally applied for welfare last week. Her ex is unemployed too. The warning signs were there, flashing bright, but she hesitated.
Here’s what I know after years in business: motivation has to come from within. The hustle never stops. You need a product or service that’s not just good but undeniable—something AI can’t easily replicate or automate away. And you can’t be a one-trick pony anymore. If I weren’t a black entrepreneur right now, I’d still be doing something, anything. Giving up or waiting for the “slow times” to pass is a luxury no one can afford. Turn off the nightly news and ditch the “everyone’s hurting” excuse. Newsflash: not everyone is hurting. There’s opportunity in that disparity.
I just had a killer week—unexpected clients, new projects, the kind of momentum that feels like a shot of adrenaline. Don’t beat yourself up if things aren’t working. Try something different. Experiment with AI tools that can automate tedious tasks or help you create content faster. Explore niches others overlook. If you feel truly stuck, it might be time for a drastic change: a new city, a new career path, or cutting out the toxic stressors dragging you down.
Business in 2025 isn’t just about grit; it’s about adaptability. The market moves fast, tech evolves faster, and the creator economy rewards those who innovate relentlessly. So, get off those tracks before the train hits. Your future self will thank you.
Kevin "KevRoss" Ross is a music and radio industry expert. He is a 20 -plus year entrepreneur with the leading most successful industry trade publication and site Radio Facts (www.radiofacts.com). He has also published various books, magazines, performed marketing and promotions for major corporations and recording artists and he is on the advisory board of several industry organizations. This year Ross introduced his non profit organization LOMARI (Leaders of the Music and Recording Industry) to help teach young minority students how to market and manage their music and products.
