554: When to Quit

554: When to Quit

Author: Henry Lopez February 10, 2025 Duration: 21:29

When to quit - How to Know When to Pivot or Persevere.

When to quit a project, a marketing campaign, a product line, a business model or perhaps an entire small business.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/554-when-to-quit/

When should you quit versus push through?

In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez explores the challenging decision of whether to persevere through difficulties or strategically quit and pivot to something better.

Inspired by The Dip by Seth Godin, Henry breaks down the difference between temporary struggles (the dip) and dead-end situations (cul-de-sacs), helping you make smarter decisions in your business.

"Extraordinary benefit accrues to the tiny minority of people who are able to push just a tiny bit longer than most." – Seth Godin, The Dip

This episode for small business owners addresses:

How to recognize if you're in a dip or a dead end.

The dangers of sunk-cost thinking and why quitting isn't failure.

Why persistence leads to success—but only when applied in the right places.

How quitting can free up resources for more promising opportunities.

"Quit the wrong stuff, stick with the right stuff, have the guts to do one or the other." – Seth Godin, The Dip

If you're struggling with whether to keep going or pivot, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Podcast Episodes
608 - Incorruptible: How Great Companies Stay Great with Eric Ries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:40
How small business owners can build mission-driven companies that earn trust, create long-term value, and avoid the traps that cause good businesses to lose their way. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/60…
608 - Selling a Business Roundtable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:54
Selling a business is far more complicated than most entrepreneurs realize and many business owners wait too long to prepare for it. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/608-selling-a-business-roundtable/ In…
Episode 607 - Growing a Business: Cash Flow, Debt & Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:37
Grow a healthier business by managing cash flow, using debt strategically, and building strong business relationships. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/607-growing-a-small-business/ Growing a business re…
606 - KPIs: How to Measure Your Business Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) provide an effective way to measure your business performance using both leading and lagging indicators to make better decisions and drive growth. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbu…
605 – Finding the Right Small Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:38
How to find the right business by evaluating whether to buy, build, or franchise while aligning with your finances, goals, and mindset. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/605-finding-the-right-small-busine…
604 – Why Partnerships Fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
The three root causes of business partnership failure - loss of trust, respect, and alignment - and how to prevent them. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/604-why-partnerships-fail/ Business partnerships…
R306 – 5 Steps to Naming with Brad Flowers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:06
A framework for creating a business or product name using a proven five-step process that removes guesswork and drives better branding decisions, with Brad Flowers. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r306-…
603 – 5 Tips for Better Emails [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:35
Practical email writing techniques that help small business owners communicate more clearly, get faster responses, and reduce costly misunderstandings. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/603-5-tips-for-bet…
602 – Why Your Business is Stuck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:01
How profitability and scalability constraints in your business model keep you stuck and how to diagnose and remove them to finally grow. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/602-why-your-business-is-stuck/ I…