Why We Left: The Hardest Decision We Ever Made as Entrepreneurs

Leaving a Small Town Business to Chase Bigger Dreams

People often ask us, “Why did you leave?” It’s a simple question, but it doesn’t have a simple answer. It’s something Tyler and I wrestled with for a long time.

We had built a brick-and-mortar business in Goldsboro, North Carolina—a space we poured everything into. From the excitement of opening day to the emotional toll of closing the doors, that business was a huge part of our lives. Letting it go was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

I believed deeply in what we were doing. Our work mattered to that community. And in many ways, it still does. I miss it. I mourn it. But what I didn’t expect is that the same passion that kept me there also led us to leave.

When Passion Isn’t Enough: The Realities of Running a Physical Business

The truth is, we were stretched thin—physically, emotionally, and financially. Running a small business that relied heavily on our in-person presence was becoming unsustainable. It demanded everything from us, and over time, it started to cost us more than we could give.

We were trying to grow, but we were also just trying to survive.

So we took a step back. We reevaluated. We made the incredibly tough decision to close the business, leave North Carolina, and start fresh in Nashville.

Moving to Nashville: Starting Over as Entrepreneurs

Choosing to move was about more than just geography. It was about realigning our lives with the dreams we had been putting on hold. We believed there was a bigger world out there—a world with taller mountains to climb, more people to reach, and new chapters waiting to be written.

And while it hasn’t always been easy, it has been worth it.

Starting over as an entrepreneur isn’t glamorous. Some days we feel unsure. Some days we miss the comfort of what we built. But what keeps us going is the belief that we’re not done yet—that we have more to give, more to learn, and more to build.

Practicing What We Preach: Taking the Leap Anyway

Here’s the part that still gets me: I used to tell my students all the time to be brave, take risks, and shine bright. But it wasn’t until we left that I realized how much we needed to take that advice ourselves.

We couldn’t keep encouraging others to leap if we weren’t willing to do the same.

And so, we jumped. We pushed fear aside and reminded ourselves that discomfort is part of growth. That confidence isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about believing you’ll figure them out as you go.

What’s Holding You Back From Taking the Leap?

I don’t claim to have it all figured out. But if you’ve been sitting on a dream, if you’ve been feeling stuck or scared or unsure—let me ask you something I often ask my coaching clients:

What’s stopping you from taking the leap?

Whether it’s starting a business, moving to a new city, or finally going after that thing you’ve been putting off—what if now is the time?

Because sometimes, the scariest thing isn’t leaving. It’s staying somewhere you’ve already outgrown.

Gold City House of Music 2024