In the most recent Women Leading Travel & Hospitality report, Game Changers, we asked women entrepreneurs in the travel and hospitality industry a series of questions about starting and running a business. They provided honest and actionable answers. One of those questions was, “How did you persevere and stay motivated through the tough times?” Here are some of their responses:

“My grandmother had a sign in her house, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” so I guess it’s in my DNA! Determination, grit and resilience have always been part of who I am and ultimately a reminder that it’s a choice. Building something is for sure one of the biggest challenges in life, but can also be the most rewarding.” –Stephanie Daniel, Co-Founder and CEO, Legends 

“Having each other has been extremely helpful in navigating difficult situations. Ups and downs are inherent to the founder journey. We lift each other up, and when one person is struggling the other can take the lead. We motivate each other to keep going. We also try not to ride the highs too high and the lows too low.” –Coabi Kastan and Jan Seale, Co-Founders, Out of Office

“I fell in love with the tourism industry very early in life. I was especially enamored by what I was learning about educational travel, conservation, and sustainability in connection with travel. Connecting social issues important to me with a career in travel felt too good to be true. Now, over 20 years after my first tourism course and studies in sociology, I can see that this combination of social impact and travel, especially after adding a focus on gender equity, allows me to honor my personal values of community, connection, growth and adventure. I’m powered by my mission to create a world that allows women to know themselves as valuable and equal members of our global community. I feel driven by something larger than myself. These conversations and connections are so personally rewarding, and I feel honored to share them with our listeners. Sometimes, the work looks different, but it all comes from the same space to honor who I am and what I want to create for other women.” –Christine Winebrenner Irick, Host, Soul of Travel Podcast, Founder, Lotus Sojourns

“I live by faith in God and I know that joy comes in the morning. I’ve learned how to order my steps and stay focused on the big picture as I navigate my way through tough times. Furthermore, I was blessed with my son Noah (who is now 11) after five years of fertility treatments, and when I’m going through adversity, I remember what’s on the other side when I persevere and don’t lose hope.” –Tracy L. Prigmore, Founder and Managing Partner, TLTSolutions + She Has a Deal

“Honestly, my passion for the business was the main driver. When I’d find a solution that was a “game changer” for the industry, it propelled me even further. I worked closely with solution providers (mostly founders) to help them with their road maps, encouraging them to make the changes necessary for their solution to be easily adopted in the industry. They got excited and that excitement just grew exponentially as I told their story to hoteliers, who also got excited about the possibilities of doing things differently to accommodate both the needs of guests and associates.” —Sue Graves, CEO, Experience Alive

“During the challenging times, my source of perseverance and motivation came from a very personal place — my children. The upheaval caused by the pandemic had a profound impact on their lives, and as their mother, it was my responsibility to remain resilient and set an example for them. I wanted to show them that even in the face of disaster or unprecedented circumstances, it’s essential to keep looking towards the future. The belief that I could make things better for both myself and others was a driving force. I knew I had a great idea and my passion for it burned brightly. That passion served as a constant reminder of why I embarked on this entrepreneurial journey in the first place.”  —Debbie Garcia, Founder and CEO, Virsitour

Check out the full interviews with these women as well as others like them by downloading the full Game Changers report here.