People often say, “Find out what you love, find out what you’re good at, and find out what has the potential to make you money.” If you can combine those three ingredients, you’ve got a recipe for success.
Here I am, standing at a crossroads, trying to build The Customized Ride and The Chris Benton Show, realizing I have to make some tough decisions. I don’t feel like I can devote my time to both and take them to the high levels I envision.
I love interviewing people—it lights me up. I’m good at it. But here’s the hard truth: one path doesn’t make money, and the other does. Both have potential, but The Chris Benton Show would likely take years to become financially sustainable. It’s a difficult, uphill climb.
On the other hand, The Customized Ride has a solid foundation already. I can build on that momentum, even weaving in interviews within the automotive industry to fuel my passion. It’s not about abandoning what I love—it’s about evolving it.
With The Chris Benton Show, I have two of the three ingredients: the love and the skill. But the financial piece isn’t there, at least not for the foreseeable future. With The Customized Ride, I have all three: love, skill, and the potential to generate significant income. It’s already made 20 times more than The Chris Benton Show ever did.
So, I’ve decided to place The Chris Benton Show back on hiatus. Honestly, I feel like God is telling me it’s time to let go. As much as I wanted that show to be “the thing,” it hasn’t grown in the way I needed it to.
Embracing the Shifts in Seasons
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Reflecting on the numbers, the story becomes clear:
- The Chris Benton Show (2020-2025): Around 10,000 total followers, roughly 3 million views.
- The Customized Ride (since October 2022): Over 400,000 followers, about 200 million views.
The numbers don’t lie. But it’s more than just metrics. The Chris Benton Show was my baby, but over the past two years, The Customized Ride has become my passion. And the best part? I get to build it alongside our amazing son, which adds a whole new layer of purpose. This transition isn’t about failure; it’s about recognizing that one season has ended, and God is ushering me into a new one.
The Power of Fasting and Surrender
In January, our family did a huge fast, seeking clarity from God. It wasn’t just about spiritual discipline; it was about clearing the noise to hear God’s voice more clearly. During that time, I felt God nudging me to close this chapter. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Through that fast, His voice became clear.
I realized I was trying to force The Chris Benton Show to work because I wanted it so badly. But this reboot hasn’t felt the same. Something shifted, and I had to be honest with myself. The Chris Benton Show had its season, and it was incredible while it lasted. But now, it’s time to move forward with what’s right in front of me—something that’s not just surviving, but thriving.
Legacy Over Metrics
Building The Customized Ride with my son isn’t just about content creation; it’s about legacy. Proverbs 13:22 says, “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” This journey is part of that inheritance—not just financial, but spiritual and relational. The time, lessons, and growth we experience together matter more than any view count or follower metric.
Lessons from the Journey:
- Passion Alone Isn’t Enough: You can love something deeply, but without the right strategy and sustainability, it may not fulfill its potential. Proverbs 21:5 reminds us, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
- Growth Requires Letting Go: Sometimes, we have to release what we thought was our calling to embrace what actually is. Jesus said in John 15:2, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
- Obedience Over Preference: God often leads us down unexpected paths. Our job isn’t to force outcomes but to follow His guidance, even when it’s hard. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
- Clarity Comes Through Surrender: That January fast wasn’t just about spiritual discipline; it was about clearing the noise to hear God’s voice more clearly. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” In the stillness, His direction became undeniable.
- Family as a Foundation: Building something with my son isn’t just business—it’s legacy. That matters more than any view count or follower metric. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
So here we are. Time to game plan, refocus, and take The Customized Ride to the next level. The door on The Chris Benton Show may be closing, but I’m stepping through a new one with clarity, purpose, and faith. God isn’t just the God of beginnings; He’s the God of new beginnings. And I’m excited to see where He leads next.