Tony Robbins says the #1 human need is certainty, but do you know what the second need is? It’s uncertainty. This tug of war between the competing needs of safety and risk are at the heart of so many dilemmas we face in life and for most folks the goal isn’t to eliminate risk – rather it’s to understand this core human need. In our view, the best way to understand or learn is through stories and so we’ve asked some very talented entrepreneurs and creatives to tell us the stories behind some of the risks they’ve taken.

Ciara Moser

Being blind from birth, every day of my life holds risks. The society we live in was built for a sighted person. Every sign, signal, light, step, building, contract, letter, packaging and many more things is labeled, built and adapted for a sighted person. There are many skills and techniques that blind and visually impaired people learn in order to adapt to this sighted world that we live in. Still, there are a lot of moments, in which I take a risk. Every time I cross the streets in Boston and don’t know if there might be a car in the middle of the cross walk, every time I play and learn music that is written down on paper and that I have never seen or heard before or every time I eat food that I can’t see before it touches my mouth. Read more>>

Tara Lynn Herbst Kopp

I did 17 months in prison. Upon release I moved back to the small town I had been living in prior to my incarceration. It’s where my husband was, it was where my children were; where my family was at. It wasn’t easy. The whispers, the pointed fingers, the gossip and the truth. Read more>>

Jeffery Tay

Taking a risk, as I’ve learned from my own personal journey, can be an incredibly transformative and liberating experience. My story of risk-taking revolves around a pivotal moment during my master’s graduate recital and thesis defense, where I decided to come out as gay and, in doing so, share my unapologetic perspective on LGBTQ human rights. Read more>>

Noella Mbulapey

For me taking risks means getting out of my comfort zone. I grew up as a little girl who was also curious about everything. I use to be and still am an over thinker and perfectionist at times meaning I love asking questions and getting the right answers, I love trying new things and learn from them whether I succeed or not. I believe that someone who takes a risk is better than someone who doesn’t because when a person takes a risk whether the outcome is positive or negative, they gain something very valuable, experience. I personally enjoy challenges because they help me grow and change the perspective I have about life in general. Instead of shying away from challenges, I embrace them as opportunities for growth. Read more>>

Charlotte Rivera

I was a single mother working at a bank in my hometown Lawton Oklahoma. I have been at this bank for about six years. I witnessed 2 of my co workers be let go just a few years shy of their retirement because they were too slow on the phones, both women in their 60s, who had devoted close to 20 years on their job. I thought to myself is that where I want to be in the next 10 to 15 years? So I know Iout in my two weeks notice, took my savings and moved to Oklahoma City. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss just wasn’t really sure how or what I wanted to do exactly. Read more>>

Cara Truitt

In the summer of 2019 I bought a community yoga studio. This was my first time owning a brick-and-mortar retail business. In previous years, I worked as the Director of Operations for the studio which had two locations and although I knew how to run the business, it was a huge risk. One of the locations was losing money so the previous owner closed it and sold the remaining location to me. The studio was one of the best in the city and had a 10 year track record, but there was no guarantee that we would make it with retail expenses quickly rising. Read more>>

Tamera Hill

The biggest risk is not taking any risks in life. Since I can remember, I’ve always been the type to play it safe. Starting out, my goal was to finish college and climb the corporate ladder all the way to the top. From a child, I knew I wouldn’t have an ordinary life. It was always something calling me in the distance to greatness. I thought it was in the corporate world, then I thought it was in the “church world.” Little did I know, it was neither, but those very same experiences in corporate and the church world would help me get to where I was going. Read more>>

Bert Miller

Opening a restaurant in itself is a huge risk, (most don’t even make two years), then on top of that, located in a small community where this type business is not currently established. Back in 2015, I owned a building in downtown Navasota that was serving as an antique mall where I leased spaces to vendors. At the time, the one restaurant in downtown had recently closed/sold and become a liquor store. We were without an eating place in downtown and the retailers were struggling to keep shoppers downtown, as many were going to the loop (Hwy 6) to get something to drink or eat, therefore leaving downtown. I considered opening a coffee shop, that’s where the story began. I “googled” coffee shop franchises, knowing there were some well beyond affordability, and came across “Classic Rock Coffee Co. & Kitchen”. Read more>>

Andrea Restivo

Biggest risk I’ve taken was to leave corporate America and follow my desire to help people on a deeper level through yoga. It was essentially jumping off a cliff with no parachute and only faith and courage and the love I had for the practice. And of course my own experience in which yoga saved my own life and I knew I wanted to share that with others. Read more>>

Shannon Darsow

Creating and the Arts always have always been an intrinsic part of my life, and somehow woven in just about everything I do. Since I can remember I have been drawing, painting, writing, hanging with my Dad in his garage when he was wood working, with my Mom in the kitchen when she was cooking, studying the art books Sister Emily from my grade school would set aside special for me from our library, entering and placing in yearly contests in the local paper and Minnesota State Fair, running home to watch the amazing Bob Ross after school on PBS, filling books and books of blank pages with my pictures and poetry, watching my Grandma Isabelle and uncle Jean make any idea they had to create something come to life…beautifully…their creativity was limitless, listening to all kinds of music all day long, and hours of tying pearl necklaces, fishing jigs, and ice fishing flies with my Dad. Read more>>

Penny Payton

As we all stand witness to a world growing very differently than any of us may have expected to see in our lifetimes, I wanted to share a story about unexpected change and its effects on perspective. I choose this particular topic because I think it speaks to the division we are marred in as a country right now. It talks about how I was forced to start thinking deeply, because it does seem that’s what we are all being asked to do right now. Read more>>

Adrienne Permar

I was let go from a very comfortable job working as a massage therapist in a deep tissue massage clinic. We had some disagreements about time management and other issues, as well as a mismatch in practice styles. I was looking to do more lymphatic work, which was very light, and I was having a hard time communicating the benefits to clients in that environment. I had worked at the clinic for a few years, and it was very upsetting for both the owner and myself when she decided I was not longer a good fit for her clinic. It was a tearful goodbye for both of us. I interviewed with a number of spas and clinics, and nearly accepted a position with a physical therapist specializing in post-cancer rehabilitation. Read more>>

Heartlyn Rae

Our whole life has been based on taking risks. We didn’t go to college and take the path most people take. We chose a career that is the hardest thing to break into. But we both knew from a young age that we wanted to sing, and perform, which now has evolved into creating content and podcasting. We both took a risk and moved to Nashville with a small amount of money saved, no jobs, no place to live, and an old beat up car. We shared a bedroom with two twin mattresses on the floor and took on random odd jobs while pursuing songwriting and making content along the way. Once we felt the Nashville chapter coming to a close, we took yet another risk and moved to Los Angeles which was also a scary decision when you’re not from a big city. Read more>>

Andrea Cox

Risk-taking is wild. Let me start there. I am logical and really pride myself on doing things that make sense. My life-changing risk involves switching careers from education to wellness and yoga. When I was approached about pursuing wellness and yoga full-time, I was nervous. I was in a career that was safe, secure, and, for the most part, very structured. As a teacher, your every day is set, the students are the same, and you get to work through and embrace the daily challenges right. But initially, with wellness and yoga, I was unsure how I would create this same stability because it was unknown to me. Read more>>

Peggy Easterling

Sometimes I take BIG risks, and I do it sweaty! As I soaked in a powerful message from Cliff Ravenscraft something stirred within me—a spark that ignited a life-altering decision. I had already resolved to dive headfirst into the world of online entrepreneurship and create a thriving virtual community—the Mindset School. Little did I know, this bold choice would set the course for an incredible adventure. Read more>>

Martha Carol Stewart

13 years of being a kindergarten teacher. 13 years of watching the result of families struggling to get their kids ready for school all while getting themselves ready for work, ultimately leading to meltdowns and frustrations. Lost papers, lost shoes, no lunch and lots of tears from both parents and children were just a few of the things I experienced in the morning carpool. I knew some of my organizing skills could help these parents and children start their day on a more positive note. I decided to take a risk and leave teaching to start my business as a professional organizer in hopes to help families just like the ones I was teaching. Read more>>

Ivy Watts

I was a DII top performing student-athlete who struggled with my mental health in silence. I was terrified of being labeled as anything other than perfect. I grew up belieivng the stigma around mental health, which was only amplified growing up in a Black family, and being a student-athlete. I couldn’t let the world see me as weak, so I struggled with anxiety, lack of self-worth and depression in silence. It wasn’t until a few years after college that I finally was able to get help for myself, because of a former teammate who opened up to me about her own mental health challenge, which broke down the stigma I grew up believing and empowered me to begin therapy. After realizing the healing benefits of therapy and seeing that talking about my struggles was a sign of strength and not a sign of weakness, I wanted to figure out how I could help other people, especially student-athletes, who were also struggling with their mental health in silence. Read more>>

Anastasia Petrova

I think all creative work revolves around risk-taking – dropping my math courses in my last year of high school to withdraw my business school application was a risk. Pursuing post-secondary education in audio with no guarantee of return on investment was a risk. Every dollar spent on equipment, instruments and software was a risk. Even now, every time I sit down with an artist to write or produce, my attempt at telling their story using their experiences poses a risk to their ability to trust and be vulnerable with me. Pitching songs to managers and labels comes with the risk of feeling rejection. Read more>>

Xae King

One major risk for me that I have taken in life where is my first show. I started off struggling, trying to find a place to perform at. Trying to figure out how it all works. I was looking through Eventbrite for different open mics but, that led to nowhere. I didn’t have a manager or agent to land shows for me, I didn’t know too many other artist that actually knew themselves how to get started, and on top of it all, I was still working crazy hours at my job. I just couldn’t find the right time or place. So, one day I thought to myself, “why can’t I just do it myself.” So, with all the money that I had left at the time. I took the risk of throwing my own show. Read more>>

Tony Harts II

I honestly feel like the biggest risk that I’ve taken is leaving the Memphis Fire Department to focus on my purpose, which is music and being a creative. There was a lot of controversy in my personal life because of my decision, but as always I kept faith in God and went with my move. Life is too short to be timid or afraid to chase a dream that you have so, go for it and give it your all it’ll pay off . Read more>>

JuuDae

I strongly believe in taking risk especially because you only get one life to live. Following my dreams has always been the goal for me not only because it’s makes me happy but I can also make a difference taking risk can give you so much opportunity you jus have to be willing to take it. Read more>>

Rick Gradone

I have always been an artist, but I also always had a day job. My day job was actually pretty fabulous for a long time. Being a studio hairdresser for the fashion world afforded me the opportunity to make my own schedule to some extent, make good money in shorter time spans, and see the world on someone else’s dime. So I was used to a certain standard of living. As I got older, I would structure my artistic pursuits with the idea in mind that there would be a moment when I could “replace” that day job with my art full time, but I kind of “woke up” during the pandemic when all the work was gone and realized 30 years had gone by. Read more>>

Selin Tastan

I am currently working as a licensed clinical mental health counselor at my solo private practice. I love my job and am grateful for the privilege of helping individuals change their lives but this would not have happened had I not taken a risk with my career. After graduating from grad school with a Master’s Degree in Human Resources, I started working at big corporations as an HR consultant. The second major company I worked at, had a toxic work environment that left me with very low self-esteem. The term “toxic environment” was not widely known or recognized at the time so I had no words to explain and understand my experience. Read more>>

Kristin Karg

I had wanted to get my eyebrows microbladed for years. When I finally took the plunge and got to the appointment, I fell in love with the process. Then when I sat up and looked in the mirror I fell in love with the way a great set of eyebrows made me feel. It completely changed my confidence especially when I wasn’t wearing any makeup. When I left that appointment, I had already made up my mind that I needed to be a microblading artist. I needed to give others that same feeling I had when I looked at my microbladed brows for the first time. Read more>>

Tony Jacobsen

I was born with a rare bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I.), it’s also known as Brittle Bones Disease. I’ve fractured approximately 75 times throughout my life, have undergone 12 surgical procedures, and am equipped with 4 steel rods down each of the long bones in my legs. Because of my disability, I spent the majority of my childhood in a wheelchair. I got stronger and started walking on crutches in my teens and when I was 24 years old, I took my first unassisted steps. Read more>>

Scott Barrier

The topic of “taking a risk” came up recently in a discussion with a young artist and another songwriter. The three of us wondered where our lives would be if we hadn’t taken the risk to chase our dreams and pursue music as a career. Each of us had a different experience and journey, but I shared with them that if i had not gone for it, I may not have had some of the amazing breakthroughs that have occurred in my career. However, they didn’t just fall in my lap. It took years of dedication and hard work developing and improving my abilities and skills as a singer/songwriter to create better music and to move up in the industry, and to build a network of great people to work with. With all that, I’ve had a approximately 100 songs recorded by artists, including two #1’s this year in 2023, and a song performed on the Grand Ole Opry! Fortunately for me, I’ve been blessed to have such wonderful things occur. Again, it wasn’t overnight, and it all came down to consistent hard work. It’s a journey of perseverance and patience, but it’s been worth it! Read more>>

Virginia Novello

I think I have taken risk all through my live, and the way I see risk is moving towards something that I know its the right thing for me even though the programing of society, or other people tell me otherwise. When I was 19 I moved to L.A from Guadalajara, Mexico knowing very little English just knowing it was the right city for me! It was intimidating, people usually built a career in Mexico city before moving to l.a but i just knew eve thou it was a bigger risk I had to do it. Then later in my life I realized that the roles i wanted to be cast on exploring my latinidad, they weren’t casting me on so I started write, and produce, and at that time actors weren’t really doing that and I got a lot of pushback from people within the industry ,saying I had to choose one! well I didn’t i took the risk and created a company and met other women that were like me and together we wrote a script for 7 years got it made with a big company and we all acted in it! This movie is called “SISTERS” and just premiered in LONDON We took the risk and the reward was amazing! Read more>>

Lola Murray

A risk I took was big and life changing for me. The back story off my life between 2017-2021 was a journey of anxiety and depression also finding my identity as a transgender woman. I was struggling mentally and physically within myself. I had to deal with pain and hurt from people in my life that didn’t really care about me. It took me to a place of darkness that I ended going towards a toxic relationship, drugs and becoming a drug addict. I know this story is  before my big risk. It is very emotional but it gave me the strength to learn from those lessons and mistakes. That’s when I took my big risk of a lifetime to make changes and find happiness for myself. Read more>>

Lisa Chen

Let me share the story of a risk I took, a pivotal moment in my life that led to a significant change and helped me to learn valuable lessons on risk-taking. Several years ago, despite experiencing professional success in my career, I was grappling with a deep crisis of confidence and an overwhelming sense of existential questioning. I found myself constantly switching from one job to another, desperately seeking meaning and fulfillment. From the outside, I looked great, but the truth of the matter was that I was lost. Read more>>

Mykel Traylor-bennett

When I first got back from playing football and the NFL didn’t workout I took a risk on trusting God and betting on myself to start my own training business . I had no gym to train at no clientele I just believed in my gifts to motivate and knew I could help athletes get better Read more>>

Kaitlyn Page

About 4 years ago, I had been successfully running my art business solely through online means. This was and still is a great avenue for me and my artwork, however, I really wanted to take the plunge into putting my work out there into the physical world through vending at various shows and events. This presented a lot of questions that I didn’t know the answer to. Where do you start? How much inventory do you need to invest in? Which shows are right for me? I had a good idea of what shows I wanted to do but had no idea how much I would need to take into consideration if I wanted this to become a main avenue towards selling my work. Read more>>

Aasiya Outlaw

A few years ago, I decided to take a risk that turned out to be both exciting and life-changing. It all started when I was working in a stable job, but I felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction and yearned for something more fulfilling. I had always dreamed of pursuing a career in mixology and entrepreneurship. So I went to bartending school to pursue my bartending career. I faced numerous , but I persevered and pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. Every day brought new adventures, and I felt a sense of fulfillment I had never experienced before. Read more>>

Jillian Ziesmer

A risk is letting go of the need for certainty, security, or succumbing to mainstream belief systems of the dominant culture. A risk is tapping into your inner voice and following your authentic path. It’s about honoring your truth. In my own life and career, if I get into a state of comparison and see my differences from others as being indicative of inadequacy or inferiority, then I am not valuing my authentic self. It is a risk to embrace my authentic self because I may be in the minority of what I choose to do, which can feel more vulnerable. However, I would rather look back at my life knowing that I took risks that supported my innermost passions, dreams, and desires. Read more>>

Jonathan Shapiro

As an entrepreneur, I’ve always been drawn to the thrill of building businesses from the ground up. My journey has been defined by risk-taking and the pursuit of innovative opportunities. It’s the story of how I transitioned from the fashion world, where I founded Mixology Clothing Company, to the wellness industry with the birth of Mindset Wellness. This was my “choose your Mindset” moment, and I’d like to share my entrepreneurial path with you. Read more>>

Lisa Hirsch-Solomon

Around fifteen years ago, I found myself at a pivotal moment in life, searching for a fresh direction. After returning to Los Angeles, I was still entrenched in the entertainment industry, but something just didn’t feel right. That’s when I had an ambitious plan to open a clothing store called “November” (my favorite month!), but as I crunched numbers and observed the deteriorating economy, I had to face reality – it wasn’t the right path for me. Read more>>

Vira Vasquez

Certainly, here’s a more polished and motivating version: My life has been a journey of taking risks and embracing independence. I began my entrepreneurial journey as a single mother, having endured domestic violence, with three children to support and no safety net. Faced with the challenge of fixing my own credit to secure a rental, I persevered, and over the course of 7 1/2 years, I built a thriving $1 million business that has positively impacted more than 5000 individuals across the United States and Puerto Rico. Read more>>

Chris Saldivar

Let’s take it back almost 4 years ago to when Covid hit our planet. I was a full-time DJ of almost 18 years and full-time bartender at a brewery. I had attended college back when I was 18 with intentions of becoming a movie director. That obviously didnt work out and I found my love for music. I had a really good career as a DJ but as soon as COVID hit that all went away. I quickly pivoted to something else I knew which was how to use a camera. I started Tea Tree Productions and very quickly reached out to some real estate agents I knew trying to get a job shooting their listings. I was given a shot by a couple of them and now fast forward to current day, I run a team of 3 photographers, full time video and photo editors, my wife runs my social media, and I shoot as well as do all the day to day admin stuff. Read more>>

Christine Lucian

It was a cold day in January, and I had been home for two weeks with my son following his tonsillectomy. I was sitting on the couch scrolling social media when an idea randomly popped into my head! I went into Instagram and decided to see if a username was available, “@TheMichiganAssessor”. It worked! It was an available handle, and now it was mine. I decided to begin recording myself telling my audience about the issues I see every day in my career. These issues were affecting real people, and their wallets. I decided to implement two of my core values into this new venture: Empathy and Education. These have been my standards the last 12 years of my career, and the idea of taking it full scale online to reach more people was beyond exciting. Read more>>

David Ives

This risk I want to share relates to putting myself ‘out there’ by applying to an exhibition that would cost me one month’s salary to register if accepted. The previous year in 2022, I applied and got accepted to exhibit at IDS Vancouver, a well known Interior Design Show. Being accepted was a real compliment and I thought long and hard about paying the fee to secure myself a booth. Read more>>

Dimitrius Lovett

Starting up a business was one of the biggest risks that I have ever taken in life. To quit a job that you’ve worked hard to get while making a decent living to start up a company that you are not guaranteed to succeed in. That risk is the life changing one. It is worth it because of the freedom/happiness that you can have while doing it. You will work harder for something that you are passionate about. Read more>>

Amy Twomey

My photography business began when I had my first child after getting my Masters in photography and painting from UW, Madison. I always knew I wanted to work from home so I could be hands on with my kids. This was all manageable and pretty easy until I had three kids, and found myself exhausted from photographing weddings every weekend and back to back shoots of screaming newborn babies and toddlers the following day. Read more>>

Kayla Lemon

The biggest risk I have taken is becoming an entrepreneur. I was always someone who wanted to just go to college, secure a great paying job with a benefits, and climb the corporate ladder as opportunities arise. And yes, I went to college, graduated, secured the entry level position with benefits, but I learned quick that was not fulfilling to me. I was so upset because I felt like I had worked hard and prayed for years for the exact moment I was living in to feel selfish enough to not enjoy it anymore. I was feeling ungrateful in a sense. Fortunately, I’m going to be a honest— I have a relationship with God that if he make the most minor changes or allow me to experience setbacks I know it’s apart of his plan for me to grow. Read more>>

Dr. Aaron Johnson

I think the biggest risk I have taken has been with my career. I graduated highest honors with my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Typically the next move is to either find a role in whichever pharmacy specialty you want to pursue, or get into a residency or fellowship program. I chose neither, and many people, inside and outside of my field, warned me to take a more traditional approach. Most of the feedback alluded to the fact that what I want to do is not a “real” career. I am a true believer that we are all here to serve a specific purpose and I will always tell others to follow their passion, and that’s exactly what I did. Read more>>

Claresa Baggs

I stood at a crossroads that was as much about my past as it was about my future. The decision to share my truth was not a mere moment of choice; it was an odyssey, a journey back through the darkest corridors of my memory. The risk was not just about the act of telling, but the consequence of being heard. I was considering exposing wounds to a world that had shown itself to be both cruel and dismissive. To speak up was to invite the potential for ridicule and the sharp sting of public judgment. I knew this all too well. Read more>>