The chapters in our stories are often marked by wins and losses. Getting a new job, getting fired. Getting a life-threatening medical diagnosis, beating it and getting a clean bill of health. Too often, due to a societal expectation of modesty and humility we are discouraged from talking about the risks we’ve taken that led to those ups and downs – because often those risks draw attention to how we are responsible for the outcomes – positive or negative. But those risks matter. Those stories matter. We asked some brilliant entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and leaders to tell us those stories – the stories of the risks they’ve taken, and we’ve shared them with you below.

Frank Hegyi

When I first conceived the idea for my film, Celebrity Caregiver, I knew it had the potential to stand out, but it also needed a strong backing to truly reach its potential. I decided to take a bold step and reach out to Nathan Fielder and Werner Herzog, asking them to come on board as executive producers. It was a significant risk, given their busy schedules and profiles. Read more>>

Kristina Ganow

At 40 years old, with four energetic boys, I found myself at a crossroads that I never anticipated. My struggle with nutrition had caught up with me, and it wasn’t just a matter of a few extra pounds—it was my health. I was diagnosed with a heart disorder, high blood pressure, and daily life had become a battle. Read more>>

Jason Toth

In retrospect, the biggest risk I have ever taken, was the surest bet I could ever make. It didn’t feel that way at the time. In August 2019, at 32 years old, the life I had been building for myself came crashing down when my legs suddenly gave out in my driveway. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTs), a chronic illness that disrupts the autnomic nervous system – responsible for heart rate, blood circulation, breathing, etc. – and I found myself experiencing debilitating symptoms that confined me to bed and unable to work… for nearly 3.5 years.  Read more>>

Brandi Utigard

My parents raised me to be curious and always encouraged me at a very young age to follow my passions with art. They noticed my interests early on and supported me to freely express myself by making art supplies readily available at all times. Growing up I watched my mother exploring many art mediums, one of them being stained glass. As I grew, so did my curiosity. I began working on projects with her and learned the ins and outs of this technical art form. Her studio supplies were at my disposal and I was free to create whenever I wanted to. Read more>>

Lish Danielle

The story that would make the most sense would be how I started my own fitness business; however, that never seemed risky. In fact, elevating in my career was the next logical step after this cannon event in my life. In 2015 I became pregnant with my third child while houseless and struggling to transition into the fitness career from insurance sales and hospitality. I had been having a very hard time caring for my small family, no government assistance outside of health insurance and subsidized daycare. On top of that I was housing family members that were not working in my modest 2 bedroom apartment.  Read more>>

Rodrigo Avila

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was moving to Los Angeles, and it all came together in just a few days. I was 26 years old at the time, starting to make a name for myself in Mexico City. I had clients, and I was breaking into TV and movies. My career was on the rise, and I was excited about where things were heading. Read more>>

Maria Reiter

Starting my own private practice was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. I had no guarantee it would succeed, and the uncertainty was daunting. But my passion for helping other women, especially those who, like me, have struggled with anxiety and trauma, drove me forward. I knew that the work I wanted to do was needed, and that belief gave me the courage to step into the unknown. Even though I faced moments of doubt and fear, I held onto the conviction that if I could help even one woman regain her strength and confidence, the risk would be worth it. Read more>>

Andrea Miralles

Even though I’ve taken physical risks like: swimming with sharks, backpacking in Patagonia, solo traveling in foreign countries, those never felt like true “risks” to me. Our idea of what’s scary is based on conditioning and upbringing. For me, it was truly risky business going against the grain career-wise for my culture and starting an art business to become a self-employed artist. Read more>>

Katia Myers

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my career was deciding to invest in myself by pursuing freelance makeup artistry while still holding down a full-time job. At the time, I had been working at the MAC counter for a year, where I gained invaluable experience working with a wide range of clients, learning about different skin types, tones, and products. But deep down, I knew I wanted to take control of my own path and create something that was entirely mine. Read more>>

Nicque Robinson-dela Cruz

I’ve taken a lot of risks in my life, my biggest one probably joining the military and I can talk about that, but I actually will talk about the risk of trying content creation. I rose to fame during the pandemic doing comedy skits on my new favorite anime: My Hero Academia. I eventually branched into other media I loved like Marvel and Broadway. Read more>>

Karina Fabian

In 2022, I took a stand-up comedy class. It was a lark, but I had a lot of fun with it and (as most might do) had visions of this becoming more than a class. I did a few open mic nights with one of my classmates (this is where you go to a bar or other venue where they open the stage to anyone to crack jokes for 3-5 minutes.) I had fun with it but didn’t really like the scene, so I dropped out. Read more>>

Yana Malik

When I was 19 years old, I was studying international business in University. I knew I wasn’t where I belonged, my dream was to make videos and travel the world, but I was making the “safe” choice. When I came to my senses I realized that if I create a habit of making the safe choice then I’ll never take any real risks, and if I never take any risks then I’ll never build my dream life. Read more>>

Bryce Runge

In life, the greatest rewards often lie just beyond the borders of comfort. It’s in the moments of uncertainty, when the outcome is unclear, that we discover the true extent of our potential. As Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Embracing risk isn’t about being reckless; it’s about stepping into the unknown with courage, knowing that growth and greatness are on the other side. Read more>>

Krista Augius

Life constantly throws you curve balls, or at least that has been my life experience. How you respond to these moments shows us how life can creatively shift in various directions based on the path that you choose. Taking risks for me has been choosing the non beaten path and being a seeker in exploring the world and other cultures and finding deeper means of self discovery, healing and expression. Read more>>

Johnathan Hornig

As a child I developed a belief system I was born to be fixed. At birth I had entered this world with physical defects which required many reparative surgeries throughout most of my life into my young adulthood. This helped foster the idea I was broken and different from anyone else in my immediate world. My family always made sure I was well cared for however, I did not receive the emotional support that was required. This was simply not an aspect of my life to be embraced by others. This only reinforced the made up propaganda in my own mind. Read more>>

Amanda Armstrong

Taking the Leap: Why I Opened a Brick-and-Mortar Store in Challenging Times Opening “Sups & Splinters” brick-and-mortar store in today’s economic climate might seem like a risky move to some, but for me, it’s a decision rooted in optimism, connection, and a deep belief in the power of art and tactile experiences to transform spaces and lives. Read more>>

Jenna And Runsi

We took a risk with starting a social organization called “Pretty Girls Who Walk Fort Lauderdale”. Our goal was to create a fun and social way for girls in the community to connect. It started our with the two of us discovering the women’s walking groups all over the country and wanting to start one in Fort Lauderdale. We each reached out to the host of the walks in Miami and the host ended up connecting the two of us. Initially, we had just 5-10 girls joining our walks, but the concept really resonated with people. Now, we have over 40 participants each time! Read more>>

Rose Crelli

The biggest risk I ever took was moving to San Francisco in August 2020. It’s been exactly 4 years since I first drove into the city, with my entire life packed up into my Toyota RAV4. I had never been to San Francisco before, and only knew one person. I had rented my tiny room sight unseen, and had no job, besides flying back to Huntsville Alabama to perform with the symphony. The nanny gig I had lined up before moving had fallen through and the mom had messaged me part way through my solo road trip from Kentucky to California that they no longer needed my services. Read more>>

Ashley Winder

Taking risk is a way for me to not overthink and execute! Over the years becoming an entrepreneur I have reinvented, rebranded, reset, restarted and reapplied what I’ve learned. At age 17 (2004) I started the brand Flawless Expressions (FE) which was the beginning of what now is an expansion. I started the brand as hair and nails offering services from hair repair to a full set. At age 28 (2015) I executed another expansion. I love a good pair of eyewear which extend to FEeyewear – set your sights on eye fashion. Read more>>

Danny Guerrero

I’ve taken a few risks in the last three years, first by deciding to leave a lucrative job and fancy title to establish my own business, and then shortly after starting that business, I decided to enroll in the UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Executive MBA program, an intense 22-month executive program designed to develop transformational leaders. Up until this point, I felt like my career was in the hands of others. My role was ever-changing and as someone who considers himself a ‘yes’ person, I realized that a lot of the confusion, and lack of balance that was present in my professional world was largely of my own making. I wanted to change that and the course of my career and my professional happiness. Read more>>

Sandra Kushnir

Starting Meridian Counseling was one of the biggest and most transformative risks of my life. Leaving behind a stable 9-5 job and a steady salary to pursue the dream of opening a small private group practice was a daunting decision. At the time, I never imagined it would grow into what it is today, servicing over 8,000 clients throughout California and Utah and employing hundreds of therapists. The decision to take this leap was heavily influenced by my background and family history. Read more>>

Hasan Crawford

I knew I wanted to be a performer from the moment I realized that you could make a living doing what you love. I had always heard that it would not be an easy career, but it could be a fulfilling one if you truly commit. I’ve come to find this to be true. I started acting when I was 12 in my school musicals and haven’t stopped since. I continued to study theater and participate in anything that would strengthen my skills as a performer. We never really had a lot of money to spend on private lessons or anything so I just learned by doing as many plays and musicals as I could. Read more>>

Erika Aguirre

A few years ago, I was at a crossroads in my career as a lash & makeup artist. I had a steady stream of clients, a solid reputation, and a comfortable setup. But deep down, I felt the itch for something more—something that would push my boundaries and redefine my artistry. That’s when I decided to take a leap of faith and expand my services beyond just makeup. Read more>>

Ariyela Wald-cohain

After completing my BA in Costume Design at Tel Aviv University, I was about to start a master’s program that would secure a stable future as a costume designer in Israel. As newlyweds, my husband and I had flirted with the idea of moving to the USA for a year. Then, the night before my interview for the MA program, my husband turned to me and said, “Let’s just do it.” Fueled by a mix of spontaneity and ambition, we decided to take a risk and move to the US to embark on a new adventure and to chase my dream of working in the entertainment industry. Read more>>

Loove Moore

My entire artistic career has been taking a big risk. First I have to risk failure to become successful. I also risk looking stupid and being judged for being an individual with a unique style and philosophy in life. Read more>>

Shika Nicole

Imagine a young single mother 18 years ago, juggling the responsibilities of parenthood with the daunting task of building a business from scratch. Eight years ago, I embarked on a risky journey as a female entrepreneur in a competitive market, driven by the necessity to provide for my son amid scarce support. Through sheer determination and relentless effort, I not only kept my business afloat but also managed to thrive. However, life had more surprises in store for me. Read more>>

Adam Traum

I was a photojournalist for newspapers, magazines and agencies for eighteen years. I loved the work, but the news business changed from when I started. I suppose I also changed. The pressures of of making a living as a freelance photographer grew more and more intense due the emergence of digital cameras bringing more photographers into the market, combined with a shrinking news hole. Read more>>

Dr. Marion Constantinides

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was transitioning from a 14-year career in the Navy to running a stem cell clinic in the United States. It was a monumental decision, not just because of the financial and professional uncertainty it brought, but because it represented a complete shift in my life’s mission. Read more>>

Theresa Spencer

I have worked in the food & beverage industry for over 25 years. I also work in corporate America side by side with my restaurant jobs because I have been a single income mother to my 6 children since each of them were born. I have been the sole financial supporter for my family since I was 16 years old when I had my first child in Passaic, NJ. I had a really hard life ever since I left my princess, fairy tale life in the Philippines, when I was adopted by angels at 3 years old, but decided to move to America at 11 years old, to chase after my biological mother. Read more>>

Keisha Fullerton

In 2022, I took a significant risk by expanding my brand from an online-only presence into the wholesale specialty market. At the time, I was still employed by another brand, and I was concerned about the potential impact on my livelihood as I ventured to build my own company. Designing had always been a side hustle for me, but this decision was a bold step towards realizing a long-held dream. Read more>>

Lisa Peronne

Over the past three years of teaching Animal Reiki Certification Courses, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern in the realm of healing. While many pet owners experience the phenomenon of their pets rescuing them—embodying the old adage, “who rescued whom?”—I’ve observed that certain individuals drawn to healing often feel a special connection to horses. They often tell me they feel an internal calling from horses or they start having recurring dreams. Read more>>

George Hoffman

Doing business with family is a significant risk in and of itself. When your choices for the company affect not only your customers but also your familial ties, we have found that each action requires the utmost care and empathy. Our current management team is comprised of father, daughter, and son, with mother serving as an enthusiastic executive assistant. Working with family can make or break some of the most critical relationships in your life. Over the course of four generations, we have definitely experienced that at Hoffman Painting & Finishing. Read more>>

Olivia Ramsey

The biggest risk I’ve taken so far has been beginning my modeling journey. I’m 5’11 so it had always been something that was suggested I try out but the thought of being in front of a camera that I wasn’t holding used to make me nervous, I would immediately come up with reasons why I couldn’t do it: “I’m not photogenic”, “What if I don’t get picked for anything”, and, “It’s just not for me”. The idea of being presented without having full control over my appearance and the possibility of rejection were both things that terrified me. Read more>>

Katie Poland

It was 2017 and I was completely burned out. Not that I did not love my job or the clients we served. But it was grueling work, with long hours, a long commute each way, and with very little pay. I knew I needed to make a change if I wanted to keep my own mental health in check. After much consideration, I took a very big risk: I quit with no other job lined up. Read more>>

Suzanna Elzbieta

As a business owner it was a risk for me to consider how I might represent myself personally on public platforms. When I contracted herpes in 2019, I went through a period of time when I was silent, ashamed, and overtaken by the stigma attributed to such a common, benign virus. But as I started to do my research and unlearn the ignorant takes I’d picked up in my years seeing herpes jokes and slander almost everywhere I turned — I decided to come out about having it publicly to challenge the notions people had about it, and STIs in general. Read more>>

Gabriela Jaxon

Taking risks has been a consistent theme in my journey, but one moment that stands out was the decision to leave behind the security of a traditional career path and fully commit to my passion for art. This was not just a career risk; it was a leap into the unknown, where the stakes were both personal and professional. Read more>>

Jill Martin

Despite being a self-proclaimed morning person with an optimistic outlook, the mornings of the last years of my forties were often cloaked in dread. After working as an attorney for almost two decades, waking up to looming legal deadlines had become increasingly intolerable. Though I had realized early on in my legal career that my conflict-laden profession was a dispositional mismatch, many real and imagined factors kept me trudging along as an attorney.  Read more>>