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.

Mary Rodgers

Building my business and creating my brand has been a series of risks, but one in particular really catapulted me toward my goals. When I first became certified I was very fortunate to land a position at a beautiful facility with a full load of regular clients. I didn’t have to go through the struggles of marketing myself and launching my new career in a completely unknown industry. It was all taken care of for me. And within 6 months of earning my first credential I was able to quit the dead end job I had been dreaming of leaving and was working full time with a better schedule and a very comfortable income. For the first time I felt I had taken the reins and effectively changed the course of my life and everything had worked out so smoothly in record time. What an excellent boost in self-esteem. Read more>>

Jemimah Cox

Taking risks as a young self-starter with a passion for music and fashion is a wild ride, but that’s just a part of life. In a world where everyone’s racing to fit a mold, stepping off the safe path can feel like throwing yourself into the fire.. The sleepless nights and relentless self-doubt come with the territory, but so do the moments of triumph when my vision comes to life. For me, music and fashion is all about pushing boundaries, and no one is going to create a lane for myself but me. To tell the truth? Risk-taking is an essential part of who I am as a creator. All of the risks I take are more than worth it in the end. Read more>>

Gabby & Jeffrey Thompson

The biggest risk we took was starting Midsommar Madness just weeks after discovering we were pregnant. The timing was unexpected, and it presented a significant challenge. We could have easily paused our plans, but we decided to persevere. Despite the added responsibilities of parenthood, the need to buy a house, and the decision to cash out our retirement and stocks for our initial business investment, we chose to take the leap and start our business. It was a bold move, but we believed in our vision and our ability to balance these new responsibilities. Midsommar Madness was a shared dream that we were determined to bring to fruition despite the obstacles. Read more>>

Airic Knight

well, growing up in the city or Inglewood, Ca. You’re around many people who only know of a few things to gain success within how “we” see it. That’s either get joined into a gang. Become a drug dealer. Become a pimp or do your best to walk the straight line and get a 9-5. To get a job was praised. You were a millionaire in our minds. So by being an observant child. I saw a lot of things I did not want to do. So I decided to think outside of the box. In order to change how you live you must first change how you think. The only limit is the limit you place on your mind. Entertainment was it for me. From dancing to no creating my own music band, United Devoted Comrades. I chose to remain independent duet o the filth and poor contract deals that’s out there today. By being independent. I have the freedom create what I choose to create and take trips when I choose to. Read more>>

Seekie

My father was an immigrant from Liberia who found sanctuary in America during the Liberian civil war. At the age of 16 he began working at a movie theater along with his older brothers in an attempt to maintain themselves in a society they’ve never encountered. Through this he learned the value of hard work, discipline, and consistency. These core values helped me maintain a great scholastic career even through out college. But, these same values made it extremely difficult to break the news to him that I wanted to quit my job to start pursuing music full time. With only a handful of, what I thought to be, good songs I took a leap of faith and began pursuing music my junior year of college. I quit running track after 10+ years after an award winning season for a new passion that gave me the sense of fulfillment I desired out of life. I had no means of making it happen: no industry connects or knowledge, no studio, and no background knowledge other than the gift of lyricism. Read more>>

Douglas Burns

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken – was deciding not to take the traditional career route. Growing up, my father firmly believed that if you didn’t study science or business then you didn’t contribute to society and would struggle financially for your adult life. You have to understand, both of my parents grew up as children of depression era parents. Both came from humble backgrounds. My father heavily emphasized traditional higher education as a pathway to financial success because that’s what he did. That’s what he knew. You go to college, get a degree, get a job in corporate America, raise 2.5 kids, etc… That was the American dream as he understood it. So you can imagine his disappointment when after graduation I decided to pursue a career as a photographer. First for a local news station, then as a freelance Dir of Photography pursing gig work doing corporate films and broadcast projects. It was a world he didn’t know or understand. And it defiantly didn’t come with a regular paycheck and benefits. Read more>>

Dashward Jappah

My name Is Dashward Jappah. Most everyone calls me Dash, or they refer to me by my last name Jappah. More recently I’ve adopted Coach Dash after I established my Track and Field club, that is Team Renegade out of Cumming, Ga. I humbly accept the recognition and true relationships I’ve built upon be addressed as all of those names. What may seem like such an everyday regular interaction is not to be taken lightly. Let’s put things into perspective. I’m a certified personal trainer with no degree. At the time if you asked me why I didn’t graduate, I’d probably give some passive humble response about the colleges degree program seeming useless. In all honesty, I’d been so used to just being good and not really having to put in more effort than needed into activities. I was still in a high school mindset. Read more>>

Otwin Biernat

When I was a child, I was an insecure person. It was not easy for me to stand in front of the class and say something. Now, I am a film director and actor. So, looking back, I think I took many risks. The main decision for studying drama was to gain more security. I knew that there was something inside of me that had to come out, but that was blocked by my insecurity. Acting forced and helped me to see myself from a different angle. I have performed in front of hundreds of people over a thousand times. It is my profession, and I love it. But working on yourself and your insecurity is a permanent process, and you have to take new risks again and again if you want to grow and get better. That keeps it interesting. Working as a director and having the responsibility for a project, can be risky too. I love it. I love to motivate others and when everyone works together, and we all pull on the same string, then it can be very rewarding. Read more>>

Andres Luer

UNCERTANTY… in capital letters is the constant on every one of us whom decide to jump into the entrepreneurial world. I have had 3 major episodes in my life in which uncertainty was on the other side of the risk taking bridge. When I was 21 I decided to leave Chile and go to Italy to finish my studies in Industrial Design, at that time my reservoir of certainty was empty, so the move felt more like a leap into the void hoping that it wont go wrong. It turned out to be amazing, I lived in Italy for 9 years, i graduated from the University of Florence, I learned Italian and I made life long friends on the way. That chapter of my life filled the certainty tank a bit as to think “hummm it wasn’t that bad, maybe there is a way to be certain that big changes are going to go well”. Read more>>

Milana Lelovic

Growing up in a country marked by cultural, political, and social turmoil, stability and predictability were not just valued—they were considered the ultimate goals. The societal blueprint was clear: secure a stable job, preferably in the public sector, with an indefinite contract, health insurance, and a pension fund. Any deviation from this path was seen as foolish and, indeed, risky. My career began at a well-established, medium-sized software company. I felt fortunate to have landed the role. The organizational culture was great, the pay was decent, and even as a non-tech employee, I enjoyed benefits that were becoming standard in the tech industry. For several years, life was stable and predictable. Then came the news that our company was being acquired by a much larger corporation. Overnight, our roles transformed. What was once a position rich with variety and learning opportunities became that of a cog in a vast machine. Despite retaining our jobs, complete with fancy offices and solid benefits, the work became uninspiring. The interviews we had with the new management felt like mere formalities; our desires and career aspirations seemed irrelevant. In a culture that prizes stability, I was expected to be content. Yet, I felt my personal and professional growth had stalled at a crucial time in my life. Read more>>

Sean Corby

A story on taking a risk…. It is hard to pick one story. Life is a risk. Believing in yourself is a risk. Basically ignoring everyone and jumping. I am what people would call an ” Extreme Sports Enthusiasts”. I personally wouldn’t think of it that way. What started as completely a hobby or subconsciously a call to adventure. Turned into life skills that I believe doesn’t make me better, just different. Maybe even giving me an edge working in high stress, no time for second chances environments. “The show must go on” as they say. Extreme Sports are risky, but for different reasons. However because they are risky does it mean you shouldn’t do them? A never ending moral and very personal question we all ask ourselves every day. Read more>>

Brett Tomberlin

I think for most people, everything that will truly fulfill you in life is on the other side of taking a risk. Whether it’s with a career choice, love, creative vulnerability, or financially. I think it shows that a certain level of commitment and fully putting yourself on the line, despite the possibility of failure is the first necessity of paving a road to success. When I made the decision to get out of the Army in 2019 and pursue a career in Entertainment I was truly going in blind. The only thing I knew was I couldn’t go a day without thinking about a career in a field that in the town I grew up in, was seen more as a fairy tale than a reality. So, in July of 2020 with 200 dollars to my name and a Harley, I rented a U-Haul trailer to pull behind my friends SUV that was also moving to LA, put my life in it and took the leap of faith. Read more>>

Mya Davis

An extremely huge risk that I have taken was moving to New York City right after I graduated college. I grew up in Akron, Ohio, which is a fairly small city in the state; so BIG city living truly was s culture shock. I didn’t have any family in New York City so I was basically alone in this wild city, trying to start my fashion career. I was terrified, but I am the type of person to always run towards what I fear instead of letting it keep me still. I will always see NYC has my training ground and my bootcamp to prepare me for my future in fashion; whether that be corporate work or focusing solely on my personal artistic endeavors Read more>>

Sheree Smith

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken, was becoming an entrepreneur. Jumping out there was scary and there is never a clear picture of how well your business is gonna do, even with good planning. I eased into the business slowly. I was still working my full time job at the time, and only having availability to see clients after work and on the weekends. It was exhausting to do both, but I was very happy doing it. However, my paychecks from work were supporting the business, because I wasn’t getting enough clients frequent enough to pay the bills or myself. Read more>>

Monique Gatterson

My husband Cliff and I worked in corporate America for many years, Cliff at the airport and I was in a leadership role at a medical hospital. We had purchased a food truck while still working our jobs and did sporadic events on our days off. Cliff had been talking about leaving the airport and focusing full time with the food truck, but I wasn’t fully comfortable taking that risk as I had been with the hospital at this time for 19 years and in my mind that was were I was going to retire. Cliff is the risk taker of our marriage and after many conversations we decided he was going to focus 100% on the food truck while I continued at the hospital. Now we fast forward 1 year and it’s COVID everything was turned upside down and Cliff had left his job by this time. We were in a sort of panic because we spent our last bit of savings to get the food truck up and running and now we can’t work, I was laid off and it’s like what are we going to do. Read more>>

Lindsay Kirsh

Taking risks isn’t just something I do—it’s how I thrive. While thinking I was able to take the road less traveled, my actions proved that I could – and I did. Mistakes were made, lessons were learned, and I celebrate those moments as I reflect upon each choice I have made. Moving to the US from Canada was a major leap, but it still ranks second to launching Slayer PR. Early in my career, I knew there’d come a day when I’d gain full confidence and experience to start my own PR firm. Betting on myself, I knew Slayer would deliver elevated results and offer a personalized experience for clients shifting away from large, impersonal agencies.  It’s too obvious to say it was an eye-opening experience to step outside of the corporate world – yet I would be remiss if I didn’t reinforce that point. Currently, Slayer PR is thriving. We are growing, and we have our teams in Phoenix, Miami, Toronto and most recently, New York City. We have formed strategic partnerships with other award-winning agencies and I can confidently say that there is nothing we can’t deliver on. While I’m the founder of Slayer PR, I’ve always believed in empowering our team to see Slayer as theirs too. Our inspired, dedicated PR pros are the reason we’re where we are today. Read more>>

Wendy Trattner

After graduating from MIT as a mechanical engineer, I began my career working at some of the most exciting cleantech startups in San Francisco. It was everything I thought I wanted—meaningful work, incredible teams, and a clear path to a successful career. But something felt off. Even though I was doing everything I had dreamed of, I just wasn’t happy. For three years, I worked at these amazing startups, but I found myself spending all my free time creating art on the floor of my apartment. I began participating in art shows and constantly wished I had more time to devote to it. I realized my passion for art was stronger than my love for engineering, and if I wanted to reach my full potential, I’d need to go all in. In January, I took a huge leap and quit my job to pursue art full-time. It was terrifying, but I couldn’t ignore the voice telling me that art was my true path. I rented a studio, started sharing my art journey on social media, and poured myself into creating. Almost immediately, I felt a deeper sense of fulfillment and a joy I’d never experienced before. Since then, my work has evolved, and I’ve received more sales and commissions than ever before. It’s been challenging, but I’ve never felt more aligned with my passion and purpose. Read more>>

Zamira Soza

Everyday I’m met with my 17 year old self. Shaken, scared, angry, and insecure. She was created that way by her environment after being physically, emotionally, and verbally abused up until her 18th birthday. On August 11th, she decided to gift herself freedom simply because there wasn’t another choice. She left with nothing but a bag of dirty clothes and went to live with her best friend’s family until she got herself into college shortly after. No ID, no spare change, no bank account, no car, not signed up for college. Just dirty clothes and an ssn, because yes, it was that bad. This was the first risk and leap of faith I ever took, but it wouldn’t be the last. With my newfound freedom came unpacking all the shit from my teens. It wasn’t easy managing my CPTSD, but I found myself becoming more connected with myself more than I ever was after getting into a healing journey and getting into therapy. Eventually I got back on my bullshit. Witch shit.  Read more>>

Areli Luz

For my journey, personally, the fist biggest risk I took was right after college. I had just finished my BBA in Business Marketing at UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso), and instead of getting a 9-5 I decided to take a one-way flight ticket to Australia, this is when the entire trajectory of my life shifted. I decided to purse my dreams of traveling and creating a life of absolute freedom. This first big risk helped be cultivate an important life skill of trusting myself, being courageous and making bold moves, even when it initially makes no sense at all. As well as paving my own path and creating a lifestyle that is completely alternative. Read more>>

Pj Davis

One of the biggest risk I took was starting my photography business. I had a lot going on when starting my business and honestly didn’t know how to go about it or if anyone would gravitate towards my style of photography. I had already been known as a photographer and was getting product, and portrait jobs already. Once the phone started to ring more I decided to take the risk and go all in. Read more>>

Cornelius Grant

well i started out acting in music videos didn,t know how to transistion into the world of film becuase i didnt have any film connection so i started my own production out of fun where i did my first movie for fun, it blow up and now it has gather nearly 2 million views on youtube over a 12 year period, in which i am very proud of it becuase i didnt have any videographer or cinematography skill where i learn along the way while acting in music videos and i gain futher succes behind the camera as well where i won award for one of my film titled (Caputred) for best science fiction in the year 2021 at a film competit so i took a big risk to learning to shoot, direct and edit and out of all that i gain success, the movie on youtube is tilted (kill dem all and done) this movie was directed, written, edited partically shot by me also i play a role in it also, i say this taking risk is always necessary because out of some risk comes greatness, now i am well connected locally to most of the film directors in jamaica and also some internationally getting my acting career to an international level from the role i played in the bob marley one love movie as bucky marshall. Read more>>

Andres Londono

When the Hollywood strikes took place last year and the entire industry froze, I decided to take the risk of creating an entire feature film on my own and without a budget. Only using the resources I had available to me. I am the writer, director, producer, editor, co-cinematographer, co-scorer, and lead actor of “A Day for Driving”, Official Selection and Best Feature Film Award by the Judges Finalist at SF3 Film Festival Sydney, Australia . Also a Special Screening at FICEM Palenque Film Festival in Cartagena, Colombia. It will also be available online from November 17th through December 2nd. More details at Instagram: andreslondono.g Read more>>

Lynne Newton

It’s true what they say about risk, unless you take them you will never know how far you can go in life. My first biggest risk was leaving my hometown of Kansas City Missouri to pursue a career in filmmaking and acting. I sold all my furniture and belongings out of a storage unit and left Kansas City one week after that. I was 26 years old when I left. I had $600 in my pocket with no job prospects and an unsure future. It was very scary but it was a chance that I had to take. I needed to know what the rest of the world looked like and what my place was in it. I needed to hit the reset button on my life and really figure out who and where I wanted to be. So I took a big chance, moved to Los Angeles in the spring of 1997 and the rest is history. The other really big risk that I took was filming one of my latest film projects entitled Enipheres. I wrote the script with enormous passion and had such confidence in how well it would be received. I didn’t realize how expensive it was going to be to film. Read more>>

Amadou Kante

In an era where print media is often considered a relic of the past, launching Interpubliq Photo Magazine was a significant risk. The prevailing sentiment is that print is dead, and digital media reigns supreme. However, I saw an opportunity to challenge this notion and revive the tactile experience of a print magazine for the photography community. The risk was substantial. Investing time, resources, and creativity into a print publication in a digital age seemed counterintuitive. Yet, I believed in the unique value that a physical magazine could offer—something tangible that photographers and enthusiasts could hold, collect, and cherish. Read more>>

Hee Won Jeon

For many musicians, the love for music is something that grows gradually, but for me, it happened at a young age. Growing up, I wasn’t surrounded by music, as I come from a non-musical family. Despite that, I discovered my deep connection to music early on. It started with the piano, my first instrument, which introduced me to the world of melody, rhythm, and harmony. However, it wasn’t until I saw a cellist performing on television that my path truly changed. I was captivated by the sound of the cello — its rich, warm tone was unlike anything I had heard before. In that moment, I knew I had to learn how to play it. My cello journey began in grade six, and it has been a central part of my life ever since. Read more>>

Romualdo Amaral

Taking a risk has been a major turning point in my life and career. I always had a dream of working in film, but my financial circumstances didn’t make it easy. While I had the unwavering support of my family, I knew pursuing this passion wouldn’t be a straight path. In high school, I found myself torn between my love for the exact sciences and my creative, artistic side. I ended up choosing a practical route and studied Computer Science in college, thinking that would be my future. After a few years working in the field, though, I started feeling this growing sense of dissatisfaction. I realized I wasn’t happy—it wasn’t where I belonged. That’s when the risk presented itself. I made the decision to step away from a comfortable, well-paying job and pivot my entire career path. I saved as much as I could, and with my family’s financial support, I left Brazil and everything familiar to me to pursue my true dream in film. Read more>>

Carolyn Wiger

When Season 44 of Survivor finished airing in May 2023 I was flooded with messages from fans. I started doing cameos for fans and realized I just couldn’t keep up. I increased my prices to make them more manageable. I was still working full time as a social worker/drug counselor so I asked my boss for a 2 week leave with every intention of going back to that job. I then started to think like “what if I could make something of this?” What if I could continue helping and inspiring others who like they don’t fit in and struggle with addiction? I couldn’t get the thought of my head. People would tell me, “well Carolyn there’s going to be another Survivor season soon and what if you’re just forgotten?” I ignored the background noise and I quit my job to work independently. I knew if I didn’t try I would regret it for the rest of my life. Read more>>

Bryce Hahn

Leaving Grand Junction was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. I grew up there, surrounded by friends, family, and memories that shaped who I am. But deep down, I knew staying would hold me back from the opportunities I longed for. The thought of starting over in Denver was terrifying. I had to leave everything comfortable behind, and the fear of the unknown made me hesitate. Still, I took the risk, packed up, and made the move. At first, it felt like a leap into the dark, but now I realize it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Denver opened doors I didn’t even know existed. The city’s energy pushed me to grow in ways I never imagined, both personally and professionally. Looking back, I wish I had made the jump sooner. The moral of the story? Sometimes the scariest risks are the ones worth taking. You never know how much life can change for the better unless you step out of your comfort zone. Take the leap—it might just pay off. Read more>>

Maria Monsters

Circa 2019, I was at one of the lowest points in my life. Without a creative outlet, I felt completely lost, consumed by the monotony of daily life, caring for others while neglecting myself. I knew I needed something to change, something that reignited a spark inside me. Growing up, I had always been told that being an artist wasn’t a “real” career. The stigma of the starving, struggling artist was ever-present, and I felt pressured into pursuing a more conventional career—something that would satisfy others and keep my wallet full, even if it left me feeling unfulfilled. By 2019, I was craving anything creative like a ravenous beast. I desperately needed an outlet, something to remind me of who I was at my core. Scare acting had always been on my bucket list, something I dreamed of trying but never had the guts to pursue. Fear of judgment and criticism held me back. But eventually, I decided I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Read more>>

Joshua Crew

In 2020 I was diagnosed with a heart condition that left me unable to work. I was unable to even leave my room for most of the day. I had years of graphic designing skill and in 2021 I decided to take a risk and put those skills to use. I started my own business called Designed for athletes! I had no prior knowledge on how a business works, how to start one, or how to even get it going. I just knew I was destined for more than just being in my room with an illness all day. I self taught myself on how a business works through YouTube, self trial and error, and online. After months of learning I launched my business! The business did a lot better than I even anticipated. In the first year we worked with over 200 college and professional athletes and over 30 colleges! Read more>>

Norris Bennett

I’ve always had a passion for music, but I was working a nine-to-five job that paid well and offered stability. I was thankful for it, but it often left me drained, with little energy or time to focus on my music. I spent years playing gigs on the weekends, writing songs in my spare time, and hustling to get my music noticed. Over time, I realized that I was sacrificing my passion for security, and that didn’t sit well with me anymore. I started to gain some traction with my music—getting noticed by local radio stations and even booking some bigger shows. I felt this incredible sense of fulfillment when performing and creating. One day, I attended a live music event and saw a fellow artist who had made a similar leap. Their energy and passion sparked something in me. I thought, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” That night, I went home and made a plan. Read more>>

Sean Edwards

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was when I decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue my passion for balloon art full-time. At the time, I had already been doing balloon twisting and smaller-scale performances at local restaurants and events in my hometown. I had built up a good reputation, and things were comfortable. But deep down, I knew I wanted more—I wanted to push the limits of what I could create and take my work to a bigger stage. The move to Los Angeles was a huge leap of faith. I didn’t have any established connections in the city, and it was a completely new market. I had to start from scratch, which was both exciting and terrifying. The idea of leaving behind a steady stream of work for the unknown was daunting, but I knew that L.A. was the place where I could really grow as an artist and business owner. Read more>>

Erika Valdez

Over four years ago, when I was first applying to college, I had a lot of people tell me, subtly and outright, that I should not major in art. My math teacher even brazenly said it would be a “waste of my mathematical brain” (I hated math). I tried for a long time to deny my love of art. I tried to convince myself that I should major in something safer, something practical, something with guaranteed longevity. But in the end, I knew I had to follow my passions and major in Art (Painting and Drawing) at ASU, and I’m so grateful I did. Although the creative industry is certainly not for everyone, the longer I’m immersed in it, the more opportunities I can see. People told me I’d be limiting my chance at success by entering the art world, but choosing to study something you deeply care about is never a mistake. I feel anything but limited; I have so many choices about where to take my career – from pursuing an MFA, teaching, illustrating children’s books, painting murals, and selling in galleries. If I hadn’t taken the risk to major in something “unstable,” I wouldn’t know just how achievable some of these goals and dreams are! Read more>>

Ivan Bosnjak

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was leaving my steady job to pursue my own business and YouTube career full-time. After completing dual degrees in marketing and information technology, I felt that my true passion lay elsewhere—working for myself and building something unique. I’ve always been drawn to the creativity of YouTube, and recently, I’ve ramped up my efforts, treating it more seriously as a career path. This decision wasn’t easy. It meant stepping away from the security of a regular paycheck and putting all my efforts into growing my media company and entertainment business. The challenge is that I’m entirely self-reliant when it comes to generating income. I have to constantly hustle to make sure I’m covering my living expenses, as I don’t have the safety net of a traditional job. It’s been a huge leap, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding to have the freedom to be creative, experiment, and take on exciting new projects that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Read more>>

Tara Sophia

I love this question, lol because my life is all about taking risk. Ok, so I’m a Detroit girl born and raised but in February of 2013 I left that world behind. Although I loved being born and raised in Detroit, Michigan because it’s where most of my family is, I knew I wanted to get away and see more. Many people don’t know that even though I was raised as a city girl, I’m really a country girl with deep southern roots. I wanted to be close to something that felt more like that. In February of 2013, I took that risk and left my hometown to hit the highway and start a new life which put me on an adventure that I am still on to this day, lol. Read more>>

Wes Mena

Since I was in high school I always knew that I wanted to be a professional athlete of some sort. Where that would be? was anyone’s guess. I was good in a lot of things from football, to wrestling, or even MMA. I had the drive and athletic ability to make it big. I just didn’t know what sport I would thrive in. As I got older and went to college on a scholarship I realized school was just NOT for me. I struggled in classrooms and that hindered my on the field career because the “student-athlete” model was just not working for me. Not being able to finish college I took a risk in MMA which was short lived. I knew I wanted to pursue it but just like anything else it takes a lot of hard work. At the time my pockets were looking really empty and I needed to get a job. Long story short I became a business owner by having a successful bodyguard business. Now I protect athletes from all over the country mainly NFL clients. Now I’m a Power Slap Athlete under the UFC umbrella owned by Dana White. I was presented an opportunity and took full advantage. Now I signed a six fight deal and when I’m not protecting athletes, I’m at the gym practicing and training my craft. I never gave up and I took risks along the way, I always tell the young athletes NEVER GIVE UP! No matter how old you get. If you have the passion to do something strive for it and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Read more>>

Analysse Hernandez

Taking the risk to use my savings to purchase all my nail products was a defining moment in my journey. As a full-time college student with a passion for the beauty industry, I often felt torn between my education and my dreams. While my parents encouraged me to stay in school, I decided to take an academic break and fully commit to my vision. I dedicated a year to building my clientele and establishing a strong social media presence, believing wholeheartedly that I could create something meaningful out of my love for nails. This leap of faith not only allowed me to pursue my passion but also taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and self-belief. Read more>>

Levi Foster

In January of 2023, I left my hometown of Rustburg, Virginia and drove to Nashville in my van. I knew of a songwriter, Alex Dooley, who was from my hometown, but did not know of him personally. I looked him up and reached out to him telling him I had moved to town and I had some songs I wanted him to hear. We scheduled our first write (my first ever co-write) that February. We became fast friends and started writing all the time together, and I learned so much from him during that time. I was living in my van during this time in parking lots. Alex and his family were kind enough to let me sleep in their basement until I could afford a place of my own. I did nothing but write songs. The publishing company that Alex was signed to took notice to the songs we were writing, and signed me to a publishing and recording deal in October of 2023. I started recording my own songs including multiple singles, 2 EPs, and my first full length album going into 2024. I never weighed the risks of perusing this journey and was never fearful of the unknown. I only knew this was the place I needed to be. Read more>>

Kellie Taylor

I haven’t always done photography full time. I was raised by an older generation, one that firmly believed you needed a job, a ‘real’ job, whatever that is…so that’s what I did. I’ve worked retail, food service, non-profit, those people that called you during diner to ask you about your most recent service call, grocery – EVERYTHING. I. Was. Never. Happy. When I finally made the leap to self-employment I was working for a hospital, processing insurance claims, and doing sessions on days off. There were times I couldn’t do the work I wanted to do because of the work I HAD to do. That and the exhaustion of the desk job and office politics led me to leap. I took a bet on myself, left the job and haven’t looked back since.  Read more>>

Greta Fadness

In 2022, at the age of 53, I found myself truly bottoming out. I was broken, I thought. My cry for help thankfully was answered by loved ones and therapy. I took the risk of leaving my life. I left my life for a 65 day stay at a treatment center for eating disorders. Little did I know I was on a journey of a lifetime. A journey of making peace with my past, connecting with my present and embracing my future—my quest to live an authentic life. Turns out recovering and reclaiming your authentic self is a forever, full-time job that takes a village and accepting help was the risk I needed to take. Talk about throwing me out of my comfort zone. Over 25 years had flown by since I last graced the stage, and somewhere along the way, I had convinced myself that a “responsible” career as a death penalty criminal defense paralegal was the way to go. Leaving behind my acting career in Los Angeles in 2001 had apparently meant leaving my dreams behind, too. So here enters my next risk. I knew it was time to dive back into writing, acting and painting. And this time I wasn’t going to leave my dreams behind. There was not going to be an ending to my new story! So from this came one of my new chapters in life. I needed to create my own one-woman show: Searching for Me in All the Wrong Places: One Woman’s Journey to Find Connection, Healing, and the Me in Her Mess. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life’s messes make the best stories. I then quit my job of 18 years you know, the one that was killing me and I started to reconnect with who I really am – and that’s being creative. Read more>>

Magic Mike

There’s a common theme in most entertainers’ stories and that is the risk of failure. Any success in this crazy world of show business only happens because of countless failures we endure. Ultimately, the creative pursuit is the unwillingness to give up in the face of failure, to adapt from what doesn’t work until you find what does. It’s a bunch of trial and error. I had to find places I could be bad and make mistakes; find places I could fail and go up again the next night and fail all over again until I found my comfort level on stage and found the material that was entertaining to the audience. This is a continuing struggle when working and breaking in new material. It doesn’t hurt as much as it did when I was starting out because I know it’s all part of the process. It’s only through failure that there is real growth, failure breeds success. Read more>>

Natalie Cottrell

“Go big or go home.” I reminded myself of the mantra that landed me in the middle of the Redwood Forest in the darkness, running out of gas with no cell service. The once-inspiring idea now seemed obviously-ridiculous. Because I couldn’t go home even if I wanted to. I had just spent the last 4 years selling everything I owned, including my beloved Montessori school and relinquishing my apartment in the city I had called home my entire adult life. I had officially traded “home” for the 30,000 miles of road I would travel over the next 9 months covering the contiguous 48 states. It would be a journey I’d take by myself, for myself. The first thing I would do for me in a long time. Read more>>

Byron Mitchell

In life, I’ve learned that at times success is as close as the other side of taking the right risk. The most recent major risk I’ve taken was moving my family to Houston. Prior to moving to Houston, I was in Colorado for almost 12 years. Living somewhere for that long, it’s easy to become comfortable. At times, I started to feel like I was at my peak and felt that I needed to relocate for more opportunities. The risk worked out in my favor. I was able to rebrand, refocus, and continue my mission in life. I would say take that risk no matter how stressful and uncertain things may seem. Step out on faith. Read more>>

Andi Telker

The biggest business risk I have ever taken was starting KC Home Report. I’m not talking about the *awesome* Instagram page that I run, but the business itself. I networked like crazy with all of the builders in Kansas City and developed relationships that lead me to where I am today. My secret? I asked all the questions and truly listened to the answers so I could learn! Read more>>

Quincy Seymore

Starting out as a writer, my pen was mightier than anyone knew. I poured my soul into every song, on every beat my nephew made. The music called me from behind the scenes to the spotlight, and soon I was spinning tracks as a DJ, igniting trap waves with helping artist be heard. The jump to A&R wasn’t just a job shift—it was a revelation. I had an ear for talent, spotting future stars where others saw only raw potential. But I wasn’t content to stop there. My desire is to shape the music industry from the top-down, to build something bigger than myself. To give independent artist a platform like no other, that wants to see them win and keep winning. I took the plunge, diving headfirst into the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship. Armed with nothing but my drive and the unwavering support of my CTO, Young Dyno, I set out to create an international distribution company. Read more>>

Monique Massey Jefferson

This music journey has been a serious risk. It is stepping out on faith and knowing that God has me. It is sharing my heart, soul, pain, and victories with the world. To step out and be vulnerable is hard. To take a risk and hope and pray that the words that God put in my heart ministers to people on a relevant level. While you say taking a risk, I know it’s stepping out on faith, that will get me into places that only God can open doors for. And people think I’m crazy because gospel music doesn’t pay the way that secular music does. But I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it because this is ministry. This is the path God put me on to use His gifts and tools for His glory. To show people in situations where I’ve been that they too can survive and thrive. Taking a risk as an independent artist is also a challenge because you must balance everyday life with booking studio time, buying beats, promotions, Podcast hosting, and all kinds of other stuff. My granddad said you don’t wanna be in the house passionate in the dark unless you’re making kids. Your passion should never supersede responsibility. As a widow, it’s all on me. So, I must make sure that the bills are paid before I do anything. But that’s also time-consuming and it’s a balance. Read more>>

Desmond Travis

I honestly did not take enough risks in my life, or in being creative. It’s one of my biggest regrets. I think, for me, I lived to deeply in the fear of “what if…”. You know, “what if this doesn’t go right? What if I don’t gain an audience? What if no one likes what I do?” It actually paralyzed me creatively. I was basically overthinking things. I fully regret that. Read more>>

Crystal Willis

Often in life, we’re taught to do what is practical, logical and safe. I remember sitting in the office at my Fortune 500 job imagining what life would look like if I threw out the rule book and just took off to the other side of the world. I stumbled on a book called ‘The Four Hour Work Week’ and it blew my mind to read about author Tim Ferris’ journey to a freedom lifestyle. During the Spring of 2016, I’d filed for divorce and was taking a medical leave of absence from my job to tend to my mental health. I faced a major decision to go back to the life that was familiar, but anxiety-inducing. I realized in that moment that the risk associated with the uncertainty of choosing freedom were far outweighed by the depression of accepting a life I knew didn’t fulfill me. Now, when I coach entrepreneurs, I don’t ever recommend leaping without a parachute (.ie months worth of savings or a profit-bearing side hustle already in place). In June 2016, I took the leap by quitting my job and cashing out my nominal 401K, then made it stretch as long as I could. By the grace and generosity of family and friends, I was able to make it to the other side of what inevitably became a period of housing and food insecurity. Facing homelessness will truly test the grit and determination of a person. Read more>>