You’re working hard, things are going well, piece by piece you’ve built a life you are proud of, you’ve overcome obstacles and challenges, beat the odds and then you find yourself at the center of an unexpected dilemma – do you risk it all to keep growing? What if growing means leaving the job you worked so hard to get or the industry you worked so hard to break into? How we approach risk often has a huge bearing on our journey and so we’ve asked some of the brightest folks we know to share stories of risks they’ve taken.

Tugba Guven

The greatest act of self-love is to no longer accept a life you are not happy with.” This quote became my mantra over the past year, echoing in my mind as I faced a growing sense of dissatisfaction, especially with my work life. I was deep in the corporate world, a world that drained me. As a therapist, I’m fully aware that change is inevitable, yet I found myself resisting the most important change: the one I needed to make in my own life. Every morning, I woke up dreading the day ahead, knowing something needed to shift but unsure of how to make it happen. For years, I had been dreaming of traveling and taking time off to reset. But I knew that my current job would never allow me the freedom I craved. So, I made the difficult decision to quit, terrified that I might regret it once I returned. Little did I know that this journey would completely transform me. Read more>>

Natalie Palik

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my 25 years, was taking the risk to bet on myself. While it may sound cliche, it is something I am extremely proud of. Growing up, I knew there was a clear path to be viewed as “successful” by my peers and society in general. That path was graduate high school, get into a great college, get a job in the corporate world, work 40+ hours a week and hope to climb the corporate ladder a few years into said job. I followed that path and while it did pay off for a few years, I found myself constantly drained and losing a very important part of myself. I knew I was meant for more than reporting to a manager, and job – that at the end of the day, just saw me as a number on a payroll. I don’t believe that I went through all of the experiences that I did in high school and college, just to table my passions and talents – so one day I decided to start a podcast. I always say I am plagued with nostalgia, feel entirely too much, and my podcast became my outlet. Starting my podcast was one of the most vulnerable things I have done to date – I have always overshared on the internet, but that was typically to my Instagram stories (which stay up for all of 24 hours).  Read more>>

Aisha Makara

I took rist when I left my little village in middle of nowhere in Russian Siberia. I went to study and later moved to Norway without language skills and I didnt know anyone I just went to have experience for life. later I learned Norwegian,English, Portuguese. I studied in Norway, culture, Quality Management, Engineering and got a job, I had pizza delivery business, I volunteered. I was leader of youth of Red Cross of North Norway, I traveled around the world. I knew that if I stayed in the village I will never see the world and live in the all cities I wanted to live. so I get to move and figure out. and I did. later I moved to Portugal had hotel business, and later I moved to Miami to become a full time artist and I had a dream to send my art to the space and I did it. I have a lot of dreams to live up this is what I do. Read more>>

Steven Hooks

-Taking risk is apart of the journey no matter what business you’re trying to start for me it started early while in college designing clothing and selling it without having a website. Started with hoodies and crewnecks for the fall/winter, then creating summer items such as t-shirts and tank tops. Generating a lot of buzz around campus and sold-out most of my pieces, even had my brand in a campus fashion show with Travis Porter performing during my segment. Post college after designing my own brand I was approached by other local brands on the scene which I helped and made some noise where the pieces ended up in some professional athletes hands, mangers in the music industry etc. My latest design work and ideas landed me as COO of a women’s athletic brand Enzo Unlimited that landed investment and launched with 100 designs and sold-out in the first year, opened a store, partnerships with various local & national brands such as ClassPass. Read more>>

Dr. Heidi Kay Begay

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was going back to school to pursue my doctorate. At the time, I had a stable, full-time job as an independent contractor in Fort Worth, teaching 50-60 flute students. Leaving that behind meant giving up a steady income and the stability my husband and I had, especially since he also had a secure job at a church in Keller. But deep down, we felt that God was calling us to take a leap of faith. We trusted His voice and, as much as we could, tried to be obedient to His purpose for our lives. That calling led us to pack up our lives and move about 5-6 hours west to Lubbock, Texas, where I enrolled at Texas Tech University to pursue my DMA in flute. It was a major shift, and yes, financially, it was risky. Leaving behind our comfort zone wasn’t easy, but it felt like the right move for us. Read more>>

Matt Kolonis

In 2020, I embarked on my journey as a music producer. Although I had been a music artist for several years prior, this venture presented a new challenge. It offered me not only creative freedom as an artist but also the opportunity to operate as a businessperson. I gained full control over every aspect of my work, from the lyrics and sound to the engineering and cover art. This humbling beginning taught me that, regardless of the outcome, the process brought me joy. However, the learning curve was frustrating; I watched countless hours of tutorials only to make minimal progress in what felt like a marathon. Nevertheless, I persevered, and that determination became my most significant lesson. Read more>>

Jacob Knight

I would say just expanding my food page overall was a risk in itself. Sometimes expansion is not a good thing. This food page was originally just me going to restaurants, taking a picture of what I am eating, and then I post it. Then on Instagram reels were popular and I was like “let me record myself eating the food”. Then that lead to me saying “I like cooking too so how about if I record myself cooking and post that as well”. To further my audience reach I went from Instagram only to posting videos on TikTok and YouTube as well. Then I thought to myself “how about a blog where I can post my travels and more in depth dishes with recipes included” so now I have a blog on Substack. Now finally with my biggest risk is that I am currently writing a cook book. So if I never took the risk of expansion I’ll probably still be posting pictures only on Instagram, not have an established audience on multiple platforms, not have a blog, and not be in the middle of writing a cookbook. Read more>>

Kimberly Valentine

Choosing to start my own media brand is the biggest risk I’ve taken in my career. I graduated with a news/print journalism degree during the recession, when print publications were shutting down left and right and everyone was turning their attention to digital media. It took me a couple of years and applying to hundreds of jobs before I landed a role as a magazine editor. My editorial career has been a rollercoaster, not unlike many people in the career field, but I’ve always been persistent. I’ve freelanced for several lifestyle and entrepreneur magazines and held full-time roles as a writer and editor for a visitor magazine, a tech company, an online business leadership publication, and more. Read more>>

Ben Schenkman

You can’t publish a book without writing one, but that’s not where the real challenge starts. I wrote the draft of my first novel, My Boss is the Devil, during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) 2014. Self-publishing was getting more popular but still had a lot of stigma associated with it. It was the “second choice” or the “fallback.” So the next step in the process was to put my manuscript out there (query) and see if I could find a publisher or agent interested in picking up the project. The short answer: I couldn’t. Some people query for years without finding representation. I didn’t have the time or energy to do that. So while I did pursue traditional publishing for a brief time, I also flirted with some of the crowd-funding options at the time with similar lack of success. Read more>>

Tj Walsh

I’ve taken a ton of risks throughout my career, but one that stands out to me is when I made the decision to build my life and work around authenticity and vulnerability instead of what is the usual concept of success and achievement. For years, I worked in environments and with people where being perfect was the gold standard. I followed the rules, played the part, and tried to fit the mould of what was expected. But something never felt quite right. I wanted to question things, push boundaries, and create space for people to be their real, imperfect selves—myself included. Read more>>

Kiera Nagle

After practicing massage therapy part time on the side for almost 15 years, two years ago I left my full time job running a massage program at a local massage school to start my own practice. In that two years, we’ve taken on our own space, and I’ve hired 6 other therapists. It felt risky to leave the security of a salaried position, but after many years advising other folks how to start their own practices, I was ready to take the leap. (It also helped that my kiddo was moving towards the high school years and more independence!) Now, I’m so grateful for my amazing team and the ability for us to all do what we love- providing trauma informed, client centered massage therapy care with a focus on reproductive health, in a beautiful space within the heart of Brooklyn. Read more>>

Darril Wilburn

I loved working at Toyota and had amazing experiences, including: – Leading and designing the rollout of the Toyota Way at the Kentucky plant, an internal effort to identify the ‘DNA’ of Toyota. On this project, I worked with my sensei, Hiro Yoshiki.
– Being a student of OMDD, the Operations Management Development Division, where I learned the fundamentals of the Toyota Production System (TPS). – Joining the initial startup team for a new Toyota plant in San Antonio, Texas. This experience taught me how Toyota builds a plant from a greenfield site to a fully functioning facility. – Serving as a lead designer and facilitator of Toyota Business Practice, a global project that standardized problem-solving across all Toyota operations. Read more>>

Stella Rae

A risk I took was dropping a calculus class I had to take in order to get my college degree. At the time, I was taking college classes, about to graduate high school, and also doing content creation full time. Though advisors at school and my parents were pressuring me to take a more traditional route, I ended up not finishing my degree at the time and instead pursuing my business full time. I’ll never forget the moment I hit “Send” on my email to my college advisor, asking to drop the class. I made a big decision in that moment, and dont regret it! Read more>>

Karim Arias León

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was deciding to fully pursue my creative career over a more traditional, stable path. This was a life-changing risk for me because it involved turning away from the security of a clear, conventional route and diving headfirst into the unknown. At the time, I was working a regular 9-to-5 job, and there was pressure to go to college, follow a more predictable career, and stay on a path that guaranteed stability. But I knew in my heart that wasn’t what I wanted. I couldn’t imagine spending years of my life pursuing something that didn’t ignite my passion, so I made the decision to focus on modeling, directing, and styling. Read more>>

Aimee Mcdaniel Mary Welp

The biggest risk we have taken regarding our business, was actually starting it up! We are sister-in-laws that were having a fun day together, and we stubbled upon a boutique that was collaborating with another jewelry business. That is when the idea was born! On the way home, we began brainstorming about the idea of starting up a jewelry company in an extremely rural area. We looked into ways that would make our company stand out, and draw people towards us in a way that other local businesses can’t; and we landed on permanent jewelry. This was a big risk because the majority of people in our area had not seen or heard of this, so it was a whole new experience we were able to bring to them. We wanted this business to offer them an opportunity of fully personalizing a piece of jewelry, that was able to tell a story. Since we have taken this leap, we have been operating for over a year and a half. We travel around our area most weekends, and collaborate with other local small businesses in ways that both brands benefit. We have been given amazing opportunities that we never imagined, and have met such amazing people in the journey. Read more>>

Jessey Adams

I was always a very good student, so when I made the decision to put college off and pursue music, I think it threw everyone, including myself, off. I had spent two years in high school at a career center studying Sports Medicine, earned college credits and passed the ACSM exam to become a certified personal trainer. I enjoyed Sports Medicine, but I still felt very lost when asked what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Being a traveling musician was so far “off the path” that it didn’t even seem like an option. Choosing a college and major became an obsessive stressor in my life. I started to notice the only time I felt calm was when I was playing music. I would perform a few nights a week to half empty dive bars and that became my escape. I loved it more than anything I had ever done. Read more>>

Gabriela Oviedo

Viva Events started with three friends (Gabriela, Mariana and Nathalia) working together in a different company, each with plans tied closely to that steady job. It was a stable position—base salary, predictable routine, and a comfort zone we had grown accustomed to. But deep down, we all shared something in common: the ambition of becoming entrepreneurs. There was always this little voice telling us we were meant for more. It wasn’t that we weren’t grateful for what we had, but we felt a calling that we couldn’t ignore—a desire to create something of our own, to bring our vision of event planning to life. So one day, after many conversations and late-night brainstorming sessions, we made the decision to trust our gut and take the leap. Read more>>

Dasani Taylor

Starting a skincare business at 17 felt like diving headfirst into an ocean, hoping the world wouldn’t spit me out! But guess what? It didn’t—and I’m still here swimming. When I launched my skincare business as a junior in high school, I was 17 and knew next to nothing about skincare or entrepreneurship. The biggest risk wasn’t just starting the business—it was pouring every ounce of myself into the unknown. I skipped college, decided to work for myself, and faced the fear of venturing into a saturated market where success felt uncertain. At the time, I was also considering a future as an accountant, while pursuing my real estate license, unsure of which path would lead to success. Fortunately, my amazing parents were fully behind me, pushing me to chase my dream. But even with their unwavering support, the journey was anything but predictable. Read more>>

Karstyn Goldblum

Leaving corporate life to peruse my flower art passion as a full time job was a large leap of faith for me. Growing up with multiple learning disabilities I never expected to get a job that paid like I had at my corporate job but the new role that I took on was not creative and I was so stressed all of the time. I thought about moving roles internally but my heart really wanted to try to take a chance and follow my heart to being a full time artist. I had been making jewelry and doing markets to sell them for almost 6 years on the side and had started to learn and create with flowers on the side. I love working with flowers and anything to do with nature. I found so much peace in creating and exploring ways to use flowers to create art. Growing up like most children we are taught that being an artist is really not a career that it can be a hobby, if that because so many parents don’t want you to focus on that. As a child growing up in a suburb of Chicago I had incredible art classes and when we moved to Tampa, FL, there were no art classes. Read more>>

Christian Freiburger

In 2023 I started attending college classes for psychology. Since then I have had to work part time, attend my classes, complete homework assignments and learn Ableton (a music production software) all at the same time. It has been a challenge for me to balance all this at once but I am happy that I am keeping up with all of it. I never realized that the state of the economy would effect me so much but with the rising prices of just about everything it has been much harder to accomplish my goals. Read more>>

Henri Moss

The life you want will always come with a road of risks, you can’t take the easy path and expect a dream, you must walk the path that frightens you. The biggest risk I’ve taken thus far was in late May of 2024. I had just walked across the stage to receive my diploma. I was nothing but a fresh eyed, wishful young adult with a yearning for more. I wanted to start getting my scripts seen, to act in beautiful cinematic masterpieces, to grow my brand- but there was something else calling me a bit louder at the time, this far away voice telling me to come find it. I sold my things, bought a travel pack and ventured abroad. Many people told me to get a job, that, since I’ve finished college I should start focusing on my career. That if I went away, I shouldn’t expect anything when I get back. It’s hard not to get lost in the sea of other peoples expectations, as if, they know you more than you do. The important thing is, to find your own voice, and follow it with all your strength. Read more>>

Nikki Law

In 2015, I had been a nail technician for 9 years and I decided that I wanted to open a small nail salon for just me. My husband and I moved to Harbor Springs about 10 months before. It was November and we live in a resort town so definitely the slow season. I found what I thought was the perfect space. I was absolutely terrified. We had 2 middle school age children, my husband was unable to work due to a health issue and I had $6,000 that I was supposed to open my salon with. I opened Polished on Main in November 2015. I was the scariest thing I had ever done and the biggest risk I had ever made. I worked incredibly hard and was busy right away. I got involved in the community more than I already was. And now fast forward 9 years. Polished on Main has grown to a full salon and spa and I have 11 employees. It has been a wild ride. Read more>>

Meagan Paramore

The biggest risk I have ever taken was jumping from having an everyday job to just doing my photography business. I am a mom and had support from my partner and always had a day job even though I had been doing my photography for about 8-9 years. I was scared to jump to only doing my photography, but I had always been busy and thought that if I had more time to offer services, I would be able to make it my only source of income. I quit my job the next day after a night of no sleep and going over all my options with my partner and him agreeing to supporting me on my down weeks. I’m not going to lie; the first few months were scary, and I got behind on a lot of bills, but the business quickly picked up once the holiday season kicked in. Before I knew it, I had 20 weddings booked (had to hire a second shooter) and I was busy almost every weekend. I am definitely happy I ripped the band aid off and jumped into just doing my photography. I now have more time to spend with my son and my family and I get to make my own schedule! Read more>>

Dori Staehle

Ever have a talent or skill you put on the back burner? I spent decades working with young people, encouraging them, and even putting them on stage when I was a booking agent and promoter of young, local rock bands. One day, I decided “Why should the kids have all the fun?” So, I signed up to audition for a rockin’ band at my church. I always wanted to play drums since I was a little girl but figured that percussion (hand drums) would be easier. I showed up and somehow passed the audition, even though I had no experience, no lessons, and didn’t have any drums of my own at home. After the first couple of practices, I realized that drumming felt great! It was both energizing and relaxing at the same time. Little did I know that that experience would lead me to use drumming for health and wellness and to create my current business, Next Stage Drumming. It’s been nearly 12 years. I’ve worked with thousands of people and I’ve seen some amazing results! Read more>>

Sarah Savoie

I’m on a perpetual self-quest to remind myself that while I think I’m in charge, it’s not true. My subconscious is really in charge. So, should I choose to remember it, my mission is to unlearn all the negative, unhelpful things I’ve unknowingly learned throughout the years. Whether it’s by family, life experiences, society, social media, failures, etc. I accept that I can be wrong, fall down, fail, and still be okay. My ego may hurt terribly, but I can move past the hurt. To not forget how much I passionately love creating and how perpetually surprised I still am when a painting comes out well. I have some solid creative talent that I hope to share and grow. I paint to remember those things. To let go of those things. To explore new things. Rest when I’m tired, and keep getting better little by little. The risk is on myself. Use less external noise and work on more internal listening, and it all starts falling into place. Take the risk by listening to yourself. Read more>>

Maria Stabio

Much of my life decisions have been “risky” by conventional standards. Going to art school – both for undergrad & grad, and moving to NYC, one of the most expensive and competitive cities in the US. Now, eleven years later, relocating to Schuylkill County, PA, one of the most underinvested communities in the country, where I opened a 5-room boutique hotel and artist residency in an almost non-existent tourism market or artistic center. I think “risky” implies a choice or option that is uncertain, unknown, unsafe, unwise and complicated. Those aren’t the criteria I prioritize when making important decisions. I’d rather focus on what serves my life purpose & desire. My life hasn’t been easier, but it’s certainly been rich and full of unpredictable gifts and possibility. Read more>>

Christina Taalla

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in life was leaving a stable job that could have advanced into a safe career to follow my heart’s desire to teach & lead as an Entrepreneur in the Yoga Industry. Although I am no stranger to risk & had taken professional risks prior, this risk felt so big to me as it happened amidst multiple life changes including a divorce and assuming larger financial responsibility for myself & 2 young daughters. It was scary and came with a lot of unknowns. The one thing that carried me through was the strength of & belief in my desire which the universe seemed to continuously affirm even during moments of doubt. It was truly incredible, as anytime doubt or worry would creep into my mind, I was offered another opportunity, or a client would approach me post class to share how they benefited from the class & give praise. Read more>>

Reid Morrison

I’d say personally it was around 16 years ago I decided to quit my full time job to pursue music. Although on paper it was a scary move, I had a 3 month freelance role lined up, but was told. ‘there is no guarantee it would be extended’. Where I was at the time with music was I was shattered! having a full time job, rehearsing and performing gigs was taking its toll, also there was not enough hours to be creative. I was young and had to take a risk in order to really give this ‘music’ a real go. Being creative doesn’t mean you just turn on the button in between work and your laundry to write a song ha! Although you try that with every bit of time you have, even at work on the clock! With the jump I had to live with the anxiety of uncertainty with financials and the huge urge to write music and get our band out there. It took a while to settle the mind down on the first issue. Read more>>

Yma Philo

The most life-changing risk I’ve ever taken was signing the contract for my event space for Amplify, my manifestation workshops. When I first began searching for a location, I was fixated on finding the cheapest space I could. This was a reflection of my old mindset—one rooted in scarcity, fear of losing money, and limiting beliefs about my worth and what I could afford. I was thinking from the perspective of a new, hesitant business owner rather than the confident leader I wanted to become. I spent months combing through listings, walking through uninspiring venues, and feeling stuck. None of the spaces I saw resonated with my vision or felt aligned with the energy I wanted to bring to Amplify. I was getting frustrated. In the back of my mind, I knew that settling for something “good enough” wasn’t what my workshops deserved, but I was afraid to take the leap into a space that felt right but seemed out of reach financially. Read more>>

Michael Autore

In 2018, I went through the 3 hardest things someone can go through (and all at once). I was navigating through a break up, quit my job, and moved to a new city all within a 3 week span. I needed to get out of my environment, and change all the scenery. I walked away from job security, broke my lease, and moved to New York City without much of a plan. It was the scariest thing that I have ever put myself through. I am now nearly 7 years removed, have a great job, a wife, a dog, and started my own business. To this day, I continue to take risks and always bet on myself because I was able to navigate through my hardships in 2018. Read more>>

Jaclyn Burns

Starting The Social Collective was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken, but it was a decision rooted in love and a leap of faith that I’ll never regret. It all began after my daughter, Kennedy, was born with a ventricular septal defect. As a mom, hearing that your child’s heart isn’t functioning properly is one of the most gut-wrenching things you can go through. I knew right then that our journey wasn’t going to be easy. Maternity leave was supposed to be a time to bond with my new baby, but instead, it became a period of stress and constant worry. Kennedy needed open-heart surgery, and that reality weighed on me every single day. As my maternity leave drew to an end, I was faced with a difficult choice. My job was waiting for me, but so was my daughter—her surgery scheduled, her future uncertain. The idea of going back to work, leaving her in someone else’s care during such a critical time, didn’t sit right with me. Kennedy needed me, and I knew I couldn’t divide my attention between her recovery and the demands of my job. Read more>>

Emily Keough

I’ve always been a risk taker, believing that great rewards come from great risks. At 18, I chose to attend a college halfway across the country where I knew no other students, in the year following graduation I left my first job and moved to a new city without a job, and several years after that I moved across the country again for a new professional opportunity. But there’s been no bigger risk than leaving behind a nearly decade-long career to start a business of my own. My passion for travel began brewing in high school when I took a cooking class focused on different cuisines and cultures. The curriculum opened up a new world to me, igniting a desire to live a life of travel. Fast forward to 2023, I got married and began shifting my career priorities. Longing for an opportunity that filled me with pride and supported my family on my own terms, I earned my travel agent certification and began scaling up a business that could sustain a passion I held for years. Read more>>

Dr. Caroline Iscovitz

In 2017, I found myself at a crossroads. I had just graduated a year ago with my doctorate in clinical psychology and a specialization in marriage and family therapy, a field I had invested years of my life in, and yet, just 6 years into practicing, I found myself facing personal and financial struggles that made staying in Southern California unbearable. It wasn’t the life I had envisioned when I embarked on this career path. Some days, I had to choose between eating and putting gas in my car to get to work. I was deeply passionate about my profession, but passion wasn’t enough to sustain me anymore. Read more>>

Bradford Stucki

As an introvert, I jumped into the unknown and embarked into the dual role as an entrepreneur and licensed marriage and family therapist. I moved across the country to a place where I had no connections. I built a thriving private practice within six months with no business, marketing, entrepreneurial, or accounting training/experience. Along the way, I challenged unhelpful cognitions, danced with doubt, and edged towards extroversion. Upon arriving to Utah, I joined Facebook groups of mental health providers and became an active consumer of the information shared. I attended luncheons, workshops, found a business coach, and pursued local opportunities to share about my practice. I also tried many marketing strategies that were recommended from other mental health providers, dropping off cookies with physician offices, to passing out business cards and flyers, and emailing university counseling centers and staff to create connections—all of which didn’t work. It was then that I decided to pivot and focus on nurturing relationships from colleagues in Virginia, many of whom I worked with while finishing my doctorate. Through these connections, I began to grow my practice. Read more>>

Nicole Hoschouer

Starting my business was a significant risk, mainly because I was essentially starting over in my mid-30s, which felt daunting. Back when I started college, I didn’t even realize graphic design was a thing; otherwise, I might have pursued it then. By the time I discovered my interest in it, I felt it was too late to start over with something new. However, after 15 years working various other jobs, I recognized that embarking on a journey centered around something I truly loved could be worth the risk. I came to understand that I still had so much life ahead of me, and I deserved to engage in work that was fulfilling. I envisioned the happiness I would feel a few years down the line if I took the leap now and embraced something new. Though I’m still early in my journey, the risk I took has already proven to be worthwhile—both financially and emotionally. Read more>>

 

Simone Grace

In every season of my life, I’ve had to take risks. Some risks left me shaking, barely able to look as I stepped into the unknown. Others I took with full joy, arms open wide, after consulting with God and my ancestors. Each risk taught me something about myself and the world around me. 2023 was a year of silent rejections. I applied for countless jobs, anything that felt “comfortable,” but nothing came back. At the same time, I hesitated to lean fully into my own ventures, like contracting for film and editing, after a situation where I wasn’t paid for my services. That experience left me frozen, questioning whether the risk was worth it. Just over a year into this venture, I’ve more than recouped my investment in courses and business setup. I have also gained significant confidence in my abilities and a sense of pride in my work (even though I still wrestle with imposter syndrome daily). This journey has also allowed me to rediscover a part of myself that I lost after having kids. I’m thrilled to finally call myself a graphic designer and genuinely enjoy the work I do. Read more>>

Maalek Getchell

A few years back, I took a leap that changed everything. I was working in restaurant management, a role I’d carved out for myself after years of hard work and dedication. I had the comfort of stability, a solid career path, and plenty of perks. But deep down, I felt something was missing. I’d always been passionate about food, culture, and adventure. I lived for those moments when a new flavor, a new city, or an unexpected connection would light up my world. Yet, I felt tied down, unable to fully embrace the wanderlust that had been calling me for years. The risk? Leaving my comfortable job behind and venturing into the unknown. I didn’t just want to travel; I wanted to create something that would let others experience the joy of authentic culinary adventures and cultural immersion. So, I left my job, packed my bags, and booked a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia with no real plan other than to explore, learn, and see where it would lead. I knew it was a gamble—leaving behind a secure paycheck and a career I’d built—but I also knew I’d regret not trying. Read more>>

Rachel Behm

Not only have I taken a risk as a young female tattoo artist in the industry 9 years ago, I took a risk when I opened my own tattoo studio 4 years ago. I have always been a seeker of risk, the rewards are addictive! I’m from a very small town that fosters an environment of quiet, peace, and classic work; not very much trade work alone from mechanical work and carpentry. Artistry and self-expansion is rare in my town. This is what I craved, and I was willing to put myself in any environment to make that happen. Read more>>

Marisa Barrett

Risk. It’s just a scary word isn’t it? I prefer to say taking a Leap of Faith. I feel like I have spent a lot of my life taking little leaps of faith and some bigger leaps of Faith. One of the big leaps would have been when I moved to Colorado. I was living in Las Vegas and was a single mom with two boys..  I moved on complete faith to Colorado after being here for a weekend to pick up my son from his Dad.  A week later I was on my way back with my two kids, two small dogs and a car full of stuff! I had a small plan but wasn’t sure what would happen next.  I got my kids registered for football and school and started looking for jobs. With my LARGE faith, I prayed for direction and clarity. I knew what was planned for me, just needed to patient.  Read more>>

Lauren Green

The biggest risk I’ve taken was starting my own business, Premier Pawz Inn & Suites, LLC. It was a leap that required leaving behind the security of a full-time job—a decision that wasn’t easy but felt necessary to chase my dream. I had always been passionate about animals, and the idea of opening a pet care business had been in the back of my mind for years. But like many people, I stayed in the comfort zone of a regular job with predictable pay and benefits. However, there came a point when I realized that if I didn’t take the plunge now, I might never do it. The risk wasn’t just financial—though that was a significant part of it. I was stepping away from a steady paycheck, health insurance, and the routine I had become accustomed to. On top of that, I was diving into an industry where competition is fierce, and success wasn’t guaranteed. The fear of failure loomed large. Read more>>

Zack Mcdonald

Two years ago, I decided to take a risk. Like most college students who have no idea what they want to do with their lives, I decided to try something most of my family and friends viewed as “improbable.” I decided to write a book. I was not a writer. Not even close. But, I was reading Harry Potter, and was loving it. Fast forward through the first summer of my writing journey and I had the first draft of a book that quite frankly, sucked, and a plan to self publish because deep down, I knew that it sucked, and I had no idea where to begin in the publishing world. My idea in theory was good: a fantasy book about music that does magic, with QR codes printed throughout the chapters of the book so readers can scan and listen to the musical magic. However, the execution of the idea lacking. Read more>>