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.

Ksenya Malina

At the height of the pandemic, I was under acute stress between my corporate job and mounting health struggles. I urgently needed a change to help myself get back on a path of wellness. Without having another job lined up, I left behind a decent salary and great benefits. Instead, I resolved to give myself the space to recover my physical and emotional health. Read more>>

Suranghee Subasinghe

We all gotta risk it for the biscuit sometimes, I am a firm believer that when something doesn’t feel right you have the power to change it. Hence why I picked this Topic as I feel like my life has been nothing but just leaps of chances! Read more>>

kendall strampel

I spent my teen years in eating disorder recovery, little did I know, this completely changed the trajectory of my life and be the catalyst for taking the biggest risk of my life, and furl my entire career. When I was 18 years old, I walked into the kitchen and told my parents that I was going to be dropping out of College, and not only that but leaving Pennsylvania to move to the state of California, Read more>>

Maritza Mendoza-Aguirre

I took a risk in starting Soulful Succulents. I started a succulent garden and really enjoyed the process of watching my propagation station grow. Never did I think that I was going to start a business from my little garden, that has now taken over my back yard, front yard, patio, and porch. I took a shot in seeing if people would actually buy my creations,,. and they did. Read more>>

Holly Lockhoff

At the beginning of 2022, I decided to take the leap and start my own private practice for nutrition counseling. I was working for another private practice at the time and I was not thrilled with my case load. I wanted to be able to see the clients I was passionate about helping. I did not feel ready to take the leap and I did it anyways. A little over a year later, my caseload is full and I love each and every one of the clients I am lucky enough to work with, Read more>>

Diana Brooks

I think the last article we were featured in we touched on this subject. I had been in the oil/gas industry for years. My previous employer, I was with them for 7 years. I absolutely loved it a majority of the time. When we had our last little one at the beginning of the pandemic March 2020, I was hit pretty hard with health issues due to pregnancy. After having Phineas, I don’t think I was ever the same after. Read more>>

Kelly Rose Sarno

I was with a Network/Multi Level Marketing company for 6 years before I started my own company. I was very successful within this company and worked my way to being a top leader and top income earner. I always knew that there was more that I wanted to do and that I wanted to do it for MYSELF. I had been working as an employee since I was 14 and wanted to finally be the boos, the owner. I wanted to have CEO next to my name. Read more>>

Ashley Rodriguez

I am one of those people who loves to go to work everyday and truly enjoys what they do. I have been a physical therapist assistant for almost 9 years now working in a outpatient rehab clinic as well as a assisted living facility. I truly care about my patients and do everything I can to help them in recovery. In my own time I loved to take pilates classes but never had as much time as I would have liked to devote on pilates. Read more>>

Krista Simonic

When I had my first ever panic attack I didn’t know what it was. Breathing hard I went to the office kitchen to get a cup of coffee (that’ll help) and made small talk with another employee who diagnosed me immediately; “I get them all the time” he said. It was taxing to understand how some co-workers could handle the stress but I couldn’t. I was really hard on myself. I pushed until I descended into a fiery, burnt-out mess. Read more>>

Amanda Pietrobono

It was 2017 and I had just graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York. If anyone knows anything about the CIA it is that you meet incredible people, learn an amazing amount of information, are given opportunities that you could only dream of, all while going through the biggest mind f*ck you have ever come up against. Read more>>

Elizabeth Vanderliet

Three simple statements, all of them when first uttered, were acts of courage for me: I am a Certified Rolfer.™ I am an Artist. I am a Certified Quantum Energy Practitioner. They each represent a different stage of my life, all requiring one important thing, a deep belief in my passions and the willingness to take a risk. Read more>>

Anastasia Eisenberg

I took a risk 3 times and looks like I’m trying myself how far I can go. The worst for me is to stay in the comfort zone. First I moved to New York and completely changed my life 6 years ago. I didn’t speak English well and everything was new for me. I realized it’s not gonna be easy. And it wasn’t. I didn’t have any connection, only one friend and zero understanding what to do next. But I’m sure you will get all what you want if you do something, just do it no matter what. And in 3 years coved happened. Read more>>

Misko Kim

Becoming the woman of my dreams today happened through some of the most pivotal and painful moments of my 20s which gave me the push I needed to pursue my next level fully. Becoming a songwriter and recording artist happened officially in 2021 when I decided to spontaneously leave Los Angeles and move back to Maryland to start over at the age of 27. Read more>>

Jessica Molnar

Shortly after graduating from college and getting married, my husband Geoff and I decided to move from the SF Bay Area to Washington state. We were living in an Airstream trailer in an industrial yard in Richmond, CA in between an oil refinery and a pcb cap. Definitely not where we wanted to start a family. Lol. Over the course of the next year, we made several scouting trips to WA. Read more>>

John Henry Clark

When talking about taking a risk, I always go back to my first journalism class at the University of Houston. There were probably 20 kids in the class and me — no doubt the oldest in the bunch at age 27 — and the professor walks in, introduces herself, talks a little about this and that, then gives us our first assignment: Read more>>

Nitzu / NiiON N/A

Risks are always a turning point in career and creation. For me (Niion) being a signed music artist with expertise in creative direction and music. While nitzu being a VFX/post production/producer it immediately became an idea to collaborate. Read more>>

Jennifer Zee

As a kid in the 80s, I announced that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. Back then, an art career was not particularly respected, especially in a Chinese family. The adults around me laughed and said “you’ll be a starving painter!” So I shelved the artist idea and decided that as I loved nature, I’d become a biologist. Read more>>

Dr. Melissa Durfey DACM, LE

Two years ago I took one of the biggest risks of my life when my partner (now husband) Sam and I packed up everything we owned, including my award winning holistic practice and moved from Portland, Oregon to Sonoma County, California to start over. Up until that point I had spent my entire life living in the pacific northwest. Read more>>

Jason Queen

I had been on staff at a mega church serving at the Director level helping lead our five campuses in the student ministry lane. When I started talking about getting in schools, and writing books and speaking and traveling it led to a conversation that became a fork in the road moment for me. I would either continue in ministry and bury my dreams, or take a leap of faith, bet on me, and do what I was created to do with my life. It became clear I couldn’t do both. With a large family, this was not only a huge risk, but also a defining moment for me. Read more>>

Denise Silas

I taught preschool for over twenty years up until 2020. In April of 2022, after being unemployed for two years as a result of the global pandemic, I took a huge leap with my last $300 to lease studio space. My art materials consumed my apartment. I was using my kitchen to paint and my bedroom to store supplies. It was time! Read more>>

Christa Sisson

As an academically-focused, rule-following individual, taking risks is not something that has always been easy for me. This is especially true when it comes to taking any sort of financial risk. Growing up with the awareness of financial hardship at a young age, I have always had a side job plan in my back pocket- waitress, tutor, virtual teacher, dishwasher, babysitter… there is always something I am capable of doing “just in case”. Read more>>

Isabelle Trach

I remember that choosing Cosmetology as my career path was a big risk at the time that I made the decision. I was all set to go to college and changed my mind at the absolute last minute, which came as a surprise to myself and my family! Read more>>

Elicia Criss

Being a woman at anytime involves some level of taking chances. Literally because of all the stressors of: am I smart enough, am I pretty enough, am I strong enough, or am I enough. So owning a business can sometimes increase those anxieties or dispels them.. Read more>>

Janice Burt

In 2011, my world was seemingly falling apart. My 14-year marriage was ending. I had two young children to love, support, and show up for, even though my heart was completely shattered, and it felt almost impossible to get out of bed each morning. I had been a stay-at-home mom for almost 8 years and hadn’t worked outside of the home for even longer. Read more>>

Amy Delira

In 2020 I took the risk to move from my community mental health career as a therapist into solo private practice and then into running a group practice here at Deeper Roots Wellness. This risk felt huge to me, but I was determined to break the glass ceiling that I felt confined by in both my career and the professional circles and organizations I was part of. Read more>>

Anna Aichinger

Becoming a full time freelancer felt like the most risky thing I could do. Since starting my design career in 2012, I always had stable employment. I also knew advertising has slower months, where not much work comes in. As an employee I was always protected with steady income. Freelance seemed foolish for my bank account. But honestly, it all evens out by the end of the year. Read more>>

Rosie Mangiarotti

Starting a company is a risk. You are investing time, money, other people’s money etc. without a guaranteed return on investment. As a recent graduate, I decided to take on Perkies full time. I mitigated some risks as I was young (23), I was able to move home and live with my parents, and I didn’t have any type of mortgage to pay off or a family to support. Read more>>

Ashley Green Gomez

Looking back on my life, I realize that I have always been a risk-taker. Not in the rowdy way; diving headfirst off a bridge into a lake below, or climbing trees. I have always done what I wanted to do, and done it with confidence. I wore what I wanted, joined sports that I had no background in. What I have always seen as decision making, or confidence, was actually taking risks and not listening to the chatter. Read more>>

Paige Maria

I started my career in the education field, spending six years in the classroom, working hard to become the best teacher I could be. After earning my master’s degree in educational leadership, I moved into a leadership position, which seemed like the perfect next step in my career. However, as I continued to climb the ladder, I realized that something was missing. Read more>>

Jon Meggison

The biggest risk I took was pursuing to be an actor. Early in 2019 I decided I wanted to try out modeling and when Covid became a thing there is no modeling jobs. So I decided that I wanted to try out acting I had no experience, I didn’t take any classes because everything was shut down so I was teaching myself everything. Read more>>

Cara Heard

I’ve always been a person who sees an empty commercial space and think of all the possibilities. I remember moving to Middle Georgia and knowing this is what I was meant to do. Opening Lush needed to happen for both me (new girl in a new town at a crossroads in my life) and the area (accessible and non judgmental art available for all). Read more>>

Lisa King

I have been a practicing pharmacist for 34 years. I worked in retail pharmacy for over 30 of those years. While I loved my patients, I knew in my heart I had to leave to spend more time with my family and also share my passion for empowering women to look and feel their best at any age. Read more>>

Jerold Lee

As a life insurance agent working in corporate America, I was comfortable in my job, but I knew there was more to life than just going through the motions. I had always been interested in entrepreneurship and the idea of running my own business. However, the thought of leaving the security of a steady income and venturing into the unknown was a daunting prospect. Read more>>

Wendy Williams

as I shared.. leaving the company I trained with for 14 years.. and leaving for an unknown agency on the other coast to use my experience. All unknowns..just took the leap. Read more>>

Rayana White

I graduated from CSUN in 2017 with my BS in Health Administration and worked in corporate for about 5 years. I switched departments in the hospital many times in attempt to stay happy, but nothing was working because my passion was not being ignited. In 2021, I was feeling very unfulfilled and stagnant in my career, so I quit my job. After I quit my job, I took a break to find myself again. Read more>>

Mary Taylor

Last year in 2022, I decided to take a huge risk and become a Youtuber/ Content Creator. I studied some of my favorite Youtuber journeys and studied how to become a Youtuber since 2018. What held me back from becoming a Youtuber was myself. The fear of getting out of my comfort zone was too much for me until I had enough and took a leap of faith to become a Youtuber. Read more>>

Johanna Chaw

Leaving a decade-long career in private wealth management to become a full-time artist is, by far, the most rewarding risk I’ve ever taken. My life was pretty chaotic growing up. After graduating with a BFA in Art History, all I wanted was a routine and stability. I took a job in a wealth management firm and continued my studies in finance. Read more>>

Richard Gilbert-Cross

Starting Sideways poetry magazine, I was terrified of failure. What if people wouldn’t submit to the site? What if we received negative feedback? I had to learn to make friends with failure – and fast. If the idea didn’t come off, so what? Read more>>

Gloria Zuluaga

The biggest risk i have taken on my business was to change the services I offered and give a turn to my business. Before I used to offer each therapy as a service, but I found out after several years and patients that what women really need is to find someone to help them believe in themselves. Someone that guide them through a process to change the way they were thinking in order to materialized their wishes. Read more>>

Melissa Williams-Abbington

During the Covid Pandemic we had to hibernate ourselves and keep a distance from each other. This created an issue with people who needed their healthy, from the farm fruits, veggies, meats and eggs. We were to close everything down except for the important businesses, to which after much fighting from Farmers Market Coalition Farmers markets were included in that list of important businesses Read more>>

Jamila Surles-Walker

The choice to be an entrepreneur is a risk in an of it self so I applaud anyone who has taken the journey and stuck with it! However, I took the risk of stepping out of my comfort zone get into the world of Media. I have always know that I wanted to make an impact in the lives of others. I wasn’t always sure how that was going to happen. All I knew as I wanted to have my business represent my purpose and positively affect, Read more>>

Kristen Munoz

I wanted to share a story I call Rejection is Protection. I very recently applied for a prestigious art guild. It had been a dream of mine for a very long time. I finally got up the courage to apply and passed the photography part (photos of my art). I was elated. I spent a lot of time preparing for the jury process. I cancelled holiday plans with my family to focus on this dream. Read more>>

Tommi Sue Homuth

I always loved the security of a corporate position; salary, bonus, benefits, company car, paid vacations and since my husband was a realtor, I provided the insurance. When he had health issues, a heart attack at the age of 48, and a second heart attack at the age of 50, it became very clear, I would continue to work for a company with the necessary health benefits. Read more>>

Heidi Coker

It was 2013, I was happily employed as a sign language interpreter. I had unexpectedly won my first world championship as a hobbyist pole dancer, turned competitor. I was offered opportunities around the world, to teach, judge and share my set of skills as a pole dancer to a global community I barley knew existed. I was overwhelmed with requests and quickly turned down many not fully understanding what was in front of me. Read more>>

ENNEATTE GARCIA

In 2020 in the. beginning of the pandemic I was presented with an opportunity that honestly I did not really care for at the time because of having bad experiences in the past. But something about this opportunity honestly had me a little intrigued. I was at home as a stay at home mom to my at the time 1 yr old little boy and honestly wanted to do something where I could make some income while at home taking care of him. Read more>>

Jacquelyn Lilly

I am Jacquelyn Lilly (Jackie) aka JLill aka The QUEEN of the Wiggle & Roll. I am a mother of 2 adult children Laurin & Bryson, a grandmother of a beautiful granddaughter Amayiah, I work at HCC – SW as an Assistant Student Life Coordinator (I help organize and put on event for the students), I am a entrepreneur (JLill Kreationz & a Partner of Pure Romance “JLill Romance”), I am a member of the Award Winning Elusive Ladies Line Dancers, & A respected Award Winning Instructor & Choreographer. Read more>>