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

Hayden Lynch

– Of course, there have been challenges for me when I quit my corporate job and sought a career as a photogarpher.. Mostly in the form of self-doubt. Was this really the right choice for me? Was it smart to quit my stable job and leave behind a 6-figure salary for a job that had me losing money daily? Was I good enough? I always had these questions floating in the back of my mind, but through everything, I knew that if I just continued to work hard it would be inevitable that I would find success. Read more>>

Christopher Kiblin

So, this just happened to me, I have been in the mortgage business for over 15 years, and I decided to take the leap of faith and open my own Mortgage Company, Spartan Home Lending. I have wanted to do this for years I decided now is the time. It’s been a lot of late nights working 7 days a week and building my brand, but it is so worth it. I love the fact that I can give my customers better options than the big banks now because I can work with over 75 different lenders to make sure my clients are getting the best deal. Read more>>

Brookelyn Akers

In 2020 during COVID, I was working as a welder through a construction company. I was working 12-14 hour shifts and sometimes I was even 2 hours away from home for work so I had no time to continue doing Photography. In 2020, I went through a divorce. Working in construction kept my mind and hands busier than what my photography business could offer me. I had no desire to continue with Photography because it left me with memories that kept me close to my past. Read more>>

Denise Andreoli

There have been a lot of leaps of faith in the past several years . The biggest risk that I would say that aligned me with my path/journey would be putting all the fears , doubts & worries behind me by taking a leap of faith to step into my practice full time & leaving behind a full time secure , ,conventional job which brought me stability. Read more>>

Anisa Mejia

You never really know how to start, you just have to start. Trust it will work out. Nana’s was a created from a place with a lot of faith, love and vision. Just a FYI Nanas is a family owned (Nana-daughter & Pops-father) grab n go restaurant (with seating in the backyard). Read more>>

Nathan Grimes

I consider myself a creative risk taker. In most other aspects of my life, I am risk avoidant. My childhood was chaotic and dangerous at times. As a kid, I lacked the power to positively change my home environment. Things happened to me, and I felt acted upon like a passive object with little agency. I often made myself small, quiet, and compliant. Taking risks could’ve compromised this survival strategy. As an adult navigating reality, I still grapple with this deep-rooted shrinking way of being. However, throughout my life, my creativity has known few bounds. Read more>>

Quintel Harcum

I took a risk resigning from my full-time job of 14 years to full time entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Michael Koretoff

As an entrepreneur, taking risks are in the pre-requisites. When I was in culinary school back in the Ozarks, I had a chef and mentor, Robert S, who once told me; “If you want to move up [in your career], you’re going to have to move”. At the time, He was describing a change in latitude. But what I’ve come to learn is if you want to grow and develop into a well rounded individual, YOU NEED TO MOVE. Taking risks is necessary, gives life the opportunity to knock you down, and allows you to develop tenacity. Read more>>

Loveli Brown

Starting a holistic mental health coaching company encompasses all the aforementioned risk. Becoming a business owner can be quite an undertaking. Taking your future in your hands can cause stress, anxiety, and excitement. Becoming a business owner can be a risk if you do not have the proper tools, training, and people working for your company. In addition to said risk, add to the list the stigmas surrounding mental health and mental illnesses. Read more>>

Pascal and Cathy Fontana

For over 25 years, my wife Cathy and I ran our bakery in Paris, France. Upon returning home after one of our vacations to Florida, we decided to take the leap and sell our cherished bakery, leaving everything behind for a new dream: to bring the taste of Paris to Pompano Beach. In preparing for this fresh start, there were several risks we had to consider for establishing our new business, especially in a foreign country. Read more>>

Ashley Aminah

At the start of 2023, I anticipated the continuation of my travel adventures from my ever-growing bucket list. Regrettably, as the year unfolded and settled into its rhythm, unforeseen circumstances took a turn: I was abruptly laid off from my role as a Creative Talent Manager at Meta. Despite the sadness of losing a job I held dear, especially during a challenging hiring climate, I was excited. Read more>>

Shannon volz

When I opened my first buisness it was mid covid outbreak. I had only two thousand dollars to my name and a undying urge to win. Luckily I also had a group of friends that would’ve followed me over a cliff without any hesitation. Did I mention I was also a newly single father of five. No matter the odds I refused to give up. I tattooed for for six to eight hours a day. Picked up my kids and went to the building and grinding out the remodel for as long as physically possible. Read more>>

Virginia Kinkel

After three years of working together as Personal Trainers, and finding success 7 years ago, my then-boyfriend (now husband) Kris and I knew that we wanted something greater in the world of Fitness. We wanted an opportunity to serve as concierge fitness professionals which extends beyond just the workout, but into the wellness, nutrition, physical performance and injury rehab and prevention side. Read more>>

King Thunda The Wolf

In 2019 i built my credit up very well. I was unsure how to handle a lump sum of money i acquired which was around $30,000. I bet on myself and started a clothing line and took care of some personal things to get prepared. Business took off making good progress and then Covid hit the world. Business rapidly declined and all of the money i spent to start up diminished. Lesson learned what learning information or what is best to invest in for wealth to accumulate. Read more>>

John Chisum

Making music has been the overarching theme of my life. Growing up in a musical family set me on the path of learning how to be a songwriter, publisher, producer, and recording artist. This led me to a career that has now spanned forty years. There was no other path for me. Read more>>

Sonya Schement

I am a full time coach. I train athletes of all ages how to run better. Specifically, my clients are training for track and field and team sports like soccer, football or tennis. I coach athletes as young as 9 years old and as old as 65 years old who compete in competitive sports. Read more>>

Bobby Bradford

Hi, My Name Is Dymondz. And My Story Is I Started Writing When I Was About 11 years Old With My Big Cousin. I Took My Creativity Serious After Losing My Grandma 2 Days Before I Turned 15. Ever Since Then I Have Been In Harmony With All Music. My Soul Is Instruments & Sounds All In The Music We Listen To!!! I Want The World To Hear My Story. Read more>>

Stephanie Ramthun

We left the military and decided to become beekeepers! That was a huge leap for us! Read more>>

Normandie Luscher

I’ve always been a creative person and grew up with parents who were also creative and did a lot of home diy projects and interior decorating. They encouraged me to draw and put up with my making of odd creations in my room. I was the kind of kid who wanted to put on productions and do the costume design and choreography, etc. Read more>>

Ashley Catron

Life is about taking risk! I constantly remind myself, no risk, no reward. Have faith and step out there. Read more>>

Valentino Juma

If it was not for risk taking, I wouldn’t have started my small business in the first place. Read more>>

Kalen Doleman

Yes, When I first started my writing career I made what was perhaps the most risky choice I had made in my life at that time. At the time I was living in Asheville NC, and I had a decent sales job as a furniture salesman. This was an excellent place to work because the earning potential for the job was high. I was doing very well at the job and was improving my ability to sale high value items at the store which would help my commission. Read more>>

Alx Corzo

I’m always taking a risk…. Read more>>

Fansu Njie

Fear is always about something that hasn’t happened yet. Read more>>

Marc Rocheleau

I spent my youth on the waters of Cape Cod fishing and digging for clams in Falmouth’s Great Pond, down the road from my Mother’s house. I found that there was a demand for clams and decided to start a small business with a truck and a boat. Soon after, I met my wife Sue, who was a single Mom of two kids. We moved our family to Chatham and took the chance of growing the business. Read more>>

Michael Kelsey

Going after your dream and not letting anyone taint your vision. I’ve moved from Philadelphia and drove across the country to Los Angeles it took about a week I had no job no housing just faith and vision. I believed in myself and took a the risk left a good job to achieve my dreams. My purpose will always come first I still didn’t achieve my full goal but I’m closer to it everyday and I work on it every single day. Read more>>

Kevin Cohen

Simply said, Take the risk, or loose the chance. I think simply doing what I am doing as an artist is one of the biggest risks I have taken thus far. Not only because I’m putting myself in the public eye, but I’m also taking a chance on my dream. There are a sea of other people doing exactly what I am doing, and more times then not people tell me I might be too ambitious for entering the of the world of music. Read more>>

Kristin Tenney

Mike and I serve as board members for the Ahmad Butler Foundation. We joined in November 2022. Read more>>

Fernando Trancoso

At the beginning of the pandemic I saw myself unemployed and moved from Santa Fe to Colorado Springs to open my business. Read more>>

Alina Gibbs

I had a very long journey with many bumps in the road that led me to where I am now as a successful real estate professional and business owner. All my life I have been taking risks, from leaving my motherland in order to pursue happiness and success and finally becoming a successful business owner and real estate expert today. Read more>>

THE BLACK BON JOVI

I’m From Boston but I’m was raised in miami and I relocated to Los Angeles not knowing anyone on a leap of faith Read more>>

Stephannie Solomon

Taking a risk for seeing better in my life and in the lives of others has been worth it. Read more>>

Jenny Crofton

Risks are never easy to take or they wouldn’t be risks, they’d simply be everyday decisions. I think the reason I was able to take one of the biggest risks I’ve taken –making the move to be a full-time photographer and stepping away from my safety net in the restaurant industry– is because someone once took a chance on me and believed in me. Read more>>