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.

Karen Storsteen

For many of us, putting ourselves out into the world authentically and expressing our true nature and innate talents can be scary. Self-doubt can emerge and we wonder if our gifts will be received – particularly if our gifts are not considered “mainstream.” We wonder if it is safe for us to follow our calling and life’s purpose and if we do, if we can make a living doing what we love. In my case, I had a hidden and seemingly unconventional gift and was afraid that if I shared it professionally, I could  lose my Fortune 500 clients and be unable to make a living. The stakes were extremely high as I was supporting myself and two teenage children, had two expensive mortgages, and was working for myself as a management consultant and executive coach. Allow me to back up a bit. Read more>>

Emily Nader

I’m definitely a big risk taker. As I see it, I take risks every day. There are certain times that stand out more than others though. Like the time I decided to move across the country at 17 years old to go to college where I didn’t know anyone or anything in the environment. Or the time I didn’t have a ticket to the sold out concert, but I was able to get myself not only backstage, but on-stage with a “media pass” and into VIP. Read more>>

Dan Drake

As a newly licensed therapist, I was offered a position at an organization. This organization offered me a space to see clients, referrals, and took care of all of the confusing and annoying HR stuff that I had no experience doing. The big catch: They took a huge percentage of the client’s hourly rate. I was torn: Do I take something that’s for sure, or do I take a risk to start on my own? If I set out on my own, I’d have to learn a bunch of new skills, and there would be no guarantee that I’d even be able to build a sustainable caseload. But if I went with the organization, I’d not be able to build an income to support my family. Read more>>

Jessy Covets

For me, taking a risk is a testament to my unwavering commitment to my creative goals. It means acknowledging that failures are not roadblocks but rather stepping stones toward achieving my artistic aspirations. When I made the bold decision to leave the familiar east coast behind and venture into the unpredictable world of Los Angeles, I knew it was a substantial risk. However, deep within, I felt a profound sense of purpose, and I couldn’t envision any other path forward. This move has since proven to be the most exhilarating risk I’ve ever taken and an essential part of my journey towards success. Read more>>

Endonezia Spears

The year was 2020 and the world was on a shut down thanks to COVID-19. My Amazon Prime account was working overtime and so was my local mail lady. I spent my days ordering anything and everything like workout equipment, stationary, cups, self-help books, etc. I was like many people during this time, bored and looking for something to pass the time. After a few months I was really yearning for a hobby and was experiencing burn out from all of the tik tok challenges and had watched everything on the streaming platforms. Read more>>

Ellie Johnson

My parents are both educators and placed a heavy emphasis on doing well in school and excelling academically. I did well in high school, took multiple AP classes, and became involved in extracurriculars. When the time came to explore colleges, I hadn’t fully developed what career path I wanted to pursue. After exploring my options, I decided that getting a degree in Speech Therapy was the choice for me. I loved science and with my parents’ background in education, they knew how rewarding it would be. I was accepted into the University of Redlands and got my degree in 3.5 years. After graduation I got a job as a speech therapy assistant while I waited to be accepted into grad school so I could become a licensed Speech Pathologist. Read more>>

Kristian Bailey-Gaines

Starting my career as a make up artist was my first huge life altering risk. Prior to starting my own business as a freelance makeup artist I was working as a home health aide. I did that because the hours were flexible and I was able to attend school at Brown Aveda Institute in the day working towards getting my esthetician license. I remember the day i completed school and passed state board, I was so excited! I knew i wanted to key in on Makeup artistry and that is exactly what I did I joined Bangs Salon and began working alongside amazing hairstylist it was an awesome partnership because I was able to pass out my cards to clients and grow with other entrepreneurs, mean while i was still working nights as a Home Health Aide because I had not had a steady stream of income as an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Jesse Caid

Risk is everything. Without risk nothing would ever get done. As a creative I had to come to terms with the fact that there was no predetermined path. Building from ground up is essential. The first time I took that so called “leap of faith” was when I was working at a sign company. I had hit my plateau at the company. Every time I asked for a pay raise I was met with tons of resistance. I had done research on how much designers and sales reps average in pay and was astonished at my findings. 18-20/hr was the going rate and I was capped out at 12.50/hr. I needed to make a decision, build my own clientele and business or forever be bound by the restrictions of a 9-5. Read more>>

Erica Hostettler

If you have a dream of becoming a business owner, you have to be willing to take risks. This is a scary place to be when the future seems unknown. But for me, this is where faith in God to always pull me through kicks in. I started Soul Fitt in 2015 in church basements. I had enough money in my bank account to buy a stereo, that was it. I couldn’t afford rent, so I did the only thing I knew to do. I went to churches to see if anyone was willing to allow me to use their space for free. Thankfully, I found 3 churches and Soul Fitt began. It was a small risk. Read more>>

Kori Ascher

Embarking on the journey of applying to medical school marked the most significant risk in my career, one that initiated the entire trajectory. This decision was not without its apprehensions, primarily rooted in two fundamental concerns. Firstly, I grappled with the fear of potential embarrassment or shame if my application were not accepted. Secondly, the daunting commitment of time required to become a physician weighed heavily on my mind. This path encompassed a minimum of seven additional years, including four years of medical school and, at the very least, three years of residency. Read more>>

René Vidra

As a CEO, dealing with risk is almost a daily routine. You learn to handle it better with time. I’ve been in the CG industry for 15 years now, having worked as a freelancer for a long time and held several employed positions. Nevertheless, the idea of ‘wanting to be independent and shape my own life’ has always been firmly ingrained in my mind. I’ve always been put off by the routines and limitations that come with employment. You’re told what to do, you quickly hit financial ceilings, and you become dependent on a single source, among other things. Read more>>

Josh Rose

My career has been a one-step-in-front-of-another kind of thing. Sure, it has been in the topsy turvy world of the arts, so there are little risks all along the way, but it generally followed a cause-and-effect kind of trajectory: art major (sculpture and drawing), retoucher, art director, creative director, chief creative officer. However, in 2018, just two weeks before my 50th birthday, I was without a next step. I’d been at the same agency holding company for almost two decades when they served me my notice. I interviewed all over. I was once a hot commodity with nowhere to go but up. Now I was a cold commodity. I couldn’t find a place that wanted me. The next logical step? A step down. Read more>>

Silvana Salazar

I’ve always been a very calculated person, who likes to know the “how” to make things happen. But at the same time being a dreamer and thinking big, expecting big things to happen to me, have always been a part of me too. I remember vividly watching New Years Eve (2011 movie) from the comfort of my couch in my hometown in Argentina, dreaming about one day moving to NYC to pursue performing arts. I could have never predicted the “how” the chain of events that brought me to New York City all the way from Tafí Viejo, Tucumán, Argentina. It was almost being ready when the opportunities came, or like the one stop you had to be at, and at the right time, in order to hop on the right train. Read more>>

Abi Nuguid

The American dream that was changed by the pandemic – which turned out to be a much better path for me. I came here to the US ten years ago to take my Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Filmmaking. I started working after – small and big projects, wearing different hats, and interacting with people from different walks of life. I’ve already established myself as a video editor and knew that, cutting and putting together the pieces to make the film is what I want to continue doing as I help tell the film’s story. Read more>>

Yui Yamamoto

I am a Japanese who was born and grew up in Japan. All of my family are in Japan, and I had no close relatives living elsewhere. I also didn’t have any close acquaintances in the US. After graduating from a university Japan, I worked at a company there before moving to the US. However, I made a life-changing decision to move to the US and pursue a career as a musician when I was 26 years old. This decision marked the biggest risk I have  ever taken.
 While I was engaged in music projects in Japan, I gradually found my days becoming less enjoyable. I began feeling a sense of dissatisfaction. I yearned to challenge myself on a larger stage,  one filled with people from around the world.  This desire to be in an environment that would facilitate my personal growth grew stronger each day. Read more>>

Kayla Calderon

I love my job. I truly love being a wedding photographer, but I notice sometimes people think I have a cushy, luxurious job and that is far from the truth. While there are a bunch of perks, like time flexibility, working with people I admire, and making a living doing what I love, it took A LOT to get to this point, to be specific, it took me betting on myself. I’ll set the scene for you: I loved photography ever since I was a child. I would ask for cameras for Christmas and I would give my cousins photo shoots. Looking back, the photos were pretty bad (like embarrassingly bad), but there was still love behind them. I see the beauty in people and I think photography is magical in the sense that I can pause a moment *insert happy tear* Going into high school, I would do photo shoots for my friends, and in college, I finally started getting paid for photo shoots. Read more>>

Jeff Fritz

My story of risk is similar to other military members that make the choice to retire. However, my choice was taking two risks at the same time. The first risk was making the choice to retire when I had just been selected for promotion the highest enlisted rank in the Air Force. I worked for over 19 years to achieve a rank that the majority of those that serve never do. When I was selected as Chief Master-Sargent I was forced to make the decision of deploying for a year and then be stationed for two years after that without my family. For the first time in my career my family and I had settled into a place we were stationed. Read more>>

Katie Flashner

In 2021, I moved from Southern California to the state of Maine – literally from one corner of the country to the opposite corner. It meant leaving behind everything I had spent 7 years building as a competitive ballroom dancer, blogger, and published author. But like so many others, when the pandemic hit, I was presented with the opportunity to pause, sit back, and take a look around. As successful as I was, I was also struggling mentally and emotionally. I was burned out on the hustle culture that is rampant in entrepreneurship, and I craved to reside in a place where I could wake up to the sounds of birds and wind in the trees, as opposed to the impatient honking of cars stuck in traffic. I needed peace and rest, even if it meant leaving all of my dancing and publishing successes behind. Read more>>

Ravell Robinson

The risk involved, that starts from the moment that you decide to take your hobby from just being a hobby, to being a profession. And not only that, I’m also technically disabled. So I mean, that’s a trick within itself but at the same time, I feel like if it’s worth it to you. Then it’s worth the risk, besides art is my sanctuary. And when something makes you feel at peace. You stick with it, no matter the difficulties involved. Read more>>

Melissa Schwimmer

In my early twenties, I was working as a Food Stylist and Culinary Producer in NYC. I had a pretty comfortable and stable job. My life was pretty routine. I would wake up, go to work, come home and maybe go out with friends when I had the energy. I loved the stability in my career but I always knew the work wasn’t fully aligned and my gut was screaming that there was more out there. In 2018, I quit my job and uprooted my entire life in New York to follow my intuiton and move across the country to Los Angeles. I didn’t know what I was in for and I had never lived away from friends and family before. This was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken where the motivation was solely and intrinsically a gut feeling. Read more>>

April Jett

I started my business in 2017 to become a life coach. I jumped out and I didn’t know what to do. But I felt that if I gave this my all, I could make money as a coach helping people. So I took some courses and got multiple coaching certifications. With money being tight, I had to teach myself everything. I built my website from scratch, on my own. I created my own course. I figured out how to become an LLC, how to get an operating license, how to pay biz taxes, how to create contracts and agreements, etc. I did this all on my own by figuring things out through trial and error. At first, it was exciting because I had a very unrealistic expectation of what I needed to do and how soon I could start getting clients. Read more>>

Grant Guillot

When I decided to take the leap and move out to California after I graduated high school, many things were up in the air. No job, no place to live, no clue how I was going to find my way into doing what I love for a living. As my friends moved out and posted pictures of their dorm and class schedule, I scrolled through my contact list to see if I knew anyone at all in the LA area. Luckily, I found my good friend and bandmate Travis Mackay. He had worked with my uncle as an ADR mixer years prior. I hadn’t spoken to Travis since I was five years old, so it must have come as a bit of a surprise when he received my call. Read more>>

MadyJane Hager

Since high school I got into the grind of being in a corporate job, I hadn’t tapped into my spirituality since I was a teenager. In 2018 I got arrested for a DWI- and ended up being dismissed thousands of dollars and years later having to jump through several hoops to get it off my record. years into this DWI I was taking classes, but there was this one specific class I was very hesitant to take considering it was hundreds of dollars and for people that have multiple DWI convictions, so i was fighting to not have to take it- but my lawyer suggested it would be helpful for my case, etc. I did end up taking that class- and on the last day of that class we had a substitute, she brought in Alchemy Crystal Bowls. not just ANY alchemy bowls, but Crystal Tone Alchemy Bowls. Read more>>

Eliana Benigar

The most significant leap I ever took was relocating to the United States at the age of 21 with a very limited English proficiency at the time. Back in my home country, I enjoyed the security of a stable job, unwavering family support, and a nurturing environment that provided all the comforts of life. Nevertheless, I felt an inner restlessness and an insatiable curiosity that compelled me to explore the world, connect with people, immerse myself in different cultures, and advance my career. At that point, my exact career path remained undefined. Read more>>

Adrian Bangerter

I was always interested in art. I mostly sketched as a youth. Nothing serious. I took a drawing class in high school but that’s about all of the art education I have had. My older brother and sister are wonderful oil painters so I was exposed to art growing up. In my mid twenties (1988-89) I painted portraits of Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Conners. They turned out pretty good but I didn’t do much after that. I was teaching tennis at the time and got married and had a child. I was the one who stayed home and took care of our child. Because I have fibromyalgia my wife supported us. About 12 years ago I decided to try painting again. Read more>>

Kenjah

The biggest risk I took was leaving behind my responsible established adult life in Maryland to pursue an uncertain career in entertainment again. The last time I pursued an entertainment career, I was a pre-teen in my parents’ safe stable home! As an adult, there I was, feeling unfulfilled, picking up and leaving my stable job in Public Health that I had for 4 years. Not knowing anyone in the industry to help me made this risk feel daunting. I didn’t tell anyone what I had really planned to do! However, before moving, I did plenty of research and had a plan. I learned what steps to take from successful actors and artists online. It was scary, but definitely paid off. Safe to say, I have no regrets and I’d do it again, ha! Read more>>

Kyle Hollingsworth

One year ago I radically changed my life. I was living in Los Angeles, working non-stop, stressed out, and in need of clean air, quiet, and peace of mind. My husband and I took a huge risk: We sold our home and many of our belongings and hit the road in search of our next home. Within a few months, we chose to settle in New Mexico. I’d been a professional creative in LA for 28 years. We had hundreds of contacts, friends, and even family in the city. But we knew we needed a big change. So we took the leap, choosing to create a new life and reinvent our careers. Read more>>

Vanessa Mir

My husband and I invested in a property for our children’s college fund during a downturn in the housing market. Later, we sold it to finance another investment (Wed Mayhem). There were sleepless nights when I questioned if I was comfortable with the potential loss. Yet, the recurring thought was ‘what do I have to lose?’ This was hard-earned money, but it could be earned again, hopefully through this new investment. My family was always there for me. The risk was substantial, but the reward of getting our investment off the ground and supporting my children while pursuing my passion has made it all worthwhile. Read more>>

Jessica Neideffer

The boldest leap I ever took was leaving behind 45 years of life in San Jose, CA, daringly embarking on a cross-country move to Austin, TX. It wasn’t a rational decision; it was a call from within, a mysterious inner voice that whispered to me one morning out of the blue. Little did I know that this risk would be a defining moment of my life. The COVID-19 pandemic turned existence into a relentless challenge, especially for those in the healing arts like myself, deemed “non-essential.” I had built a flourishing Sound Healing and Reiki Practice that was steadily growing until the lockdown struck. While I had some savings to sustain me initially, as time passed and restrictions persisted, it seemed like my livelihood would crumble. I contemplated returning to the high-tech world, but my entrepreneurial gap and business ownership made potential employers skeptical of hiring me. Read more>>

Heather Brooke

Growing up, I always wanted to be on television. My dream was to be a singer, actress, model, television reporter; in addition to Miss America. Well, my first semester of college ruled out television reporter when I was one of about 200 students auditioning for one of two spots on our campus news channel. I realized really quickly that was going to be a tough field. Over the next few years, I changed my major many times before taking a psychology course that I excelled in. I decided to major in my psychology and then continue on with my master’s degree to become a counselor. Read more>>

NEEKJAMES

“As an independent artist, advancing your career relies on making educated, calculated risks that aim for high rewards. For years, I held myself back due to self-doubt. These were not insecurities inherent in me but rather man-made thoughts and comments that grew into long-term nightmares, causing me to miss out on numerous opportunities due to the fear that I wasn’t worth the risk. The fear of rejection stemmed from being denied access to being my authentic self by various communities. After a while, it becomes ingrained in your mind that you aren’t good enough. Read more>>

Ruby Fay

My entire life has been about taking risks. However I have not really framed them as risks but rather adventures. As a young girl growing up in a small country town in Australia, I was extremely creative, had bold ideas, and was excited by new people and lands. Travel set in at a very early age which led to many career incarnations. From being a model in Tokyo, a singer/song writer in London to running hotels in New York and then finally creating my own business which is now based in Los Angeles. Read more>>

Katrina Carter

The risk I took was telling my story about being in a domestic violence relationship, 3 times. I was in Walmart and the store was extremely crowded, I am usually a person that doesnt go into crowded stores because of my past. This particular time, I am newly married and my husband needs to go to Walmart. I tried to convince him that we can go another day but that didnt happen. So, we get to the Walmart, its crowded, people everywhere and i have a panic attack. That wasnt the end though, I was at work during the height of COVID and I thought my co-worker took a picture of me and was sending it to my ex, so I had a mental breakdown and had to have my therapist talk with me to get home because I was having ideations (suicidal). Read more>>

Tru Lyric

In 2019 I was presented with a very difficult dilemma. I had been at my day job for about five years and had worked my way up to a manager role. I was making pretty good money when the company I was working for did a restructure. My position was eliminated and I was offered a higher paying position. This was amazing news but at the same time, I was constantly using all of my vacation days and sick days for performances. I felt myself burning out and wondered if i should take the severance and leave my job to pursue music full time, or take the promotion and step back from my music career. Read more>>

Kelly Stark

I moved to Romania in 1999 to take in older orphan girls who were ageing 0ut of the state orphanages. I had met some of them for the first time in 1991, not long after the fall of communism in 1989. I wanted to help them get a good start in life as young adults. When I began my home for orphans I started with 5 girls, the first one became a doctor and the others found their careers and new lives. Soon younger children were being left at my gate. With the older girls moving on, I had room and began taking younger ones in foster care. One very snowy, cold day a group of gypsy children came to the gate with a plastic bag. I opened it and inside was a tiny naked baby girl. “Take her,” they pleaded, “we don’t know what to do with her”. I asked if they knew the mother, they said yes. “ Read more>>

Omar Mora

I was born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, I studied medicine in Guadalajara, Mexico. Then I moved to New York City for my medical residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. After I witnessing the tragedy of September 11th I decided life was too short not to do everything I wanted, so I decided to pursue my dream of acting and filmmaker. While a resident in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in New York, I enrolled as a student in the two-year acting program at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. After finishing both, I moved to Los Angeles to continue both careers. Since relocating, I’ve been building a solid résumé in the independent film world as I started my private medical practice. Read more>>

Denell Porché

The biggest risk I have ever taken is taking a chance on me. For most of my life I have always listened to what others thought, judged, felt and/or had opinions on. Directly or indirectly theses views and judgments ruled my life. I obliged freely and willingly. Currently I am on a path, my greatest journey yet, in ruling me, governing myself from an authentic, true state. Feels lovely I must admit. It has taken me to face my greatest and most hostile fears. Discovered up until now, they hold no Truth or Value in my Life, never did. I was the culprit fueling my fears and co-signing to others belief systems. Read more>>

6 Points

Yeah, one of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my life was leaving my job and comfortable lifestyle to pack my bags and move all the way across the country to Los Angeles, California. I knew I had to do it in order to level up my music career. It’s crazy because, during my 1st month in LA, anything that could’ve gone wrong definitely did. The opportunity that I was promised that sparked my decision to move to LA in the first place went away as soon as I got there. So, I had to figure out instantly what was I going to do. The income that I thought I was going to make from that opportunity disappeared as well. Read more>>

Sam Lando

After 20 years of working in the wine business…I thought I knew every possible pitfall and risk associated with starting/growing a winery/wine brand. Boy, was I wrong. As it turns out, during a four year stretch from 2017-2020, those of us in Northern CA would see the most calamitous activities since Prohibition. It’s been the fight of our lives…and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I didn’t start our business having the support of a family trust or making my fortune in another industry. I liquidated my meager 401k to purchase 3 tons of pinot and 8 used barrels in the summer of 2012. I knew it was going to be tough, but didn’t expect the full force of Mather Nature to thrash us about hence, thrash is about as much and as often as she did. Our story is about perseverance and resilience. Read more>>

Beatrice Hyppolite

During my transition from being a graduate student to a working professional, a pivotal moment in my life, I was inspired to embark on the journey that led to The Bea Word. For years, I had identified primarily as a student, and suddenly finding myself in a new phase of life left me feeling uncertain and, at times, overwhelmed. It was during this significant life transition that I realized the need for a platform like The Bea Word. I had personally experienced the challenges and uncertainties that come with pursuing higher education, particularly in the field of public health. Read more>>