Tony Robbins says the #1 human need is certainty, but do you know what the second need is? It’s uncertainty. This tug of war between the competing needs of safety and risk are at the heart of so many dilemmas we face in life and for most folks the goal isn’t to eliminate risk – rather it’s to understand this core human need. In our view, the best way to understand or learn is through stories and so we’ve asked some very talented entrepreneurs and creatives to tell us the stories behind some of the risks they’ve taken.

Cristie Brinkley

I think the biggest risk I have taken is when it comes to my floral art photography. This is something you don’t see often, certainly not in my tiny little square in Colorado. I think what you have to realize about taking risks is that you need to be willing to be embarrassed and fail. You are probably going to do both of these a lot, literally over and over. After you fail though, each time you are going to learn a valuable lesson and it is up to you to decide how to take that lesson. For me I dove head straight into it, I kept failing and I kept learning. Fast forward a year later and I am now known for my creative floral art photography. People can see my work and know it’s mine. As an artist that is one of the best compliments you can get. Read more>>

Native Harrow

We have always bet on ourselves with all our eggs in one basket. When we started Native Harrow 10 years ago we threw everything we had into a van and hit the road. We have believed in ourselves, our artistic vision, and our sound and knew if we just kept going, the path would continue to lead us on. We recently made the choice to self-release our our 6th studio album, parting ways with the label we had done our previous 3 records with, this was a huge leap of faith but we knew we had to stay true to our vision and cut the cord. We both felt full of excitement and nerves. Read more>>

Stephanie Miller

Taking the leap to become a Cancer Doula was a pivotal moment in my life, one that allowed me to embrace my true calling and purpose. After 27 years in healthcare, I found myself at a crossroads. I had always been the person friends and colleagues turned to for support, but it wasn’t until I faced my own battle with cancer that I realized just how much was missing from the traditional care model. My journey as a cancer survivor, coupled with my husband’s own cancer experience, opened my eyes to the gaps in emotional and spiritual support during treatment. Sure, the medical care was there, but what about addressing the fears, the uncertainty, and the profound life changes that come with a cancer diagnosis? Read more>>

Cricket Barrientos

After 13+ years I have decided to take a step aside and allow (2) other leaders take the reigns and lead our Journey. This is a big step for me. I am an A/B Personality and want to make sure that our Families, Audience and Community are supported in the way they will succeed through some of the tough Journey’s we are aware of. These leaders are (2) people I have prayed for and God Responded. I am grateful and can not wait to grow our “umbrella” Program that will support the Critical Needs within our Communities throughout the World, especially during Crisis. Read more>>

Clay Edgin

In 2012, I was working in a grocery store. I had worked my way up the ranks to assistant manager pretty quickly but was drawn to personal training because of how great getting stronger felt. I had just completed my personal training certification and was interning at a gym about 45 minutes away a few days a week after work. I got invited to compete in a competition in Norway. There would be two contests that weekend, both of which I thought I had a good chance of winning. I requested the time off, bought my ticket, and made my plans. The week of the event, the schedule came out and I was not off. I was scheduled to work. I talked to my manager and he said if I left they would consider it abandonment of my job. So I was faced with the decision of possibly leaving my work behind for a competition or staying at work and resenting the job entirely. Read more>>

Ltomay Varlack-butler

The Story of a Risk Taken: Choosing Restorative Love, Faith, and Myself One of the biggest risks I took was choosing to believe in love, a love that asked me to face my past, trust in God, and embrace my identity as a truthteller committed to “good trouble,” as John Lewis said. This risk wasn’t just about a relationship; it was about transforming a legacy of trauma and betrayal into a journey of healing, truth, and purposeful justice. My path began with significant struggles. I was a teenage mother and a survivor of numerous traumas, including racial harassment, sexual assault, and betrayals by those I trusted deeply. It felt as though I’d been handed a “BLT” -Betrayal, Lies, and Trauma that left lasting wounds. Even watching Black films or TV shows was painful, as they often reflected a reality I was still trying to overcome. Read more>>

Jashima Wadehra

Instability and I are old friends. As a child of working immigrants turned entrepreneurs i’ve never known what a home with a salaried paycheck and health benefits looks like. I grew up oscillating on the pendulum of wealth and poverty. While this is a cycle I seek to end for myself and my future children, it made entrepreneurship the most obvious career path for me, a risk rich, non-linear, opportunity to make things with my hands and mind. My father is a jeweler and my mother a designer, before they held these self-earned titles, my dad drove a yellow cab in New York City, sold newspapers and prepped vegetables at a restaurant, my mother did facials in their Rego park apartment while occasionally hosting on the local Indian television network. I grew up between the 1% of long Island, New York and the 49th worst public education system (at the time) in Arizona. I knew kids that had prom at Cipriani’s on 5th avenue and kids that worked four jobs to help their parents pay the bills, whose only meal was at school. Read more>>

Thao Tran

In 2019, I was presented with two opportunities; a job offer in New York at a startup and a job offer to work in Qatar at the world’s best airline, Qatar Airways. Both roles were incredible, however, a few years before these opportunities presented themselves, I was once also given the opportunity to work in Qatar at a luxury hotel. Although the role fell through, I always wondered ‘what if’ I worked in Qatar and what living there would be like. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and work there. A few years later, the opportunity to live and work in Qatar presented itself again. I knew it was an act of fate, a second chance. I decided to take the risk of dropping everything in Melbourne to live overseas to a place where I knew no one or anything about the country. Having said that, it was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only did I excel in my role in the Creative Services (Marketing & Advertising) department, I made some wonderful friendships with my colleagues and friends. I gained more independence and saw the world in a different way, travelled like never before, and discovered a whole new world. Read more>>

Jess Helios

When I moved to Austin, I came with a lot of preconceived notions—ideas like needing a stable job, a steady income, and the belief that work should come before ‘hobbies.’ Initially, these concepts led me to a job in tech, a role I honestly quite liked. But over time, that job took more and more from me. My ‘free time’ was often spent decompressing and resting. I was making more money than I knew what to do with, but something inside me was dying. It didn’t take long for me to realize I needed a change. That said, I didn’t exactly know what that change would be, so I saved up some money and went against everything I’d been told about the ‘real world.’ I gave up my stable income and comfortable life in search of something more true to who I was. Over the next year, I focused on meditation and spent time in nature. I found harmony within myself and discovered just how deeply deprived the musician in me had become. Read more>>

Christine Tavolacci

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken so far in my life was my decision to dive into year-long formal training to develop my psychic abilities. Little did I know that this decision would lead to several years of intensive study, practice, and the HUGE reward of being more fully connected to my purpose, starting my own practice, and most importantly, a deeper connection with my ability to heal myself. I’ve always been interested in all things mystical and metaphysical, but my path up until that point had been primarily musical and academic. I had completed a doctorate in music performance (I’m a flutist) and was working as a freelance performer and music teacher. Read more>>

Arabelle Liepold

Moving to New York from Seattle and stepping into the role of Executive Director at the Society of Illustrators was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my career. It felt as transformative as my earlier move from Germany to the U.S. ten years prior—both marked significant moments of change and growth in my life. Before coming to New York, I had built my career in the arts in Seattle. However, taking on the leadership of an iconic institution like the Society of Illustrators was both thrilling and daunting—particularly as the first non-American director, a non-New Yorker, and someone who isn’t an illustrator by trade, leading the oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to the art of illustration in the U.S. The backstory of this risk starts with a deep-rooted passion for visual arts and storytelling. When I came across this opportunity, I saw it as a unique chance to bring fresh perspectives and new ideas to an esteemed organization. Despite my excitement, I was acutely aware of the challenges: moving to a new city, adapting to a different cultural landscape, and earning the trust of a whole new community. Read more>>

Cole Daroff

The funny thing about risk? Sometimes, it’s actually riskier to stay where you feel safe. Taking the leap out of my comfort zone led me to more than I ever expected—like winning $10K on national TV for my art and meeting the love of my life. Let me explain. It was 2010, and I’d spent my whole life in Arizona, a creature of comfort—or so I thought. In truth, I was restless, with creativity bubbling inside me like a shaken soda can. I loved my friends, my family, and being a filmmaker/artist in Arizona was cool, but I felt like I’d gone as far as Arizona could take me. To top it off, my girlfriend dumped me. Apparently, “wasting your potential” isn’t sexy. Who’d have thought? Read more>>

Ashlee Mitchell

I knew I wanted my career and life to take on an untraditional path. I pushed myself to study abroad in Korea before I had even taken a Korean class, and it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life. Studying abroad made me realize how independent I could be and cemented my love for entertainment and travel. I went to so many concerts and made lifelong friends, and when I returned home, I started getting involved in the music industry. This led to interviewing artists for major publications, and I began collecting bylines in magazines like Teen Vogue, Dazed, Grammy. com, and MTV News. After a while, I pivoted again when it became clear journalism wasn’t my long term goal. I started writing fiction, took acting classes, and eventually started my tiktok account which blew up quickly. From there, so many doors have opened simply because I bet on myself and my interests instead of letting a fear of failure hold me back. Now I know the path I want to be on as a storyteller and am on my way to achieving it. Read more>>

Sam Tweedle

In 2020 I was writing for a news source in a small Ontario town, and I had become known within the community for writing theatre reviews. In a community where a new stage production opened nearly every week, it kept me very busy, Although there was an opportunity to often work out of that box, the community primarily looked for me to come to write about their shows and I was told on many occasions that I could not tell stories I wanted to because they did not fit the confines of my position. I watched stories escape me due to people “keeping inside my own track.” I often found the confines of my position to be limiting, and I knew I could create far more important and socially potent work than what I was often creating. But, on the other hand, I did enjoy seeing all the theatre that was being created in my city, and I loved connecting with people on a weekly basis. I amassed a sizable readership and became well known as a local writer. I was well paid, and became very comfortable and felt secure in my position as a creative, as well as within my community. Read more>>

Kerimah Roach

“Hey Cous, want to start your own business?” I had recently returned back home to Boston when my prima Aishah (cousin Asia) randomly asked me this question after styling my hair. My initial response was silence, because other than spending money I knew knot a damn thing about operating a business. Of course I was hesitant and needed plenty of time to think about it. Before going our separate ways she said, “Scared money don’t make money! Cous, YOU GOT THIS! I know you can do it.” Prima had already took the risk by investing into the space next door to her business and decided to stretch some of her risk onto me. It’s interesting for people to see your potential before seeing it within yourself. Clearly she saw & believed enough within me that I didn’t at the time. Read more>>

Arianna Longobardi

One of the biggest risks I took to pursue my dream of becoming a beauty and fashion influencer was stepping away from a stable management role to focus more on content creation. Moving from a reliable career path into an industry that’s competitive and unpredictable was a bold decision, especially at just 25. But I felt a strong pull toward this passion and knew I had to take the leap. I’ve also invested personally in this journey, from purchasing equipment and beauty products to dedicating countless hours to creating content. I understood these upfront costs might not bring immediate returns, but I was committed to establishing a quality presence. Additionally, building a public persona invites both positive feedback and criticism, which can be emotionally challenging. Staying focused on being authentic and resilient has helped me handle both praise and critique as part of the journey. Read more>>

Stephanie Leke

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was making the decision to leave the stability of working as a publicist to pursue a career in the film/television industry. I started my career in the fashion and beauty space, working on a multitude of clients within a small boutique agency. While I initially loved working in that world, having creative aspirations while working in a job that was about promoting the work of others started to take its toll. I came to a big realization that I was on the precipice of making a shift once I started delving into the sketch comedy world, reinvigorating my love of writing. Growing up watching a lot of television, the idea of working in that world in any capacity never felt tangible until I saw people in the sketch comedy world starting to get through opportunities. As I delved deeper into that space, the importance of both creating and trying to execute work for myself versus promoting the work of others no longer felt like something I could do. This was further exacerbated by the last job I ended up having as a publicist, which was in legacy news. The act of making work that had the potential to create change, inspire people, or question things felt more aligned with my personal mission statement. This pivot also coincided with what was going on politically and a desire to tell black stories. Read more>>

Shaden Matariyeh

One thing I learned in life is that the bigger the risk you take, the higher the reward. And that’s something I tried to live by through out my journey in every aspect of life. One of the biggest risks I took was moving to New York. I was born in Saudi Arabia and grew up mostly in Jordan after that. I moved to New York when I was 26, 3 years ago, because I was seeking a ‘higher reward’. Following my education in the German Jordanian University as a design and visual commutation student, having already been in the work field through corporate and through side passions like modeling and art (I modeled in Jordan for 10 years and had a 6 year career in digital marketing), something was still missing. After discovering my passion for painting, I was dedicated to make it my life path. I decided to move to New York to be able to explore the potential of my talent and my passion in a place that offers a higher ceiling than the place I grew up in. The moment I took that risk, was the moment that many unexpected doors opened for me. In retrospect I realize now that the key to any success is confidence and the true and utter believe in yourself. No matter how big the risk you take in order to achieve your goal knowing that there is a chance of failure, your self belief must be so unshakable that failure seizes to become an option handed to you, nor one you will ever accept, therefore success becomes the one and only place to envision and achieve. Read more>>

Robert Johnson Ii

Since my college days I knew I wanted to be a stand up comedian/actor. However, I knew I didn’t have enough life experience in order to resonate with the audiences. Growing up black, suburban/middle class, my life was formed in a sheltered Christian bubble. I didn’t feel like I had seen enough in order to speak with confidence to a diverse audience. I decided to do something about this an enlisted in the United States Army during my senior year in college. I was burned out with the trajectory of my life and wanted to shake things up. That was my first decision as an adult and my first time doing something that my parents felt was a mistake. After doing 4.5yrs successfully in the Army, I secured a government job before discharging. Once I was hired, I finally was able to select a major city that would provide me the opportunities to pursue my dreams. Initially I wanted to move to Los Angeles, because I hate cold weather, but they didn’t have an opening. That’s when the idea of me moving to New York popped into my mind, simply because it was on the black and white list of cities with government offices. Brooklyn is and was the first city I ever moved to as an adult. No regrets. I love this city and borough. Now it’s all about working hard and focusing on my dreams. Since January of 2024, I have been a full time comedian. No looking back now. Read more>>

Maggie Featherstone

In 2015 I moved to New York from a population 300 town in Northern California. I didn’t know it then, but I was about to get reshaped on a molecular level. New York shattered everything I thought I knew about the world and rebuilt it, a chaotic but striking mosaic. I was raised incredibly conservative and went to a very niche church that still upheld puritanical values…think, from the 1600s. Honestly my body moved across the country to save my soul. Being here has upended what I thought was safe and replaced that insulated reality with one that was terrifying, but deeply connected to the truth of the world around me. It is here that I found my agency, my voice, and now, my life partner. Nothing turned out like I thought it would. But it’s somehow better. Being in a city that was presented as “Sodom and Gomorrah” to me from the pulpit has, in fact, made it possible for me to have resilience and selfhood in a way I wouldn’t have anywhere else. This last spring, I was between jobs and struggling to paint in the corner of our 800-square foot apartment. Read more>>

Nico Turner

My career has always been risk-driven, and I feel I’ve had a clear understanding of who I am andre that with the world. I attended college for one year, though it wasn’t my intended institution. I had received a scholarship to a top fine arts college in the U.S., but my mother insisted I should attend al arts college i how to best shanstead. Although I disagreed, I followed her wishes and ended up two-year libera miserable. I loathed my experience, attended classes infrequently, and ultimately flunked out. During that time, I made a commitment to become a musician, with aspirations to perform on stages around the globe, sharing my music widely. I fully believed in myself, and I chose not to return to college after that initial year. A few years later, I secured a show at a local all-ages venue. My idea was to create music live in front of the audience, drawing from the energy of the space—I had booked the show even before writing the songs. Although a planned collaborator dropped out last minute, I invited my girlfriend to join me. Our performance was exhilarating and transformative. I realized that taking risks aligned with my purpose led to success. A similar opportunity arose when I was invited to open for a larger band. Read more>>

Imani Hicks

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was making the decision to pursue pottery full-time after losing my job in July of this year. I’m a 30 year old single woman living in Brooklyn who treats herself a little too often, so losing my job was not ideal at all! But I will say the timing aligned just perfectly. Two months prior, I had just gone “viral” twice on X (Twitter) for posting a ceramic New York Yankees hat candle I had made off the strength of boredom/not knowing what to make at the studio I work out of in Williamsburg. My DMs were flooded with hundreds of people asking me about a launch date, custom orders, what stores it was in and how they could purchase this little wonder I made. I was honestly shocked and there was a point where I had to put my phone on airplane mode because all the notifications were slowing down the rest of my phone. Days went by and I thought of maybe making more and selling them on my own website but how?! I worked at a PR agency from 9:30-6PM all the way in the city and by the time I got off I just want to climb in bed. Read more>>

Laura Gary

I have “grown up” as a pediatric critical care nurse. I have worked at the bedside, caring for critically ill patients, worked for an organ procurement organization, flying all over the upper Midwest, and have worked my way up the nursing leadership chain. My whole career, to this point, has focused on this pediatric patient population and working within the traditional hospitals 4 white walls. In January of 2024, I started to wonder what else is out there and what else can I do and can I offer. I starting to reach out to connections to ask about their careers, what have they done and how have they gotten there. Every person I reached out to, was so encouraging and supportive. After shadowing a friend of mine, who owns their own medical spa, I was intrigued by another way to provide clinical care, support, and add happiness to other people’s lives. I went back again to ask her more questions and shadow her. After that second time, I was determined to start my own medical spa in my own community. Read more>>

Jodi Johnson

I took a major risk in deciding to start a self-help podcast where I discuss my vulnerabilities to promote and de-stigmatize mental health. The journey of podcasting began in my junior year of college, I had gotten to a point where I was consistently taking my medications and seeing a mental health professional, so I wanted to share my healing with others. It was a risk because I was a psychology major, a student athlete, an intern, and a part-time employee, so deciding to do this would add even more onto my plate. I had no clue at first how to work the hardware or the software. Podcasting had then become a huge tool in my life, a place that I could work through my own issues, hear insights from others about their struggles, and connect with people around the world. Read more>>

Nayana Gadde

Photography has always been a love of mine since high school. I remember using extra money from working overtime to upgrade my camera, moving up from the beginner model I’d used for years. My favorite subject was my late cat, Maggie, who was the perfect model and reignited my joy for photography that I had forgotten during post-grad life. Her sudden passing two years ago left me feeling lost and unfulfilled again. Like so many, I can say she was my lifeline, helping me get through tough days. After working as an ER nurse through COVID, my mental health took a major hit. I moved to a different department, but I often wondered, “Is this all there is?” Nursing was my passion, but I was burnt out. That same year, I enrolled in grad school as a backup plan in case bedside patient care became too much. But it felt like all I did was work or study, leaving life feeling empty. I wanted something for myself. So, in late fall 2023, I started my photography business while still working full-time and being in grad school. It required a lot of investment in equipment, a crash course in social media, and learning how to market myself. Balancing the financial risk with everything I had going on was daunting and even now, my photography business takes up a lot of the free time I have. However, a year later, I can say it’s been worth it. Read more>>

Joyce And Ray Tsang

Our backgrounds out of college were in mechanical engineering (Joyce) and finance (Ray). After 4 years of working in those fields, Joyce and I decided on our honeymoon that neither of us absolutely loved what we were doing. At that very moment we decided to quit our jobs and pursue a new career in filmmaking. Joyce and I love telling stories; especially stories that give a voice to people who are doing extraordinary things for the planet, their communities, and for social good. But at the time we had no idea how to operate a camera (pre mobile video era!) let alone how to edit one. And Youtube was still in its early stages. So we self-taught ourselves everything from what few resources were out there. We took all the money we had originally saved to buy a house in order to purchase equipment, attend expensive in-person workshops, and fly ourselves around the country to offer free assistance to filmmakers and directors that we respected at the time. Obviously, this was a huge risk with no guarantee that anyone would ever pay us to be filmmakers and there was no clear path of what an actual career in this field could look like. Read more>>

Victoria Rodriguez

The biggest risk I ever took was stepping away from a career I loved and knew well. After 12 years as a Montessori teacher, where I delighted in creating outdoor obstacle courses and yoga flows for students, and fostering academic growth I found myself unexpectedly exploring new paths during the Covid lockdown. I began taking fitness and nutrition courses just for fun, unaware that they would lead me to something transformative. When I hosted my first outdoor fitness class for friends, family, and newcomers, 15 people showed up, and two even asked me to be their personal trainer. I suddenly saw the potential for something beyond teaching, though it meant leaving the security of the familiar. With a mix of excitement and fear I joined a business program at Sage University to follow this calling. Read more>>

Delma Castaneda

When the world shut down in 2020, I found myself in an unexpected situation: working from home and spending more time with my children than I ever had before. At the time, I was the Vice President of Operations for a manufacturing company in Santa Ana, juggling a demanding job and a long commute between Orange County and Corona. For years, our family routine had been compressed into a few evening hours of dinner, homework, and bedtime before doing it all over again the next day. But during those quiet months at home, everything shifted. I began to see the possibilities of a different life. Being home allowed me to build deeper connections with my kids, eat healthier, and reduce my stress. With this time came personal growth—I invested in a coaching program that changed me, teaching me to take responsibility for how I showed up, both professionally and personally. I became a better leader, learning to let go of control, and I saw people grow when I gave them space to be themselves. This growth inspired me to earn my coaching certification, igniting a passion to help others find the same clarity and empowerment that had transformed my life. Read more>>

Mathilde Laporte

Isn’t life all about taking risks? My creative journey has taught me that there is no creation without risk and that the best results come when I approach it with a spirit of flexibility and playfulness. One of my favorite authors, Florence Given, often says, “Playful, not perfect.” Those words resonate deeply with me. Many pivotal risks I’ve taken in my career as a creative involved reaching out to people I once thought were “out of my reach.” I realized that this sense of limitation was self-imposed, stemming from fears of rejection, inadequacy, or intimidation… But embracing the mindset that there’s nothing more courageous than being vulnerable, going after what feels right, and reaching out to people whose work I admire or in whom I see potential, changed my life. I became an active force in shaping what my reality and career could look like. Taking the initiative to connect with small businesses, filmmakers, and artists has led to meaningful projects, travel opportunities, and collaborations that pushed my creative boundaries and helped my business blossom. Read more>>

Aldora Neal

Saying yes to going on tour. Read more>>

Jack Mcdonagh

Social media is flooded with “day-in-the-lives” that can make it seem impossible to share your life candidly while building an audience. I have always been enamored with the health and wellness space online and the ways these creators make every aspect of their lives—from their morning coffee to their walk to work—visually and aesthetically pleasing. This was a space I wanted to break into, but I knew it would be challenging due to the saturation of incredible creators. Read more>>

Jacob Sto Domingo

The realization of wanting to become creative and the overall pursuit of visual arts through video and photo has been the biggest risk that I constantly think about. It was never a clear-cut decision for me, but I always enjoyed taking photos with my mom’s phone when I was younger. I would even get in trouble for it. One day, I was taking photos of my favorite soda, but I got yelled at by my mom because she needed to leave for work and needed her phone. I was always proud of showing my dad pictures I took on my phone. Later down the line, during high school, I took a Video Production class, which piqued my interest in filming. However, I never thought of it as a career I could pursue. After high school, I wasn’t sure what route to take. I just knew I wanted to make money, and community college was free. In my mind, I felt it was a great opportunity to be able to get an education without having to succumb to student debt. Three months in, however, I soon found out that pursuing a biology degree simply was not for me. Read more>>

David Schilling

I think it’s very important in most parts of life to take risks. Big or small. Without taking risks we can’t move forward in life. I’ve found most times I’m faced with a decision to play it safe vs taking the risk and saying yes to something I’m unsure of, the outcome has been more positive than not. Even when it comes to asking someone for a favor, or a job, or whatever, when I ask I feel better regardless of whether I get the answer I wanted or not. I took the chance to move forward. A wise man once told me the answer is always “no” unless you ask. Read more>>

Nari Pham

A major risk I took in my life was leaving my corporate career to pursue a passion that was still just a side hustle at the time. To paint the picture, I was working at JP Morgan Chase, an established multinational financial services company, as an Account Controller in Investment Banking. On the surface, it seemed like I had made it. I had a master’s degree, a stable job, and I was finally in a prestigious company after years of hard work. But, beneath the surface, I felt disconnected, unfulfilled, and isolated. I realized that while I had built a career, I hadn’t truly built a life aligned with my values and purpose. It was during one of my lowest points, after contemplating whether I even wanted to continue, that I made a decision. I wanted to take control of my life, my happiness, and my health. My passion for creativity and permanent makeup had slowly turned into a side business, and I saw potential in it. I had already started seeing a few clients and realized that every time I worked on a client, I felt energized, unlike the draining corporate workload. Read more>>

Nathaly Tabares

I’ve always been a risk taker, and that mindset has shaped my entire journey. Ten years ago, I moved to Georgia with dreams of becoming an aesthetician. But when the board of aesthetics didn’t accept my credentials, my plans came crashing down. Instead of giving up, I saw an opportunity to pivot. I decided to start my own business, not out of luxury, but out of necessity. For three years, I worked tirelessly to build my business, facing the harsh reality of not making any money at first. There were moments when I questioned my decision, but I knew success doesn’t come without risks. I kept going, believing that if I stayed persistent, things would eventually pay off. Read more>>

Marie Elaine Aniboli

A leap of faith from Jewelry Diamond Manager to Realtor Associate During the uncertainty of 2020 Covid Pandemic, I was furloughed from my full time jewelry manager job for 4 months. Although I have had my Real Estate license for over 16 years at the time, I was mostly part time since my divorce in 2009 . I had bought a home and new no one else was responsible for the payments. At the time, I wanted the security of a paycheck and a job with medical benefits. Faced with the scary future of not knowing when this pandemic would end, it was sink or swim for me. I decided to fully commit to my Real Estate careeer. I dove online utilizing social media to connect with potential clients. I started posting videos on Facebook and Instagram reminding everyone that I was a Realtor and still doing business with added health security measures . I made phone calls to everyone I knew and asked them how they were fairing with regard to the pandemic. Read more>>

Leo Kozsuch

Starting my podcast, “The Motive”, has been and continues to be a risk that has changed my life. As a Sophomore in High School, I was at a loss for what I truly wanted to do. Coming off of COVID as friendships shifted and activities became a part of the “normal” and unexciting routine, I was at a loss. As Freshman year came and went I was looking forward to reintegrating myself with everyone and everything that was in my life before COVID. I quickly realized this was not in the cards. Going into my sophomore year, the first couple of months were brutal between classes, shaky relationships, and everything else. During this time, I still had music which will always be a part of my life. Being a pianist of 12 years, I would go into my school’s practice room and play during a free period. Read more>>

Jaime Meekins

I work in the field of community violence intervention (CVI). We focus solely on individuals most at risk of being a victim of or committing an act of gun violence. This type of work usually happens outside the home in a public space which violence and crime are high. Even though community violence involves a relatively small number of people as victims or perpetrators, its effects impact entire communities, destroying public health, causing economic disruption, and contributing to lasting individual and community traumas. Even violence interrupters risk being sucked into this vacuum. As a gun shot survivor and a parent who has lost a child to senseless gun violence sometimes the work that we do is triggering which may sometimes cause burnout from past trauma. Read more>>

Alex Mazer

Any creative choice poses a risk. Why, the pursuit of art in the first place is regarded (by most well-adjusted folk) as risky business, which might explain why you hear often about “starving artists” and notably less about “starving cosmetic surgeons.” For better or worse, I chose art as my avenue. And as I cruised down said avenue, I hooked a left down a back alley with a street sign that read “mashup art.” Put dramatically, in “mashup” you take disparate elements, smash them to smithereens, then slap together each deconstructed smithereen in the hopes of creating something exciting and new. Sure, smithereen collage may result in niche, alienating content, but I’ve mostly found a way to make that work. Mostly. For my schtick, you see, is fusing together the comedic sensibility of the Simpsons with the iconography of the Grateful Dead. And I do so under the pithy moniker “New Springfield Boogie”. And in this medley of American counterculture, literally, every single thing I concoct is a risk. When you mix art with humor, sometimes the jokes land, and sometimes they do not. Read more>>

Jillian Pham

My story starts when I was just a child—a wildly imaginative, rebellious little soul! I was full of enthusiasm and curiosity, always dreaming up new worlds in my mind. I remember playing with my Barbies and Polly Pockets, getting lost in the colors, the visuals, and the stories I infused into those characters. I’d imagine their homes, every little detail of their rooms, and I’d drift off to sleep envisioning my own perfect sanctuary. Even back then, I think I was entering a space of pure creative wonder—a place where I felt safe, understood, and free to explore the depths of my imagination. And in many ways, that little girl is still here today. Read more>>

Noah Andre

Growing up listening to music was one of my favorite things to do. I used to sit at my parents computer and just go from song to song for hours trying to learn the lyrics so I could sing when I was home alone. From there my passion for it grew into an obsession of wanting to write, sing, and play instruments. So that’s what I did from 6th grade all the way through high-school. Having a career in music was my dream until about two months before graduation, I was asked to perform a couple songs for a Romeo and Juliet play. I would see all the actors rehearsing for the show and I immediately wanted to start acting, almost like a switch had been flipped in me. From there I started studying it on my own, because I had no access to acting classes since I lived in such a small town. Read more>>

Leslii Perez

**From North Philadelphia to Nail Salon Owner: My Journey** I’m a proud Latina from Puerto Rico, born and raised in North Philadelphia, where every day I faced a choice: keep partying and living for the moment, or push through the pain to build a future I could be proud of. I’ll be honest—life threw me a lot of tough moments, and sometimes the weight of it all made me want to escape. But deep down, my heart kept telling me that I wanted more. I wanted to break the cycle, to rewrite my story. At first, I tried to pursue an education, but I quickly found myself forced to choose between paying the bills or staying in school. So, I put school aside and focused on getting a higher-paying job to make ends meet. Around that time, a close friend shared some words that changed everything. They told me, “If you really love this, nothing will stop you from growing.” It was the push I needed, and I realized that so many people would love to have the chance I had, and they’d risk it all for that opportunity. That’s when I decided to go all in. Read more>>

Patrice Hull

As a business owner, almost everything we do is a risk. I started “Stuff We Wanna Say” after being laid off for the third time. Corporate America is where I started, but I have always wanted more. I knew I needed to work for myself. Perhaps that’s why the universe continued to disrupt my working pattern. My business started in a spare bedroom. After a few months of preparation, I branched out to a co-op shared by 14 other businesses. It was not the ideal space, but it was a steppingstone to move my idea from concept/novelty to existing business. I knew I wanted my own space, but as you can imagine, Working Capital Loans are hard to come by for small businesses. So I sold my home. I sold the only thing I had in hopes to build something bigger. Read more>>

 

Amber Sovorsky

I’m a firm believer that life’s greatest rewards come from taking bold leaps. Every pivotal moment in my life has been the result of stepping out of my comfort zone and trusting that something incredible was waiting on the other side. One of the biggest risks I took was moving across the country to chase this adventure wedding photography dream. I packed up, headed to a state where I didn’t know a soul, and found roommates on Craigslist—people I’d never even met in real life. I left behind the client list I’d built in Pennsylvania because I couldn’t shake the pull for something new, something different. It was one of those ‘leap and hope the net appears’ moments where I didn’t have all the answers, but I believed (or really, really hoped) that I could make it work. Read more>>

Betsy Pearson

I have always loved hosting event so when it came to planning my wedding the process came very naturally. I knew starting a business on my own would be difficult, expensive and time consuming but failing was not an option. I knew it was either all or nothing. I started by going to school to learn everything I could, grabbing every wedding planning book I could get my hands on.(I still do) I’ve learned a lot from books but my years of hands on experience is priceless. 13+ years later after every event I reflect on how I could do better on even the most perfect events. Then I knew I needed a website for exposure, I’m not very techy but it had to be done and with little to no budget I had make it good, after all it’s your first impression. You have to take yourself out of your comfort zone in order to gain success. . Read more>>

Allison Harvey

I was fortunate enough to find a good job when I finished college. It was a government job with great pay and benefits. I loved my job and did it well the only issue was, that I was always my authentic self. I made my own jewelry and it was funky but it was me. I really didn’t fit into the the ultra conservative world I was in. Obviously there is a lot more to the story but I’m not writing a book here. The environment made me miserable and I needed a change, a BIG change. I put in my two weeks. Then bang, covid hit and everything was at a stand still. No one was hiring and I was scared of losing everything. I know I’ve always got good compliments from my jewelry when I was out and about. My friends and acquaintances that would come over to my house also loved my funky planters that I made out of cabbage patch kids heads. So I thought to myself , I could give this a try and sell some pieces and see how it goes. This was new to me but I was having fun and people were responding well. I asked to question to my Facebook friends , what should I call my new business? Read more>>

Calli Waddell

Starting and building a business from the ground up is undoubtedly the biggest risk I have taken thus far in my human experience. But, you know what? It is also the one of THE best risks I have taken (aside from having children and staying home, because, that is HARD). I am a firm believer that without taking risks and scaring the shit out of yourself you will never evolve and grow into the person you were truly meant to be. Let’s rewind so y’all can get the full picture. I am a former Spanish Immersion Educator, having invested a lot of time and money into my education. After my undergrad years, I got a full-time teaching job and simultaneously started grad school. I acquired several more teaching licenses and my Master’s Degree. I taught the best and funniest tiny humans in my hometown of Madison, WI for eight years, I moved to MN and taught for three more years. I finished out the school year after having my first child and knew I would not return to education. I’ve always had this knowing inside of me that I wanted to do something different. Just because I decided when I was 17 that I wanted to be a teacher, didn’t mean that I had to stick with it and die a little bit more inside each day just because that’s what others expected of me. Read more>>

Starrla Noble

The biggest risk I’ve taken was many moons ago, almost 10 years in fact. I turned 35, I was a graphic designer in the marketing department for a big label herbal supplement company. I was also in my seventh year of employment with no promotions or advancements. I was miserable, depressed that over my years there, my creative freedom was stolen. I would cry my hour and half commute to and from work. At times, I would just sit in my driveway wondering how much longer I could do this. I missed my son, he was the only happy place I had during that time. In the past, my hobbies, interests and passions always centered around hair, skin and nails. Making others feel like a bad-ass and unstoppable brought out the best in me as well. (That also being one of my love languages) I always took care of myself, family and friends with their beauty/personal needs. I had a talent for it. I never thought I would quit my corporate job, cash out my 401k and sign up for cosmetology school. I did it and what a journey that became. Read more>>

KDike

The biggest risk I’ve taken was moving to Georgia . Im originally from Charleston Sc where there is plenty of talent and not enough markets for unconventional artist to flourish . In 2021 I went to Atl for vacation and I ended up finding a love interest that made me feel like this was the place to be lol (unrelated to music obviously ). After the trip I thought how I had already reached my max in my city and it was time to bet on myself and move to the City where excellence excels without limitations . I went to my sister and said ” Im moving to Atlanta to pursue my dreams you coming ?” She said ” im down ” now 2 years later here I am grateful that I made the best decision in my life til this day . Read more>>

Rhonda Jenkins Mba, Mha, Qmhp-cs.

The most significant risk I took in both my personal and professional life was leaving my second hometown, Houston, Texas, to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2023. At 18, I moved to Houston to attend Texas Southern University, leaving behind my disabled mother in pursuit of my dreams and a better life for both of us. Growing up in a lower socioeconomic area and in subsidized housing, my primary goal was to escape that environment. My 15 years in Houston provided me with valuable spiritual lessons that I learned repeatedly. Professionally, I earned two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees and worked in various roles, including English teacher, state parole officer, case manager, certified nurse assistant, and mental health technician. However, by the end of 2022, I felt like I had hit a plateau. Although I was foundational to my own journey, I experienced a lack of growth and direction in my career. As a case manager and English teacher, I felt increasingly suffocated. I isolated myself to focus on my work, but my personal life suffered as I lost joy and passion in Houston. When I encountered old college classmates or colleagues, they often asked if I still lived in the city. In the fall of 2022, I began preparing to take the leap into the unknown, ready to soar toward new possibilities. Read more>>

Steven Manchester

When I was young, my grandfather was an amazing storyteller. Although he never put pen to paper, I was awed by the power of words—to make people laugh or even cry. I knew then that I wanted to be a storyteller too. Fast forward 20 years: I’m a US Army Sgt., serving in Iraq during the first Gulf War. It was already a brutal experience when my life hit a crossroad and I flipped my HUMVEE in the desert. While I was waiting for either the Americans or the Iraqis to come claim me, I made a decision: Life’s way too short to pursue mediocrity. My dream was to be a storyteller, an author, and I made a promise to chase that dream when I got home. (97% rejection rate). Read more>>

Jason Cannon

So, like many people during lockdown, I had time. Way more time that I was used to. See, I was a full-time Associate Artist for a major regional theatre in Florida. Full-time theatre gigs are holy grails, especially in the non-profit world. A bi-weekly paycheck, benefits, and job security while doing PLAYS?? I’d been in this job for almost ten years, and it truly had been a dream job when I landed it. But now, with all this extra time–because theatres, of course, were closed during the pandemic–I reevaluated. I noticed what it was like to be home with my partner Rebecca and our dogs instead of always in a theatre for rehearsal or class. I suddenly started writing, which I had been wanting to do since college. I cranked out my first thriller novel and my first cabaret show. I learned all about publishing. And–again, like many other people–I realized I had begun to reprioritize my life. Read more>>

Micaela Palacios

In March 2020, I was hitting rock bottom in my life. I was fresh off of a divorce, my mother was terminally ill and I was beginning to outgrow my corporate career after 16 years in HR. Then while the world was shutting down with Covid, I received a devastating diagnosis: Breast Cancer. Sitting in the parking lot of my doctor’s office, I heard a voice whisper, “one day you are going to share your story and you’re going to inspire others to heal.” Intuitively, I felt Spirit tapping me on the shoulder saying, “Hey, You! Wake up! This has got to change.” My diagnosis led me on a profound inward journey. I immersed myself in deep healing work, addressing not only my emotional wounds from infertility, divorce, and illness but also the colonial, patriarchal, and religious wounds related to my identity as a Latina woman. I had crafted a life based on external expectations rather than my true soul’s desires. Read more>>

Raymond Hall

The day I decided to leave my stable job at Regional Economic Development Inc. was a day filled with uncertainty and excitement. For years, I had worked as a Minority Business Coordinator, a role that taught me invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship and the challenges many faced while trying to turn their dreams into reality. I enjoyed helping people from various backgrounds start and scale their businesses, and there was a profound sense of fulfillment in being a part of their journeys. However, there was a growing fire within me—an idea that had blossomed and demanded my attention. It was the vision of DreamTree Academy 573, an after-school program designed to empower youth through entrepreneurship, fine arts, and performing arts. As a founder and CEO, I wanted to create a space where young people could nurture their creativity while developing the skills to thrive in the world of business. I believed that art and entrepreneurship could blend beautifully, providing a unique pathway for kids to express themselves while learning important skills. Read more>>

Erica Huntzinger

I see risk taking as imperative not only for life choices but for the act of making. Play is one of the most important aspects of life that accompanies & can accelerate the development of risk taking regardless of outcome. Failure can be fun & accidents oftentimes lead to incredibly interesting results to reflect & build on. So, I use this as a template in my life & artistic practice. I fail & am wrong a lot. It is part of who I am becoming because growing & learning is painful why not risk while being playful. I risk all the time from small to large things. The last big risk I took was speaking up when it was the unpopular voice in the room. I heard myself and that had to be enough because my opinion wasn’t shared by others there. I have to take that courage & drop it back into my body to keep on creating, keeping on keeping on for myself both as a person & for my craft. Read more>>

Seankelly

The biggest risk I’ve taken as a musician was opening myself up to collaboration because of my unique situation. From a young age, I taught myself how the play the guitar in an unconventional way. I created my own tuning (something that is still a mystery to me) and removed a string on the guitar. It just sounded right to me to play that way and learn everything by ear according to the tuning I created! Collaboration was a huge risk, not just because of how differently I play, but because it was a challenge to push myself out of the safety of my solo world and into a space where I could grow as an artist and engage more with the community. It’s intimidating when other musicians look at my guitar, scratch their heads, and try to wrap their minds around my tuning. The fear of rejection, of people not “getting” it, was very real. But taking this risk taught me an important lesson: there are people who immediately understand and can jump in to add new layers and depth to my music, and there are those who don’t vibe with it at all—and that’s okay. Read more>>

Noel Ramirez

During 2020, the rise of Anti Asian Hate created a significant need for mental health healing spaces. As a AANHPI solo practitioner, I was inundated with AANHPI communities coming forward and seeking care – my book was full and all the other AANHPI folx i reached out to with private practices were full. I felt powerless but also knew that I couldn’t work 7 days a week for too long. The market research on AANHPI was bleak: AANHPI folx were least likely to access mental health, we are less than 5 percent of the psychological workforce, and at this point have high acuity with mental health. This wasn’t exactly the market research that supports building a group mental health practice – there were no models at this point – and I decided to move forward. Read more>>

Krystal Mcleod

As cliche as this sounds, believing in myself was the biggest risk I have ever taken. I’ve been doing hair for 10 years and have been in business for 5. I never thought I was that amazing at doing hair to go off on my own, let alone open a salon. Im a single mother, I didn’t come from a family with money, I barely even knew how to manage my finances correctly, and I wasn’t the busiest stylist at the salon I was working at but something was telling me I needed to leave the salon I was in for 4 years and take the next step and trust in myself that it would work out. In January of 2020, I started my business and opened a salon studio with the little savings I had. I was there for 3.5 years, I made it through the pandemic and I gained a whole new clientele in a whole new area. A year and a half ago, I did it AGAIN! I expanded, into a 1200 sf salon, by myself, using again, all of my own savings. Read more>>

Stefan Schecter

Stepping away from a 9-5 job and betting on yourself and on your abilities, is one of the most courageous yet risky decisions you can make, and one which I made in 2012. The ‘courageous’ aspect is undeniable, by virtue of the perception around taking that leap of faith and the result of failing, but the level of risk it poses is directly related to the amount of preparation and skill development you have done and are willing to do. When I made that decision in 2012, I knew I had a legitimate path to being self-sufficient, making my own daily schedule, closing deals and fostering the right partnerships, and I simply had to ‘put it all together’ — so to speak. It didn’t come without external challenges, from chaos in my personal life to trauma within my heart, to family loss, and of course the always monstrous thoughts associated with self-doubt and self-sabotage, via substance abuse to cope. After about 3 years, I had been swimming but not thriving, making money through the music industry but still in a ‘check-to-check’ lifestyle. Read more>>

Ryan Fessler

Risk? How bout starting up my home inspection business? I didn’t have any connections, was fresh outta schooling, and had just sunk a ton of time and money into this big gamble. There was already plenty of competition in my area, and I had enough sense to realize how often new businesses crash and burn. But ya know the thing is, I felt like I was being called to do this. Like destiny. Do you believe in that kinda stuff? I personally believe in a Creator that loves us and even died for us as Yeshua (Jesus), so yea, I believe in miracles. And you know I was prayin to Him about it all! And thats really the key factor. Every big choice, I took it in prayer to Him. And its like he just kept opening doors for me. Advertising, building a website, getting clients, and then being surprised at how thankful they were for the job I did! Sure I had trained and gotten advice, but only God could make my business into a success. Do you think that sounds stupid? Well its years later now and I still see the miracles happening. He leads me to the best clients and connections, giving me just enough (and more actually) than I need. I’m tellin ya, when you give your work to Him, it’ll still be hard, but you will be amazed at how He works in you. Read more>>