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.
Gail McAlmont
When I think back and reflect on the decisions I’ve made in life, many of them I would now consider to be very risky lol. However, when I made them, they were simply necessary to get to the next stage in life. The biggest risk I would say I’ve taken is leaving my home country to permanently move to the USA about 12 years ago. At that time, I had a great career and stable life. I was the Marketing Manager of the largest Telecommunications company in the country the time, I had family, friends and an overall great life. Read more>>
Aileen Rueda-DaCosta
Risk is defined as ‘a situation involving exposure to danger’. I once had the most incredible therapist who so lovingly explained to me, as I struggled with huge reactions to relatively small inconveniences, that our brains cannot tell the difference between real threats. Meaning, you will likely feel and react similarly to the threat of a bear as you would to a threat that a loved one would make. Our brains are wild like that. Read more>>
Natalie Punt
As a veterinarian student I was singularly focused on becoming a veterinary oncologist. However during my internship I found myself enjoying and doing very well in emergency medicine. The diversity of cases, breadth of knowledge required to be good at seeing the diverse case load, calm thinking under pressure and being able to work with the different speciality departments was exceptionally rewarding and satisfying to me. I was also noticing changes in the veterinary industry to me that indicated a high demand for emergency veterinarians as well as entrepreneurial opportunities for those willing and skilled to work at different hospitals. Read more>>
Aliyah Hammad
I took a risk when I realized that my eating was very disordered and decided to get a diagnosis and treatment to recover. As a Plus Size woman, this was very scary for me going to medical professionals and talking to them about what I thought was disordered eating. Of course, they didn’t believe me due to Medical Bias. How can a Plus Size woman have an eating disorder? It started with good intentions. It started when I went to Functional Medicine Doctors and Naturopaths because I was not losing weight no matter how hard I tried. I’ve been forced to be on diets since I was five years old and as a result, I hated myself and the way I looked. Read more>>
Emmanuel Idim
just leaving Nigeria and deciding to make that big move to America alone is my all time biggest risk. I mean I’m still figuring so much stuff out and got a ton more on the table. its funny cause I always used to tell my friends back home – victor and Chukwude of days I was going to leave Nigeria, Africa and chase this dream internationally – almost like a situation off “be careful what you wish for, cause….” don’t get it twisted I love America – it totally fits into my lifestyle and chasing this creative/alternative life for eternity – just the whole idea of building something from nothing and believing. its not like home doesn’t facilitate this idea but more like me personally believing I’ve got more to offer. Read more>>
Katelyn Parsons
In 2017, I had been working for someone in a Director of Communications position that allowed me a little bit of creative freedom, but not as much as I needed to truly make a difference. Part of my job responsibility included being the Editor and Designer of an in-house magazine in which local businesses would advertise. There was a point in time when more and more businesses needed assistance with designing their ads because they had no one to do it for them. At first, it started as one or two sprinkled into one publication; however, it began to pick up as more businesses caught word that I could help them with it, and I began charging separately for it. Read more>>
Evan Clark
My name is Evan Clark, I am a 17-year-old and have a photography business. I started the business when I was a freshman in High School, in May of 2019. I started because we had just all gotten out of school because of the coronavirus and they sent everyone home. I had a lot of free time and was starting to get bored, and wanted to try something new. So I went out and found my parent’s camera that they did not use, and went to car shows with it. Started combining my two favorite passions/hobbies of being creative as well as enjoying cars, and started just snapping some photos and posting them on an Instagram I had made. Read more>>
Trinity Lisbon
Growing up in a small town wasn’t always the easiest to get out. As we all know crime, broken families, and very little opportunities come along where I’m from. I always dreamed of becoming a cardio thoracic surgeon giving both of my parents needed donations, I was always focused in school to where I became very sure I would in fact become one… But then that’s how life took a turn for the worst and my whole plan derailed and changed overtime. After years of struggle from home to home, this is my story, my truth… I ended up in Atlanta with 100 bucks and a whip.. sounds crazy right but it was the biggest risk of my entire life, all Alone. Read more>>
Sheryl Cury
Right in the middle of the pandemic where people were scared to be in the proximity of other people or their house. It was a challenge for me to convince clients that it was safe to do so with the proper safety measures. During that time I was pregnant and my husband felt it was a higher risk and didn’t want me to be exposed. Another challenge was that those tenant and owners occupied properties was only providing limit access to see those properties. I decided nothing was going to stop me and I was making sure I was safe. I was available when other agents were not. So I was able to take advantage of lower competitors out on the street. And got the best of the bad situation and I ended up having the best selling volume of my young career. Read more>>
Alicia Franklin
Opening my salon was the biggest risk I have ever taken. Imagine no business experience, no business capital/credit and not sure if my clients were going to follow me to a new location. It was just on my heart to open a salon, I honestly felt I had what it took but nothing was in line with my vision. So here goes nothing….I tell my clients I’m opening a salon and thank goodness they are thrilled and excited for me! I secure my salon (it was a salon before) I didn’t have to do much besides by products. I literally was learning as I was going. Of course I’ve spent a lot of unnecessary money and made a lot of costly mistakes but it was all well worth it. Read more>>
Brandon & Nicole White
About 3 months after we decided to look for potential buildings for our first event space, Covid hit. It was March 2020 and we didn’t know what to do. Covid was new and scary. The unknown had us worried that opening something that required people to have gatherings was no longer a good idea. However, we pressed on and had faith that it would work itself out. And like all things, it did. We opened in October of 2020 and became so busy that we needed to open a second location, which opened in November of 2021. Our customers truly held us down and word of mouth keep our doors open! Read more>>
Nico Sweet
As a creative, taking a risk is part of this lifestyle. At first, it may feel like you’re sacrificing alot but as you progress in the industry things start to feel more like prioritizing time. Me taking a risk was when I decided to take myself serious and become an artist. Nobody really took me too serious, not even my mom. Looking back now I understand, she was afraid for me but if I didn’t listen to myself and take that leap I wouldn’t be talking to you today! Read more>>
Aleana & Greg Conroy
Who starts an event company during a pandemic? We took a risk and are incredibly happy we did. My husband and I both worked in the event industry for our 8-5 jobs and large gathering events were among the first to shut during the pandemic. Greg eventually got furloughed and although I did not, events at the facility I was at all stopped. Nervous with a toddler on our hands my husband knew how much I enjoyed planning and creating my daughters birthday and he told me “do it, do this”. I told him there was no way with our jobs and our daughter. He said, you love it – I will build and you design, so we took a chance and never looked back. Read more>>
Madison Galyon
It’s always scary taking a risk because at the beginning you don’t know if you’re going to succeed or fail. The unknown is what’s scary. I took a risk just by simply starting a photography business. In my area it is so saturated with photographers, it’s hard to stand out but I took a leap of faith and I put my heart into it. Photography is my passion and it’s one of my favorite things to do, besides being a mom of course! I have been doing this for about 5 years now and I started small. I started taking photos for family and friends just for fun and to for the practice. Looking back to where I began, I didn’t realize how much I would have grown. Had I not taken the risk, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have the most amazing clients and I love what I do! Read more>>
Nijayla Aiken
I believe that a big risk that every Entrepreneur has to take one way or another is stepping out on faith. Weather it be quitting your job to be a full time entrepreneur or moving to a different city and rebuilding clientele. My biggest risk I’ve taken so far being an entrepreneur was quitting my job and deciding to do makeup full time. The summer I graduated, I decided to to pick up a job because business was very slow and I also needed a mental break. After a while working at that job I realized that I was working there more than doing faces and I grew fear that I would lose the clientele I built since my junior year of high school. Read more>>
Alicia Freeman
When I first decided to no longer work for anyone and start my business I took a huge risk because I didn’t know what would happen I didn’t have a steady income or a plan B I just knew that I had to make it work because I wasn’t going back to clock In at anyones job. The risk paid off because here I am 3 years later and not only is my business growing but I haven’t worked for anyone else since I decided to take a leap of faith and go all in on my own business. Read more>>
Latoya Britt
I/m Latoya Britt, CEO and Founder of Skyn Tone Studios. Three years ago, I was determined to help one of my breast cancer survivors, so I started researching artists who specialized in paramedical tattoos. What I discovered was outside of brow artists, very few people in the PMU industry had experience with melanated skin. The market was virtually untapped and vastly underrepresented by women of color! Read more>>
Iliamari Houston
In 2021 I opened up my own counseling private practice. I have worked in the behavioral and mental health field in Arizona for almost 15 years in various roles. After years of working for someone else, making them money, providing minimum support to others with bare minimum resources, and COVID in 2020; I decided I needed to make a change. In a huge, unknown, scary, healthy boundaries, family as a priority kind of way. I thought it would be a seamless transition from community mental health to owning my private practice. I thought people would see and hear that I have openings for new clients and get help. Read more>>
Lo Soukhavong
Back in the 90’s, no one saw cooking as a true and serious profession. People where pursuing a higher education in healthcare, legal, sales, marketing, finance, but not culinary. Being a cook was looked down upon as a peasant, low wage position. There was no Food network or celebrity chefs with their own TV shows. Growing up, I worked in the food service business making ends meet during my teen years. After graduating from High School in 1997, I though long and hard about attending a culinary school to pursue a career in the food service business. It was not well received from any of my friends and family because they have not heard of such a thing! Read more>>
Keyaira Johnson
I’ve taken a few risk in life… each risk I’ve ever taken was definitely worth the reward. I went through many many trials and tribulations but it’s what made me who I am today. My first risk I taken was quitting a 9-5 to become a full time entrepreneur. When I chosen to stop working it showed me that it’s guaranteed income but now like a 9-5 if I don’t work I don’t eat type of thing. When you clock in you’re guaranteed a pay check. When you work for yourself some days you may not eat, sometimes you eat last, you don’t have guaranteed income in the beginning because you just getting started so you’re investing your money and giving it your all for long term goals. It’s about staying passionate , knowing your risk is worth the reward and giving your all into what you want to do. Read more>>
Christopher Clinton Conway
I am an engaged nonprofit leader serving iconic nonprofit institutions and ultra-high-net-worth individuals in pursuit of meaningful impact and lasting change. I launched my career assisting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter create an innovative, global health agenda, and win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, at The Carter Center of Emory University. An attorney and global tax expert, I have have built my practice as a philanthropic advisor cross healthcare, international development and biomedical research. Read more>>
Mark Jones
In 2003 after 14 years as a general manager & manager, I was inspired to leave my job and come into full time management of the non-profit that I started with 20 people. Read more>>
Shelly Elman
It’s important to take risks as a director, and as an educator it’s as important to role model that mindset to students. Don’t get me wrong, telling the story clearly is paramount. But a director must have the confidence to take risks, and the fortitude to feel the discomfort of being vulnerable when artistic choices are shared with actors, designers, and finally the audience. Yet, it’s also important to teach that a director’s concept must be in support of telling the story. The director’s concept must allow for risk taking, but first and foremost it must help connect the message of the play/production to the audience. The director’s concept must not occur in replacement of telling the story. It’s a fine line. Read more>>
Alyssa Vigil
Becoming a tooth gems artist has been the biggest risk I’ve taken. I started my business at the beginning of the pandemic and didn’t know how everything would turn out due to masks and social distancing. I lost my job due to covid and needed money to pay my bills and live. I didn’t want to rely on unemployment and decide to shoot my shot at being a tooth gem artist. I purchased my tooth gem kit and my friends helped me out by letting me practice on them. Social media has been a great place for me to share my work and gain most of my clients. Today my business is bigger than I ever imagined and was 100% worth taking the risk for. Read more>>
Tasha Cash
I took a big risk by moving from my childhood home in North Chicago, IL to Atlanta Georgia. I was living with my Mom, working two jobs as a Pharmacy Technician and CNA, when I made a decision to move to Atlanta to pursue my dreams I never spoke out loud about. I fell in love with Atlanta during the summers I would visit my cousin. Before I graduated high school I knew that’s where I wanted to live. The same year I was thinking about moving to Georgia, my cousin was preparing to go to college four hours away from Atlanta. You would think that would have stopped me from moving but it didn’t. Read more>>
Teresa MiZZ Entertainment” Edwards”
I was born in Atlanta (a proud Grady baby) but was raised in Florida. I graduated from Miami Central Senior High School, a majority black, inner city school. In my senior year of high school, the choices that were presented were to get a regular 9 to 5 job or go into the military. Majority of my family and people I was exposed to just went to work or went into the military. And even though I felt that there had to be more choices to adult life than having a 9 to 5 job or going to the military (e.g. having your own business), I decided to go into the Air Force right after high school. Read more>>
Dylan Disaster
I’ve been a bit of a risk taker for a large part of my life. The first time I rolled the dice was when I was 20 years old and moved to California with a stranger to pursue my musical aspirations. In the short term, it did not pan out. I was however, able to start a band and play some shows and feel somewhat accomplished in that brief period in my life, but truthfully, I was too young and too green in the world to have any self awareness. In the long term, the risk did pay off for me as it opened doors that otherwise might not have been opened. It showed me how to be adventurous and live my life to it’s full potential; although at the time I felt like I was just a wild man running amuck all over Hollywood, in retrospect I was a kid trying to find his way. Read more>>
Christopher Jackson DJ / Producer/ Radio Personality
In July 2021, I was working my full time job and DJing part-time. While working my job, I was interning at the radio station, doing clubs/lounges in the evening, and getting booked for private events and weddings. Now, my job wasn’t much to be honest, It did not bring me enough encouragement every day and I was trying something new just to see how it was going to turn out. I honestly felt like management was actually about to let me go because it was taking me a while to get used to how protocols goes. I was missing many opportunities to see myself grow and I just felt stuck to my job because I needed security. So, I started to just pray about a break through and asked god to give me a sign when he wants me to leave and walk in my calling. Read more>>
Lea Tran
I overcame the fear of taking the risk to tell a piece of history that I lived. Never in my life that I thought I could become an author, a professional speaker, and a holistic coach. I am proud to say I had all those three titles accomplished between 2020-2021. To me, the most important thing about risk-taking in life or in your business is to BE BOLD, NOT RECKLESS! Coming from a refugee background, I have learned to take calculated risks to create opportunities, not only to survive but to also thrive. Read more>>
Brittney Creager
With out risk there can be no reward, taking that first step in your career can feel scary, intimidating and confusing. I, like many other business owners have experienced the doubt and uncertainty of taking a risk to start out on our ventures. For me I knew in my heart going solo and stepping out of my comfort zone was the best next move. My story started with taking a risk and leaving a job i was thriving in to start my own business as a solo esthetician. The risk i took involved doing something i was told was never possible and hearing “maybe in a few years you could” or “it is really hard owning your own business” was something that scared me and made me think “can i really do this?”. Read more>>
Kinnawa AfricanThunder Kaitibi
The most significant risk I have ever taken and continue to take is putting my money into myself and my ideas. I say this because it’s easy to repeat something you’ve seen before from other people, but it’s harder to come up with an original idea, believe in your vision, and then invest in your vision, not knowing if it will even give you a return on investment. I have done this a few times–starting with my business while attending school, then again with my production studio, then a short film, then a recording studio, and so on. I failed the first time starting my production company, thinking I could work my way up to buying equipment while building clientele, traveling, and paying bills. Read more>>
Laura Bradley
One of the biggest risks that I’ve taken relates to starting my running tours business, 5 years ago, this September. I had been working in corporate finance since 2007 and was more than burned out at the lifestyle, especially as I was working in private equity at the time which gives you zero time to have any life outside of work. Read more>>
Nicola Gell
Taking risks for me have come in many crazy experiences both large and small. The moral has been quite the same- if you don’t try for it, you surely won’t get it. One of my favorite risks that comes to mind: Buy the ticket to that place, then you HAVE to go, the rest will work itself out. Inspired by my brother who had sadly just passed I booked a ticket (even though I had no money to speak of at the time) to backpack Europe for the third time in my late 20’s. With no real plan and a new crazy new idea that fell into my lap, I went Couchsurfing, a sort of international exchange. I met so many incredible people, I became the photographer of my first host’s wedding, and the second host became my boyfriend for the next five years. Read more>>
Trevius Everett
Joining the Marines. I joined at the height of ISIS being a issue, the risk was the unknowing of what could be in the future. I was an 0311 so really, Was there a future? It turned out ok. Got my benefits and I was blessed to come home somewhat heathy. I can not complain. Read more>>
Emmanuel Martinez
Personally, I tend to be methodical in my decision making, cautious at times. Despite knowing this of myself, I never want to have the burden of a “What If?” That mindset allowed me to jump into opportunities I otherwise would shy away from. The biggest risk to this day is, opening my own business. The statistics would tell you that failure is imminent. That didn’t scare me. What did scare me was living with regret of not pursuing my passion of inspiring and helping others change their lives all through exercise and nutrition. The process of opening a business was arduous, tedious, and painful. However, I put my focus on the end goal, the vision. Read more>>
Codi Heiler & Kimberly Pepera
We’d say that starting our own business and still working our full time jobs is a huge risk for our business. We both love home decor and we love helping others find timeless pieces for their own homes. The problem is we are 90% e-commerce. So a lot of focus needs to be on gaining the attention via social media which is a TON of work. This work takes time away from our families and obviously makes a full day of non stop working since we have our full time jobs. Both of us work in the financial industry which are very time consuming jobs. Codi is a GO GETTER and loves to dry out floral which has been a huge hit for us at the town Markets and we have even started venturing out and working on dry florals for weddings. We’d say the reward has been finding our niche. Read more>>
Skyler White
In 2015 I was 18 years old and in my first year of college. It was also my first year living on my own. Almost everything that I did that year was a risk but the biggest one that I took was taking all of my savings and traveling to Atlanta Georgia to record my first EP entitled 16 Days. I called it 16 Days because that’s the amount of time I spent over there. It was a major risk because I spent through my savings to do so but it was the best learning experience for me. The risk didn’t turn into a high reward because I lacked knowledge on how to promote music. I spent all of my time and resources to create the music so by the time I was ready to release the music I had nothing left to promote with. Read more>>
Pocket Of Lollipops
A risk could be as simple as asking permission and could be as damaging or threatening as asking permission. We don’t think following our hearts or dreams should be considered a risk. Risk for us has been to continue when someone(s) telling us “your music sucks” or “you’re too old to be doing this”. As a creative we face these facts. As a visual artist Maite had to deal with the backlash of a gallery removing her artwork, and then bad-mouthed her to a local publication about the piece, which was on display during Art Basel. Read more>>
Tina White
Taking a risk is simply having the Faith that you can do it. Over my years of being self employed I’ve taken many risk. So I decided…I’ll do it AFRAID! I’ve worked in the Coopertive world for almost 20 plus years, I always knew that I wanted to work for myself. However, like some people, I was comfortable and a little fearful to take the leap. It wasn’t until I was laid off and began to take off. I had already had a plan, now I just needed to have courage to pursue. I decided to move forward and start a home care company, called Quality Assurance Homecare.. Read more>>
Kevin Ivester
Ivester Contemporary is approaching two years in business, and we’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, but we are artists at heart and always looking for ways to experiment, branch out, and continue to connect our Texan artists with a wider audience. Our first big experiment came this summer, when we partnered with New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), which is a non-profit based in NYC that directs art fairs across the country. We applied to NADA’s space in New York City and were accepted to present a solo exhibition of paintings by Houston based artist Bradley Kerl. Read more>>
Anthony Winfield
I would think one of the biggest RISKS I’ve made in my professional life was starting my own company. I created a artist developmental management company in March of 2011. During that year, I was already about 3 years plus into working within the music industry and in a major way with Grammy artist Lupe Fiasco and with some of the greatest artists ever. I started the company from all the experiences and relationships I was creating during my travels. I wanted to use my contacts to help spear those moments for upcoming artists from my own backyard of Chicago. A couple years would go by and then pow I found a local artist. Read more>>
Rahfeal Gordon
We all have stories of taking risks that rarely gets told by friends and family. These specific stories that are rarely told are usually the ones that have impacted us the most. One story of mine starts with me waking up at 4:00am to take the earliest bus from Northern New Jersey into New York City. Then, I would transfer to another bus from 34th street in Manhattan (NYC Time Square) that would take me directly into Boston, Massachusetts. Once I arrived in Boston, I would have to take a train into Cambridge so I could study and take my courses at Harvard every single week. Yes, every single week! I never missed a class and never showed up late. I was the first one there and the last one to leave. I became the top student in my class during that semester and I framed my first transcript like it was a degree. Read more>>
Sunny Kelley
Wheww.. Talking about…risking it all! I left the life that I grew to know- in search of the new version of me! It took courage for what I was about to do! I lived in Arkansas for 32 years. I had a home, car, and was financially okay, that is until I accepted a calling within myself to take the leap. I remember taking this drive to work each morning feeling like, “this cant be it”. I was grateful but bored. From time to time, when I wanted a change in scenery, we would play hooky from work and school and drive to a different state. Spontaneity suited me well! Read more>>
Albert and Ivone Guzman
We are strong believers in God and his promises and walking by faith this past May 2021 my husband Albert quit his job to dedicate 100% of his time in our business. We didn’t have a full schedule of events lined up when he quit, but we knew God had a plan for our little family business… Since then we have had work every single month and we are doing better than when my husband had a full time job. God is good! He is faithful. Read more>>
Just Nigel
Honestly, i quit a great paying full- time job to allow myself to focus on my craft, and work toward perfecting it. The moment felt surreal, because most of my coworkers at the time were older, and hadn’t seen the vision. It started to vibrate through me and when I noticed it, that’s when i knew i was surrounded by the wrong people. Though their were some supportive as well and still support me, the opportunities cane from me taking that leap of faith. Read more>>
Sydney Jackson
When I think of the act of taking a risk, I look at it as completely letting go of your “safety net.” A huge risk I took in the beginning of my entrepreneurial endeavors was quitting my management position at the retail store Lids; to adhere to my indie brand, Zenith — formerly known as Haus of Transparency. I realized it was time to let go of my safety net simply because I was allowing myself to doubt my capabilities. I had no sort of fulfillment putting in my time for someone else’s gain. I had ideas — great ones. That I not only wanted to bring to fruition but also share with the masses through my creativity. My passion for my brand turned into an incredible work ethic that allowed the foundation of the company to start off as a strong one. Read more>>
LaShaunte Wade
I took a risk starting my film production company and creating content how I wanted to. We are slowly getting work out, but I’d rather have quality over quantity. All the money put into this business is for a long term success. Read more>>
Tash Leath
I’ve always had my Intuitive ability, in-fact my family realized when I was six years old that I had a gift to see into people’s lives. It’s when I worked in corporate and was conducting sessions after work hours and became more in demand is when I realized I had to make a choice; either my 9-5 or make myself more available for my clients to avoid spreading myself too thin. Finally, I took a leap of faith and stepped into action to be of service by way of my gift. I now support thousands around the world, including top celebrities in the industry. Read more>>
Matt Lutz
The biggest risk I’ve taken is starting Music Benefactors. There are several reasons starting Music Benefactors was a risk. I had little experience in the music industry. Having connections is crucial to success in any business. I didn’t know anyone. My background was in finance and investing. This was a completely new industry to me. I spent months on LinkedIn connecting with people in the music industry. I’d send cold connection requests with a deck explaining what I was building and ask if they had 10 minutes for a introductory call. Most people ignored me. Read more>>
Emma Senecal
Growing up, I thought that taking a small step outside of my little town in Georgia was a big risk. It made me uncomfortable and nervous to do something out of my typical routine. So when I decided to move across the country, you can probably imagine how anxious I was. At the some time, I had never felt more sure of a decision in my entire life. As soon as I had the idea in my mind there was no turning back and nothing was going to stop me from reaching that goal. Now, I was very much a homebody all through highschool. I drove three places: school, dance, and home. Read more>>