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.

Jorell Jackson

I took a risk on life period and almost lost my life . After Covid I was knee deep in the streets and at the time I was on top . Even felt no one would try me until one day I got off work. I had someone pull up and it turned into a robbery. I cleared my balcony just to get away and because of that they ain’t get the money. I was so upset, I ended up chasing them down in my whip. And this is where the police got involved . Told me they knew who he was and all…. all I gotta do is point him out I said naaaa 12 hung up in my face and all . There’s a code in the streets no snitching but a opp ain’t gone wait to find out whether you gone snitch or not so a hit was sent by a female. Was shot in the upper arm shoulder area close range. The female thought I was dead because I couldn’t move or even tell my body was in that much shock. Once I healed I went hard with everything especially the music because a lot of people don’t make it but I did. Read more>>

Kim Hudman

I have been a performer since the age of 4 and successfully became professional at age 18. My first contract was overseas in Macau working on a casino show, from there I travelled the seas on cruise ships, performed at Universal Studios in Singapore, dazzled the seas of Sydney Harbour on the Sydney Showboat and gained my first musical tour, Dirty Dancing, in Australia in 2014. My love for music theatre only grew after that first contract, and I knew that’s where my heart was. In 2019, I made the decision to pack up my life in Sydney and start a fresh in New York (the greatest city in the world- Hamilton reference). I left everything behind, my well paid job, my family and friends, my career and I came over with a suitcase and a dream. I gained one of the hardest US visas you can receive- the O1. It is described to the USCIS as, “An Alien with Extraordinary Ability”. Read more>>

Nate Glantz

My whole life I have been taking a risk. I was a senior in high school in 2019 and right before my senior year was started I was getting ready to continue playing quarterback, but was told I was not a quarterback by my head football coach in high school. It really hurt me a lot as my whole entire life that’s the position I had been playing so I decided to bet on myself and take a risk. I transferred schools for my senior year, I moved my grandparents to be closer to the new school, and ultimately I took that risk and it paid off. I went on to win the state championship in football that year with my new school while also beating my old school in the process on my old field. We played the state championship game on the university of Nebraskas field in memorial stadium where my dad played and went to school. I also was rewarded with being the player of the year and many other accolades for football. Then we even went onto win state in basketball as well right before covid hit in March of 2020 but that’s a whole other story. This risk of going to a completely different school, leaving all your childhood friends behind, getting death threats for following your dreams, getting your house and grandparents house egged and teepeed all because I was following my dream. Read more>>

Shana Abraham

Changing careers is never an easy decision, especially when you have little ones under the age of four. The thought of leaving a job in retail sales to dive into health and fitness in your 40s can feel like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down at an uncertain future. But sometimes, life’s pivotal moments push you to leap. I had just given birth to my youngest and was facing an emotional time in my life. Not only was I uncomfortable in my body I was managing the emotions of having two little kids and being a mom. It was during this tumultuous phase that I decided to work with a health coach who specialized in health and fitness. I needed a change, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Through her guidance, I embarked on a transformative journey. She helped me set achievable fitness goals, but more importantly, she encouraged me to explore my passions and purpose. As I began to shed the weight—both literally and metaphorically—I started to uncover a newfound strength and resilience within myself. Read more>>

Corinna Ramirez

The biggest risk I ever took was deciding to walk away from the traditional 9-5 grind that had been my life for so long. I was done feeling stuck, exhausted, and undervalued—working hard day in and day out but never seeing the results I deserved. Deep down, I knew I was meant for more, but the fear of stepping into something new kept holding me back. I was scared. Scared to fail, scared to lose, scared of the unknown. But one day, I realized something that changed everything: the pain of staying the same had become scarier than the fear of trying something new. So, I took the plunge. I dove into learning remote closing—a skill I’d never even heard of before but knew could be the answer to a better life. It wasn’t easy. I was filled with self-doubt and nerves, but I also knew that nothing would change if I didn’t make a change. And let me tell you, it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Read more>>

Ernso “ Avb ” Fable

When I first began my music journey , I had no idea of how I’d first get my feet into the music industry. Coming fresh out of high school I had a lot of expectations for myself but I wanted to make sure I exceeded them no matter what. I took a trip to Atlanta 2019 meeting up with a few producer friends I had met through mutual collaborators online at the time. Not knowing what would come out of the trip , I just had to take the risks and trust God with how everything would pan out. Long story short I managed to get signed at the time to UCMG previously owned by Grammy Award Winning Producer Duo ( Ayo N Keyz ). The chemistry was right at the time and it just flowed seamlessly at the time . So definitely I took a chance on myself , it’s best that you go about things in life on risks because your breakthrough or destiny can be tied to it! Read more>>

Quanisha Moody

When I was 20, I made the bold decision to leave home and move to Duluth, Georgia. I packed up everything I owned into my little Volkswagen Beetle and hit the road for a six-hour journey. As I drove, fear crept in, and I couldn’t help but cry. I had no clear career path and didn’t know a single soul in Duluth. It was, without a doubt, the scariest thing I’d ever done. Once I arrived and settled into my new surroundings, I began the search for work. I tried my hand at selling insurance and took up a retail job, but neither of them sparked any passion within me. Feeling lost, I even briefly considered pursuing my childhood dream of becoming a fashion designer. I toyed with the idea of going to art school, but that dream fizzled out as quickly as it had come. Then, one day, a memory from high school resurfaced—how much I loved doing my makeup and how good I was at it. That small spark from the past ignited something in me. I began researching makeup schools in the area, seeking professional training to turn that passion into a career. From that point on, my path was clear, and the rest, as they say, is history. Read more>>

Irayda Flores

I am so great full that my business started growing up so fast specially for creating jobs opening locations around the Valley but it wasn’t easy career for me when I was in a immigration status looking for my green card 17 years. Now I am participating as a board of member for different organizations like National Immigration Forum to use the same platform that I did for myself but now in support the immigrant Community specially for those who are in this country for decades growing in business just like me and of course the students DACA who deserve the best and to be legally in this country. Read more>>

S. F. Rogers

I started writing short stories in a creative writing class in high school. The teacher fostered my love for storytelling. I used that creative outlet to get me through the rest of high school and two years at community college. I dropped writing when I graduated because of negative voices around me saying that I wouldn’t ever write anything other people wanted to read. Fast forward to 2021. My best friend told me that she was going to write and self-publish her first book. I was floored. She explained how easy it was to publish your work after you completed your manuscript. She convinced me over several conversations to just write the story I wanted to write, and that’s how my debut novel, Execration of Autumn, got its start. I sat in my backyard and hand-wrote the original sentences of the first draft with pen and paper. Read more>>

Liz Dominis

In late 2019, I left Australia, where the music scene was struggling, particularly for genres like dubstep and EDM. I ventured to the USA with a work visa, seeking new opportunities and hoping to revive my music career. I arrived in LA just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began to impact the world in early 2020. During this time, I fell in love with my now ex-wife. Tragically, just before our wedding, her brother passed away, which deeply affected both of us. To support her and be closer to her family, we decided to relocate to Ohio, leaving the vibrant but increasingly chaotic LA scene behind. This move was a pivotal moment in my life, marked by both profound grief and significant change. We eloped and got married, but the weight of her brother’s death created strains in our relationship, ultimately leading to infidelity on her part. This personal crisis left me in a state of uncertainty, living in Cleveland with no job and a fractured sense of direction. Despite considering returning home to Australia, something compelled me to stay and press on. Read more>>

Gabby Abascal

The most unsettling period of my life had been when I decided to make a major career change – leaving the corporate world to start my own business. At age 32 and 12 years into my professional career I realized my current path was not working for me anymore. I then took a brave leap of faith – quit my job, enrolled back in school, and later opened my own business. If you had asked me 7 years ago where I would find myself today? I probably would have had no idea I would be helping individuals regain confidence in their skin, triple my income during a pandemic in 2020, place first place in the 2021 Skin Games International Competition, and be a thriving Latina-owned and operated business. Read more>>

Kasha Reese

The idea to provide locally sourced Tea and Honey as well as a space to relax and recharge in a turbulent pandemic timeline was a choice. To be able to help Folx relax and recharge in under 5 minutes in the air all from Sitting and laying down in my Aerial Fabric. Pandemic made it difficult. Black Lives Matter made it horrifying to approach random event spaces for a chance to talk about my business idea. So I went to grassroot events, fundraisers, community events and creating my own. I still do not have insurance that costs well into the thousands to achieve. I’ve applied to multiple grants for aid and have gotten responses from 3 of them only for the Pandemic to cancel them yet again.  I am a Person of Color in America with a business idea of helping Folx to relax and recharge for 5 min in the air safely. From this ice helped Folx with a fear of heights, recently healed from surgery, looking for better sleeping positions or a way to ease nerve pain without having to go swim in a pool or wait months or for a visit to a chiropractor. Read more>>

Yenni Ann

Since graduating high school, I had a 9-5 job (and later career) and was always afraid of pursuing anything creative because ‘the money just isn’t there’. I would wake up, work, go to sleep, and then wake up again. In 2019, I was twenty-four and making almost six figures – but I wasn’t happy. I knew I did not belong behind a desk, answering calls and setting up appointments and wasting away in data-filled excel sheets. But I was scared; I was comfortable and I always had money to go out and do what I wanted. COVID came and I began working from home, having time to step away from my computer and quickly go audition at local studios and online. I began getting roles, and soon it was hard to juggle my 9-5 and the constant studio requests. I asked my partner, “What do I do?” and I’ll never forget the glint in his eyes as he said, “Take the risk.” I put in my two-weeks (with very shaky hands) and never looked back. Read more>>

Tori Kravitz

When I was 15 years old I was a music fan who passionately shared music on my MySpace profile, attended local shows, and promoted music I loved. After seeing a few peers starting their own music blogs and gaining backstage access to shows and unique opportunities to ask their favorite artists anything they wanted, I took a chance and started one myself without any experience. My first interview was with a Disney Channel band called AllStar Weekend, who were kind enough to give me a chance. Any time I requested an interview with a big artist, it felt like a huge risk. And it was an ever bigger risk if the request was approved and I had to “fake it til I made it” and act like I knew how to conduct a professional interview. I found myself in the same room as Ariana Grande and Imagine Dragons and backstage at a Justin Bieber concert within the first two years of my blog. Without taking the risk of rejection to request these opportunities and reach for the stars as a naive teenager, I never would have gotten where I am now. Read more>>

Kailey Hood

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my life was deciding to launch Kalling Plays with Kailey. It might not sound like much, but for me, it was a leap into the unknown. I had always loved sports, and interviewing athletes fascinated me, but starting a show and putting myself out there every week was something I had never done before. It was a mix of excitement and uncertainty. The idea for the show came from a simple conversation with some friends about how many young athletes don’t get the spotlight they deserve. I started wondering, “Why isn’t anyone talking about these amazing young talents?” That was my lightbulb moment. I knew I wanted to create something that focused on their stories, but I also had a lot of doubts. Would anyone care? Could I manage a weekly show alongside everything else going on in life? The big risk came when I decided to just go for it. I didn’t have a lot of experience in media or interviewing. I didn’t have a huge production team behind me. It was just me, my passion, and a microphone. There were so many unknowns, but I knew that if I didn’t at least try, I would always wonder “what if.” Read more>>

Jake Omen

My entire career has been taking risks, ranging from inconsequential to life-endangering. I started my journey as a professional wrestler at 17 years old, jumping into the ring with fully-grown, bitter, and dangerous individuals, trusting them with my body and trying to not to let them warp my mind. After ten years of grinding away throughout the United States, my biggest risk came with the unexpected opportunity to fly half-way around the world to Japan, to essentially start over, with a group of much more dangerous and serious human beings than I had encountered in my life up to that point. My mentor had been trying his best for years to prepare me both mentally and physically in case this chance ever came to be. Even during that time, he let me know that no matter how much pain I endured physically and no matter how much I had to sacrifice and suffer mentally, that the reality would be far worse. He was correct. Read more>>

Olivia Smarz

After 5 years of being a “behind the scenes” volunteer at the Historic Hannah House, I was offered the opportunity to establish what I’ve observed and apply it to this year’s Paranormal Festival. It was formerly known as Paranormal Celebration Day. Being entrusted with the full responsibility was definitely a risk that was well worth the reward. The fundraising event raised a lot of funds that went directly toward the restoration. Read more>>

Lola

One of the biggest risks I have taken this year as a small business owner is expanding my business and rebranding at the same time. After 5 years of operating Habits Skin Lab, a holistic skincare spa in Miami FL, I decided to take a risk and expand into a new location, all while we decided to rebrand from Habits Skin Lab to Daily Habits Wellness Club in Miami, FL, effectively launching Miami’s first official holistic all-inclusive self-care spa and Korean Beauty + Skincare Concept Store. This was a leap into uncharted territory, driven by my vision to expand beyond skincare and create a holistic wellness experience that could cater to the mind, body, and spirit. The backstory starts with the success of Habits Skin Lab, a skincare-focused business that had gained a solid client base in Miami. However, I began to feel a calling to expand our services, to offer more than just skin treatments. I wanted to create a space that embraced holistic wellness—where clients could come for skincare, but also treat their bskin concerns from within through acupuncture, body massage, and other wellness practices. The idea of Daily Habits Wellness Club was born from this desire. Read more>>

Patricia Norton

In 2019, I threw my name in the hat of potential people to lead 150+ people in a circlesing in front of Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, and many other amazing singers and faculty. Partly I did it because there were enough people, I felt pretty safe that I wouldn’t be picked. I could put my name in as a statement to myself that I was on my side, that I believed in my voice, that I thought the music I heard could bring pleasure to others, too…. but I didn’t really want to actually be picked, because I wasn’t SURE I believed all that. That was the point I’d gotten to after a many-year intense journey through PTSD and major depression, including hospitalizations and extended medical treatments. Gradually, it became clear that one of the most effective ways for me to heal was to listen to myself — with big love. I had long been ashamed of my voice; I constantly compared myself with others and came up short. (You’ve never done that, right?!) Read more>>

Calinnah

Even though I became a registered nurse, music has always been a central part of my life. From the time I was a little girl, I was always creating—singing, performing, and writing. But as I got older, I made a practical choice to pursue nursing so I could provide for myself. After finishing nursing school, COVID-19 hit, and I began my nursing career during one of the most challenging times in recent history. Seeing so much death and uncertainty deeply affected me. I fell into a state of depression, overwhelmed by the weight of what I was experiencing. It was a dark period in my life, but during that time, I took a leap of faith and turned back to songwriting. Read more>>

Lyne Frank

It is important you understand where my perspective is rooted, and as such, I must recognize the culture I was raised in and my experiences. I am a white, straight, able-bodied, married, mother of two, born in Canada to an Italian Immigrant father and a French Canadian mother. I am bilingual, speaking French and English fluently and I am well-educated. And still to thrive I had to take risks at different stages in my life. Entering my twenties with a Bachelor of Arts degree, I found myself grappling with the weight of societal expectations. The pressure to secure a job and conform to a traditional career path felt suffocating, so I took a risk and left my comfort zone to backpack Europe solo! From the cobblestone streets of Paris to the sun-kissed shores of Santorini, I immersed myself in diverse cultures, languages, and experiences. Working in Greece, I honed my Italian skills with tourists and penned the beginnings of my book, “What’s the Rush?” Each country I visited taught me invaluable lessons about social expectations, cultural nuances, and the universal power of taking risks.  Read more>>

Devante Austin

Certainly. A pivotal moment for my business was when we decided to expand our operations beyond Virginia, where we are based, and pursue contracts in other states. This was a significant decision because it involved stepping into unfamiliar markets with different regulatory environments and competitive landscapes. The primary risk was the uncertainty of operating outside of our home state. We had to ensure that we were fully compliant with the laws and regulations in each new state, which required thorough research and sometimes adjustments to our business practices. Additionally, we were entering markets where we had less brand recognition, so there was a risk that we might not gain the traction we were hoping for. Read more>>

Fernanda Santos

Seven years ago, I stood at a crossroads that would define the trajectory of my life. The decision to move from Brazil to the United States was a risk that was both daunting and exhilarating. Leaving behind the familiarity of my home country, my family, and the life I had known was no small feat. But deep down, I knew that to truly live the life I envisioned, I needed to take this leap into the unknown. The idea of starting from zero in a foreign country came with its share of fears. What if I failed? What if I couldn’t build the life I dreamed of? Despite these uncertainties, I felt a pull—a calling, perhaps—to push beyond my comfort zone. The journey wasn’t just about seeking new opportunities; it was about discovering who I could become when faced with challenges that demanded growth and resilience. Read more>>

Isha El

One of the biggest risk I have ever took was deciding to be a full-time entrepreneur. I started my company on December 26, 2018, but I was still working several jobs and hosting an Airbnb from my home. During the 2020 Covid-19 lock down I decided it was time to take the risk and build the stability in my company that it needed for me to be able to depend on. I had recently been in counseling and receiving reiki healing from a well known spiritual advisor in my community. There I was able to unravel a lot of unknown trauma and unaddressed wounds. I was informed by my spiritual advisor that I suffered from a condition called anxiety. This made a lot of sense to me, and helped me determine that I was not returning to the work force. I was very excited and very grateful to finally had been granted this opportunity. Read more>>

Beny Pirzadeh

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was committing to pursue music full-time. It’s always been a deep passion of mine, but given the nature of the industry and its intense competition, I knew it would be a challenging path. I spent years honing my sound as an artist and developing my skills as a vocalist and producer. Now, after all that time and effort, I feel confident in the work I’m creating. Starting out as an unknown artist from Toronto, I’ve reached a pivotal moment in my career. I’m constantly pushing myself to evolve as an artist. My next major risk was relocating to Los Angeles, uprooting my life to fully immerse myself in this journey of artistic growth. Read more>>

Jean Clarke

Seriously? When you choose a creative career, your whole life is risk. This life-path is in no way algebraic. If you’re in any way fond of security, comfort, or a predictable outcome, knock on a different door. But then I don’t think anyone really chooses art; it chooses you. Art is inevitable in some lives and hard, if not impossible, to escape. Ultimately I believe it’s a calling – like medicine – and that the individual will not truly be fulfilled unless they pursue it. Still, there is that moment, or moments, in the life of a creator when they must decide – when they commit to it wholly and plow ahead, regardless of outcome. I somehow knew early in life that I was not cut out for ‘nine-to-five’ in an office; art wasn’t a casual decision for me. Read more>>

Melissa Sanford

I have been athlete since I was the age of 11. I played soccer competitively in high school, named NIC-10 All Conference for 3 years in a row. I received three full ride scholarships but had decided to join the U.S. Navy instead. I continued to play during my 4 year enlistment on a women’s team in Washington D.C. Being a top athlete playing halfback, I was still wanting more. I joined the Washington Furies Women’s Rugby team, often going straight from a soccer game to a match. I played 2 45 minute halves and then half of the match. Unfortunately, I was not recovering from my injuries like I did in my teens. I had broken ribs, ankles and a shoulder injury I didn’t seek care for, which has continued to aggravate me into my adult years. Read more>>

Jayde Anzola

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken both in my personal life and professionally was relocating my business from Indiana to Chicago. This story of risk begins with a worldwide pandemic, personal transformations, looming decisions, and a choice that needed to be made. I entered 2020 like most people did, optimistic for a new decade and ready for a fun year ahead. I was inching close to my mid-twenties and ready to explore a new stage of life as all of my friends and I had finished degrees or began graduate programs, started new jobs, moved into our first places, and/or found a new groove as young adults functioning in a corporate world. My plan was to keep working at my office job, continuing to take photos on the side, and working towards becoming a flight attendant for a major US airline. I was applying to every airline that would take an application, doing video interviews, and even traveling to major cities for in-person interviews to hopefully land a spot in a training program. I got turned down and heard “no” more than I got the “yes”, but I persisted.  Read more>>

Luis And Ana Padiila / Carpio

Our life is compiled by risks—one after another, each one shaping us in ways we never anticipated. We’ve learned that taking risks is how you grow, how you learn, and how you discover your true potential. The first risk we took was leaving everything behind in Mexico to start over in Canada. It wasn’t easy. We left behind family, friends, and familiarity, stepping into the unknown with nothing but hope. But with that leap of faith came new opportunities. Canada opened doors we never imagined, leading us down paths that would change our lives forever. One of those paths began with Ana. She decided to pursue her passion for Industrial Design, enrolling at university. Suddenly, our home was filled with sketches, models, and late-night study sessions. With Ana deep in her studies, I, Luis, found myself with time on my hands. I knew I needed something more than just work to fill that void. Ana noticed how much I enjoyed fixing clothes, repurposing pieces into something new. She suggested I try sewing classes. Read more>>

Hannah Shinholser

Despite everything in the back of my mind saying “you can’t make a living off of photography – it’s not reliable and it won’t pay the bills” I took a risk in 2017, and I quit my job at the local farm store. I decided to pursue Photography full-time. I was honestly worn OUT with school, a very full but part time job, and doing photo sessions for almost everyone I knew. My evenings & weekends were packed. The photo sessions kept getting more and more booked out…. they kept rollings in. With each booking, I couldn’t believe I was making money doing what I love! I fell deep & hard for my business. I was really able to prove my fears wrong: I WAS making a living by doing what I love. This COULD be reliable income if I committed myself to hard work. My business took off and I went full time in 2018, bought a house in 2019, and my business has grown and changed so much (just like me!) and it’s the best risk I’ve ever taken. I’m so grateful that my heart spoke louder than the fears in my mind. Read more>>

Dejain Matthews

My whole perfession is taking a risk as you don’t make any real money until you actually build a real fan base which depend on you and your work ethic could take however long but the reward and what you gain if you do become successful and be as good of a person as you can be is something that can change your life forever Read more>>

Bernadette Thompson

When big things that seem unmanageable and even devastating happen in our lives, many of us choose one of two ways. We shrink back and stay small and weather the storm alone, or we open to the experience try to make sense of our circumstances, and allow the world in to support us, understand us and help us grow. The risk I took was sharing my story. I had a Spiritual Awakening, not a small awakening but one that has led me to communicate with my ancestors and guides. It happened during the time when my husband came to me and told me he was struggling with Alcoholism. I knew in that moment that our lives had changed. He had been hiding his illness. The next four and a half years were filled with uncertainty, trauma, and chaos, with a little bit of hope sprinkled within. He lost his battle and passed away leaving wake of broken dream and financial ruin.  Read more>>

Todd Greenbaum

In 1999, as a growing company, Input 1 faced a pivotal decision: take on two large clients at once, despite concerns about our readiness. I chose to say yes, driven by the need to seize opportunities. Unfortunately, we quickly found ourselves overwhelmed, lacking the structure and training needed to handle the increased workload. It was a tough period—our team was stressed, and our clients were unhappy. Was the risk worth it? In some ways, yes. The experience taught us valuable lessons about our limitations and the importance of preparation. It was a painful but necessary learning curve that helped shape our future success. On the other hand, the cost was high, putting our team and client relationships under strain. However, I believe that every company, at some point, faces this kind of challenge. For us, this experience, though difficult, was a turning point that made us stronger and better prepared for the future. Read more>>

Jayden Aj

This is funny. In September of 2023, I wasn’t on TikTok. I was hungry and really wanted a seafood boil but the place I wanted it from was almost 45 minutes away I didn’t feel like driving that far. Something in my heart told me to just go. So I went and drove almost 2 hours there and back. I would always see people filming food videos in their car; and since I was 11 years old and all I wanted to do something that allowed me to be myself on social media, but I was always nervous about failing or what people would think. Which is crazy because now I don’t care what people think and I realized if you don’t fail at something you will never learn. Someone I was with at the time had a selfie light so I turned it on and decided to film. I don’t know what told me to film but something in my heart did. I sometimes tell myself that it was God that gave me the idea. Read more>>