The chapters in our stories are often marked by wins and losses. Getting a new job, getting fired. Getting a life-threatening medical diagnosis, beating it and getting a clean bill of health. Too often, due to a societal expectation of modesty and humility we are discouraged from talking about the risks we’ve taken that led to those ups and downs – because often those risks draw attention to how we are responsible for the outcomes – positive or negative. But those risks matter. Those stories matter. We asked some brilliant entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, and leaders to tell us those stories – the stories of the risks they’ve taken, and we’ve shared them with you below.
Lola Frias
For years, I sat at my desk as a loan officer, helping people achieve their dreams of homeownership. The job paid well, offered stability, and made my family proud. They often reminded me how fortunate I was to have a “respectable” career that provided a steady paycheck and benefits. But deep down, I felt a persistent emptiness. I wasn’t fulfilling my own dreams—I was just going through the motions. Read more>>
Nicole Kelley
Taking risks has been a recurring theme throughout my life, and each one has shaped me in profound ways. From a young age, I’ve gravitated toward adventure and the unknown, finding growth in situations where I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. One of the earliest risks I took was in high school when I traveled to Honduras for five weeks on a community service trip. I didn’t know anyone else going, and it was my first time living in such a remote, unfamiliar environment. It was challenging, but transformative—it instilled in me a sense of resilience and an appreciation for cultural exchange and service. Read more>>
Bashir Henderson
The biggest risk I’ve taken in my life was changing my career from an average office worker at JFK airport to become a tattoo artist. Read more>>
Jonathan Garcia
With bills piling up and no money in my pocket, I stood at the edge of a choice. The weight of responsibility pressed hard, but my heart ached for something more. The stage, a place I once feared , called to me like a lifeline. I could almost hear the rhythm in my chest, the melodies that could drown out the noise of life’s struggles. So, I took the risk. I walked out on stage, nothing to my name but the music I carried inside. Each and every rhyme I spoke felt like freedom, way to escape the weight of everything I couldn’t control. Ironically , it was poetic freedom. For those few minutes the world didn’t matter – only the music and the chance to lose myself in it. Read more>>
Anggie Arivia
Being the youngest child, I’ve always been closely protected by my parents and siblings. I don’t blame them—after all, their concerns stem from a desire to keep me safe. However, I firmly believe that personal growth comes from taking risks and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. In the summer of 2023, I decided to take a risk. Before the start of the summer term at ArtCenter College of Design, the Spatial Experience program announced a transdisciplinary studio class called Safe Niños: Concepción. This class included a two-week study-away research trip to Chile, South America. Read more>>
Brian Thacker
Jumping around between different careers can be risky. Particularly if that ‘dream job’ you are chasing isn’t really a career. And it all happened because I got laid off. Twice. My background is as an art director in advertising. When I got laid off (the first time) I applied for a job as a tour leader escorting busloads of 18-30 year olds around Europe. The ad also said that there was opportunity for ‘winter ski work’. That’s what sold me. I wanted to be a ski guide in Switzerland (yes, I know very specific, but I’d met an Aussie ski guide in Switzerland and thought that was the best job in the world). Read more>>
Shawne Hebert
Taking the Leap: Starting My Own Business as a Single Mom of Three Starting a business is a daunting prospect for anyone, but doing so as a single mom with three daughters? That takes courage, resilience, and an unwavering belief in oneself. This journey has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. I hope my story inspires others to take the leap, even when the odds seem stacked against them. Read more>>
Jonathan Klunk
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s in my DNA. Growing up, I watched my parents juggle full-time jobs while building a network marketing company on the side. They climbed to the top position, and I was right there helping out, And I was very proud of them. That experience really shaped who I am today. I like to joke that I’ve been filing a Schedule C on my tax return since I was 16. But before I took the plunge to be my own boss – which was 8 years ago – I was working in corporate America. When I started, it was the most money I’d ever made. But the golden handcuffs were real. Read more>>
Pamela Poisson
Everything about who I am revolves around music. Lyrics and melody are the lens through which I see the world. When I was in college, I nannied for a couple in Dallas, Texas who were in the radio business. They knew I was a musician and asked to hear a few of my songs. I recorded a small part of 5 original compositions on a cassette tape (!) and excitedly passed it along. They gave me the advice to pursue a music career as a singer/songwriter. I was ecstatic! I quickly spoke to my inner circle about it knowing they would be as thrilled as me. I was wrong. Instead, they counseled me to not get involved in the music industry and that my “gifts” were not meant for financial gain. Being young and impressionable, I listened. Read more>>
Melissa Keller
A lot of my work now is formatted in cycle with the teachings of the Medicine Wheel. I planted the seed to take risks, while in the direction of the West, spring 2024. Since then it has been a daily practice to take risks. It could be as simple as calling that person who I miss, and feel in my heart, but just don’t always take the time to connect intimately with. Or something greater like leading a group of 20 plus peers in a retreat or workshop. I personally am more nervous around my peers when I lead. Read more>>
Leia Carlton
In 2009 the Great Recession was well underway and selling real estate had become a very complex undertaking due to tightening of lending and a market overrun with bank-owned properties and short sales that could take 6-9 months to close. I had been an agent for 5 years. The owners at the time were nearing retirement and they were worried about the company’s income and how the market was affecting real estate overall. They were looking for an exit strategy. I was worried about having to find a new company to work for because I loved where I worked. My business partner and I offered to buy the owners out to preserve our jobs. I was eight months pregnant with my second child at the time, and I remember signing the papers and wondering if I had completely lost my mind. There was very little money in the company account and not a lot of transactions on the horizon. Somehow we scraped by and luckily the market had hit the bottom and things recovered from there. Read more>>
Julia Meles
Pursuing creativity and a self-directed path in a society that often suppresses creativity feels like my current risky choice. Many of the systems that underpin our daily lives—consumption, labor, and communication—are structured in ways that do not prioritize or nurture creativity, particularly in the United States. For example, the education system historically evolved to prepare students for factory work, and many of those systems are still in place, and if anything is trying to be reinforced by our current government. Read more>>
Stacey Yvonne
I didn’t originally move to Los Angeles looking to be in Entertainment, at least not in a capacity that ever resembled a career. No, I came to California for the sunshine, because I was grieving and depressed and suffering a seemingly never-ending Nebraska winter filled with cloudy, gray skies. I’d had two great losses that I couldn’t deal with in – 24 degree windchill. Add in a curious and destructive election result in 2016 where I saw the most reasonable of my coworkers become “anti-woke” and essentially anti-me. Read more>>
The Demi Godzz
Demigod AJ says “we took a risk when we decided to follow our mother’s footsteps.”I remember my brother and I going to the studio late nights with my mom Amazon Godezz and going through college and she never gave up.That made us want to pursue our dreams . Personally I never thought she would allow me to pursue music because of my grades.I had to take multiple risks to get my grades up to show her that I was serious.There were times I had to speak up and ask for help.I had to ask teachers multiple times to update my grades. It forced me to have to speak up to my teachers and learn how to communicate with them.It also forced me to work on my behavior. I’m still a work in progress but overall my mother motivated me to take risks so I can do music ,sports and anything else that I want to accomplish. Read more>>
Amber Koko Allen
In 2024, I took a leap of faith and signed up to participate in my very first fashion show. Before then, I had only been experimenting—putting my art on clothing—but I had never showcased my work on a runway. The inspiration came the year prior when I was vending at the same event. Watching the show, I knew deep down that one day, my creations would walk down that runway. That leap would have never happened if I hadn’t first taken smaller steps. Even when I wasn’t making sales, I stayed active—sharing my clothing on social media and participating in local shows. Those efforts opened a door I never imagined: a luxury boutique noticed my work and honored me, along with other remarkable women, with the Woman of Substance and Style award. Read more>>
Nona-kerry
Taking the leap to start my own talk show has truly been the most transformative decision of my life. Initially, the idea felt daunting, filled with uncertainties and fears of failure. However, embracing that risk opened doors I never thought possible, allowing me to connect with incredible guests and engage in meaningful conversations that resonate with my audience. This journey has not only sharpened my skills as a host but has also deepened my understanding of the issues that matter most to people. Living in my purpose now feels effortless, as I wake up each day excited to inspire, entertain, and create a positive impact. This venture has been more than just a show; it has been a pathway to fulfillment, growth, and the realization of my true passion. Read more>>
Jamie Vos Love
In 2018, I was guided to quit my then full-time corporate career in health care technology to focus full-time on my newly launched spiritual gifts and intuitive development business. I had only been in business one month prior and was still in the process of building new clientele. An older version of myself would have seriously doubted this guidance because from a practical perspective, it made zero sense. I did not have enough clientele to operate full-time AND I had already booked a non-refundable trip to Peru to attend a plant medicine retreat for women. Translation: A fairly expensive upcoming trip and no definitive amount of income coming in! I welcomed the interplay of logic, intuition, fear, trust and love, testing me to see if I could walk the talk. In other words, I was getting ready to embark on a journey of teaching women to trust their intuition. So would I trust my own, or would I allow fear, doubt and worry to take over? Read more>>
Miriel Bereal
The first cannabis facility I started was in the City of Los Angeles at the beginning of 2018. It was in the middle of ‘The Hood’, on Saint Andrews Place… a place where gunshots can be heard, and graffiti seen. The place I was set to lease was previously a dispensary, prior to “legalization”, and with that location, all things were left intact.. including the patient profiles, the bulletproof glass. Everything. Yet that wasn’t the vision I had for that location. Behind my space sat many other businesses, and it was in the vision to turn that entire lot into a Seed-To-Sale Licensed cannabis facility. The owner took me on a ‘tour’, going from door-to-door, introducing me to everyone. The first door he brought me to was that of a man named “Toy Hustle”. He barely opened the door, poking his head out, to look at the owner and then me. I smiled, and the owner introduced me, saying i would be renting the Front. I asked Toy, what he did there, and as he would tell it, against his will, he said he’s a ‘manufacture’. That answer, as GOD revealed it, showed me that he was in cannabis too. Today, Toy is the owner of Cannabis & Comedy, Herb Dutchwood and Smokers Best. Read more>>
Karen Cano
Taking a risk is in my DNA. My mother immigrated to this country when I was just 1 year old. I immigrated at age 3. Together with my father, she took the greatest risk of all time—starting a brand-new life. Ironically, I had no idea how risky and difficult curating my life was for them and me. Fast forward many years: my first career dealt wholly with risk—more accurately, helping others mitigate risk. After many years of helping individuals and later corporations reduce and avoid risk, I decided it was time to take the biggest risk of my life. I changed careers completely. The goal of my role remained the same—helping others—but the vessel was starkly different. I would now be supporting people in taking risks of their own and making impactful changes in their lives. I took all the aspects of my career that I enjoyed—working with people, providing guidance, support, and encouragement—and I built a platform that allows them to take as little or as much of what they need. Read more>>
Carlton Young
There was a time in my life when I was my own biggest obstacle. It wasn’t because I lacked ambition or potential—it was because I was afraid to take the ultimate risk: betting on myself. Let me take you back to that moment. The Backstory At the time, I was working a stable job, surrounded by routine and security. On the surface, everything seemed fine. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t living up to my full potential. I felt a calling—something greater was stirring within me. I had a vision to inspire others, to share my story, and to lead men toward becoming the best versions of themselves. Yet, I let fear paralyze me. Read more>>
Sean O’connor
This is a great question. First, I just want to emphasize the importance of risk-taking. Both as an artist, and as someone building a career. As an artist, your work grows through the risks you take. If you’re a writer, you can use your talent and write according to all the rules you learned in school…and those rules are helpful…but you’re never going to break down a wall and venture into new and perhaps uncharted area. But it’s that area where writers find their true and unique voice, and it’s that area that raises their work above the fray. You might sometimes fail. And that’s fine. Failure is part and parcel of a vital creative process. But, when you succeed, the rewards are many. Especially in the growth of your artistic vision: understanding what it is that you see and want to express, and creating a bigger and more robust arsenal of creative tools. Read more>>
Frances Michell
I am a firm believer that in life you have to take risks… right? whatever you want to have in life, it has to scare you- that is when you know you are in the right path. My entire life I have felt a different from all the rest – felt like I never “fit in” – but what even is that? I think any teenager can relate, that when we are in highschool and sometimes before or even after that we want to feel like we are a part of something. But now, the older I get, the more I relize that I see beauty in things that are different. That is inspireing. I love taking risks. I think it all started, or I trully touched on it when I turned 18 and moved to LA from Peru, to do what I love. Telling stories. It was terrifiing. I mean change is scary- even more so when you are alone and have no you know in the same city where you can turn to if you need help… or anything. Read more>>
Pam Allyn
In the depths of COVID, when my network of educators was grounded and isolated from the nearness of children, I started a new business: for kids, and about kids’ learning, literacy, and math. Today, it encompasses all the things parents want their children to know well. It was a risk because it was forward-thinking at a time when we couldn’t envision a future at all, but the loneliness and the fears of the moment propelled the idea in my mind that all of us who had worked together one way or another over many years needed to come together and build something new. The uncertainties plaguing public education during this time felt like a dark cloud hanging over us all, and I needed to raise money to make this happen and to be able to talk with people honestly about the risks and the rewards. But I knew we had something new to say here — something to give to the world that would be helpful, financially productive, and beneficial for our investors. Read more>>
Mark Williams
In 2017, aged 24, I took a risk that completely changed the course of my life: quitting a stable job in PR to go self-employed and travel the world. At the time, it wasn’t really about owning a business. I’d heard about people called ‘digital nomads’ who were working wherever they wanted. Co-working spaces, coffee shops, beach bars – it sounded amazing. I wasn’t exactly prepared; I had no savings, no freelance reputation and no clients. But I’m an optimist. I figured I could do it and booked a flight. Six weeks later I was a newly minted, self-employed copywriter on the tropical island of Koh Phangan, Thailand. It’s famous for pristine white beaches, crystal-clear waters and all-night parties. Read more>>
Jackie Broxton
One of the riskiest situations the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation faced was our need to find a permanent location for our operations. While BMCF was in its infancy, we had been promised a property through a partnership—yet two years later, without appropriate warning, we learned that the property would be given to another entity. We were told that we “did not have the capacity to operate a program.” To say that I was shattered would be an inadequate description of what I felt at that moment. In response, I took a huge risk and made a public commitment, vowing to find a location for our services. I was driven solely by faith and not logic—but ultimately, I did develop a relationship with an organization, California Lutheran Homes and Community Services, who opened their hearts to the Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation. Read more>>
Susan Winter
Taking a Risk: Risk comes in many forms—stepping into a competitive field, investing savings into a startup, or the unexpected risk of falling in love. The last one became my story. Falling in love is a risk. It’s a straight up gamble with no guarantees. But what happens when your love is so unconventional it threatens your career and reputation? Most would walk away. I didn’t. I arrived in New York City as an Opera singer and stage actress. The work thrilled me. The lifestyle didn’t. Over seven years, I transitioned to becoming a Corporate Spokesperson for over half of the Fortune 500 companies. That career led to becoming the host and moderator of ‘Corporate Profiles’ on Financial News Network (FNN), now called CNBC. The work was exciting and the respect fulfilling. Read more>>
Kayla Smith
In 2015, I moved to Thailand for two years instead of going to dental school. When I was younger, becoming a dentist was my dream. I grew up admiring the profession because a smile is the first place where people show their happiness and I envisioned myself helping others make a tangible difference in their lives and the way they express themselves. But life, as it often does, has a way of steering us in unexpected directions. My father’s passing from cancer on my 22nd birthday in 2014 was a pivotal moment in my life. It made me reevaluate everything—my priorities, what I truly valued, and how I wanted to spend my time. After his death, I felt a deep need to change my environment and do something that would allow me to heal while also finding a new purpose. So I made the bold decision to move to Thailand for two years. It was a huge shift, not just geographically but emotionally, and it opened my eyes to a different way of living, thinking, and connecting with people. I was exposed to new cultures, ideas, and ways of giving back that I had never considered before. Read more>>
Sarah Hicks
I think a lot of creatives and small business owners feel their whole career was built on risks, and continue to face risk with each dream and reach for growth. Like most of the artists I know, I didn’t grow up thinking I was going to be an artist one day. Drawing was something I always enjoyed but even from a young age, you get told it’s not realistic and there were other passions that drew me in that fit the more stereotypical career box. I feel like my first big risk came when applying to universities, I had first applied for an urban studies program to later transition into architecture. A plan I had for myself for the last 5 years or so and felt like the logical thing to do. A week later, I learned about an outdoor education program at a different university and it was all I could think about afterwards. Read more>>
Chavara Hamilton
The initial risk that comes to mind is Sup-HER Circle, PLLC. Sup-HER Circle is my virtual counseling practice. I provide individual and group counseling services to women ages 18+. While serving women throughout my career, I recognized the importance of prospective clients being able to share their experiences with someone they can feel a sense of connection and understanding. One of the obvious factors that enhances the connection is race. I enjoy working with women in general, but I can relate to the woman of color in the room who feels unheard, labeled aggressive, prejudged, etc. For this reason, it was important for me to create a safe space where women can operate in authenticity without having to over-explain. Read more>>
Danielle Weil
The largest risk I have ever taken was leaving a full-time position as the Director of Events at a seattle venue to focus solely on my business. I started Amethyst Events in 2019, but I was simultaneously working full-time through 2023 as event staff, event manager and, ultimately, Director of Operations at a Sole Repair Shop in Capitol Hill, Seattle. Initially, my goal was to wait until 2026 to go solo, but I decided to follow my heart and believe in my mission to put all of my energy into my business. I knew that it would be financially risky, but I had faith that if I could direct all of my attention to my clients, instead of being spread thin while working 60+ hours a week at the venue, I would be able to support myself and follow my dreams. Read more>>
Andrea Schuckenbrock
For many years, I worked in the medical field doing direct and indirect patient care. In March 2023, after realizing that it was no longer a good fit for me, I left the industry. It wasn’t something I had planned to do at that time, and I didn’t have a back-up plan in place for employment. After having a three-hour conversation with a dear friend/mentor of mine, I determined it was the best decision to make. But, it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. It felt like I was blindly jumping off a cliff because I was leaving the highest paying job I’ve ever had for the unknown. Read more>>
Joshua Delozier
My wife Sam and I laugh when we look back at where we were in life when we established Grounded because in retrospect, the timing seems almost laughable. In 2017 we officially decided to wrap on my previous company- Goat Guys LLC. My business partner had been the one to put forward the investment, so it looked like I would be wrapping up this first venture in debt- newly married, fresh off of buying a house and unsure of what to do next. Toward the end of that year I was given the opportunity to clear the farm we had been keeping our animals on. The money made from that job is what got me out of the red, and what later planted the seed for alternative methods of land clearing. Read more>>
Neidy Venegas
I’ve been a baker a bit over a decade now. I started as a savory cook and, while I was, bread called to me. It was such alchemy that I had no choice, but to fall in love with it. I moonlighted as a baker in the early, quiet mornings of LA while learning to cook in the evenings. Eventually, my superhuman (haha) energy wore off and I transitioned to a full time baking position. I’ve had a diverse career. I’ve worked for small and large bakeries. Flashy ones, mom and pop ones and in restaurants too. I’ve been fortunate enough to do bake productions of 300 plus pieces alone and small, petite, fit in your hand cuties too. While I’m grateful for all the hard work I’ve put in for them, this risk I’m taking this year, opening my micro bakery alone, is for me. The biggest risk I’ve taken. I’m doing it all for my son, my family. I believe it’s time for me to showcase what I’ve learned and have fun! Maybe have you see it through my eyes. Read more>>
Fiona Liang
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving a stable, professional office job to pursue a path as a creative and entrepreneur. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. There’s a unique kind of uncertainty that comes with building something that only you see.. from scratch, where every day feels like stepping into the unknown. It’s exciting because you’re working on your unique vision, but it’s also scary because there’s no safety net. For me, this journey has been as much about self-discovery as it has been about building a career. Making the decision to leave stability behind required me to know myself deeply—to understand what truly matters to me and to trust in my ability to figure things out, even when I didn’t have all the answers. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that life isn’t meant to be predictable or perfectly planned. It’s meant to be lived authentically. Read more>>
Domonic Crane
Like most people, I’ve always been a dreamer, telling myself, “One day I’ll do this or that,” and romanticizing this potential future in my head. But one huge step you can take in life is to risk failure. That’s why we often stay in the “what if” stage and never actually do anything. I’ve seen what my future could look like: working a 9-to-5 job with a boss I don’t get along with, at the same company for 10+ years. I was working as a video editor, producing stale, corporate content full-time. Every day started to feel the same. I found myself asking, “Why am I doing this?” So, I decided to quit what I considered a fairly unhealthy working environment to find something that truly gives me purpose. Read more>>
Alicia Rozycki
Let me begin by saying I’m not a daredevil in any sense—my hobbies include reading, drawing, yoga, and cycling. My spouse, however, loves a thrill. With his encouragement, I decided to take on a fear: walking the glass horseshoe bridge at the Grand Canyon. When I first heard about the bridge, I thought, Why would anyone want to walk on that? But years later, during a visit to the Grand Canyon, our tour included the bridge. My husband and others in the group were excited, so I decided to give it a try, even though I was hesitant. We made our way through the line, traded our sneakers for the required slipper socks, and opened the door leading to the bridge. Anxiety set in. I clung to the handrail, taking the tiniest steps, feeling scared. Then, I noticed another woman on the bridge, lying down, flailing in panic, crying, and crying out while her family calmly stood around her, encouraging her. Read more>>
Carly Quellman
I made a decision after the first quarter of 2024 to travel throughout California as a figure model, and write about it along the way. While I was excited, I had no clue what it would mean to be in charge of securing stays depending on the gig, and finding ways to replenish and nurture my body when my body was also my work. On top of that, I was spending a lot of time driving, alone, as my own means of transportation — sometimes up to five hours away to work on the Central Coast. Read more>>
Ariel Herrera-molina
One of the greatest risks I’ve ever taken was opening my business in the middle of a pandemic. I started with $500 and the very basics, sharing space with a Reiki Practitioner. At the time, Estheticians weren’t able to do facials (my passion) due to Covid, so I started with only waxing services. I had no idea what the future of the world would look like, as there were a lot of uncertainties at the time. I was always a chronic workaholic, so being forced to stay home and take a break actually allowed me to dive deep into my mind and really think about what I’d want for my future. It was always my goal to own my own business but I was holding myself back with limiting beliefs—what if I can’t build a clientele? Read more>>
Julien Tang
My decision to work with clay in ways that defy tradition—combining it with performance, video, and “happenings”—was a deliberate risk. Clay is a medium deeply tied to permanence and technical mastery, but I was more interested in its fragility and capacity for transformation. This approach subverted conventional expectations of ceramics, where completion is signified by the firing process. By embracing gestures like smashing, cutting, or eroding the raw clay, I highlighted its impermanence, using it as a metaphor for transient human experiences. These methods directly challenged traditional notions of ceramics and were sometimes dismissed as undisciplined or overly experimental. However, this tension became a vital part of my practice. Clay’s resistance and fragility introduced unexpected layers of meaning, and the integration of time-based media further emphasized the ephemeral qualities of the material. Read more>>
Binh Tran
Moving to Austin after college was a leap of faith, a bold step into the unknown that marked the start of a transformative journey. I already knew what it was like living away from home but this was a whole new place for me. Embracing the vibrant energy of the city, I chose to follow my passion for music, leaving behind the familiar for the thrill of chasing my dreams. It was a gamble, but one rooted in a deep belief that the risk would lead to growth, fulfillment, and opportunities to create something meaningful. Read more>>
Satwika Sabal
I took the risk of leaving a stable corporate job to pursue a largely creative life. I also figured out my calling in this process which is “Storytelling through Food”, so I would say this risk turned out pretty good for me. I am still figuring out many things but at least I know the direction now. I finally have clarity and it was a crazy path to realise it but I am absolutely ready to take it further no matter how much more difficult the path gets. I love food and my education (MBAs in Brand Management) helped me start a small business called “The Brand Maker” via which I help restaurants with their branding. This way I am making the most of my calling and my education. My creative pursuits are in acting, writing, food vlogging and podcasting. The number of hours I work in a week have increased but my stress has decreased. Although I need to work harder than I ever have but at least I am spending most of my time doing what I truly want to do. This lifestyle might not be sustainable long term but this is what my 2025 looks like and I am very happy! Read more>>
Jake Pavelle
I will never regret trying something and failing. I will regret never trying and taking the risk. Remember when versus what if is a phrase I’ll hold with me forever. My best friend, Cooper, said to me. It helped me gather enough courage to take the risk starting Colorado Power Wash. Being in corporate sales for a decade after college, earning a high income, and living a comfortable life is what I thought I wanted. I still felt professional emptiness. I’m sure a lot of people can relate. What I came to realize is that my life is worth more than helping someone else fulfill their dream. There was no harmony between my personal and professional lives. I always had the dream of starting my own business, building something from the ground up, and creating a unique experience for clients, employees, my family, and for myself. Read more>>
Alicia Yamamoto
One of the most rewarding risks I chose to take was moving to Asia. I am an athletic trainer, born and raised in the United States, and had been working in traditional sports medicine settings with individual teams for the majority of my career. It was my goal to work in professional basketball, and when I had finally made it there I felt like something was still missing. I thought, “Why does life still feel unfulfilling after achieving the only goal I had been working toward my whole life?” I recognized then that there was some deep work I needed to do from within in order cultivate happiness for my life. Read more>>
Mary Werde
Growing up in a rural town with limited resources, life was a constant struggle, filled with daily challenges and hard work. Escaping to the nearby mountains became my refuge—a place where I could release the pent-up frustrations of life. Rock climbing became my passion, steering me away from the risky paths my classmates often took. It was there that I discovered the power of setting goals, pushing my limits, and achieving the seemingly impossible by trusting in my abilities. Along the way, I forged lifelong friendships with those who inspired me to strive for greatness. Read more>>