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.

Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise

It was a beautiful gathering of community collaboration on an evening in August 2017. We had never met before, arriving separately to Boot & Saddle in Philadelphia, PA with the same mission to support a local youth music program. Surrounded by bandmates, Kuf walked in the doors, with his backpack and fresh kicks, excited to grace the stage with stories and motivation to inspire connection. Read more>>

Ryan Adams

I feel like I’ve taken risks at virtually every turn of my creative career. I think the biggest risk I had ever taken was forgoing utilizing my degrees in education knowing that there was “something more” for me, or, that I could offer this world “something more”. Read more>>

Khadija Holland

I haven’t had a “steady” stream of income since August of 2021! I left a really good paying job to walk by faith, a year later faith talks with Khadi was established! Read more>>

Shannon Curtis

Starting my own photography business was a pretty big risk for me. There were start-up costs – like professional camera bodies and lenses, website expenses, software, editing courses, gas for traveling to locations, props, advertising…it felt like I was pouring so much money into this uncertain endeavor with no guarantee that I would make any of it back, let alone make a profit. But there was just no way I couldn’t give it a try. Read more>>

Isabella and Laura Heart N Soul Yoga Studio

A big, life-changing risk we took was quitting our secure, day jobs to open a yoga studio. It’s been an adventurous journey, full of ups and downs, but we wouldn’t trade it for the world. Read more>>

Simona DeLucia

I am not really a big risk taker but working in the ER and seeing how fast your life can change, it makes you think about what you really want out of life in the short amount of time we have here on this planet. Covid was an eye opener for me and I am sure for many other people to really go after your goals. I have always wanted to open my own practice to educate and help woman with their health and beauty needs and this year I have decided to go for it. Read more>>

Michelle Arias

In April of last year, I took the risk to quit my job and start working for Stephanie Arias Event Planning part time. I was very unhappy at my 9-5 job and I knew that I needed out, so when I was out sick for a week with the flu, I took it upon myself to start thinking what my next step would be. My sister, Stephanie Arias, the CEO of SAEP was looking for a marketing person at the time to help her scale her business and I decided to pitch myself to her! Read more>>

Rachael Tran

“If not now, when?” When I started The Cookie Crew, it was to fill a void. It was something for me to enjoy. I surely never saw myself preparing to open a store 2 years later. I kept this idea of having my own store to myself for quite some time, afraid to give it power. Then one day I said to my husband, what if we opened a store? He looked at me and said, “Funny, I’ve been thinking the same!” Read more>>

Savanna Burgrabe

Growing up, I was always the friend with the tiny digital or disposable camera. I loved setting up shoots any chance I had. My earliest memory of taking my friends outside in the fall leaves for photos was around the age of 11. Read more>>

Vida Patrice

A risk I have taken in life was when I decided to pursue my business full time. I perceived leaving corporate America, after working for so many years in banking, a risk because of comfortability. But I believe in order to be successful you have to become uncomfortable. I learned so much professionalism throughout my corporate career that running a business was second nature to me. Having experience in project management and development, accounting, training, years of supervisory skills, quality assurance development; Read more>>

Kat Harvey

We only get one chance in our own movie called “Life” and no do-overs. I think people play too small and/or don’t dream big enough because they think it’s too far or can lever happen for them, which is far from the truth. I think we underestimate how much it takes to attain and maintain the level of success we desire. Read more>>

Kayla Chamberlain

A huge risk I have taken is starting Loua+Lumi which is an online women’s clothing boutique. It’s been a life changing risk with so many unknowns both rewarding and challenging. My main profession is a Mental Health therapist and launching this boutique was a passion project of mine. I wanted to create something outside of my profession as a therapist that brought me a sense of joy while still serving others, financial freedom, and community. I call it a baby boutique right now as it recently launched the end of November 2022. Read more>>

Yvonne Cote

Taking a Risk…well for me the biggest and most scariest risk I have ever taken was hitting the reset button on life…and starting over. For me, this journey onto a new life path started in 2011, following a near-death experience. Prior to this incident, I was a very successful Director of Human Resources, a mom to three very busy teenage boys, and in a new marriage with a partner that traveled out of town for work all the time. Life was busy…but we always seem to manage and get through everything that need to get done…that is, until one day when everything changed. Read more>>

Megan Gilliland

I often tell our customers that I consider my husband the “accidental beekeeper.” He’s an arborist who has managed large divisions in the lawn and landscape industry but we really hadn’t planned to become small business owners with a working farm and open-to-the-public farm store. It just kind of evolved over the years and, eventually, the small business took over our lives and we’ve never looked back. Read more>>

Andrea Magee

I am originally from Ireland. I was born in Belfast in the north of the country during the end of the troubles. I grew up the majority of my life there and I am beyond grateful for my roots, my family and all the deepest parts of my being. Every sense of self I have resonates with everything that is there. But I always knew I was searching for more from a very young age, Read more>>

Christina Marz

I am an entrepreneur. Well, more succinctly, I am a “horsepreneur.” I have created and developed a world-renowned equine therapy program called Horse Guided Empowerment, which I have taught to more than 300 students in 26 countries. I didn’t start at this level of success. My growth trajectory has seen its peaks and valleys. Anyone that starts their own business, from the most humble of origins, like myself, is, by definition, a risk taker. You have to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and a clear plan of how to make that happen. The path can be difficult. Read more>>

Jasmine Deane

Going for your goals is the biggest risk you can take! Making the decision to start The Good Life Charcuterie was terrifying, it’s been the best thing. I remember asking so many questions like- “what will people think?” and “what if I fail”? Read more>>

Sam Hewitt

Street photography comes with some degree of risk. Because photographers often seek to capture life in its purest form, they do not typically warn people or obtain consent before pressing the shutter. Read more>>

Reginald Benoit

I took a risk on me being a Dj and turning this into a career. I wasn’t sure if I would be successful I left college left a good job just to pursue my career. I took this risk because I love Djing and entertaining and i am so happy that I took that risk. Today I have a successful DJ career and i have gone on to do radio and create my own radio station and podcasting studio. Read more>>

Carlina Shotwell

I have always had a job since the age of 15 years old. Working hard isn’t new to me, but feeling undervalued is. I began working in the banking industry years ago and I have always enjoyed it. This is what I always thought my career would be. Read more>>

Valeria Gonzalez

In 2021 after graduating high school I was set to go to college continue to study a conventional practice while still having my business as a side project. I spent my first semester studying business, working for someone else’s dream while still wanting more for myself. After that first semester I decided to leave college and enroll myself into culinary school. My small business only continued to grow the more time I dedicated to it. So the following month after leaving college I left my job and decided to continue to work and develop my dream. Read more>>

Enrique Rodriguez

The life you live depends on the choices you make, the risks you take, and how lucky or unlucky you’ve been. I took the biggest risk when I quit my job and committed fully to being a DJ. In April of 2021, I was brought back to work on the Sobeteo Promotions team to open up about Grammy Award-winning Latin artist Rauw Alejandro. It was the biggest crowd I had experienced and throughout the night I just had this energy around me that just felt right. Read more>>

Mikayla Johnson

The biggest risk I have taken so far in life was opening my business. So i have been baking since I was about 8 years old. I started selling sweet potato pies during the holiday season in 2019 which is the same year I married my husband. In August of 2020, my husband and I found out that we were expecting our now almost 2 year old son. Read more>>

Joshua Law

In 2021, I was training for a 100-kilometer desert trail race. As I was training, I went through a lot of different socks. I was frustrated with all of the socks’ durability, so I started to look up different brands. I found a brand called Boldfoot Socks. They are a 100% American-made sock made from American materials, which intrigued me. I bought a pair and liked them, so I bought two more pairs. I used these socks in my 100K, and they performed well. Read more>>

Lauren Balterman

For ten years I had two careers, two major passions; therapy within schools by day and a health coach, trainer and nutrition coach by night. Read more>>

Shane Ragoonan

I always love to tell people that when it comes to the music business, never be scared to take a risk. Take it from me, someone who’s had about 100 gimmicks and has portrayed all kinds of different characters onstage from dressing up as a cowboy to playing a Baptist priest, I’ve done it all. Read more>>

Craig Morfett

Successful entrepreneurs have one thing in common: fear. A lot of people bet everything they have on their ventures – their money, their time, their day jobs. With so much at stake, we are understandably terrified of failure. Read more>>

Lola Loveletter

Deciding to leave the safety net of a classroom and performing burlesque on public stages is a big risk in many ways, especially if it’s not your full time job. Read more>>

Senna Leith

When I was 15, I took the risk of deciding to specialize within the sport of snowboarding and chase a career racing professional snowboardcross. I was an avid, competitive snowboarder up until this point, but I hadn’t chosen a specific discipline to specialize in. I had come to a crossroads in which path I wanted to take with my snowboarding. I knew that I loved racing snowboardcross, and it was a sport that I had a decent amount of natural talent to build upon. Read more>>

Plaboni Sharif

The most significant risk I’ve ever taken was quitting my 9-5 to pursue my passion for modeling and content creation. Looking from the outside, leaving a full-time, salaried job in tech for something not nearly as stable can be considered highly irresponsible, especially during a recession. However, it would’ve been more irresponsible to abandon my dreams for a job that provided financial stability in place of my happiness. Read more>>

Katrin Braddell

I’m 2013 I packed my suitcase and moved to St.Thomas, an island in the US Virgin Islands. I left family, friends, my established live behind to explore a new world with new opportunities. Being German growing up in a small village I moved to London when I was 19 years old where I spent almost nine years working in hospitality management for some of London ‘s best hotels. Read more>>

ChiChi Pai$o

When it comes to this music thing you got to take a risk. I’m a gambler so that came easy to me. I left my family and everything I love and my city Birmingham,Alabama 3 years ago, and touched ever major city or what ppl think are the major cities in America. Chasing Paper and my dream. I touched both but along that way I lost a lot but had to see what was for me and what wasn’t. Me taking the risk made me a better person, artist, more importantly a better human being. Read more>>

Maddie Haydon

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken recently is the leap into my small baking business as a full-time job. I was previously an elementary teacher for ten years, and took custom cookie orders in my free time as a side hustle. Last year, I was feeling a bit jaded in the education world and knew that I could potentially take my business full time by taking custom orders and teaching cookie decorating classes. Read more>>

Patricia Willis

I was in a very toxic and abusive relationship. I was a single mom church going girl , living in the East Los Angeles project with a very loving family trying to find my way in today’s society. But growing up has a child I was taught how to love care and forgive anyone that may bring harm into my life, if it’s safe too say having family values was our household motto. As I grew up I wanted to make an impact on others so I went to college and there I met my children father. Read more>>

Jennifer Brindley Ubl

Risk-taking seems to be a core value in my life. It first began at the age of 20 when I walked out of my junior year in college on the first day. I had a deep feeling that pursuing further education was not where I was supposed to be. I didn’t have a clear vision of my future, or where I was meant to be. I just knew that it wasn’t in school. Listening to my inner voice was more important than having the long-term plan. Read more>>

Kristen Achziger

As many online business owners will tell you, social media marketing takes a significant amount of time and energy that doesn’t always feel like it yields comparable results. In 2021, I took a massive risk hoping to change that. Read more>>

Antonio Higgins

Initially I wanted to get a job at a design studio as a graphic designer. This was what I went to school for but ended up in the supply chain industry career wise. This was before the pandemic and most companies were not really open to people looking to change their career paths or in my case industries all together. I felt the choice of hiring me vs hiring a recent graphic designer grad was going to be a huge hurdle to jump in the eyes of the companies I was applying to. Read more>>

Darek Thomas

I think as a podcast host you put yourself “at risk” every time you publish an episode, share an opinion and genuinely put yourself out there. Starting a podcast itself is a huge risk, regardless of format. That being said, My “Risk” was going from an audio only podcast to being on camera (YouTube). I was really hesitant about making the transition to YouTube and going on camera. I was used to being off camera, doing an audio only interview, looking at my notes and just getting into a rhythm. That being said, I was not getting complacent but I wanted more. Read more>>

Caila Coleman

You have caught me in the midst of my risk. Read more>>

Kendale Walker

Risks are tough…..I take a risk every time I walk on a stage. You never know who you will be singing to and whether or not they will like you. First of all it’s It is very hard being sixteen and trying to book a gig to be able to sing at. People don’t trust I can sing at such a young age then to get on the stage in front of patrons is also a big risk. If I can get people to have faith and take the risk on me being on stage I feel they would be happy with what they hear and see Read more>>

Joy Rowe

A big risk taken is never taken with a light heart. I have spent much of my time living for other people’s dreams, helping other people fulfil daily goals and during that time, I knew there was so much more that I should be doing for myself, The biggest risk I have ever taken was to leave a regular 9-5 job and pursue my dream of creating a clothing brand. Read more>>

Katie Moise

I believe taking the leap of faith and opening my own pelvic floor physical therapy practice is one of the biggest risks I have taken. I knew I had a passion for working with women during pregnancy and postpartum and knew there was a need for access to better care in the greater Atlanta area, but taking the leap to actually open my own practice was scary. Read more>>

Boubacar or Leo Diallo

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY in Flatbush. However, I am originally from West Africa a country called Guinea. The first risk taken was my father bringing me to the States at the age of 2 without my mother. The risk had to be taken in order for me to get an education and different opportunities because back home there were none and my father wanted to give me a fair shot at life. Eventually, throughout the years I graduated High School & College. Read more>>

NaijaKhloe

They say “if you don’t succeed try and try again”. The key word in that quote is TRY. How will you succeed if you don’t even try. We often hold ourselves back because of fear of what if, but on the other hand what if everything goes well, what if it goes as planned. Wouldn’t that be worth experiencing. Read more>>

Sherelle Reed

As a child I was always taught to go to school, get a degree, get a job and work at least 20-30 years until retirement. That was the goal and I pursued it with everything I had! I have always been a person who loves to serve people in some capacity. I began my career as a Corporate Instructor at a Fortune 500 Company, and I loved my job! I had the amazing opportunity to give new hires a head start in their new careers. Read more>>

Irene Kaia

Starting my own small business, a women’s clothing boutique, was the biggest fear of my life. I had always known since I was 12 that I wanted to be my own boss, and create something of my own. It wasn’t until another 12 years later that I had finally gathered the courage to pursue my passion despite all my fears and the obstacles that were obstructing my path. Read more>>

Drew Stevens

Being an Independent Artist in any space is taking Massive risk. You bet on yourself 24/7. Not only as an artist, but as a content creator/digital marketer/advertiser/promoter/web designer. The list goes on and on. Social media has certainly removed certain gatekeepers from the equation but the flip side of that is the expectation that all the aforementioned skill sets be handled in house. Ultimately this is a win if you’re dedicated to the pursuit. Read more>>

Jess Beyer

For about 18 months, I drove past an old vacant dance studio in my town and said over and over again, “Someone needs to make that a yoga studio! It’s the perfect location!” Read more>>

Tonye Denise Lattimore

My whole life has been full of taking risks! BUT I will say my biggest risk was getting my divorce in 2009. I was married for 11 years in total and I will say that there was not a year that I did not contemplate divorce. I met him when I moved to Illinois from Milwaukee when I was 17 years old. Read more>>

Syd Linkletter

I took a risk in November 2022 because I quit my day job. I’ve been an artist for more than 5 years, I’ve done professional work for brands and businesses, but I had a hard time making ends meet because finding the work was the hardest part. For people who work in a creative field, you know how seasonal projects can be. Literally. The summer time is booming, and then once fall and winter roll around things tend to get quiet. Read more>>

Catherine Figueroa

“No risk, no story.” I love this saying for so many reason. I believe our life is so much more than a list of success and failures. It’s about the stories we create for our lives. Our legacy. The wisdom we obtain, and the impact me make along the way. In 2021 I took a big risk. I’ve worked in marketing and public relations for 11+ years. It’s all that I knew and my comfort. I knew how to work in marketing, I knew social media and how to make strategy. Read more>>

Jordan Deer Heart Ix Mazatl Ol-Si

I would say the biggest risk I’ve ever taken was starting my own business and practice in the beginning of 2017. This meant leaving my salaried career job and the stabilities and benefits it came with. This job was something I worked very hard to attain, and spent about a decade trying to make happen. You could say it was my dream job, but once I got there and saw behind the curtain, it quickly became a soul-draining experience and after two years it did not improve. Read more>>

Dawn Fay

I started dancing at the age of three and went on to dance professionally starting at age 16. My dance career spanned 22 years, and I am incredibly fortunate to continue my journey in dance as the President of Wonderbound, a nonprofit contemporary ballet company based in Denver. Wonderbound is my life, and the risk taken is directly related. During COVID-19, we at Wonderbound made the decision to keep our dancers and staff employed. We did not conduct layoffs, furloughs or salary cuts, and Wonderbound was one of only five dance companies in the country to have done so. Read more>>

Jillian Carroll Letrinko

I quit my job. I was well into my career as a 3rd grade teacher and more than 3/4 of the way to receiving my Master’s of Educational Administration when my Dad, my hero, lost his battle with cancer. Read more>>

Jessica Schenkel

Two of my greatest friends had a dream to start From The Top Glamping and they dove in. They grew an amazing company with the most professional marketing, the most practical and aesthetically pleasing tent set ups, and were booked almost every single weekend in their first year. Their decision to sell came from changes in both of their personal lives and it was very hard for them to let go until Fate and I came forward. Read more>>

Nikki L’Esperance

It was the fall of 2020, I was in a massage session (as the massage therapist), and I heard a voice. At that moment, it was so real, I literally looked at the ceiling and responded in my head. That voice told me, “You’re going to open a massage school in the next year.” I responded (internally), with “you’re crazy.” To give you some context, I had five kids, two of which were four month old twins. Read more>>

Jasmine Sjöberg Sidibe

I believe that without risk it can not be any success in life. I have taken many risks in my career and that is something I embrace. Just to move to another place in the world – I have don’t that several times. You never know how you really going to adapt or if it is going to work at all. But one of the best risks I ever took was getting into modelling. Read more>>

Hollie Blanchard

My motto is all they can say is no… and if you never ask you will never have a yes fall upon you to open that right door. I grew up rather shy, afraid to use my voice in school for fear of all eyes upon me… I guess really in any situation. I mean I was a smart girl, had a great group of friends around me, but I lacked confidence. Read more>>

Sara Griffith

I think the biggest risk I took was taking a leap of faith and hoping I’d land on my feet! I don’t think it was necessarily one decision, but an accumulation of small decisions that continued to build momentum until I believed I could be an artist without a safety net. I still have several side hustles and a full time remote job which allows me to work from my mural locations and while traveling. Read more>>

DeJon Johnson

9 months ago I decided to make a major change and move to Denver, CO. Prior to moving I had just secured a television deal with GMT Studios for The Syrup Room. I was also providing media and promoting major festivals, concerts, and events throughout Texas. Exactly two days after attending SXSW I decided to make the move. Read more>>

Them Damn Mexicans

Quitting my job after 14 years to “start my own business.” I took some money and invested in myself. Printed up some shirts with my logo and sold out instantly. The rest is history. I’ve sold shirts all across the country. Read more>>

Kristina Bethea

When I decided to go full on entrepreneur back in 2019/2020 was the real risk. I had took the risk back in 2017 but was too dependent on the 9-5. When the opportunity presented itself, I took the leap and found ways to monetize my skill set and be a value to others. Read more>>

Morgan Kelly

For me entering into the entrepreneurial world was taking a huge risk. I am the first person in my immediate family to really go against the grain, and do things differently. I knew I wanted more, and I also felt like I had a higher calling on my life, so I took a leap of faith, and created my own businesses. I mainly feel like it was a risk because I did not have any one to look up to for advice or help. I really had to pave my own way, and figure things out as I went along. Read more>>

Aaron John Gregory

My t-shirt brand is called Cotton Crustacean and features illustrated designs, drawn by me, of prehistoric and other interesting and rare animal life. Sharks and dinosaurs are our bread and butter. Read more>>

Jessica Higgins

During Covid, I decided to make a career change. I was doing sales in Nashville, TN and was really unhappy. Skincare had always been something that I was interested in and had affected my life personally. I decided to take that time and invest most of my savings to go to esthetician school. I then spent another year shadowing and learning from other professionals who all encouraged me to open my own studio. Another huge risk. Read more>>

Gillian Curry Williams

In 2010 I was was sewing running a business but felt like I was not accomplishing anything, like all I was doing was existing. Was in the process of finalizing a divorce and was not feeling to good about my self or my circumstances. I got a call from a friend of mine who told me that i needed to fill out applications in order to apply to schools. Read more>>

Keeya Allen

You have to bet on yourself and your dreams! If you can dream it, it is possible. I was able to get to the point I am at in my career by trusting the vision that was given to me. Sometimes that isn’t always pretty because people will share their opinions, project their hesitations or insecurities unto you and sometimes attempt to discredit your abilities. Read more>>

Chayla Hope

My career as a solo artist began with the biggest professional risk I’ve ever taken: leaving my band of 10 years and job pressing vinyl at Gotta Groove Records on the same day. It was scary, but being selected to sing the theme song for Care Bears: Unlock The Magic just a couple months prior gave me the confidence I needed to break out of my creative cocoon. The resulting two year metamorphosis into pop music has been a difficult, but wonderful journey of growth that has taught me so much about myself. I wouldn’t change it for the world. Read more>>

Shelly Pinto

As an Artist I am learning to be out of my comfort zone. Writing about my artwork and public speaking has always been terrifying to me. I spend much of my time working alone so talking about myself and life has never been easy for me. Read more>>

Rachel Rickert

At the end of 2021, after 10 years of living in New York, I left. I first moved to New York when I was 21, right out of college, and it is where I started and built my career. It was hard to admit that I did not want to live there anymore. I felt, as an artist, I had to be there. Friends, peers, and mentors told me I had to be there, that I couldn’t leave. But I needed to see what else was out there, I needed physical and mental distance from the “art world” of it all. I needed an adventure, so I left. Read more>>

Darius Winborn

I took a risk being the voice and the motivation in my city and county of Lorain. In a time where people do not want to commit and invest in their neighborhoods or in the youth and what we have in our community. We could be better than what it is today. I took the risk in starting The Grind League. Read more>>

Valencia Neptune

As a young child, I was always singing and participating in extracurricular activities. I was always creative. When I watched musicals, or Disney channel, New York was the place to be, my mere dream. Who knew, after I received my Masters in music I would journey to New York to chase after my dream of being on broadway. After much prayer, advice and courage, I packed my 3 bedroom, 1 ½ bath home into my Jeep Liberty and began to drive those 11 hours to New Jersey from Columbia, SC, alone. Read more>>

Dominique LaTrice

I’m not a follower, I asked God is this what I’m supposed to be doing? because I don’t want to do anything else.. I’ve risked clocking in at a regular job because I want to do what my heart desires and I never listen to the outside world. We all have our own time, path and goals. That’s my philosophy daily! Read more>>

Tori Lord

When I was a senior in high school, I never wanted to go to a large university. I came from a small town and didn’t want to be one in a million. I applied to Penn State just “to see if I could get in” as it is a difficult state school to get accepted. I was all set to go to a smaller school but when I thought about it, I realized I worked way too hard in school to sell myself short. Read more>>

kat alyst

A question I often get the most is how I got started. I spent years putting off learning “what I wanted” to do. Always saying, “I wish this, I wish that I… WANT… to do that”, only never making the first step toward it. I think a lot of times people don’t know how to get started, and of course, whereas some do, that’s a great skill to have. If someone is like me and not sure where to go for step one, I highly suggest a non-traditional way of facing that, and it’s simply diving right in. Read more>>

Fatha Lee

Taking risk for me is a way of life! One example is me quitting my job in 2019 to pursue my music full time. I was working for FedEx as an Operations Coordinator and doing music on the side. At one point I felt that I was more focused on my 9-5 job than my true passion which is music. So I decided to quit and take a leap of faith. I’ve been going strong ever since. Things aren’t always easy but I definitely am grateful for the choice I made and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Read more>>

Matel Rokke

Armed with a Masters in Fine Arts I opened a boutique in 2007. It was a risk, a big one for sure but I was ready to take it on. I wasn’t completely green as I had worked in other small businesses in the community for years but looking back I had absolutely no idea what I was doing and I may not even now. After receiving my degree in 2004 I moved back to Nebraska with no clue what was next. Read more>>

Lashunika Hicks

In 2019, I started my job with the school system. I was working in the special education department and during this time I discovered how much I enjoyed helping students with their academic struggles. I had started my tutoring business shortly after and during that time the Covid-19 was introduced to the world. I started using my services to help support parents at home. What was once a side hustle turned into a business. Read more>>

Recee Neacole

Growing up I was always full of personality and big dreams. Usually when anyone would ask me. “Recee what do you want to do when you grow up”, my response would always be, “Something Big”, I had no idea what that “something big” was but soon I would need a direct answer for that question. Adulthood, for me, started at an early age. I had my daughter at 15 and had no idea what our future would hold. Read more>>

Lamark Plaskett

The biggest risk I ever took was moving to Atlanta with a dream and $600. I was suppose to get a big radio job, not only did I not get the job but I was suffering from depression, anxiety and missing my family that was now 750 miles away. But I learned so much about myself and to trust the process and of course GOD! I decided to move back to NY and give up radio but a major opportunity (still can’t speak of it) happened as soon as I moved back, so that was my sign to keep pursuing my dreams. Read more>>

Dr. Megan Johnson McCullough

Opening my fitness studio, Every BODY’s Fit, was a huge risk that I had to take a chance on. Ten years ago, at age 26, I decided that being a corporate personal trainer was no longer serving me. At that time I had a Masters degree and was making minimum wage and very restricted in how I could operate my schedule and how I could help my clients. Read more>>

Abbey Kobylinski

I never planned to start a business. I started a business on accident and it’s the happiest accident of my life. Let’s go back a few steps and let me set the scene: it’s March 2020 and I’m a teacher. We were all sent home for Spring Break with a lot of uncertainty and not a lot of answers. We didn’t return to our classrooms that semester and I immediately became a remote teacher. Read more>>

Kian Meadon

Being a professional athlete means you will always need to find out where home is. By this, I mean that you can get drafted, traded, or relocated to a new club or travel after an opportunity at any given time. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my young career was relocating abroad from home (South Africa). Read more>>

Amber Jacobson

I’ve never been a big risk taker, I’ve always aired on the side of caution especially when it comes to my career. At the end of December 2020 I started my business, Mountain Meadow Therapeutics. At the time I was working for an employer and started to realize that I had something unique to offer and wanted to run a wellness practice in my own way. Read more>>

Amy Brown

It seemed like an obvious decision. Get out while I still had some semblance of passion and sanity intact. But, after 18 years of being in education, there was a sense of guilt looming for wanting to take the risk to try something else. I felt like I was not only abandoning a system into which I had poured so much–but also countless children and their families. But, with so many factors weighing against me staying (the typical things people hear: Read more>>

Audrey Tappan

I love my career and the life I have but I wouldn’t be here if I had never taken a risk. If I had never said “f*ck it” I wouldn’t have the career I have today. I’ve always wanted to live in NYC but life was leading me down a different path, so I went along with it. But one day I didn’t want to go along anymore. My lease was ending so I sold (almost) everything I owned, packed my car with the essentials, and move to New York City. Read more>>

Gerardo Becerril

My biggest risk was leaving my family to chase the dream to become someone in the nightlife industry, not having a personal to losing friends to fulfill my dream. Read more>>

Rachel Swigart

I had been wanting to fully execute launching my business for years prior to it ever happening. Though I had grown up in the cabinet shop beneath my 2nd generation woodworking father, I never even considered this field. That is until I was a parent myself, in need of a flexible side income and creative outlet. I also wanted it to be something that contributed to the community and planet, shifting from VOC products to non toxic ones and somehow supporting wildfire survivors and our drought burdened Sierras. Read more>>

Johnias Winters

There’s Always Going To Be Risk And Reward . Before You Succeed You Have To Fail At Some Point . Starting Out With Photography Wasn’t Always Easy. There Were Times I Didn’t Understand The Lighting And Surroundings. But Through Trial And Error I Was Able To Succeed. Read more>>

Heather Blake

I’m sitting at a bar with one of my good friends. I look across the table ( after several drinks) and I tell her. “I’m going to open my shop”. Naturally, she totally supports me and tells me it’s a great idea. She grabs the necklace I made her for Christmas and she says “ This is beautiful and other people need these.” I had a shop 4 years earlier. I was hand painting on tote bags and selling them. They were beautiful. Read more>>

Lianna Alexander

My life is and has been an interesting one! I am unusual – in the sense that I have had to create my own lane to fit into. As a preacher/Bible teacher, I have an unusual ministry that is still being established. I don’t (currently) have a physical place where people can come and listen to my teaching, yet I am gaining followers everyday through social media. Read more>>

Phil Ross

When I lost my job in 2004 making over $150,000 in the corporate world, I decided to go and build my own business. I had to pay for a mortgage, alimony, child support and my various living expenses. I took all of my available funds, leveraged my home and put my money, time and full focus on building my martial art and fitness facility. Read more>>

Christa Kalk

In 2015, we started as a small gift shop with 35 local artists in a 350 square foot space. Within the year, we grew to 65 artists and made a leap into a larger space with a maker room for craft classes. Over the next couple of years, we opened a second location, experienced the Covid shutdown, and on a giant leap of faith in the middle of the pandemic in August 2020, we opened a third location. It has been a wild ride, and we are thrilled to be coming up on 8 years in business with an incredible following for our gift stores, the artists we represent, and our craft classes. Read more>>

Marqus Cowan

The biggest risk was taking my life savings and investing in myself for the betterment of my family’s future and mine! Read more>>

Drew D’Andrea

Taking a risk is starting a buisness fresh out of school…not only freshly graduated but during COVID! Oral healthcare is something that goes unnoticed until the pain comes . Read more>>