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.
Fernando Tipacti Jr.
A significant, life-changing risk I took was moving from New Jersey to Savannah, Georgia, to pursue my MFA in Performing Arts. In September 2019, as I began my senior year of undergraduate studies, I was uncertain about my plans for after graduation and knew time was moving quickly. During this period, my late professor, Mary Ellen, encouraged me to consider graduate school. In January 2020, I auditioned at the URTAs (University Resident Theatre Association auditions) in New York City, a prestigious event where top MFA performing arts programs from across the country and internationally scout for new talent. I was fortunate to receive callbacks from many programs, but after careful consideration, I chose to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to further my education. Read more>>
Noah Bauer
One of the biggest risks I’ve taking is abandoning the security of safe, steady jobs in order to establish a fulltime career in music. I’d wanted to do music for my whole life, but was routinely counselled to pick a reliable and realistic career path, so for many years, I acquiesced. I learned music as a hobby, beginning with piano in 3rd grade and then percussion in middle and high school band. For career preparation, I tried to figure out a career path that didn’t sound soul-crushing, then went to college to get a degree and join the work force. Brainstorming and imagining countless career paths throughout grade school, and then dabbling in a diverse sampling of college courses, I still struggled to find anything that sounded realistic, livable, and enjoyable simultaneously. I bounced around between majors for a couple years, then in my third year of college, I started getting more deeply into music. I began learning guitar, songwriting, and jamming with friends, which fanned the flames of my passion, so I decided to switch to a music major against all pragmatism. I quickly realized that the music program was more of a curriculum for training band teachers and standardized music education, rather than a place to hone in on musical individuality and finding my own voice, so a semester or two after, I left the program to try my hand at others. Read more>>
Michael Valoppi
Michael Valoppi and Victoria Hatfield-Valoppi are the Owners of Blue Feather Healing & Growth Center. Opening Blue Feather Healing & Growth Center in a rural community was quite a risk and a true leap of faith. We offer a metaphysical healing space providing energy healing, sound baths, massage, Reiki, crystal attunements, astrological, tarot, and medicine card readings. Other services include drum circles, guided meditations, Yoga and Pilates, and workshops and classes focused on deep self-exploration and healing. We also have a full metaphysical store stocked with crystals, incense, journals and books, musical instruments, and other items that support personal spiritual growth. Edgewood, New Mexico has an above-average number of churches per capita, and as we were creating the space, many warned us to be cautious. Some questioned whether we were prepared for potential backlash from the organized religious community. Victoria and I were determined to move forward with our plan, trusting that it was the right time and place. After weeks of preparation and with the help of friends, we opened the center on June 25, 2024. Read more>>
Michelle Rusk
Being a creative is inherently risky. In a world full of dreamers, artists, and creatives, nothing is guaranteed. Pursuing one of the largest industries in the world—music—can feel like swimming upstream at an unimaginable pace. Following a professional path in music is not for the faint of heart, but it is indeed a journey led by your heart. Following your heart is a significant risk, but also the most rewarding one. I have always deeply resonated with music and dance as outlets to express my emotions. You know when you hear a song that perfectly captures a feeling you’re experiencing, even if you can’t quite explain it? Dancing is the ideal physical complement to that feeling. Music has always felt larger than life to me. Read more>>
Jon Francois
I had worked in commercial radio for eight years. Creatively, I had great moments as a commentator on pop culture and personal life stories to my listening audience. At the end of the day, I had my limits because I was working for someone else. I was representing their brand instead of my authentic own. My stories had to be 30-45 seconds going into a commercial break or 5-10 seconds under an instrumental song intro. Yes, I became talented at doing that, but after a while, the fulfillment in representing my true self just wasn’t there anymore. I wasn’t getting paid what I was worth, despite having to give up some of my weekends in addition to the weekday schedule. Basic holiday or summer vacation time off was a challenge to get. I was making a lot of compromises for the sake of the radio business norms, and after eight years, I was done with it. Read more>>
Hannah Proffitt
Taking risks can be nerve-wracking, but they’ve also led to some of the best experiences of my life. One major risk was moving to Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2013 to teach without knowing anyone. I arrived in a bustling city filled with vibrant culture and faced the challenge of adapting to a new environment. Initially overwhelming, it turned into an incredible journey that deepened my connection with my students and taught me about resilience and adaptability. The friendships I formed and the experiences I gained in the classroom reshaped my perspective on teaching and life. Another significant risk I took was stepping away from the classroom after eleven years to spend a year in Hawaii without a set job. This leap into the unknown allowed me to try different roles and explore new passions. I discovered my love for baking while experimenting with recipes in my free time, which eventually led me to open a small bakery after returning home. Both experiences were not what I initially expected, but they turned out to be some of the best decisions I’ve made. I’m grateful for these opportunities that taught me the value of taking risks and following my passions. Read more>>
Abhishek Singh
One of the biggest risks I ever took was moving halfway across the world at the age of 18 to pursue a career in art. Up until then, my life was centered around academics, with my parents nudging me towards a path in medicine. Growing up in India, it seemed like the “safe” and expected route. But everything changed when, at 14, I discovered my passion for painting. What started as a hobby soon became something more. I enrolled in art classes, and over the next few years, my love for painting deepened. By the time I was 17, I knew I wanted to turn my passion into a career, despite the uncertainty that lay ahead. Taking that leap wasn’t easy. I applied to the Savannah College of Art and Design in the U.S., a place I had only ever seen in brochures and websites. The moment I got accepted, I knew I had a difficult decision to make. Moving across the globe—alone, to a country I had never been to—felt incredibly daunting. It was a world away from the comfort of home, family, and familiarity. Read more>>
Aaron Soto
For twelve years, I had dedicated myself to working at a church, immersing myself in every role that came my way. I poured my heart into building and empowering teams, fostering a culture of excellence. Despite my efforts, there were moments when I felt like an elephant squeezed into a tuna can—full of potential but confined by limitations. I was doing what I know is my calling, but the path forward was often shrouded in uncertainty. As time went on, the choice became inevitable: should I continue down this path or make a change? The decision was agonizing. Leaving behind a decade of blood, sweat, tears, and countless sacrifices felt like ripping away a piece of myself. Friendships made in the tough times, countless hours of effort, and the very essence of my professional identity were up in the air. Read more>>
Edie Rasmussen
I used to believe that taking risks meant diving headfirst into the unknown with no plan, but the 2008 recession showed me the value of taking calculated risks—and how they can truly pay off. In 2007, I was going through a divorce, moving back to my home state to be closer to family and friends, and caught between jobs when the recession hit—just as I was about to turn 40. I had no idea that I was about to face one of the most challenging periods of my life. Finding a job had never been an issue for me. I loved working, and employers appreciated me. I often switched jobs, driven by the excitement of trying new things—though, looking back, undiagnosed ADHD played a significant role in my restlessness. I had been teaching at the college level and working as an academic advisor, so I assumed landing a job at the local university would be a breeze. I was wrong. The job market was shifting, making it nearly impossible to find a decent-paying job with good benefits. Read more>>
Joey Zeledón
coming out as trans very publicly and then giving a talk at a design conference about identity, being trans, and design. Why was that risky? I had recently started my studio. It’s already hard enough starting out to find steady clients and build a business while fitting into social norms. I knew by doing this it could set me back in achieving my business goals. How it turned out?The pros outweigh the cons. It was worth it. At the end of the day, I am happier with myself –who I am and what I stand for. I have more of an authentic spark in my work. And, I can focus my energy on opportunities with people who resonate with me and my work. It also gave me a new found purpose as a designer, using my craft and my talents for a higher purpose in design activism. Read more>>
Cassandra Hess
I have always enjoyed the arts. Being creative with my hands and with my thinking is just who I am. When career day happened in high school, back in the 90’s, it wasn’t acceptable to choose the artist path. “You can’t make money being an artist.” Those words were far too commonly heard amongst anyone who desired to take the artists path. So, I felt it was appropriate to pick business as my ultimate career path. However, the problem with that for me was that I made terrible grades in school. I found it very hard to focus or to find interest in anything other than creating art. After thinking a bit more on this, I had learned that college was not my only option. Trade schools had become more and more desirable amongst a lot of students. For me it was the answer. I decided to go to Cosmetology school and then ultimately the goal would be able to work my way through college. The dream was to one day be able to own my own business/salon. This was the plan that started me on my way. Read more>>
Daniel Garner
Risk taking has never been my strong suit. In fact, I’d say I’m rather adverse to taking risks- but I’d like to tell you about my journey to Los Angeles and the risk of failure so many of us have felt when moving to a big city. At age 19, I was fresh out of high school and eager to learn more about audio and the music scene in general. I had started my dance music project – ‘Aurient’ about a year prior to moving to LA, with a bit of online notoriety and a signing to a small swedish label. My plan was to start an internship in a studio that could give me the hands-on experience I needed in order to move forward. For two years I would wake up early and clean studios, run errands for talent, and if I was lucky- soak up valuable knowledge from the producers and engineers there. At times it felt pointless, as if I was only there to help with menial tasks- forever remaining an intern when I wanted so badly to be playing shows and working with other artists. Other times I felt like a valued member of the team, offering my skill where it counted. Ultimately I was let go, likely due to my being distracted with a new girlfriend or just lacking enthusiasm for the work, but I walked away from the internship having learned a lot and it felt good to get my feet wet in this industry. Read more>>
Rebecca Cuje
At 26, I seemingly had it all. Working a six-figure job in one of the most iconic buildings in the world—the Empire State Building—my life was a blend of success, security, and the fast-paced “work hard, play hard” culture that often defines corporate America. I ate out at trendy spots multiple times a week, attended exclusive events, and had a career that many dream of. But what no one saw was the growing discomfort inside me, a nagging feeling that there was something missing. Over the years, I’d built a life that checked all the right boxes—a stable job, an impressive salary, a charming boyfriend, and an exciting social life. But along the way, it just started to feel like something was off. I couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, but deep down, I knew there was something more out there for me. Yet, instead of facing that feeling, I did what I’d always done: I minimized it. I was an expert at suppressing emotions, so I threw myself into my work, climbed the corporate ladder, partied hard, and made sure to please everyone around me – convincing myself that this was the life I was supposed to live. But in quiet moments, when the distractions fell away, the same thought kept creeping back: “Is this all there is?” Read more>>
Ellie Reav
The biggest risk I have ever taken in regards to my practice was deciding right after graduating school that I would start my own practice without the help or experience of working in a clinic. I knew when I started my massage therapy program that I wanted to change the narrative of integrative body work. Too often I would speak to my clients about feeling hopeless in their pain and dysfunction and each time they would explain to me how many practitioners they had visited to resolve the dysfunction, unfortunately with no results. I knew that I wanted to change the narrative and restore trust back into the field from the client perspective and I also knew I didn’t want to be limited in a practice that I couldn’t curate to be my own. Therefore, I started out completely in the dark not knowing if I’d be able to build up my practice or how long it would take for me to do so. It was a risk worth taking for me. To strive for success and fail in the name of something greater, rather than limit myself in a setting I knew didn’t speak to my heart and wouldn’t give me the same opportunity. Today I can confidently say the risk was worth taking. Read more>>
Dr. Helene Darmanin
When Covid hit and the world shut down, I had been back at work for only 6 weeks since my maternity leave, and I was so grateful to have the extra time with my baby. I started seeing all my clients virtually through the practice I had been working at, and foudn they were still able to make excellent progress. I realized that this was because the most effective physical therapy interventions according to research were patient education and exercise. These tools put the power into the hands of my clients, without them feeling that they had to rely on me. I also realized that it was a lot easier for new and expecting moms to make the time and energy to see a PT in the comfort of their own homes. I had needed PT when I was newly postpartum with my first child, and it was a struggle to figure out how to get to a clinic, and what to do with my baby while I was there. Read more>>
Michelle Larson
Right after college I was eager to start my career. Working 3 part-time jobs, building up that resume & making sure that I was gaining enough experience to really “make it” in that profession. I was working in the field of Recreation & Wellness with the big dream that people will start healthy habits early in life and continue them throughout their adulthood. I really had a big mission- to create a safe space for people to feel well, move their bodies and ultimately stay healthy. However, it was shortly after I experienced my own decline in health that my professional field no longer felt relevant. I was the most active person that I knew. I was eating “healthy” (for what I knew to be so at that time) and was camping, hiking, running, playing soccer & broomball competitively – multiple nights per week, and still was actually struggling to maintain any sort of energy balance. Most of my symptoms had been things that I was experiencing since childhood, so I truly never even believed that there was anything “wrong”. Read more>>
Alariza Nevarez
First, there are three minds behind the idea of our business. We are Kerstin, Hadiyyah and Alariza and the three of us are the evil geniuses who founded Run Amuck Studios, Inc. The three of us met as actors for a previous theatre company that closed its doors in 2019. This company specialized in immersive theatre for audiences of all ages. For five years we performed original shows and performed at venues including traditional theatres, Schools and Non-tradition perfromance spaces like bars, community centers and even people’s homes. After four years of not doing the theatre that we love, because of the pandemic, we chose to take matters into our own hands and do something about it. Thus Run Amuck Entertainment LLC, our flagship company, was born. Read more>>
Keira Moore
Eight years ago I hit a wall—professionally and personally- after spending a decade pouring everything into my career in behavior analysis, I found myself completely burned out. The journey had been grueling: a three-year master’s program, followed by five intense years in a doctoral program, all while working full-time with children and teens with autism. The clients I worked with had severe challenges like aggression, self-injury, tantrums, and destruction. While I loved my job, it was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting. My life outside of work barely existed—no social life, no self-care, and often, no sleep. In 2015, I had finally completed my PhD and landed what I thought was my dream job: creating and directing a new division for a growing program serving children with autism. But less than a year in, I realized the dream was more of a nightmare. I found myself in a poorly-run, misogynistic workplace, with little support. Burnout hit me like a tidal wave, and my mental and physical health started to crumble. I felt like I was drowning, clinging to the only lifeline I had—a newfound passion for flying trapeze. Read more>>
Melissa Endean
I took a huge risk when I decided to re-enter the music industry in 2022. A little backstory: I grew up in a family of professional country musicians, so in many ways, I was born into the “trade”, so to speak. I pursued it professionally throughout my early 20s, but after becoming a single mom, music took a backseat. I pursued a career in mental health for several years, but something was missing from my life, and I realized that music was calling me back in a not so subtle way. I decided that, for better or worse, I would try and rebuild my career as a country music artist. I knew it would be a huge undertaking. It had been hard enough balancing a full-time job and two young kids under the age of five without throwing into the mix a professional music career. The music industry is notoriously unpredictable, at best, and chaotic at it’s absolute worst. Read more>>
Dj Shattine
I’m no stranger to risk in my professional, creative or personal life. But one of the risks I faced was when my older brother wanted to go running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. He did a lot of the research, planned and booking reservations for the trip. We looked into a lot of the details and had to start our planning at least a year out from when the event would occur in 2018. We flew over and drove in Spain with both my brothers and their wives. We were all in one giant van. We had a lot of wonderful experiences before the event in Pamplona. We picked up the traditional garments to wear and the day prior to the event, it was my 34th birthday. In Pamplona they throw a big party the day prior so we went and hung out in the crowds for the day while everyone was throwing sangria all over everyone else in the crowds. Read more>>
Rachel Newsome
I left the very toxic environment I was working in, during the pandemic of 2020. Salons were shutting down and I knew this was my chance to go out on my own even if it was during the riskiest time ever. I opened my first business, a suite salon, in a new city. My old boss told me I’d never make it. I quickly outgrew that suite and opened a bigger suite in a nicer part of the city. I grew that business and decided to open an actual space with stylists working under me. I met a girl along the way with the same vision and we opened a 4 chair salon in 2022. The salon grew fast and I knew we’d need a bigger space shortly. My business partner was having her first baby and knew she couldn’t go bigger. She stepped down and I took over solo looking for a bigger space. As I was doing this, a stylist that came to work with us immediately, wanted to buy in as my partner and go bigger. We opened an 8 chair salon, plus two esthetic suites in the busiest part of the city in 2024. Taking the risk to leave my old salon in the height of the pandemic with odds stacked against me was the best risk I’ve ever taken. Read more>>
Emily Eklof
About five years ago I was working for a software company, feeling incredibly pressured to desire and strive for success in a way that didn’t feel like me. I was reaching a breaking point, crying in my office from stress, upping appointments with my therapist and desperately looking for another career – but I had no idea where to start. To add to the complexity, my long term partner and I were looking to buy a house and move in together for the first time. Which is how I found myself, in December of 2018, leaving the only “adult” job I’d ever had, taking a 50% pay cut and signing a 30–year mortgage with my partner. I never would have been able to make that leap if it weren’t for my extreme corporate burnout and the support of my partner and family. Read more>>
Whitney Rice
My whole career has been a risk. Before I became an actor and writer, I was a speech coach and professor. I taught public speaking and argumentation at CSU Northridge and CSU Long Beach, and coached the speech team at CSU Long Beach. I loved teaching and seeing students overcome their stage fright. I also loved coaching the speech team and watching my students perform at tournaments all over the country. But, I always felt like there was something missing in my life. Like I was settling for the safe option — an option that really wasn’t true to “Whitney.” I’ve always been drawn to writing and performing; throughout my childhood, I would lock myself in my room and write books (there’s one story I wrote about a group of kids taking a wild journey to the center of the earth that involves gigantic friendly earthworms and I feel like it has a chance at a book deal). In college, I got the performance bug after I joined the speech team and started winning titles at national tournaments. I always wanted to try the damn thing and see if I could make my talents a career. I was afraid, but I also knew that if I didn’t at least try, I’d spend my life wondering: “What if?” Read more>>
John Hakiem Michaiel
Well. I’ll try to make it like a nice game cause all topics could fit within the story. Respect to the points creator I assume you did. – taking a risk. Is the title of leaving my home country and leaving Germany which was kind of second home. To come to U.S in a quite late age.37 years old. N leave behind a big resume and the culture and film scene that I built quite a good n known reputation. To come not knowing what will I do or can do . – if am happy as a creative or an artist person. In fact I learned from my 8 years journey here about that part of me more thany any other time. I found out that art./Filming are not a profession I just got used to be doing it. No making images and creative ideas are the biggest part of my identity that doesn’t leave me under any circumstances. Specially when I had to do a kind of regular jobs. Has nothinggg to do with my knowlage and experience. From the surface . Read more>>
Kris Vzim
Colloquially, I’m from “the mud” Port Arthur, Texas; Land of the Trill. 90’s Southern street-raised, student athlete whom “did it; the way God wants you to…” Then life took place after “protection” from a tight knit traditional heavily policed black community..” Introduced to the unspoken power agendas for others in high places of affluence. The early realization that if you’re not useful you’er useless. So it makes sense to dream of becoming an Accomplished filmmaker/athlete.., Right??? Homeless, a starving artist striving to make more money to be a better father that he never had. GRAMMY Nominated for work done with world renowned recording artists; sleeping on Metro bus stop benches. Read more>>
Michelle Cooper
When I graduated high school, I headed off to Kent State that Fall like everyone taught us we were supposed to do. I was certain I was going to be the BEST Art teacher in the world and maybe I would have been had circumstances been different. I found myself in the midst of chaos as 9/11 blared on our TV sets as I walked into English Comp 101 that morning. It really changed to trajectory of my college life and plan. Our professors warned us to consider a different path as the education system was rapidly changing- even more so following 9/11. I found myself still in love with the high school boy I had left at home and decided to change direction and go back home to community college. Read more>>
Zachariah Williams
I have been mulling over this interview thinking about risk taking, risk management, and I cannot seem to put elqoently the intensity of this emotion. I, with my entire heart, am enarmoured with filmmaking. The risk of jumping into a creative career was not a risk to me, it was necessity. The first risk I ever took was moving across the country at 18 years old. I grew up in a town just outside of Lubbock, and knew more than anything I wanted to leave. I have come to love my hometown, quirks and all, but an unstoppable angst pushed me to jump. I moved to Kalamazoo in 2019. The time there was intense. I worked long hours, while going to school, in addition to a studio internship, and filming shorts of my own with some of my new friends. In April of 2020, I realized I might be over my head. I was 27 hours away from home, and the world was seemingly ending. Traversing back across the US, it felt as if states and hotels were closing as I left them. Read more>>
Natalie Fetter
One of the biggest risks I have taken was making the leap to doing photography full time. I had been doing it very part time for several years but felt that it couldn’t grow if I didn’t make room in my life for that to happen. I was working at the time as a para in a special needs classroom and while I adored the kids it was hard to pour all of my energy into that, go home to 4 kids and a husband, and then do photography at night and on the weekends. I knew something had to give…I decided to take the risk of being self employed. I made room for growth and it happened. Read more>>
Skylar Speedwell
Growing up, though I was surrounded by artists within my family, almost none of my peers in school were interested in pursuing art. As I got closer to my final year of high school, there was a lot of stigma surrounding applying to art schools and I was constantly asked the dreaded question of what I would be doing with a degree in photography. Even my parents, who were creative-minded, doubted my decision to apply solely to art colleges. I knew that this decision was right for me but I got little to no support from counselors at school and even art teachers weren’t very knowledgeable on application processes, etc. I decided that even if I wasn’t getting help or support from peers, family members, and teachers, that I would take the risk and apply anyway. Read more>>
Tijen Petersen
This is a perfect question, as I am experiencing the aftermath of taking a risk right now. I grew up in the midwest, had an amazing upbringing, danced my whole childhood, spent my early teens and 20’s in college, and after a little time off decided to start working my first corporate job. I worked at that company for a couple of years before deciding to pursue dance more seriously and make my move to NYC. I got a new corporate job to make my move more feasible and comfortable, and continued working that job for 3 years. While it provided me with many resources I was grateful for daily, I quickly began to realize that so much of my time and energy was still dedicated to my job instead of dance. It took a few years of deliberation, weighing pros and cons, and unlearning old ways of thinking to come to my next step. I quit my job to dedicate my time, my energy, and my mind to my craft. Read more>>
Elizabeth Wescott
It wasn’t easy mentally to jump into the food writing and content creation world at all. I was in my late-twenties when I started and a medical professional so it was not a comfortable move. I thought that people would see it as me being weird or just wanting attention, or perhaps my professional reputation would suffer. Once I started showing people that I was serious about food and writing, the response was amazing. I received overwhelming support from friends, mentors, colleagues. Every piece of content I put out feels like a risk still, but sometimes there’s a huge reward or at least a lot of learning. Putting out a book was ridiculously rewarding, going viral a few times has been a high. But every piece of content I put out there feels like a risk. Read more>>
Marcy Rosenblat
I was asked to be a part of an annual event called Counter Point 10, produced by Jason Andrew and Julia Gleich of Norte Maar. Every year Andrew and Gleich pair a group of female visual artists with female choreographers and give them two months to create a dance. The call came to me out of the blue. I had never made anything three dimensional before, never collaborated with anyone, and never met Amanda Treiber Scales, the person I would collaborate with. But I decided to do it anyway! Entering the process as a painter with a solitary studio practice was both daunting and exhilarating. Working across disciplines gave me the opportunity to create something I’d never done before. I can’t say enough about how significant it was to participate in Counterpoint. Taking that risk added a layer to who I am as an artist and the way I now think about my work. And, to my surprise it got picked up by The New York Theater Ballet and is currently on tour. Read more>>
Matt Woodfill
We’ve all heard the saying, “No risk, no reward,” and there’s a lot of truth in it, often requiring us to rely on our faith. As the Bible tells us, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Frequently, we find ourselves paralyzed by the fear of taking risks because we focus on what we lack rather than leveraging what we have. In Matthew 20:29-34, there’s a story about two blind men who, despite their lack of sight, used their other abilities—hearing, walking, and shouting—to reach out to Jesus and change their situation. Their story teaches us that we’re only truly stuck if we stop trying. So, keep using the resources you have, take bold steps, and trust in faith as you move forward. Read more>>