You’re working hard, things are going well, piece by piece you’ve built a life you are proud of, you’ve overcome obstacles and challenges, beat the odds and then you find yourself at the center of an unexpected dilemma – do you risk it all to keep growing? What if growing means leaving the job you worked so hard to get or the industry you worked so hard to break into? How we approach risk often has a huge bearing on our journey and so we’ve asked some of the brightest folks we know to share stories of risks they’ve taken.

Ashleigh King

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was deciding to leave my stable job and dive headfirst into starting The Rustic Avenue Mobile Bar as a single mom. It was a scary decision, but I’ve always believed in chasing what truly makes you feel alive, and for me, that was creating memorable experiences through a unique mobile bar concept. At the time, I was balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and the security of a steady income, but I had this burning desire to do something more—to create something of my own. I wanted to bring people together with not just drinks, but an experience that felt personal, authentic, and unforgettable. The idea of a mobile bar started to take shape, but the real risk came when I decided to take that leap. Read more>>

Rob Mcafee

One of the most defining experiences of my journey was when I decided to leave my hometown. Most people, before making a big move, typically have a job secured, maybe some family or friends in the new area, and a solid plan in place. That wasn’t my situation—it was quite the opposite. Before moving, I had no job lined up, not even a single interview. I didn’t know anyone in the area, no family, no friends, and to be honest, I wasn’t even entirely sure where I was going to end up. My wife and I, still dating at the time, thought we were heading to Dallas. So, we jumped on Zillow, picked a place, packed our bags, and hit the road. Read more>>

Madison Christgau

I’ve taken a lot of risks. As an expecting mother, a business owner, an entrepreneur, and whatever you can come up with. Risks have been taken every step of the way to ensure my families future, and recently I have been taking the biggest risk of my life, choosing to be a (mostly) stay at home mom in order to make more time for my own startups, and my family. I know it doesn’t sound like much, and I thought it to be an easy task, But the reality is simple; When you stop working, money stop coming in, and was a scary realization for me. After all, starting a business takes time, and at first I was under the impression that money would just come rolling in, but I didn’t think that far, and unfortunately that’s not always how it works. But after a little bit of financial struggle, I realized something… this will all be worth it. Read more>>

Melanie Yukov

People have told me I’m brave. I never used to see myself that way, but over time, I’ve grown more open to the idea. Perhaps, they’re right. About 11 years ago, I was living in New York City, working as a Speech Pathologist for the city’s Board of Education. I had developed a lot of unhealthy habits—constantly pushing myself too hard, always busy and on the go, yet struggling with just “being.” I didn’t know how to handle emotions or navigate life’s challenges. I didn’t know how to deal with a difficult boss, or how to let life unfold without resistance. In short, I was a mess—disconnected from myself, my body, the world around me—and my health was suffering because of it. Read more>>

Mark Maldonado

I’ve always believed that growth doesn’t come without risk, and many of the decisions I’ve made have reflected that philosophy. One of the most significant risks I took was in 2016 when I invested 90% of my income into Bitcoin. At the time, cryptocurrency was still a relatively unknown frontier, and while many were skeptical, I saw potential. It was a calculated leap into the unknown, but it paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Real estate was another domain where I embraced risk, purchasing properties for over $30,000 above asking price just to lock in a 3% interest rate. This was a huge step outside of my comfort zone, especially given my lack of experience in real estate. From buying land to investing in new construction, each decision came with its own challenges. Yet, I pushed forward, learning the ropes as I went and immersing myself in finance so I could not only understand it but help others navigate its complexities. Read more>>

Mahvish Tabassum

9 out of 10 would never understand a professional seeking growth in purposeful work rather than just the numbers made for mere profits. I worked in IT corporate sector for over a decade serving multiple Business roles with RANDSTAD/ SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL/ HSBC etc and learned the biggest survival reality of concrete jungle where the human touch to your existence keeps going weaker and weaker hence after Covid 19 hit the human race it’s changed my perspective of growth and I totally switched my professional game from machines to human and Got Montessori Diploma in my 30’s and Started marykay business to touch as many female lives to share the ideology of true Growth and help children understand Real life goals through the philosophy of Dr.Maria Montessori which will help me live my purpose to leave good behind when I look back at life and take pride and never regret life lived . Read more>>

Randell Rosario

Been over 30 and returning to show business was not easy but with age comes knowledge and experience. Which has helped me make incredible music with incredible talents and be able to bring Major stars to a tv show that I started at age 39. Read more>>

Christine Lozano

Take a risk on YOU. I decided after many years of trying to act and get gigs that I would do “other”artistic avenues. I figured, I’m getting older, why go back into acting, acting is a young persons game etc.etc..I decided to broaden my horizons and start auditioning for things Outside of LA. I would submit myself via Actors Access and look at castings from other states. Low and behold I got noticed and now have representation. LA is great don’t get me wrong, but we need to have a better support system to get movies done here, to show that LA has a diverse set of people and not everyone looks like a Barbie. To film movies here is very very expensive hence why everyone is doing movies elsewhere. We need to bring back the movie business to LA and support Indie film and do better on making permits less expensive so everyone can feel like they can film here more responsibly. Read more>>

Jeremy Smith

For Jeremy and Chelsea, committing to full-time hosting of *The American Dream: Selling Atlanta* was a big leap. Their main concern? Time management and the possibility of losing that personal touch with clients they’re known for. But the risk has paid off in a big way! They’ve been able to showcase a fun, personal side of their business that clients don’t always get to see in a professional setting. It’s also helped them improve their communication skills. Of course, working with your best friend can be risky too! Jeremy and Chelsea are at different brokerages, with distinct client bases and specialties, but they’ve discovered that they work extremely well together. In fact, it’s only made their friendship stronger. Read more>>

David Zolo

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was stepping out of my comfort zone to follow my dreams. In fact, it’s a risk I take every day by deciding to stay committed to being an artist. Many times, I ask myself if it wouldn’t be easier to have a regular job with a steady paycheck instead of this unpredictable life. But so far, I keep choosing the risk of being an artist. At a young age, I decided to leave behind my comforts in Colombia and my family to go to France and immerse myself in a new culture. I took that risk, and fortunately, I learned a new language, discovered a new culture, and found myself as an artist. Later, I took the risk of going to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I didn’t have much money, so I traveled by bus, passing through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Sometimes I hitchhiked, and other times I worked in restaurants, mostly cleaning, just to get food. Read more>>

Irene Chung

The biggest risk I’ve taken recently was deciding to move to New York City. Growing up watching American TV shows like *Friends*, *Sex and the City*, and *Gossip Girl*, I was always captivated by New York’s vibrant aesthetics and art scene. After graduating from RISD in June, I relocated to NYC that summer without any concrete plans. To my surprise, the transition has been smoother than anticipated. The city is filled with talented creatives who support one another, and opportunities seem to arise in the most unexpected ways. Read more>>

Alex Jimenez

The biggest risk I’ve taken, I would say, is focusing on creating content for social media, something I’ve been passionate about for several years now. I’ve always loved the idea of creating fashion content on social media. However, since I was very young, people have made fun of my appearance, which has made me feel insecure about myself. This insecurity has held me back from pursuing my passion earlier due to the fear of being ridiculed or judged by others. It wasn’t until about two years ago that I decided to take it seriously, regardless of what others might think. I’ve realized that my own opinion is the most important one. I’m not harming anyone by sharing my content; ultimately, all I want is to showcase my talent with clothing to others. Read more>>

Darlene Palkovic

Absolutely the biggest risk was leaving a guaranteed paycheck & hours behind the chair to start my business working for myself full time. When I started I only had a handful clients. I invested so much into my business knowing that God was leading me in the right direction for my life. It was a big risk but I knew I would be so much happier & be able to offer my clients such a better experience running the show myself. It was stressful so many times and I didn’t know how I was going to do it from day to day but I never gave up. To say I did it alone would be wrong, the love and support I’ve received has truly gotten me to where I am today. I give thanks to Christ Ahnsahnghong and heavenly Mother for guiding me every step of the way. Read more>>

Dina Sherin Khalil

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was pursuing a Master’s degree in AR/VR, a field that hadn’t really been explored in my home country at the time. Immersive technologies were still very new, and there was no clear path for how I could apply my skills after graduation. Coming from a more traditional journalism and documentary background, it was a leap of faith to pivot into something so uncharted. But I was passionate about it, even though I didn’t fully know what would come next. It was definitely a gamble, but I trusted my instincts, and that decision has led me to incredible opportunities, like working at Meta, Nexus Studios, and Google. Something I still find surreal. Looking back, I’m so glad I took that risk, because it’s opened doors I couldn’t have imagined. Read more>>

Cheryl Bever

Though it was a rough time for so many people, the lockdown, caused by the COVID pandemic, ended up being a life changing event for me; for the better. Normally, a typical day in and day out was spent en-route to work – at work – and then on the road back home. My commute was about 45 minutes on a good traffic day paired with a typical 8-9 hour day in the office. Safe to say, I was gone 11 – 12 hours from home every single day. I missed school drop offs, school pickups, holiday concerts, class parties, field trips, sports – pretty much all of my kid’s school life, not to mention time with my husband and friends. But I was providing for the family, so it was what you did – right?  Read more>>

Peter Pocsaji

Going from a good paying job to own my own business. Working at the Four Seasons Hotel as a Manager for several years was an amazing experience but wanted to provide a healthy five star sleep experience to private residences not just for a couple of nights. Read more>>

Katherine Vandergriff

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken so far in my career was moving across the country from Idaho to New Mexico. I had spent 11 years in Idaho, and while it was comfortable, I found myself craving new opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. I didn’t know exactly what those opportunities would look like, but I felt stuck and knew a change was necessary. Moving to a new state where I knew very few people felt daunting, especially since I was leaving behind a familiar network and steady freelance work. It was a leap into the unknown. Read more>>

Ary Bird

It’s funny, I don’t think of myself as being a big risk-taker, but when I reflect on how I got to where I am now, I recognize my path is full of risks I’m really glad I took. The first risk was life changing. Due to numerous circumstances, I didn’t go to college right after high school. In my early twenties, I taught myself to weave and was overcome with the urge to pursue it “seriously.” Without any financial help or much guidance, I decided to finally go to college. Nearly ten years later, I now have my BFA and MFA in textiles and fibers. I am so proud and fulfilled in this life I’ve built for myself, despite all the challenges and unknowns. Read more>>

Tempra Board

My first big risk was leaving the suburban San Diego home of my upbringing at age 17 to attend a small, rural state college on the far other end of the state, what was then Humboldt State University. I had never been farther north than Solvang, and I knew little about where I was headed. I just knew it was “away.” My family had little money, and I was warned that I couldn’t afford this endeavor. I worked part time, and obtained federal-aid grants and student loans (which I ultimately would not pay off until my mid-40s). My life opened to me during this time. I experienced the joy of learning and studying literature, the freedom and sometimes pain of making my own decisions and mistakes, and the awe and humility of living in a place surrounded by wildness and beauty. Read more>>

Curtis Tucker

I was the advertising director for a retail drug chain for 13 years. At the age of 40 I had two baby girls 17 months apart and I was taking them to work with me every day. Luckily my boss was my father-in-law so he didn’t mind the girls being in my office all day. I had just started to figure out how to make money online and I got the bright idea to quit my job and start working from home so I could watch the girls there. I knew there was risk involved but I was already making part time money online. I quit my job in 2003 and made the drug chain one of my clients. My philosophy was figuring out ways of making money online so I didn’t have to get a job. Read more>>

Myra Toribio

I have worked in Human Services as a Case Manager for over 20 years and just knew without a doubt that I would retire from that position. Being a Case Manager has been one of the most rewarding jobs I could have ever had the pleasure of doing. It’s a hard job and not for the weak but so worth it when you see the difference and outcomes for the individuals and families that you have assisted. During my career span I have worked with everything from Medicaid to working with our local homeless population and I can truly say that was and will always be my true calling because I love helping people and making a difference in their lives. In 2017 I had a Breast Cancer scare when they found 4 masses in my right breast. It was a defining moment for me because I was a Financial Case Manager in the Oncology Department and talked to women facing this and worst diagnosis everyday. Read more>>

Sara Childress

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was leaving my safe and secure full-time hospital job to start my own business. I was starting to experience major burn out from working in the emergency department and wanted to find a different avenue within the nursing field. I started working part-time for an iV company doing mobile iV therapy and absolutely fell in love with it. It restored my love for nursing being able to connect one on one with my patients and not feel rushed to “get the job done”. It eventually led me to starting my own business, Elevate Health and Aesthetics. I was trying to juggle working at the hospital and get the business up and running at the same time. The first week I started seeing clients with my new business I found out I was pregnant. If the business had any chance of being successful, I knew I had to give it 110%. Read more>>

Elias Jimerson

Deciding to quit my full-time, salaried job to pursue being a self-employed, small business owner has to be the greatest risk I have taken so far in my lifetime. It has always baffled me that a strong majority of people say “50% of all new businesses fail within the first 5 years” and then use that as an excuse to never try. I personally was unable to let that stop me. It didn’t make sense. If 50% fail then that means 50% succeed. If the odds are exactly the same then why choose to lean to the side of failure? January 2024 I decided to risk it, put faith in myself, and choose the path of success. I am still within my first year of business but so far all the stats are looking great. Ive added more risk by investing in my business with new equipment upgrades and so far the risk has been way worth it. It is mid September 2024 as I write this and I am still 100% self employed and I continue to bring my company to new heights every day. Keep an eye out for my success story in 2029, 5 years from now. Read more>>

Skateshop Movie

I took a risk making this movie completely independently! 100% grassroots funded, produced, marketed and distributed with Indie Rights. This was a passion project of mine that started in 2015. I wrote the script one piece at a time. It was quite the journey from inception to completion in Nov 2021 but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I have learned so much about making films along this tumultuous journey of making my first film – Zack Whyel Read more>>

Alec Coutinho

I am initially from Fall River, Massachusetts. Born and raised. I started bouncing around when I turned 21 visiting all sorts of cities in the US. One of the first was Atlanta in 2019. I came to visit a hometown friend that had moved here from MA. I really enjoyed my time, it was the beginning of the Beltline development and the overall boom of the city. I was in love. The weather, the people, the surroundings. It all spoke to me a in a really special way. Fast forward to me turning 22, I did a massive road trip around the east/mid west United States. My situation was unique at the time, all my classes were online and didn’t really have much work going on because of the pandemic, so I just did my thing. My last stop before heading home was Atlanta to visit that same friend. It was wild how different the city was after just a few short years of absence. I couldn’t believe the growth of the city, and how fast it turned into something that was almost unrecognizable from the last time I saw it. Then and there was when I knew I was going to live in Atlanta, it was a really cool gut feeling. I just knew it was right. Read more>>

Donnie Giafardino

After 4 years of designing, testing, and modernizing a product that’s based on a 3,000 year old warrior training tool, I quit my job as a crane operator and went full into becoming an American manufacturer of tactical exercise training equipment. Read more>>

Munji Kahalah

The biggest risk I’ve taken came during the pandemic when supply chains were at a standstill and face-to-face interactions were eliminated. Local convenience store owners were struggling to stay informed on the latest products, vendor information, and basic necessities. I saw an opportunity to be the bridge between global suppliers and these local shops. With a $2,000 credit card loan, I started helping convenience stores order products from around the world, leveraging technology to keep their shelves stocked. Within two years, I turned that initial investment into over $1 million in sales. Read more>>

Gotti

A big risk I took was going full time as a hairstylist. I’ve always been doing hair since a younger teen but professional I didn’t start until I turned 18 my senior year. I had different career paths I was going to take due to the school I went to they was big on college universities but my heart was always set on cosmetology school. I took the risk and continued to take hair seriously my senior year taking clients and building my clientele from the ground up. It was scary because it’s like choosing between a 9 to 5 or a 24/7 job and I chose the 24/7 route. Being an entrepreneur is not easy it’s like being clocked in 24/7 but it’s worth it. I’m so happy I took the risk and put my all into hair because now it allows me to live my dream lifestyle. Read more>>