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.

Cetera J. Jacobs

For me, taking risks has been a major part of all I have accomplished and will accomplish in the future. I have moved to a new city alone multiple times, taken opportunities that were out of my comfort zone, said yes to things I felt under qualified for and much more. Most recently, I took the risk to take a year off during one of the most successful times in my career to volunteer for a year. Read more>>

Megan Badger

In 2011, I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a very rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves, paralyzing the body. The virus stripped away my ability to walk, feel, and communicate properly. After undergoing a five-day-long plasma exchange followed by six months of multiple therapy programs, I regained my ability to walk and feel pressure/temperature again; however, my face could not keep up with the rest of my body. Read more>>

Markeon Edwards

Taking a risk activates your faith. If we had everything figured out all the time, what would be the purpose of faith? My journey has been more rewarding due to me I changing the way I view life and circumstances. We all learn differently, and in my case, I learn from experience. Read more>>

Khristine Hvam

When most of us hear the phrase “taking a risk” it conjures up all sorts of feelings. Fear, excitement, nervousness, joy, terror. I’m sure you could add a few more of your own. My story of taking a risk is continuous and never ending because I took a risk on me. Or as I say, I bet on myself. Throughout my early life I dreamed of a larger than life kind of life. Read more>>

Nick Wiltgen

When I think back on the journey of pursuing the idea of making a living from my creative outlet of photography, there were many risks – some calculated, others unnecessary, and more that proved essential to take the next step in the difficult industry. With that said, the initial risk, which was also easily the biggest gamble, was leaving my job of nearly twelve years at the prospect of being hired to shoot commercially for several brands. Read more>>

Li’den Katarn

The biggest risk that I have taken was probably coming out with my mental disorder. Ironically, this risk would help me reach a larger audience, and help me find my purpose as a music artist. Last year, in summer of 2022, I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Through my diagnosis, explanations came to light, but it also put me in a much more vulnerable place. Read more>>

Anabel Johnson

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was transitioning from a part-time to a full-time artist. This all started a couple years ago when I first really took off with my TikTok art content. I lost my at-the-time job in 2020 due to covid and tried to find another similar job to fill in that space while also being in school. I was in and out of barista jobs, was hardly being scheduled due to covid, and was generally unhappy in that line of work. Read more>>

Amy J Harris

The risk I took in starting my own business as an author and shaman was the most difficult decision I have ever made. I was a publised poet at the age of 17 in someone’s book who I have never met. I was also a contest-winning artist and a scholarship-winning, pre-professional dancer when my abusive parents forced me to go to college and give up my artistic dreams under the threat of cutting me off financially. Read more>>  

Sadie Fields

Well, I went to school originally for graphic design. I figured because I knew how to draw that it would be a piece of cake and that was my true calling. I finished school with my associates degree in Graphic Design and then in the fall, transferred to what I thought was my dream school to get my bachelors degree. After struggling in school for a year, I realized that graphic design was no longer my passion and quite frankly, I actually hated it. Read more>>

Robert Hernandez

I took the risk in pursuing a career as a photographer late 2020. There are so many photographers out there, I knew it was going to be challenging for me to get my name out there. One thing I kept telling myself is “You can do it.” As long as I keep believing in myself, I know I will have a good career and people will notice what I bring to the table. Read more>>

Brahm Callahan

I’ve spent a large part of my career taking risks, either through starting businesses, committing myself to a path (like trying to pass the Master Sommelier Exam) or acquiring assets. Risk is a scary thing, and generally it should be taken with great care. But growth and success often depend on taking some risk, and while it can be scary if you properly assess all the points of significant friction or issues in a risky venture you can often times be successful in a “risky” scenario. Read more>>

brian whiteley

Satellite Art Show is a constant evolution. We have produced our event on the beach in Miami, in Wynwood in shipping containers, inside of empty hotels, etc. Each time is a considerable risk of actually making it happen and then having it be critically acclaimed. I compare it to a wedding. You work all year on the logistics and then you have your big moment. Read more>>

SHEISA

Cristy: I think one of the biggest risks I ever took was deciding to study music in college. Where I grew up (and in the time I grew up in) it wasn’t usual for people to pursue careers in creative areas, especially not in music. A lot of people that I knew growing up questioned this decision and thought I was crazy but I was extremely lucky that both my parents were supportive of my choices! I don’t regret having done so. If I hadn’t taken this risk, I would’ve never met Gaby or Faride who today are two of my closest friends and my business partners in SHEISA! Read more>>

Maria Ferrer

In 2015, my husband and I decided to move to the United States and literally start a new life here, where we could feel not only safe but also encouraged to achieve all the dreams we had back then. I had no idea what I wanted to do specifically, but I was clear at had to be related with the creative field since it’s been always a passion of mine. Read more>>

Cleo de la Torre

Starting my business, Más Allá Wines, in June of 2020 was the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life…and I had a home birth! I used to be a high school English teacher at Claremont High School in Claremont, CA, and despite always talking about one day making our own natural wine, my husband told me one day to just quit my job teaching so we could dive into our winery head-first. Read more>>

JaQwannia Brown

The day that changed my life is when I finally took a risk at quitting my job at the time to focus on becoming a personal trainer. During my weight loss journey, I worked multiple jobs and when I finally received my Certified Personal Trainer certification I wanted to take my career as a trainer more serious. I was very terrified at the thought of not being able to provide for myself. I knew in my heart and mind that I wanted something different for my life. Taking that risk help me really understand how important it is to have faith in myself. Within the first few months of my new career change, I was able to gain enough clients and made more income ! Read more>>

Mecca Walker

being an entrepreneur or business owner to one entity is a risk in itself so when thinking about making small or big risks , it will always be one and it can always make or break your business or project. One risk I’d call medium sized would be, taking money out of the budget or my own personal money to create a sample of an idea that I may want to promote and sell next. Read more>>

Dr. Crystal-Ann England

In August of 2021, my employer placed me in a position where I had to make a very difficult decision. The offices were re-opening, and my boss wanted me back physically in the building, but I wasn’t ready to leave my children. The job was great, the benefits, and the pay were great but all of that weren’t enough to compel me to leave my kids. Read more>>

Natalie Bae Lauzon

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” — Anais Nin If you were to ask those closest to me if I was a risk taker they would probably say “no” as I am a rule follower, a planner, cautious and I like to weigh the pros and cons to a situation before just jumping in. On the other hand, I have always been adventurous, someone who likes to experience new things, get to know people and travel to places all over the world. Read more>>

Ava Rymer

I started out learning photography while completing my Marketing Degree, and for my graduation present I bought my first camera. After that everything has gone so fast and I poured myself into finding my style and voice in my work. Eventually I got to the point that I could start planning to go full-time. I hired a career coach to help keep me accountable for building the foundation of my business. Read more>>

Oscar Baker Lery Massey

The biggest risk that we both took was leaving our full time jobs. Me, Oscar, I was working at Apple as an AT HOME SENIOR TECH ADVISOR. and I was making great money. it was actually the best money I had earned up to that point as far as corporate America, and it came with great benefits. I had been there 4 years exactly when I finally left. I left on my 4 year anniversary. Read more>>

Tyler Adair

After living in four states, Seventeen years of football, and too many of life’s ups and downs, I was looking for stability and a place to settle. After my time in Hawaii I moved to Downtown Los Angeles, which may seem opposite of what I was trying to achieve. But I found stability in a crazy world. I became a State Investigator after obtaining my degree in Criminal Justice and took my knowledge in fitness and became a Private Personal trainer. Read more>>

Sudnat Studios

We definitely took a risk when starting our business- we started planning events on the tail end of Covid, and the chaos of the world slowly trying opening up. We thought it would be hard to bring people out of their caves after such a scary time in our history, but we were shocked by the outpouring of love and support from our local communities! Read more>>

Nadja Tizer

Six days before my 40th birthday, I took the biggest risk of my life. I quit my full time, salaried job with benefits in favor of being a full time creator. I was already an aerial dance instructor and very part time creator but I had never relied solely on creative endeavors to pay my bills. It was scary at first and money was tight for a while. I had to take side jobs driving kids, cleaning, caretaking and any other odd jobs I could find in order to make ends meet. Read more>>

Megan Loda

Have you ever experienced something that at the time was so bad but ended up being the best thing to ever happen to you? When I was 21 years old I had two herniated disc and rushed into back surgery. I spiraled into a deep depression that eventually led me to start my health and wellness journey. I fell in love with prioritizing my health and started taking a holistic approach This changed my life and inspired me to make the scary jump to transition from an elementary teacher to an entrepreneur. Life is short and if we aren’t taking risk to pursue our passion we will wake up 80 years old with a lot of regret. Read more>>

Cameo Bobo

One year my son and I took a trip to Washington DC. During our time in D.C. I discovered that New York City was only a short distance away, So we bought a bus ticket and spent the day in NYC. The bus dropped off dead in the middle of Time Squares very near to my favorite store at the time H&M. Read more>>

Katherine Scott

Risks require a certain amount of whimsy. Whether it be pursuing a career that exists without firm parameters, or chasing the title of ‘author’ to accompany your identity, we have to be able to lean into our wildest dreams to a certain extent. One of those risky dreams for me was to become a published author. However, due to the limits that exist within our society, that dream got shoved into the ‘kicks and giggles’ category of my mind. Read more>>

Tajuan Hancock

I want to share with you guys a short and brief life changing risk that has brought me one of my biggest blessings to this day. In 2020 in the middle of Covid-19 I moved back to Ohio from Los Angeles to be with the person I was dating. Within 2 weeks of moving back home I was dumped. My heart was ripped out of my chest and I was devastated. I was forced to move back into my grandmother’s basement because I was so caught off guard. Read more>>

Edwin Lopez

A great risk I have taken is deciding to quit my tattoo apprentice ship. If I had not quit I would have been guaranteed a secure place to work a consistent clientele base from walk ins and a secure income. Also guaranteed Tattooing with tattoo artist who could guide me, teach me and help me through the whole process. During my apprenticeship I worked with my family in my familys painting company. I not only did labor but I also did all the meetings and painting estimates while being an apprentice full time. Read more>>

Giselle Araujo

I think everyone is afraid of taking a risk. I mean you going o the unknown you have no idea if you will be successful or not. I think that was one of the the things that. hold me back. for many years years because at that time I was a single mom working two jobs trying to survive. I needed that secured income. It wasn’t until i faced my fears started working on my business part time that after I secured some money to be able to pay my bills for a few months that i decided to quit and start Party King Miami. Read more>>

Taylor Tesvich

I had always loved photography, I was always finding myself snapping photos here and there of family members, friends, or travels on my iPhone. Instagram was my travel blog. My husband surprised me with my first real DSLR camera in 2018 before we took a trip to Italy, and that is when I realized I really wanted to pursue photography full time. Read more>>

Mari Sade

In 2021 I lived in downtown Columbia. This was my first time out of the house living on my own! I was working a full-time job downtown as a captioning assistant at the communication services for the deaf. at this time I would take clients around my work schedule however eventually as my passion grew and so did my clientele. I had to make the decision whether or not to keep my full-time Job that paid really well, came with a steady check, and benefits or to transition into a full-time stylist. Read more>>

Craig Whitely

Eighteen years ago, with the support of my wife I left my corporate job as a banker to pursue a dream I had of being a barber. This interest started from an ego-driven desire to “look good for the ladies” as a freshman in high school. As you could imagine, this was not the ambition my parents had for me, especially since weekly haircuts were well out of their monthly budget. My father saw this as an opportunity to teach me a life lesson. Read more>>

Danielle Vann

I teach women how to take risks in their lives every day, whether it is addressing their healing, getting their lives back on track, finding their purpose, repairing relationships, or simply leveling up their lives. However, I would not be able to teach it if I didn’t take my own leap of faith. Read more>>

Kathleen Tesnakis

Apparently, I love risk taking. From the very creation of my business in 1996, to the everyday workings of my recycling design studio, taking risks is what ekologic is all about. In the beginning, the risk was being ahead of my time by manufacturing products out of post-consumer textile waste. I connected with used clothing dealers in my community and sought to balance the 99% of textiles that were being landfilled at the time. Only 1% of post-consumer materials were considered recyclable in 1996. Today that number is 15%, so the push to do better is still critical, 26 years later. Read more>>

Jakwellyn Douglas

Hello my name is Jakwellyn Douglas and I’m a musical artist that performs under the pseudonym Jay Kwellyn. I was not always a rap artist though. Before I ever did music I was a circus performer, specifically an acrobat. I lifted people above my head and ran and did flips over children. I taught gymnastics at a couple different gyms in the metro Atlanta area. Read more>>

Adanna Bernard

The biggest risk that I’ve took was surrendering everything that I had no control over. I was raised in a very toxic family dynamic. I was labeled as the Black sheep and it was very evident. I never received love even though I lived in a two parent household. I was molested by my step father and my mother was very aware of it. She would always made sure that I was drugged and that the music was high enough so no one would hear my cries. I endured a lot from my mother. She even went as far as hiring my ex-boyfriend to have me murdered. Read more>>

Jasmine Tilman

When I took the leap of faith to take a job out of state when I never been anywhere other than my home town before. I never flew a plane nor have I ever been on my own. But when Jehovah wants you to get out into the world he will allow you to bite the apple of freedom with both eyes closed. Read more>>

Kira Davis

Being a business owner is all about taking risks. Deciding to go out on a leap of faith and open a business is a risk in itself. I made my leap of faith two years ago. I left my professional career to focus on my business full-time. Before becoming a business owner, I was a teacher. I taught middle school Social Studies. I would say I much rather enjoyed my job, minus the few stressors that came with the profession. Read more>>

Haley Washington

During the start of covid I decided to pack up and leave my hometown in New Jersey. I knew this would be a big risk physically (being 8 months pregnant) and mentally (having no family or friends close by) but I also had faith there would be better opportunities and a better environment for my family. I have always craved more since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to travel outside of the small town I grew up in. Read more>>

Dr. Whitney Donohue

The biggest risk I believe you can take, is betting on yourself. I believe if you have a vision and the skills to execute, staying the course, following your heart and your gut, pays off every time. When it came to starting my own practice there was a lot about what it should look like from other people, what other people wanted me to do and what they expected of me. At the end of the day, none of that felt good to me & the risk of moving forward with how I wanted to practice medicine, how I envisioned helping people heal, was not something many people understood. Read more>>

Jaime Kennington

Taking risks. As a child, I was always a dreamer: a kid with big eyes and big ideas. Too often I was reminded they were too grandiose for our reality. But, what is our reality? It’s what we make it. At the age of 30 years old, with a successful career in marketing, I found myself at a life roadblock. I had done everything perfectly. I followed the path of opportunity with the privileges I had. I did what I was supposed to do. Read more>>

Kheprisa Burrell

The biggest risk I’ve taken thus far is my 2018 move to Atlanta, GA from NYC. I knew the city would always be my home, and that it’d hold a special place in my heart – but so much of it’s culture was shifting at that time, especially cost of livelihood. As a 20 something, I felt stifled. On a whim, I packed one large suitcase, moved to GA and stayed with a close family member for a few months. In my opinion, this was how I chose to challenge myself- everything of familiarity was back North, and I knew the discomfort of a new environment would motivate me to build something new from the ground up. Read more>>

Petra Weldes

I came to Dallas as a single mom, with my 18-month-old son, for help and moved in with my mom and stepfather. I had left my career as a teacher and spiritual leader and decided to go back to school. 4 years later with a degree under my belt I was asked to serve at our local Center for Spiritual Living, Dallas as the spiritual leader (I’d already served a year as the interim). At that point, a 35-year-old organization had shrunk from 800 people to about 30 and years before had sold a multi-million dollar building, slowly devolving to renting 500 square feet. Read more>>