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.

Spencer Jarman

I think everything in life is a risk, regardless of how stable the industry, job, or decision is. Starting my own photography business was a risk. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I knew I was going to have tough months, but I’m also an actor so I’m used to that. I think its more risky to your mental health to not take the risk that your heart is telling you to take. Read more>>

Joe Louis

Life is all about risk vs reward. My high school wrestling coach use to tell me that my biggest issue as a wrestler was that I loved high-risk moves with high rewards. What this would look like as a wrestler is me pursuing a move that if done correctly would win the match right away but if done incorrectly I’ll lose the match right away vs. low risk moves that may not have a high reward of instant gratification but also don’t have the high risk of losing. Read more>>

Eileen

You have to take risks, otherwise, you’ll never know what you’re truly capable of. That said, you can’t step out on faith and stand on fear, either. Starting my company was a major risk, as we didn’t have any capital or resources like major labels. Being able to have full creative control and artistic freedom made it worth it. Read more>>

Michelle Smith

Following your dreams often means taking a risk. Change is scary but can open the door to so many new opportunities! In April of 2021, we traveled to Missouri from Colorado to purchase a Great Pyrenees Puppy to add to our farm and breeding program. We have raised Great Pyrenees for 18 years to protect our livestock and they are an awesome dual purpose dog. They make both a great family pet and guardian for cows, chickens, goats, etc. Read more>>

G. Brian Benson

Fifteen years ago, I was running my family business. I had been running this business, which was a successful golf center, for 11 years. We had a driving range, a 9-hole golf course and a retail golf store in Salem, Oregon called Cottonwood Lakes. But I was unhappy. I know a lot of people would give their “left arm” to have that job, but I didn’t feel like I was being my true authentic self and that bothered me. Read more>>

Sheree Braswell

Being diagnosed with mental illness at the age of 16, when talking about mental illness openly was a hush topic, made it very difficult for my mental health recovery. It wasn’t until I decided in 2014 after having a nervous breakdown that I was going to take the risk and claim myself as a mental health awareness advocate and walk in my healing journey. Part of that healing journey was accepting that something was wrong and that I did have a mental health diagnosis. Read more>>

Erica Griffin

So, one risk I took was quitting a job that started causing me mental distress. I am a full-time photographer, but also a full-time single parent and the main source of my family, so the stakes were pretty high. As a small business owner, there are times when I have less work, so I stayed with a regular job to make ends meet. However, when I made the choice to leave, I knew what I was up against. After all, my mind is permanent, but the job was temporary. The big fact is that everyone in the workplace is replaceable! Read more>>

Kenny Keys

Taking any risk is hard but being a creator and sharing your passion with the world can be thrilling but also scary. There is alot of talented people in the world that hold their talents in and I hope my story can help others share their talent with the world. My name is Kenny Keys, some also know me as Coach Da Keys. In 2018 I was hit by a semi truck when driving in my suv and received a traumatic brain injury that changed my life. Read more>>

The Genius Party

MV: Millie Vaughn, PX: Professor X, ER: Epic Rell, Amp: AmpurSand, ADF: Ace Dizzy Flow MV: I decided to be in my first beat battle back in 05. I got slaughtered in the first round but it didn’t discourage me to stop. I was really intrigued by all the talent I had seen that night. It propelled me to perform in nearly 40 battles over the span of 8 years starting in 2008. Read more>>

 Jill Wells

The Risk and Power of the Pivot: Within my art career of 20 + years, 15 of those years were spent focusing on visual arts only. In college, I fell in love with oils as my favorite medium. This medium became an extension of my creative expression and building a professional art career through this medium followed. Read more>>

Lori Swett

Thank you so much for asking. There are a couple of risky things that come to mind and both are related! Allow me to explain. After two decades of volunteering at various animal rescue organizations I decided to start my own 501c3 nonprofit animal sanctuary. It seemed risky at the time but I came to realize that this path best suited my animal rescue work because after so many years of fostering special needs, Read more>>

Ryan Orengo Sostre

Before anything else, I’m a person who heavily moves in faith. Taking risks and leaps of faith have allowed me the accolades that I have achieved thus far and needless to say, makes me the artist and person that I am. one of the first risks I took for myself was in 2018 when I moved out of Orlando to Baltimore. That risk provided me with so much clarity and gave me a sense of direction. Read more>>

Christopher Daniels

Life is about more than just the routines we fall into. The best most memorable events always take place when we collide with our fears. Are we good enough? Will we fail? What’s around the corner? Do we jump full in or sit and wait or stay comfortable where we are? This was me in 2018. Make no mistake all the potential was there, but the fear of failing paralyzed me enough to keep me from even trying. Read more>>

Laura Best

As an entrepreneur of almost 10 years (and a marketer for over 25 years), the idea of “risk” has shifted dramatically for me. When I initially started Passion Collective (as a Facebook group, I still remember tentatively hitting send on the invites to the women I knew), I thought the risk was that people would think I was silly. (Maybe they did, but others supported me.) Read more>>

Dinah Simpson

Taking the Risk to Trust My Intuition It often occurs during my meditation practice. I begin by sitting on a cushion in a cross-legged position, closing my eyes, and checking my posture: straight spine and slightly tucked chin. Then, I take a slow and steady breath in through my nose – inhale, pause, and exhale slowly through my mouth. This breath connects me to my body and creates a space for presence in the moment. Read more>>

Jessica Barris

A few years ago, my dad’s sudden passing from pancreatic cancer turned my world upside down. He had been working alongside my mom for over 30 years, running Culinary Combo. Inspired by his memory and with amazing support from our family, my mom and I made the courageous decision to open a brick and mortar location for Culinary Combo Bakery. Read more>>

Alexis Alsup

During the pandemic of COVID-19, I had a life-changing moment. I knew I would be a Doula; I didn’t know when or how to begin walking in my passion. At the time, I was a manager at a fast-food restaurant and loved serving people. During the pandemic, fast food workers still had to work regardless. The HR department did allow employees to take two weeks off but with no pay during the pandemic, as a single mother of two children and caregiver of my father, who was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer at the time. Read more>>

David Lyve

Jumping out Head first, no parachute, into the music and entertainment world especially when no one in my family had ever done anything close, has been my biggest risk. It all goes back to my high school and having to make the decision of whether to try out for the varsity basketball team, of which I already had a spot, OR try out for the new school musical as they were on the same day at the same time. Read more>>

Erik Dillard

I believe that the biggest risk that I’ve taken during my time doing photography wasn’t the more physical risks that you hear most of the time, including things like hanging out of a car to take a picture or going to a restricted area of an F1 racetrack and almost getting banned. These are all obviously big risks because I’ve done them myself but I feel like the biggest risk for me personally was trying something completely new after getting into a ”comfortable” space creatively. Read more>>

Jameice Cockrell

This particular project Mindset Ep Justyn Iman (Writer & Vocalist) and my self took a lot of risks. Yoshi Music Production Worldwide had never had a meditation affirmation artist before so this was a new experience. Everything was a risk, we both knew it would be great risks with great reward because we both went into this project with purpose! It has received thousands of streams and AMC Hoffman 22 sponsored the premiere of the Mindset short film. This piece has touched so many lives and has been mentally healthy and medicine for all listeners and viewers. Read more>>

Tye Cochran

Taking a risk on something that is under estimated as a career has proven to be the best decision I’ve ever made. The doubt was there, but so were my prayers to make it work. Here it is 4.5 years later I’m opening doors for others meanwhile continuing to be a resource, pillar in my community, and asset to others. Being a past recipient of public assistance it feels great to mentor others to make a career out of just doing daily day to day tasks. Read more>>

Nicole Rumbold

Opening The E Company was a risk for me. There is so much that goes into owning a small business. It doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time. However, no risk, no reward. I have seen my little business grow so much in the last 9 months, I can totally see the end goal. I think hard work will eventually pay off, it already is. Read more>>

Daniela Leon

I wanted to be diversify my career and continue to challenge myself. I decided to take a leap of faith and move to Colorado Springs and work as a tv reporter at FOX21 News. I moved to a new city without knowing anyone and worked as a weekend anchor and on-air reporter, I originally signed a two year contract, but ended up living there for nearly four years. I learned a lot about myself and the team helped me cultivate my craft and become better. Read more>>

Rodd Evans

I took a risk on writing and producing a stage play in college. That lead to film opportunities, and an opportunity to monetize and share my work. I was scared because I wasn’t a theater major but I was obsessed with acting. I started my event planning career throwing parties, concerts and comedy shows. So one day I decided to promote a stage play to my audience. It was the first time that I promoted something like that. It sold out and the audience wanted more. Read more>>

Taylor Foster

One of my biggest risk was going back to college and choosing to still pursue my bachelors degree after being told that 78% of my financial aid was used up due to my previous attendance at Alma college, and to add to that only 24 out of my 72 credits that I earned from Alma would transfer over to Davenport University. After hearing those results I still chose to push my paper work through admissions and after receiving my acceptance letter to Davenport University, Read more>>

Cal Henry

I’d say the biggest risk we’ve taken is betting on ourselves and uprooting our lives from Florida to move out to Los Angeles. We had been playing music in and around Florida for many years and were doing all the things you do as musicians, played the cover gigs, opened for bands touring through, played all the major festivals and so much more. Read more>>

JR Redford

The risk of fully being yourself… Is there a risk? What’s the risk? Let’s examine.. Since we were born, people, situations and social constructs have been pushing us through directives and suggestions of how or who we should be… Some of this is good, some of this is just someone else’s baggage or our own mis-perception… If we don’t make an effort to become aware of such things, they begin to become part of our unconscious programming or “who we are.” Read more>>

Amanda Shaw

Taking the Leap: From Community Mental Health to Private Practice I want to share a pivotal moment in my life when I took a bold risk and ventured into owning my very own private practice for mental health counseling and art therapy. It was a decision that was both exhilarating and terrifying, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Read more>>

Dr. Josh Hibbert

About a year ago, I bid farewell to what I thought would be my lifelong career. Forced to make a choice due to circumstances beyond my control, I found myself on a forked path. On one hand, I could continue in my comfortable leadership role, a position offering prestige and stability in a reputable organization. On the other hand, I had the opportunity to take a leap of faith and bet on myself, venturing into the unknown. Spoiler alert – I chose the latter. Read more>>

Essence H.

Taking risks would have to be one of the first steps to becoming a successful entrepreneur! I take risks everyday to identify strategies and opportunities to help grow my businesses & passion . Although we’re not always sure of what the outcomes might be , we evaluate by weighing our pros & cons to make these decisions. Read more>>

Andria Polo

I have always taken it upon myself to move with intent! My purpose is greater than I could imagine I believe, I have been shown that many times and I am so grateful and honored to be able to have this vision and platform that so many people LOVE! Read more>>

William Perry

At this point in my life, the biggest risk I’ve had to take by far was leaving home to pursue a full time career in music. I know it is kind of cliché to say, but it really is easier said than done for most folks – and I obviously was no exception to that. Read more>>

Randolph Calixto

I am a single father of one child. I work as a door installing finish carpenter. Even when I’m at work, my mind is still on my craft 100%. sometimes I go to my truck to shed a tear in the middle of my installs because I wish I could be where I know I should be in my art career, and then I get back to work. I decided to leave and apply the pressure to get myself where I can be. I don’t want to be an “I could’ve been” like of person. I decided to take the risk, no results yet; but maybe one day something will happen. Read more>>

Peter Coissy

My life changing risk was stepping away from a county job to find success in me owning a record label. Being in the music industry requires you to be flexible with your time and to have the ability to travel. When I left the county I was leaving a career with a 401k, something to is guaranteed. Read more>>

Jerry Tyler Watson

In 2016, I took the risk of quitting my management job in Mississippi to leave and move to Nashville to pursue a dream. I gave up everything I knew to set out and attempt to reach a goal I has had since I was 16 years old. I knew I want to do hair and wardrobe for music videos/tv/movies. Read more>>

Holly Jackson

Thirty one years ago I was pregnant and homeless and in the middle of a very violent domestic violent situation. It took a lot of courage to finally leave that situation with nothing. I had to go into the homeless shelter where I was able to stay for 72 hours in hopes of getting assistance. Due to the fact that I was employed I made seven dollars and eleven cents too much to be able to qualify for any benefits. Therefore I struggled to be able to find a place or stay where I was at due to the time running out. Read more>>

Angella Sharpe

Taking a risk is something I hope to do more of. If you think about it life is a series of risk – and you can easily fail doing something safe – just as much as you could taking that big risk and doing it what you want. ….. I don’t take as many risks as I should but so far all the ones I have take. have paid off! Read more>>

Alli Robertson

I have had a few different Graphic Design positions working regular hours using my design degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. I have noticed that working under someone else is a creative reeled puts A LOT of limitations on what you can do and how you can do it. I did not thrive in office environments where quantity of work was pushed more than quality of work. Read more>>

Ricardo Leveron

Oh taking risks… I feel like that is what my life has been about the last decade. I usually don’t talk about it, but I come from a tumultuous family. Growing up in Honduras, I experienced a lot of business & family decisions, good & bad, so I got to see their outcome at a very young age. My grand father was the back bone of my family & has always been my roll model, I can tell I have a very similar personality than him. He was such an entrepreneur & I like to think I am the same way. Read more>>

Keyla Wood

spanning over two decades. With her diverse experience in Mexican television, films, comedy, theater, and other entertainment venues, Keyla has established herself as a versatile performer. Currently based in Los Angeles, California, she is fearlessly venturing into new horizons, expanding her artistic pursuits to include entrepreneurial endeavors in production, acting, and business. Read more>>

Loki Martin

The most significant changes in my life came with the pandemic, as I’m sure it did for all of us. I come from a family of tradesmen. My grandfather and uncle both run the family HVAC business. Pre-pandemic I was a worker bee, a skilled one, but a worker bee nonetheless. A single father that worked 45-60 hours a week religiously. Not out of necessity, but out of habit. I grew up watching my mother work her way from a sales associate to a Master of Nursing, never taking her foot off the gas. Read more>>

Sofia Tosches

It was March 2018, my senior year of college, when I auditioned at the Southeast Theatre Conference in Mobile, Alabama. I don’t remember what my audition number was, but I know it was pretty early on in the weekend. You have to wear your number pinned to you, much like a runner in a marathon, when you stand on stage to audition. Read more>>