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.
Lenora Leathers
As a hairstylist, I used to work tirelessly, from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, aiming to serve as many clients as possible and maximize my earnings. Read more>>
Dre Casseus
You could ask all of my friends, i’m definitely the one who’s taking a risk all day. One of my biggest creative accomplishments happened by me taking the risk of sneaking on stage and taking pictures for one of my favorite artist ( Dc The Don ) and working with Lyfandfriends. I’d say be careful and mindful of the risk you take and make sure its worth it towards what you’re chasing for as a creative. Read more>>
Meitar Paz
Hi, thank you for having me! I’d like to start with a poem I love about risks, written by William Arthur Ward. Read more>>
Laura Brennan Ballet
When most individuals are preparing to go quietly into the self-induced journey of giving up on ones dreams, I decided to authentically explore internal connectivity. I was intentional on this knowing; that I would not have regrets when it was time to transition out of physicality. Read more>>
Nicole Stumphauzer
When I was 19, I took a huge risk by moving from a small town in Ohio to a big city in Arizona to pursue my dream of becoming a graphic designer. I visited Arizona once before moving there, and that trip sparked my obsession with Saguaro cactus and endless sunshine. I ultimately decided to take my talents to the southwest and go to design school at Arizona State University. Read more>>
Mina Dia-Stevens
If someone had told me at 20 that I would feel this professionally and personally fulfilled as I do today at 50, I would not have believed them. My path to contentment could not have arrived without risk. Some risks I chose, and some risks were inevitable. Both have finally allowed me to fully submerge into who I desire to be as a woman, wife, mother, and Creative of color. Read more>>
Simon Giuseppe Floris
Anyone who has applied for an O-1 visa can relate to how dreadful it feels to watch several thousand dollars disappear from your bank account just for the opportunity to maybe, possibly get to stay in the US for a few years longer. With lawyers, union, and government fees it can be upwards of $6,000, and over $8,500 for a faster answer from the United Sates Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), or what they call a “Premium Processing Fee”. Read more>>
Casie Shepherd
I never really knew what I wanted to do all through college. I knew I wanted to work with people in some capacity but to what extent was unknown. I loved to workout, I loved how nutrition made me feel and changed my body. Read more>>
Clotele
I can say with gusto that at every step of my life thus far, taking a risk has always been involved. Risk is important because it enables an individual to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, mitigate potential harm, evaluate opportunities, foster growth, and get a leg up on life. Read more>>
Dr. Thembi Aquil
I spent over 25 years in the financial industry, navigating through various roles and responsibilities. While I found some of these positions fulfilling, many were simply a means to support my family. However, a couple of years ago, I encountered a challenging manager that made my work environment unbearable. Read more>>
Corrin FaggéTt
You’ll never know WHAT IF? If you don’t take the risk! Becoming an entrepreneur will always be a dream of mine. 2022, was my year of great possibilities. Experienced having my own location, given the opportunity to be involved in a trial run at an infamous food hall located in the heart of our downtown neighborhood! Read more>>
John Quinonez
Thank you for having me on today. Some risk can be seen as reckless, scary, and unnecessarily dangerous with negative outcomes or consequences. Other risk are seen as challenging, rewarding, and an enduring experience with not only a positive outcome but also being able to learn and hon new skills and a new way of thinking. These risk can be calculated by planning out the steps, mitigating the hazards, and mastering the basic and necessary skills to accomplish the task. Read more>>
Anny Garcia
Anny, a 38-year-old Colombian woman, took the brave step of leaving her homeland and exploring different countries to immerse herself in new cultures. With a free spirit and a deep love for music, she found solace in her unique artistic ideas. Pursuing her passion, she studied Architecture, the field that resonated most with arts and design in her country. Read more>>
Jessica Hall
I think at nineteen years old some may have thought I was crazy to become a business owner and purchase a Dance Studio. But I felt as though at the time, being so young there were no rewards without taking risks. The truth is, I still feel this way today. Read more>>
Cindy Shea
As a musician, I am influenced by various genres and styles from around the world. At a young age, I studied classical and jazz trumpet. I had the opportunity to study with Arturo Sandoval in Florida and fell in love with Latin music. As a non-Latina, my career has primarily been based on musical styles outside of my culture. I always strive to be as respectful as possible while still expanding boundaries and expressing my creativity. Read more>>
SHXWN FRESH
One of the biggest risk I’ve had to take, was moving to Austin from Louisiana to pursue my music career. Read more>>
Amy Olson
As cliche as this may sound, starting my own business as a mom to 2 young girls (ages 3 and 5 at the time) has been one of the biggest career risks I’ve ever taken. I’d say this beat the risk of moving to Colorado after graduating college in Texas with nothing but an unpaid summer intern job lined up. Read more>>
Shamoneak Thomas
In late April 2023, I decided to take a chance and start Pilates. Why was it such a significant risk? I was stepping into a new environment, not knowing anyone, and trying a new workout. But much to my delight, I was greeted with open arms, and I have since developed a deep fondness for Pilates! I am now considering becoming an instructor, and I plan to offer low-cost and free Pilates classes to those in my community, especially the Black community. Read more>>
Olivia-Sade Gonzale
As you navigate the world as I have, you learn how important your decisions are and how much they impact your life. Most of the time, moments of confusion and feeling lost has led me to making the best decisions that I only really understood looking back. Read more>>
Paul Mardy
Taking the leap from being a musician hoping to perform in a Broadway pit to pursuing a photography career was undeniably the most considerable risk I have ever taken. From the tender age of three, music had been my guiding light. I worked tirelessly learning various instruments and spent countless hours practicing and chasing a Broadway dream. Read more>>
Edgar Quiroz
Taking a risk is how you become successful! Read more>>
Rachael Hall
Owner of Knot Yourself Medical Massage Studio. We have 2 locations; Medina and newly opened Westlake. Read more>>
Chelsea Sommerfeld
My name is Chelsea Sommerfeld and I am an artist and designer. I practiced creating art from a young age and knew going into high school that I wanted a career in the creative industry. I decided to further my artistic abilities into interior design and obtained my bachelors of science from Kansas State University in 2011. Read more>>
Erica Hart
Becoming a fulltime entrepreneur Read more>>
George “Geetyga” Thobias
I believe it is important for people to go for what they believe in! My strongest advice is simple: believe in yourself. Don’t listen to what everyone else has to say. Go for what you believe truly in. Read more>>
Alicia Pozsony
I’d have to say my biggest risk was writing my first book. Not only was it a risk to put myself out there and be vulnerable, but it was a risk because it was the easiest thing I had done. You see, I come from a dysfunctional upbringing – my mother had mental illness – Read more>>
Andrea Kentebe
All 2022 I had been thinking about moving to Atlanta. I was so scared and hesitant. Come January, I made the decision to just go for it. I set a date and went for it. I took a leave from my job and moved to Atlanta to chase my dreams. I really wanted to be a full time Makeup Artist. I packed up my little Toyota Corolla and May 1st, I drove the 10 hours to Atlanta. Read more>>
Alli Diemer
I recently took a big risk in moving to a new area of the state with my husband. We bought a house in February, I left my full-time job in social work, and I am now pursuing my business full-time. This is a scary decision, but I’ve been feeling nudged by the Lord ever since last fall that this is my next move. We weren’t even sure where we were moving to at the time. Read more>>
Sammy McCoy
I think one of the scariest decisions I’ve made was to transition from being a full-time college student to dropping out to pursue a career as an Tattoo Artist & Creative. I knew I was about to take one the biggest risks of my life but everything in me was begging for a change & I could just feel that I wouldn’t be truly happy if I didn’t at least try. Read more>>
Lisa Cobb
I was raised in Montreal, Canada however I was drawn from a young age to move to the big apple. After graduating college and working a couple of years in my home town, the opportunity presented itself to live with my best friend and her mother in Queens, NY. Read more>>
Jen LaVita
Risk taking is something I believe in and it’s served me well so far in life. What it does, is push the existing boundaries of what you THINK you’re capable of and makes way for so much more beyond that. Read more>>
ashley galvan
This year I turned thirty, flirty and thriving! Before my 30th birthday, I felt like I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone and quit my dream job. Why would I quit my dream job? One might ask. Because if I didn’t leave now… I never would. Comfort is a place we all love and treasure until it suffocates you and I felt suffocated. Read more>>
Susan Gold
I’ve taken many risks in life – leaving my home at 17, the morning after High School graduation; living in Greenwich Village alone at 19, starting my own business in NYC at 25 with enough cash in the bank for 2 months of living expenses, moving to LA for a job opportunity, being an independently employed entrepreneur and consultant most of my career, moving from LA to rural Montana, and publishing a memoir involving a taboo and sensitive topic. Read more>>
Barbara Leonhard
Almost every success in my life began with taking a risk. When I was 6 going on 7, I contracted measles encephalitis, which paralyzed me. I was unable to walk, talk, or eat solids. I went into a coma, and when I awoke from it, I was able to speak but not walk. The doctor announced that I would never walk again. However, I took a risk. Not wanting to be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, Read more>>
Jay Mercado
Creativity is risk. And risk requires creativity. Without risk nothing truly creative happens. Even initially taking the leap to become an artist is ripe with risk. And yet nothing worthwhile comes without risk. Mountains do not climb themselves. Big waves don’t surf themselves. And bold and beautiful paintings do not paint themselves. The more we peel away the unnecessary layers from ourselves to unveil our true essence and then make artwork the more we risk. It’s a requirement. Read more>>
Martin Cochingco
I remember quitting a decent paying job at Telus and Scotiabank prior to feeling “ready” for stuntwork. Read more>>
Birdy Music
A time I took a risk, there are many but one that stands out was I booked on to an event in Tracy, California at the time I was on a very tight budget so I decided to take the Greyhound Bus and it seemed kinda exciting. During the trip I would have to stop in Reno, Oakland and Tracy. Read more>>
Michelle Curran
Being an Artist is and of itself a risk. You create something from idea to execution, then put a piece of yourself out publicly for all to critique. Recently I’ve started doing pieces that embody and encapsulate a feminine energy, with a moody and sultry feel; the risks associated with bringing that style to the public square are many. However I am unbothered by that fact. I paint for pleasure, not for profit. Read more>>
PEABOD (Isaac Peabody)
I’ve been a full time musician since February 2022, and a few months after I took the leap and quit my job, I was dropped from my record label. I felt confused, and to be honest, pretty scared. I’m naturally a pretty risk-averse person. I like playing it safe, and I’ve always held “responsibility” as a high value in my life (probably too high). Read more>>
Laurie Michelle Lee
My life-altering journey began several years ago. At that time in my life, was a single mom with four amazing girls, one of which was an infant. I wanted a better life for my daughters and to show them that they could do anything; they had the power to shape their own futures. Read more>>
Brandon Burrell
You have to take a risk at some point in your life so why not take a risk on yourself. Support for what you do especially in music doesn’t come quick or easy so you have to have thick skin and believe in yourself even when no one else does. It’s risky continuing to do something no one expects you to be successful in. Read more>>
Kirsten Morgan
Throughout my childhood and adolescence, I shied away from trying new things over the fear that I would not fit in or would not be good at the thing I was interested in trying. My family encouraged me, signed me up for things, and challenged me to be scared but do it anyway. It wasn’t until I found myself navigating a wedding day “fail,” Read more>>
KEELIN
Growing up in a small town in Ireland, it was quite obvious from a young age that my life path would be a lot different than those around me. Something that was an after school activity for my peers was my only focus growing up and my biggest passion. Choosing to study music in college came with so many questions, some genuinely interested, some with judgement. “So, are you going to be a teacher? Read more>>
Elizabeth Barnes
Taking a risk. Starting my business was a risk. I was working for a company for 3 years and decided that I wanted a change and wanted to help more people become financially free like myself. I decided to get into credit repair not knowing my ex employer was also starting a credit repair company for the clients. Read more>>
Dianna Costa-Pisarski
Many people are paralyzed by fear and change, In many ways I am no different. In my career life I always kept my head down, and went forward. The problem was, I wasn’t moving forward, I was standing in cement. Read more>>
Paulino Sensei
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go.” (T.S. Eliot) Read more>>
Courtney Gaddy
Faith is…. Read more>>
Michelle Peters
The more you move forward with your goals, learn to trust your craft….build a network the easier it is to take a risk. Read more>>