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.

Kait Olds

For 7 months I quit health. My name is Kait. I am a fitness and health fanatic. I truly believe that the greatest wealth is health; that optimal quality of life is ours to be had. I also believe that nutrition, exercise and mindfulness is medicine and key to achieving health goals. No individual journey is the same, therefore no prescribed program is the same. The diversity and limitless factors of health and fitness have always intrigued me. Here is my story and current mission- Read more>>

Grace Wijaya

As a creative, our journey is a dance with vulnerability, a daring exploration of uncharted territories. Putting our work out into the world is akin to revealing pieces of our soul, susceptible to both applause and critique. It’s a journey where rejection and uncertainty lurk in the shadows, yet within that vulnerability lies the magic of creation. Taking risks as a creative is an act of courage, an assertion that our voice deserves to be heard. Read more>>

Shelly Nupp

I have always been a risk taker, a dreamer! From the time I was a little girl, I always wanted to be nurse. When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up that was always my answer. As an adult I went on to achieve that goal and worked my husband, Justin through collage. It wasn’t until we started our family that I really felt a call to something different. I had always loved decorating our home and doing small projects that would make a big impact. Being a young family we didn’t have a lot of extra money so most of the time I had to do these project with little to no money. It really taught me to be creative and think outside the box. Read more>>

Jenna Martin

I’ve taken lots of risks, but I think the biggest I’ve ever taken in my career was uprooting my entire life and moving to Jerusalem, Israel for two years. I was primarily doing photojournalism with a non-profit organization. I had felt this strong pull (I’m a professing follower of Jesus) by the Lord to go and little did I know, those two years would stretch me creatively, and spiritually…more than I have ever been stretched in my life actually. Read more>>

Laurie Pilia

At the age of 28, I found myself a single mother, working two jobs just to get by. It was during this challenging time that I made a bold decision – I sold all my belongings and, along with my 4-year-old daughter, embarked on a journey to Ireland to pursue a Master’s Degree and start a new life with my now-husband. Taking this risk turned out to be the best decision of my life, leading me to a world of dreams I never thought possible. Read more>>

Kari Merkl

I don’t think of myself as a risk taker but I have taken many risks over the past 15 years in business. Sometimes I think of them as strategic risks but if I really think about it some of the risks have been intuitive risks. Following a curiosity vs following the numbers. Some of these risks have been successful and some have not. I read something years ago about someone throwing a line out and following that line. I have done that a lot in my business. I think the biggest risk I often take is being too scared to pivot and change course and in the bigger picture that can be a passive risk as a business owner. Trying new things has to be part of a creative business and this often means some level of risk. Read more>>

Teri Cox

After working in the corporate world for many years, always knowing that in two week, I would receive a direct deposit into my bank account, was known as Security at that time. Fast forward, the company was sold. Even thought I was given the opportunity to relocate, it was not an option, because our daughter was in her senior year of high school. This is where the taking the risks comes into play. I decided to go into Real Estate. First getting my license, then later on getting my Brokers license. Real Estate is commission based, so now without the security of a steady paycheck with benefits, I learned that I could do this and make a good living.  Read more>>

Brigitte Harley

My background of finance and law is not the most risk forward. I always wanted to own a bar or restaurant and was afraid to take that step on my own. Being afraid kept me from doing this for years. Always found a reason it was not right. Now over 3.5 years into it, I really wish I had not let my fear hold me back for so long. Granted we had the curve ball of the pandemic to hit 2 months after we opened and it has been a process to fully get on the other side of all of the ramifications associated with that, but we feel solid and are thriving. We have the best team who are so creative and work well together. Read more>>

Shalice Thornton

I took a risk when I first started my business, Sunset Remedy. I didn’t know how it was going to go but there was an unwavering feeling I had that somehow it was needed. For others but also myself. I figured that everything I had learned on my own through personal study & experience was somehow going to work at assisting others. Even if it wasn’t on a huge scale. Simply being able to relate to others on this crazy journey called life & share my own insight was something I just felt called to do. Read more>>

Dana Leigh Lyons

When I got sober in early 2020, I could have kept it quiet. For one, I wasn’t drinking any more than the average American or Canadian at the time. For another, I never hit a “rock bottom.” By outward appearances, I had my personal and professional life together. But I knew that ANY amount of alcohol was not serving me. I knew that ANY amount of alcohol is toxic to body-mind-spirit. I also knew that many folks are profoundly addicted to alcohol (even if their drinking habits pass as “normal” in today’s wider collective). Read more>>

Corey Crandall

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was deciding to bet on myself and become a freelance worker in film and television. Growing up, we all feel like we are supposed to have a plan. Graduate high school, go to college, and get a job with a 401K and a nice salary. I made it though most of those steps, but late into my senior year of colloege I realized that the path I was currently on, wasn’t one that I could do forever. I can remember how stressful it was, to no longer have a plan. I decided to finish college and graduate with a degree in Fine Arts and try to figure out the rest of my life after. Read more>>

Justin Irby

One of the most significant risks I’ve taken in my life was the decision to leave the comfort and security of my career in marketing. At the time, I had a stable job with a steady income, and it seemed like a safe and predictable path. However, I couldn’t ignore the burning passion I had for DJing and producing music. It was a leap into the unknown, and the decision to follow my heart was nothing short of terrifying. Read more>>

Jaclyn Corrales

Shane and I have been making resin art together for years. What started as a hobby that we could enjoy together slowly became a bigger and bigger challenge as we began offering commissioned works of resin art, applying to Art Walks and being featured in local coffee shops. Eventually, I left my corporate job to pursue resin art full time. Getting used to being your own boss, having to be a self starter or the bills don’t get paid was a lot more significant of a lesson to learn and a lesson that was learned very quickly. Soon enough we decided it was time to grow, the only question was how? Read more>>

Marquis Watson

There’s one word that often brings on the feeling of fear when you venture out on your own and that word is “RISK.” We often don’t take that word seriously enough, but we subconsciously deal with it every day. We are driving, fly on planes, financial situations and on and one. Never a thought until it truly effects our lives in a way that changes it and perhaps forever. Read more>>

Dolly Dagger

After living in LA for a while and operating under the band/artist name Doctrin, I felt it was time for a change. The emergence of a new company of the same name and spelling had built a large online presence which was impacting my searchability; I was also feeling like I wasn’t myself operating under that name anymore. Everyone remembered my own name easily and often ‘Dolly’ would come up on show flyer or events where I had to ask the promoters to change it to my artist name. But, evidently Dolly stuck with people so I felt it was time to run with it even though it would mean having to create awareness of all new social and music platforms. Read more>>

Renee Sorgi

This entire THE REAL RENEE journey has been all about taking risks. I took a leap because I know my products are amazing and that there are so many people that need them, but I had no idea how to start a business. When I was in high school, I had this burning desire to be a fashion designer, but I also had a passion for being a hairstylist. Whatever I was going to be, I knew it wasn’t going to be a career where I sat behind a desk at a computer all day. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a career like that, but it just wasn’t me. Read more>>

Audra Leininger

Learning to take risks has been a theme in my life; however, I have had more opportunities to take risks in the past six years than ever before. About 11 years ago, I decided to give up my dream of living in the mountains (Lake Tahoe) to move back to Michigan and pursue my master’s degree. I had too many things on my plate while trying to survive in Lake Tahoe, and I knew I couldn’t add the additional time and debt to the mix while there. I was never going to move back to Michigan, but once I made the decision to work at my alma mater and live at my mom’s house to afford this decision, I was all in. However, once I arrived back in Michigan, I was less than thrilled with living in Southern Michigan. My heart longed for the outdoors. Read more>>

Guo Guo

Risk always comes with opportunities. When I was growing up, I always was the type tries my best not to step outside of the box, trying to be the good kid, typical good Asian kid right? Until when I graduated from college and got the offer to go to one of the most prestigious film schools in the world, I felt like my dream came true. However, a few days later, I was told that my father’s investment company went bankrupt and my family was burdened with a huge amount of debt. I decided to stay and support my family, putting off my dream. Read more>>

Diana Firefly

Being woman filmmakers in a male-driven industry is a challenge and a risk. The Hollywood film industry is very brutal and capricious. Popularity is a key factor, having a unique brand, a marketable product is everything. I was talking to some of my compatriots about how tough it is to succeed as an indie filmmaker because you are up against studios with millions of dollars and big stars, then when you add in the factor of you being a minority in the industry it is even more difficult to achieve success.  Read more>>

Dana Ziyasheva

I loved taking risks from a very early age, and when I say, ‘very early,’ I mean at the age of 4. We lived in the 8th micro-district of Almaty, which was the capital of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic back then. Kindergarten didn’t agree with me, so my parents allowed me to stay at home with my laid-back grandma. Until I started school at the age of 7, I had the freedom to roam our courtyard—a vast square enclosed by four residential buildings and shadowed by tree gardens. Read more>>

Caitlyn Lopez

In 2020 I was involved in a car accident that would change the trajectory of my life. It was a major turning point, where I began to re-evaluate where I was going. It left me unable to work in the same way I had before, it was a very challenging time for me. But it was during my recovery that I realized I had a unique opportunity. I’ve always been passionate about the creative arts and marketing. My background in theater – actingm, singing, and dancing instilled in me a deep appreciation for storytelling and artistic expression. Read more>>

C.Mack

Taking risks, have truly been embedded in my DNA. From driving across country to California, (2011) with my son who was just one years old at the time. To packing up all my belongings 9 years ago to move to “Military City USA”; San Antonio, TX (2014). I was giving the opportunity to create the life I wanted, after years of growing up in Fayetteville, NC – It was time to make a change, and make the move of a lifetime. After packing up my apartment in faith for a few months here and there, and making the necessary arrangements. Read more>>

Meghan Jones

It’s been a big risk for me to suddenly show up full time on multiple social media sites as a certified holistic health coach when … a. I was really never on social media & it scared me … I had a FB page, but it was purposefully locked down like a private fortress Read more>>

Berenice

One of the most significant risks I’ve taken in my life was probably the decision to leave the academic world, where I was studying international politics and economics in Milano, to pursue music full-time. It might sound brave to some, but to me, it felt like the most weirdly natural thing in the world, almost childishly so. I loved what I was doing before. Read more>>

Rebecca Hamilton

As a classically trained violinist, it’s been a real concern to see fewer people attending classical music concerts. This isn’t a new issue; it’s been happening for years. Classical music isn’t connecting with as many people as it once did, and that’s a challenge for those of us in the field. Read more>>

Mass & Christine Arezzi

In May 2021 we sold our house in Toronto and bought a small farm in Wiarton. Starting a farm had been something we had thought about for a long time, but we didn’t think it would be possible until we were retired. We were both working in management roles in the financial services industry, commuting downtown every day. And then the pandemic started, and stretched on and on, and we said to each other, let’s do it now! Read more>>

David Gonzalez

I think the headline for this story is “Go big or go home.” It was 1996, I had been performing in schools, local venues, and some travel gigs, but always as a solo artist. I recall getting the brochure from the newly opened New Victory Theater, a renovated Broadway theater that was set to open in a few months. I had a pang of longing – I knew that I wanted to be on that stage. I saw that an acquaintance of mine was on the advisory board, so I took a risk and called him. He connected me to the person in charge of booking, who happened to be familiar with my work and asked me to join the inaugural season. Read more>>

Kendra’ Wilson

In life, making mistakes and taking risks are essential. As someone who has been a passionate dancer for 15 years and is currently a full-time college student majoring in Exercise Science at the University of South Florida, I can attest that daily challenges involve taking risks. However, one of my most significant risks is starting my own business, which began when a fellow college resident inquired about purchasing eyelashes in our group chat. Since I bought lashes in bulk and had some unused pairs, I decided to seize the opportunity. Read more>>

Gaynor Hicks

I have taken two big risks in my adult life. The first one when I was 17 freshly graduated high school, I moved from the comfort of my family home is Brisbane, Australia to a brand new city – Sydney, Australia. I only knew a handful of people but knew that was where I needed to be to begin my professional career in dancing. Read more>>

Austin Powell

Taking a significant risk has led me to some unexpected and thrilling rewards. After nearly a decade of military service, I decided to transition into civilian life, leaving many wondering about my next steps. In Fall 2023, I embarked on a journey to one of the world’s most prestigious art schools, thanks to a combination of good fortune and unwavering determination. Read more>>

Deborah Schaefer

Finally finding my voice, like a leg lamp. I am ready to reclaim my voice and shine that light. Over the years, 36 years to be exact, I sat quietly while he spoke and told my life story for me in the confines of our marriage. Finally, free to tell my story without consequences , fear , or the terror of another round of abuse, I was an abused women, yet, an educated woman, a woman so badly battered and nearly destroyed by a man whom I chose to love honor and shelter till death do us part. It was pure terror not knowing what I would awaken to each morning, so I left; it was finally time after another round of near destructive lies, when I fled for my life. Yes, ladies, clad with a suitcase, a hidden car and a plane ticket, I was landing in a place that I once called home. Read more>>

Nebi Void

My background is in conceptual art and the occult, particularly the relationship between photography and Witchcraft. I suppose my interests and root as an artist has taught me to be comfortable in risk and uncertainty. Read more>>

Kimisha King

In 2017 I attended a business conference and the speaker inspired me to jump and take a chance on me. I immediately decided to start an Instagram page named Queensmindset and encourage women. My intention at the time was to have a motivational page where I could become an inspiration for women. Never did I think that it would become so much more. I took a risk on myself and placed my fears aside. I began hosting live sessions on Instagram for women to be impacted, then it later turned into YouTube videos and TV series, then workshops, summits, conferences, podcasts, books magazines and an entire organisation! Read more>>

Rachel Bell

Honestly, it started with my last management position. I loved directing a business to success and interacting and helping customers. I had done it for almost 8 years. It was towards the end it became very stressful. I started to realize that no matter what I did, how hard I worked, I couldn’t change the direction the company was headed. I also realized that I wanted something that I could be proud of. I had thoughts about what I could do instead but every thing was pointing to having something I could run myself. It was the help of my wife who pushed me to go after what I wanted. It was extremely scary but I knew it had to be done. Read more>>