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Risks I Took That Paid Off in Business and Life
If there’s one thing I’ve learned on my journey as an entrepreneur, mother, and businesswoman, it’s this: growth doesn’t come without risk. Every significant milestone in my life came after a leap of faith. Sometimes it was scary, sometimes it didn’t make sense on paper — but every time I leaned into courage instead of comfort, it paid off.
Here are a few of the most significant risks I’ve taken in business and in life — and the lessons that came with them.
#1: Starting My First Business
When I opened my skincare business, I didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t have an MBA, a big loan, or a business plan. I’ve always been the type to just jump in headfirst and ask questions later. When it comes to business, no amount of school, studying, or reading can teach you what the application and taking action can do. I already had a skill, and I was good at it. I was tired of working for people who did not appreciate me and took more than half my profits. I had to believe in myself and begin, even though I was scared and had no idea what to do. I remember my ex-husband said to me, “What happens if it doesn’t work out?” Actually, that thought never crossed my mind. I didn’t have a plan B or a backup; I just knew I wasn’t going to allow myself to fail, and if I did make a wrong turn, I would just pivot and go in a different direction until I reached my goals.
Speaking about “pivoting”, that is a significant lesson I learned along the way. As business owners, we must see the future, anticipate what’s coming down the pike, and pivot when necessary. So many times, we hang on to bad habits, relationships, and business practices that do not serve us or our business in any way. Doing that will keep you stagnant, depressed, and paralyzed. Unable to move forward and scale the business. When we understand that the way we do one thing is the way we do everything, life begins to look very different. If we are lacking in one area of our lives or are undisciplined, that will spill over into every other area of our lives, including our business.
When I was starting, one thing I did have was passion, skill, and a vision to help people feel confident in their own skin, especially women. Helping someone clear their acne, boost their confidence, and live their best life is the most rewarding aspect of my business. This will always be the mission forever.
The risk? Walking away from the “stability” of a job and stepping into the unknown of entrepreneurship. The reward? Puresthetics grew into a six-figure company, allowing me to build a career on my own terms.
You don’t need everything figured out. Start with what you have, where you are, and commit to figuring out the rest along the way. Most lessons we need to learn in business come only as we fall and get back up —and we MUST get back up as many times as it takes.
#2: Pivoting Into Real Estate
After years of running my spa, I felt the call to expand. It really came at a time when I was in the middle of a divorce. My kids were getting older, and I was in therapy at the time. My therapist asked me what the future looked like for me once the kids were grown and didn’t need me anymore. I really had no idea, but she gave me something to think about. I started in real estate, not as a licensed agent but as an investor. I joined a real estate group for investors and began learning everything about real estate investing. If there is something you want to learn, you have to immerse yourself around other people who know more than you do.
I was able to join a group of people who pooled their money, lent it to contractors who were flipping properties, and gave us a 12% return on every deal. At that point, I began to understand how to invest money and get a better return than just saving and holding it in a savings account. 12% is much more than any savings account will ever give you, and I was able to make 12% on 3-4 deals a year.
Real estate had always fascinated me; it was another path to freedom and wealth. But leaving behind something I already mastered to step into a brand-new field? That was intimidating. Now I am in a place where I can merge all my businesses and knowledge into one brand (Wealth & Wellness). There are many paths to wealth, but one thing is for sure: all wealthy people have three things —business, real estate, and stocks. These are the three pillars of wealth creation in America. When I learned this, my world opened up.
The risk? Investing time and energy into a completely different industry.
The reward? A new career that opened more doors for wealth building and positioned me to help people in a different but equally powerful way.
Sometimes the next level of your life requires pivoting from something that’s “good” to pursue something different. In this economy, the way the world is turning, we must have multiple streams of income. Making money one way is no longer safe or secure. As we saw during the pandemic and the years that followed, these companies can and will drop you on a dime. We have the power to create new income streams, learn new things, and move in new directions that will become profitable.
#3: Balancing Multiple Ventures
Running more than one business at a time isn’t easy. It meant long hours, new systems, and plenty of trial and error. I could have played it safe and stayed in one lane, but I knew my bigger vision was to create multiple streams of income. I haven’t had a “boss” in over 20 years, but that is both a blessing and a curse. Becoming your own boss requires way more discipline than I ever imagined. When you don’t have a specific time to clock in, you have to force yourself to stay dedicated and routine to push the needle forward in your life, for your health and for your business.
I’ve always been a bit hardheaded as a child; I wasn’t able to be controlled or influenced very easily. My mom called me a “strong-willed child”; she even had to read books about it because I was all over the place. This mentality is what fuels me. I want to be in control of my own life. I get anxiety just thinking about putting my life in someone else’s hands and following unthinkingly wherever they want to go. This life belongs to me and me alone. I want to make my own decisions because I don’t trust anyone else to do so for me.
I have been an esthetician since I was 19. I love this profession, and I have built a great business, but I wanted more. Entrepreneurs are never satisfied and fear sliding backwards or becoming stagnant. We are always on a quest for more information, knowledge, money, happiness, etc EXPANSION is always the goal.
The risk? Stretching myself too thin and failing.
The reward? Learning how to delegate, build systems, and create true freedom. Today, I can step back when needed while my businesses continue to grow.
Multiple streams of income aren’t built overnight. But if you’re willing to take the risk of juggling, the reward is financial security and the freedom to choose.
#4: Putting Myself Out There
Whether it’s creating content, mentoring others, or sharing my story — being visible hasn’t always felt natural; in fact, it’s the one thing that has held me back and slowed me down over the years. Being vulnerable in front of the whole world is so scary. People will judge; you feel like you have to look perfect and speak perfectly, but these are all things I told myself —this does not mean they are true, or that I have to pay attention to them. Mastering your thoughts as they pass through is a skill we have to master. Our minds are constantly telling us things, and it’s our job to filter out what is beneficial, what we can use, and throw away the rest. “Chew the meat and spit out the bones.”
I’ve realized that discipline has to kick in when motivation isn’t there. We won’t always feel the motivation and fire within us to keep going, and when we don’t, that’s when discipline has to get to work. Just do the job that is required to push the needle forward, daily. It’s vulnerable to let people see behind the curtain. But hiding never built a legacy, so I chose to show up anyway. So even though literal terror runs through my body when I have to get on camera, I am determined to grow my brand, even if that means doing so. One thing I know for sure is that life never gets easier; it actually gets harder. We just learn to handle it better (hopefully) as we age.
The risk? Fear of judgment, criticism, or failure.
The reward? Connection. Inspiration. Building Community, and the chance to help others on their own wealth and wellness journey.
When you share your story, you permit someone else to believe in their own.
Looking back, every significant risk I’ve taken has shaped the woman I am today. None of it was easy. But the truth is: comfort zones don’t create wealth or wellness. Risk does.
If you’re standing at a crossroads right now, wondering whether to play it safe or take the leap, here’s my advice: bet on yourself. YOU ARE YOUR GREATEST INVESTMENT, ALWAYS!