Taking Risks: Are You Ready to Bet on Yourself?
In 2004, I was sent to Miami for work.
I’d never been to the South, and I’d definitely never seen water like that.
The ocean. The heat. Perpetual summer? Yes, please!
It felt right.
By December 31, 2004, I was packing up my NYC apartment, ready to start fresh.
On January 1, 2005, I boarded the first JetBlue flight from LGA to MIA to begin a new chapter.
I was ready to trade the big city for a laid-back beach life.
Fast Forward 20 Years
Life looks a lot different now.
Two kids.
Many jobs.
A lifetime of lessons.
And here I am, on the edge of another big change.
Over time, I lost touch with the girl who took risks.
The one who just went for it.
But I’ve learned something important:
It’s never too late to start again.
Betting on Me (And You Can Too)
At 45, I’m taking risks again.
I’m choosing to bet on myself.
As we grow older, we start listening to the noise.
Go to college.
Get the job.
Climb the ladder.
Raise a family.
But then what?
You’re Allowed to Break the Mold
You don’t have to follow the same path everyone else is on.
You’re allowed to be the first person in your family to take a risk.
To do things differently.
To go all in on you.
Starting a business can be scary. But here’s the thing:
A job doesn’t give you security. You do.
The Only Sure Thing is You
I learned this the hard way.
I once poured my heart and soul into a startup. People thought I owned it because I gave so much of myself to it.
But when I left, I was replaced the next day.
That’s when I realized:
The only sure thing is you.
Why Starting a Business is the Best Security
We’re in an age where it’s never been easier to start a business.
You don’t need to sign a lease or take out a massive loan.
All you need is:
A strong Wi-Fi connection.
A plan.
And the willingness to begin.
Why Now is the Best Time to Start
The world is changing.
AI and technology are shifting the landscape.
Job security? It’s a thing of the past.
The future is creating multiple streams of income.
Building a flywheel of opportunities for yourself.
When you own your revenue streams, you’re bulletproof.
What Business Should You Start?
If you’re not sure where to begin, ask yourself:
What adversity have I overcome?
What topics do you love talking about?
What do I do really well?
What do people always ask me for help with?
What comes easily to me, but is hard for others?
Somewhere in those answers is your business idea.
Stop Waiting for Security—Create It
Before another year passes, think about this:
What if you took all the energy you’ve spent building someone else’s dream and put it into your own?
Starting your business is something no one else can do for you.
And it’s something no one can take away from you.
