They say life isn’t about the things that happen to you, but about the decisions you make. There’s a ton of coverage about the best decisions people have made, but not nearly enough conversation about the tough decisions. We asked folks we admire to tell us about the most difficult decision they’ve ever had to make and have shared some of those responses below.

Yicheng (loyal) Xie | Director + Cinematographer

The hardest decision I ever made was choosing film. Growing up, I was on the expected path, studying business, I was pretty good at it. Excelling in global competitions, ranking top 15. I was preparing for a stable, predictable future. But deep down, I was restless. I knew I wanted to create something tangible, something that brought me genuine joy, both in the process and the outcome. At that time, I didn’t know exactly what that was—my first consideration was product design or architecture, film to me then, was a bit of a stretch. But as I thought it over, I had to be honest with myself. What I enjoyed the most was story telling. Read more>>

Calvin Lethal Labeija | Choreographer and Creative Director and Costume Designer

The most difficult decision I had to make was leave and establishment that you are making a significant change because your calling requires you not to stay in one place and be complacent in a place you have brought forth significant change. For me having to go this route often times kept me from really wanting to do more, over time I have to come learn and understand that your path is already made for you its up to you to truly have faith an believe in yourself. If all else fails believe in what you are capable of doing. knowing that you are working towards something greater than makes all the trials and tribulations worth it. Read more>>

Jennifer Hampton | C.E.O. & Model/Actress

Honestly, the hardest decision I had to make was leaving everything I knew in New York—my people, my comfort zone, my whole vibe—to move, all the way across the country, to L.A. I didn’t know a soul out here, but I felt like I had to take that leap if I really wanted to level up in my career and education. It took a lot of faith in myself and trust that I’d figure things out, even with all the unknowns. It wasn’t easy, but I knew staying in my comfort zone wouldn’t get me where I wanted to go. Read more>>

Sathwik Gurappagari | Music Producer & Visual Artist

After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Technology, I faced a pivotal choice: either stay in India, working in the IT sector while growing my artist brand on the side, or take a bold leap by moving to Los Angeles to pursue music full-time. It was a financially risky decision, but I viewed it as an investment in my future, giving myself at least two years to see what I could achieve. Thankfully, the decision has paid off—I moved here, dedicated myself entirely, and poured my heart and soul into my work. I’m proud to say my growth has been strong, and I’m continually reaching new milestones in my career Read more>>

Mae Claire | Actor, Singer, & Entrepreneur

The most difficult decision I’ve made as a creative was choosing to leave a 9-to-5 career to pursue my life as an artist. Starting my own business wasn’t driven by a passion for entrepreneurship; it was a strategic move to give me the flexibility I needed to train and focus on my creative work. Being the only one in my family and community to take this path, I had to do a lot of research to minimize the risks I was taking. Read more>>

Jules Buenabenta | Future In Tech

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? Read more>>

Quieesha “corii” Burns | Fashion Designer, CEO, Owner

The most difficult decision I had to make thus far for my brand was changing the brand’s name from BODIIBIICORII to Corii Burns. It was a deeply personal and emotional choice because BODIIBIICORII represented a significant part of my journey and creative identity. The name held meaning and nostalgia, as it was tied to my early vision for the brand. However, I realized that transitioning to Corii Burns would make the brand more aligned with my name and personal story, creating a stronger and more personal connection with my audience. It was hard to let go of something that symbolized my beginnings, but I knew this change was necessary to position the brand for growth, clarity, and a broader reach while staying authentic to who I am. Read more>>

Stella Star | Artist, Scientist, and Founder & CEO of Stella Star Studios Inc.

The most difficult decision I ever had to make was the decision to choose. When you lose a parent, nothing really matters anymore. I know this sounds morbid, but I’ve always chosen to find the beauty in life. I only make this choice, because, When I was nine all I knew at the time was my mom and dad and what they chose for me. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a pair of parents that despite everything, would always put my dreams above everything else. My dad wanted me to be in sailing, swimming, Good Dog University, and junior lifeguards. A choice he only made because of his parent’s choice in the fifties to put their dreams aside and settle down in Costa Mesa. Just close enough to the border of the NMUSD school district so he could have the best education in sailing, swimming, music, and academics. Knowledge was always important to a family of artists and sailors. Read more>>

Madison Cho | Real Estate Agent

Making the leap from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming a café manager and then stepping into the world of real estate in my mid-40s was definitely a big decision—but one I’m so proud of! It wasn’t easy, and there were moments of doubt, but the excitement of starting fresh, learning new things, and following my passions kept me going. It’s a journey that’s been full of growth, challenges, and incredible rewards. I’m embracing the change with open arms, and each day brings new opportunities to learn and make an impact. Read more>>