What Do You Believe? (About Saying Yes to Opportunity)

I’m a strong believer that when an opportunity presents itself, you’re meant to open the door—even just a little—and peek inside. Saying yes to opportunity doesn’t mean you’re committing forever. It means you’re open. Curious. Willing to explore.

What do you believe?

(Really—I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.)

Let me tell you why I’m so passionate about exploring opportunities, especially when it comes to our careers, our growth, and our sense of purpose.

Opportunity #1: Saying Yes to a New Career Direction

Before Covid, I wore many culinary hats. I worked as a demo chef for a seafood import company, cooked weekly for personal chef clients, and hosted dinner parties and special events around town.

My demo chef work took me to food shows across the country, where I would grocery shop locally, create sample dishes, and speak to buyers about the featured seafood.

At one of the National Restaurant Association shows in Chicago, I was working within a booth for a boutique food distributor. The owner and his sales team interacted with me regularly, and toward the end of the show, he asked to meet with me.

He offered me a job as a regional sales rep in my home market—with a salary during training and full medical benefits. I’d never worked in sales before, but I was eager to learn. So, I said yes. I handed off my personal chef clients to trusted colleagues and dove headfirst into the world of meat and seafood sales.

I was just gaining traction and landing accounts when Covid hit.

The parent company continued to pay our salaries for a while, but eventually, I was furloughed and placed on unemployment—something I wouldn’t have qualified for if I’d remained fully self-employed.

I had stepped into the right room at the right time.

Opportunity #2: Saying Yes to Italy—and to Myself

As Covid began to wind down, a recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn about a full-time private chef position. I cracked the door open and decided to see what was inside.

Three months later—after a demanding interview process and a month-long trial—I was hired as the second full-time chef for a household. Once again, I let go of my clients and stepped into the new role.

But as things returned to normal, the family realized they no longer needed two chefs. I had been the last hired, so I was the first to go—thankfully, with a generous severance check in hand.

Instead of feeling defeated, I did something bold.

I booked a first-class, two-week solo trip to Italy. I visited Rome, Abruzzo, and Venice. I stayed in boutique hotels, worked alongside Zia and Nonna in the kitchen, and traveled by private transfer and canal boats. It was an unforgettable experience—one of the most soul-filling chapters of my life.

When you say yes to the unknown, the most beautiful stories begin to unfold

Opportunity #3: Saying Yes Again… and Again

Just a few weeks after returning from Italy, still fighting jet lag and post-vacation blues, I got a message.

The personal assistant to the nephew of the household I'd cooked for before Italy reached out—they needed a weekly private chef. I interviewed and was hired.

Shortly after that, another recruiter contacted me about a part-time private chef job for a family of four. I interviewed, completed background checks, did the cooking trial, and was hired.

To this day, I still cook for both of those families—plus my very first meal prep client from 14 years ago.

Why Am I Telling You All This?

Because I meet so many people who are afraid of change.

Afraid to peek behind the door.Afraid to say yes to something new, even when it’s right in front of them.

I coach people through those exact moments of fear and hesitation.

Because I believe deeply that when the Universe (or whatever higher power you believe in) places an opportunity in your path—it’s an invitation.

Not a demand.

Not a guarantee.

Just an invitation.

And your only job is to open the door and explore.

Sometimes the reward is a new friendship.

Sometimes it’s growth.

Sometimes it’s an experience that becomes part of the story you’ll be proud to tell.

What About the Doors That Close?

Now, I know what you might be thinking: What about the times we open the door… and it doesn’t lead anywhere?

I’ve been there, too.

There have been interviews I didn’t land, clients who chose someone else, and roles that seemed perfect—but slipped through my fingers. And you know what? I wouldn’t call a single one of those a failure.

Every time I put myself out there—whether I got the job or not—I learned something. About myself. About what I truly want. About how I show up when the stakes feel high.

Sometimes the lesson was confidence.

Sometimes it was clarity.

Sometimes it was simply building the resilience to keep saying yes to the next open door.

Failure isn’t failure if you grow from it.

And growth is never wasted.

What Doors Have You Opened Lately?

I’d love to hear about the times you’ve said yes to something unexpected—or the times you bravely tried and it didn’t go the way you hoped.

What opportunities helped you grow?

Which doors are you still thinking about?

And what’s the next one you’re ready to open?

Let’s talk about it in the comments.

—

✍️ Catherine Richey

Coach & Chef for a Life You’ll Never Regret

Ready to reset more than just your day?

I work with people who are done settling and ready to fall in love with their life again.

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