from the editor

January

Years ago, the bulletin board in my son, Nicholas’, fourth grade classroom was peppered with stories of famous people who’d been colossal flops on their way to greatness. Michael Jordan got cut during high school basketball tryouts. Albert Einstein failed his first college entrance exam. Elvis Presley didn’t make the glee club (love that one). These famous failures showed me I’d had the wrong idea about success. I’ve always assumed that great people were handed a roadmap with their destinations clearly marked. They win the election, sell the book, or make the team because their lives have been scripted. The truth is, great people risk failure just like the rest of us. They’re simply more willing to take the chance. This month, I met four Richmond women who took breathtaking chances. Their leaps of faith took them beyond their own imaginations and paid off in spades. I’m proud to know them and I’m betting you will be, too. ~constance ccostas@mediageneral.com