Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Kenz | Rapper/Singer, Producer, & Visual Director

Although risk-taking may not be ideal in certain situations, I think throughout my journey as a musician I always accepted the gamble. The reason for that could be because I would not be able to sleep at night knowing that I don’t know what “could’ve been”. In my experience, risk-taking was never a negative thing because even if things did not happen the way I expected them to, I can always learn from them and strategically plan my next move. Read more>>

Josiah Lorsung | Odin Marketing House – Owner

I used to believe that in business those that take risks will eventually lose the game. I heard a saying about jet pilots and how air combat works that changed my mind. The biggest advantage isn’t weaponry, but the ability to make faster changes than the other guy. If a pilot makes a mistake, which they very likely will they need to quickly be able to fix said problem. I think about taking risks like this, just make a decision, and if you made the wrong one make sure you can pivot out of that mistake. Now this doesn’t mean you can just make any mistake, some mistakes are permit or too difficult to change quickly so avoid those risks, but most business decisions are easy to correct. So go take some risks. Read more>>

Harry Guest | Writer and Director

I had a love/hate relationship with risk but I can now say I’m a much better risk taker. Some of my greatest opportunities and experiences have come from putting myself in the deep end, or being thrown in there, trying something new, doing something that’s uncomfortable to me. If you aren’t nervous are you really learning? Read more>>

Tommy Petroskey | Short Film Director

I find risk-taking to be one of my key motivators for wanting to direct short films at all. Expressing your creativity is a very personal display of who you are, how you view the world, and what you believe is a story worth sharing. It’s a risk you’re taking that others will view your work and understand it. It’s a risk that an audience will agree with it, follow it the way you intended, or most importantly, walk away at the end feeling something – good or bad. Read more>>

Genuine Joy (Joshua Wolak) | Recording Artist & Songwriter

As far as I’m concerned, the best things in life begin with a wild leap of faith — a deliciously foolish, against all odds, Olympic-level long jump into the abyss. Does it guarantee a win? Unfortunately, no — a crash landing is even more likely than a success. But doesn’t that make the challenge more exhilarating? And even if you fail, even when it hurts like hell, the ride is so thrilling that you’re bound to try again. When it finally works, you feel like you’ve enacted a miracle. Is it the most rational way to live? Again, no. You’d find better bets at a casino. But as an artist, I’m not trying to be rational. I’m trying to be awesome. Read more>>

Bethanie Jones | Wardrobe Stylist

I moved to LA without any jobs lined up when I first came to the city. I hadn’t assisted within styling yet, but I knew that it was my time to make the move. It was the biggest risk I had taken in my adult life, but it was what I needed to do. I didn’t want to think about styling anymore, I wanted to do it. The only thing my plan consisted of was saying yes and trusting if I was meant to style- the rest would fall into place. Read more>>

Shorty T | Professional Recording Artist/Songwriter, Influencer & Businessman

To me, risk taking is an absolute requirement when it comes to leveling up your life. Nothing worth having comes easy so taking risks and chances to reach further places in life is necessary. Consistency is key and those that understand this will stay on top of the steps needed to reach their goals and see success. Without the drive to take risks, life becomes more boring and routine. It’s also harder to achieve higher levels of greatness if one chooses to remain average or mediocre. Taking risks is what separates those who experience true success from those who just wish they could. Many people choose to play it safe in life so that they have less chances to fail at things but then they trade in the possibility of a better life for that comfort zone. Read more>>

Jeff Perreca | Writer/Director

At some point, we all hit a crossroads when it comes to risk. This is especially true for creatives and independent filmmakers. Risk is simply part of the game. After all, you never score any touchdowns sitting on the sidelines. What I try to hold true to is calculated risk. The biggest key is knowing where you want to go. What’s your mountaintop? For me, it’s being able support myself and my family through filmmaking. So any risk I decided to take on has to put me on a path to that goal. Read more>>

Sean Michael Crane | Sean Michael Crane

I’ve taken constant steps to push myself and my career in the coaching industry since coming home from prison four years ago. I’ve invested in coaches before I had the money to do so . I’ve spoken at events and shared my message before I was “ ready “. And I’ve always put myself out there before I felt comfortable to do so because it is those decisions that have sparked growth and allowed me to expedite my results over and over again.. Read more>>

Durryl Xavier | Visual Artisan & Tailor

I believe in tasking risks head on. Growing up my sister used to tell me to take the chicken by the wings LOL! — it has seriously stayed with me throughout my educational and now professional career. You find your power in the risk; for on the opposite side of risk is regret. Honestly, I feel that you truly find out who you are once you take the risk and conquer it. Then you realize you had it inside you all along and that the risk wasn’t so bad. Just like Dorothy from the Wiz Read more>>

Kashjmier Odna | Kreator, Designer & Fine Artist.

Without risk where would you be ? People usually think of the term “ risk “ as something hazardous or frightening, when in reality it’s about taking a specific direction with full trust on your intuition. Risk taking isn’t really playing a role in my life right now although you can say in the past it was logical concept to rely on when you’re hungry in the game. As of right now you know It’s more of a “ trusting the process “ type of outlook & mindset. I cannot see failure, only lessons to help one push further. Read more>>

Alicia Knight | Painter

I feel as an artist, especially a painter there can be a lot of false information on what to do with your life and your art. I was fully convinced that you could never survive as an artist. I have no idea where I got that from, but it proved to be false. I remember having $0.76 cents in my bank account. I was getting calls from my old sales job to please come back to work. Read more>>

Stanley McNeiece | 3D Generalist & Storyteller

I think anyone who pursues an artistic career as a profession is aware of the risk they are taking by pursuing one. I have always been familiar with the stigma surrounding being a professional artist. Nobody ever came up to me saying, “I don’t think you should follow the career path of an artist,” but rather, the sentiment was communicated to me by those around me in more subtle ways. Whether it was being told that my partner would have to be the “breadwinner”, assumptions that I would make less money than the average person, or not having a stable income at times. Things like that. Read more>>

Stephanie Cordero | Salon Studio Owner and Operator

When it comes to taking risks in my life and career, I like to equate it to more control and overall freedom in my life. Yes opening the studios came with a lot of unknows and variables, but I knew the end result would be more time with my family. I understand that opening something takes a huge leap and that is scary. It has to be. If it wasn’t, then everyone would do it. That’s what sets a business owner apart. This is also what I think helps my studios the most. That I can relate to the people coming into potentially rent a space at Elements. They are on the verge of taking their own risk and starting their business. Read more>>

Justin (JD) Olerud | Artist

For me risk is related to the heart. I think that allowing yourself to find love and joy equals passion. Therefore art making, experimentation and discovery are a part of my lifelong journey. Without risk results would always remain the same. Routine is stable but learning and curiosity is risk taking. Read more>>

Diana Nuval | Actor

Risks are inevitable when you pursue an artistic or creative career so I am very familiar with them, I think for me one of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my life was moving to Los Angeles to progress in my career, which I am sure a lot of my fellow transplants could relate to. And I not only moved states, but I also decide to switch career paths halfway through, a huge risk! Naturally, there are moments of uncertainty that I still have about the risks that I’ve taken, but I think that if they are not taken, you stay in one note your whole life and I would rather have the opportunity to grow, even if it comes with a little fear. Read more>>

Tsola Akuya | Artist

I’ve never considered myself a risk taker, I just considered myself someone who refused to settle. My curiosity always led me to ask for more, my never ending dreams always required exploration and ultimately- operating out of place of excitement and child-like faith. Call it risk taking, it’s more following the voice within. There’s a “risk” in everything, might as well give it a try! The mere act of stepping out on faith, on a thought, a risk, a maybe, a dream has opened up doors I couldn’t ask for. Without it, many gifts within myself would be laying dormant still. Read more>>

Fanta Soso | Makeup artist

So before being an MUA, I was a miserable student at OSU. I had parents willing to do anything for me as long as I got the degree THEY wanted. I definitely understand that’s a blessing that many ppl don’t see, but I just wasn’t interested. One of the Biggest risks I’ve taken was quitting school and becoming a full time Makeup Artist. In 2020, in the middle of the worst pandemic this world has seen, I decided to throw away my chances of being an “essential worker”. I’m laughing now because it sounds so dumb but is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for myself. After making it clear to my parents about what I wanted they cut me off completely. Read more>>

Vai “VaiBionic” Trask | Artist/Painter

Risk taking is what I do. I’m risk’s biggest advocate. However, I’m also an advocate of forethought and brains. Blind risks are more inclined to turn themselves into life’s cruelest lessons. To take a risk is to trust that every will truly work in your favor. It’s that knowing, that certainty. What I’m doing now hasn’t been done. This is the biggest risk. I have no roadmap, I have no blueprint, I don’t even really have an idea of what it is I’m doing. All I know is I’m doing it and I’m fulfilled. That’s all it’s about. Read more>>

#Zammy | Recording Artist & Co-Owner of Duketv Media

Risk taking is the catalyst to success. I truly believe and live by that; A risk can be described as many different things depending on the person speaking, but at the end of the day you wouldn’t take a risk if there wasn’t a reward attached it. The most successful people I’ve studied have all mentioned taking a risk, something other’s didn’t want to do, but they did. This risk either began their rise to success or was the sole reason they reached such success. Read more>>

Ki Smith | Gallery owner

Risk is important. A good friend of mine used to say “you gotta risk it to get the biscuit”. Taking risk is scary but it’s a sign that you are pushing yourself to grow and that’s incredibly important in business. Read more>>

Samantha Myer | Fashion Designer & Wardrobe Stylist

I am a risk taker by nature so starting my business by happenstance is very on brand. From dropping out of college to pursue a fashion career in NY, to then starting a styling business and shortly after, launching my first product. Admittedly, I am blinded by my intuition. Having lost my Dad when I was 14 years old, I had to find ways to get myself out of the darkest place imaginable. The silver lining of feeling like you have nothing left to lose, is you have everything to gain. This perspective made meaning of my career and revealed my much larger purpose. Read more>>

Erin Hundley | Intuitive Entrepreneur, Director, Educator & Community Advocate

To be honest, I think I’ve lived my life at risk, I started running away from home at 12 and have been on the move with purpose since. I’ve had good and bad outcomes on both ends of the spectrum. I will say that I am not afraid of risk at all. It takes guts to take a risk, whether for personal or business sake. I was never scared, I chose to take one of the hugest risks when I opened my business. In 2014 I left corporate America and used my retirement to open my business. I knew that “I” was my biggest investment and that the only way it would fail is because of me. Read more>>