How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Sean Burke | Concept Artist

Frankly, taking risks been a huge part of my life. Growing up I was shuffled around at the whim of my family, changing schools or homes almost every year between first grade Highschool. People who knew me always thought I was fine with this because I am easy going and content to simply go with the flow. Read more>>

Jeff Berlin | Cinematographer, Director, Still Photographer, Occasional Writer

I can’t imagine always playing it safe. I mean, I am a pilot as well, and I used to fly aerobatics, spin, loop, roll, and that’s definitely NOT safe. I actually stopped doing that because I knew too many people getting killed doing it. Point being, we go around once on this mortal coil, I cannot imagine not pursuing one’s passions and trying to structure one’s life around them, including what one does for work. Read more>>

Rafal Cwiok | Cinematographer & Editor

My relationship with risk has vastly changed over the past two years. I see risk now as an absolute essential part of growth. I understand why taking risks can be a scary thing. Bigger risks can lead to bigger failures right? Read more>>

Jacqueline Elyse Rosenthal | Writer/Director, Executive Producer

To quote Theodore Roosevelt, ““Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty”. Pursuing a life dedicated to writing and directing comes with many risks – but with great risk, comes great reward. I’ve felt that keenly in my career thus far. Read more>>

Rameez Haq | Entrepreneur and Creator of Just N’ Case

I’ve always considered myself a risk taker in life. A follower of the old saying, no risk no reward, which I apply to everyday life, within reason of course. Taking risks has gotten me to where I am today, and if you look back at every successful person in history, they have taken risks to get to where they are currently. Read more>>

Greg Hill | Co-owner of Artist’s Collective

I believe that risks are along the same lines as failure. Both are essential for success. You can’t really have success without taking risks and often times when you take these risks it results in failure. In my experience I have found that if you want anything bad enough you’re going to have to jeopardize your comfort. Read more>>

Kaelly Arellano | Co-founder of K & B Therapy, Inc | Therapist | Speaker

When I look at my life, so much of what I’m most proud of came from taking a risk. Being the first in my family to leave home to pursue higher education, taking a leap on love and finding my fiancé, and last but certainly not least, quitting my stable job in the middle of the pandemic to start a private practice with one of my best friends. Read more>>

Bobby Seales | Owner & Cutler of Kirei Knives

Risk is something that I rarely take unless someone pushes me. Anything that took away from a stable income, location, and routine is a giant risk to me. I am incredibly fortunate to have people in my life who pushed me outside of my comfort zone to shape who I am today. Read more>>

Simone Bonét | Professional Violinist

Me personally, when it comes to risk taking, it’s more of an after thought. That probably sounds reckless, but if I’m extremely passionate about something and I have it in my head that I can achieve that goal, I’m going to do it without any question. If you ask anyone who’s close to me, I’m the queen of risk taking especially when it involves my career. Read more>>

Rudy Villalobos | Makeup Artist, Content Creator, & overall Hustler

I think that they’ll always come a point in everyone’s life where we will have to take a risk for something. It could be small or big and life is way too short. Step out of your comfort zone and take risks. It will help you grow as a person and gain more experience in many things in life. Read more>>

Starr Alexandria | WBFF Pro + Fitness Coach

In my opinion, taking risks is sometimes necessary because if we’re not stepping outside our comfort zone or taking a chance on ourselves are we truly giving ourselves an opportunity to live our fullest potential? I’ve taken pretty big risks in both my career and life and am so grateful for it. Most recently I quit my side hustle to commit to my business full time, and that was a risk worth taking for sure. Read more>>

Jose Tapia | Sneaker Artist

I believe risk taking plays a huge role when chaising a dream. You’re willing to risk it all for something no one else believes in other than yourself. Thanks to taking risk I am where I am today, while other people would go out to party, spend money on luxury clothes I would invest every single dollar I made into building my business or stocks. Read more>>