We asked some brilliant folks from the community to talk to us about how they think about risk and the role risk has played in their lives and careers.

Katia Plotnikoff | Actress

Oooh I love it! what a challenging question to answer! To me, I feel like risk taking is complex because it’s all about perspective. I think you are taking a ‘risk’ by doing something, or taking a risk by not doing something (and perhaps missing out on something truly magical) Either way there’s a risk … it just depends which risk you are willing to take. Read more>>

Pedro Kayat | Music Producer & Audio Engineer

In my opinion, taking calculated risks is extremely important, because it essentially gets people out of their comfort zone and opens doors for new opportunities and experiences they would never imagine. I like to emphasize the word “calculated” because it plays a huge role in my decision-making thought process before taking a risk. I always like to think about what benefits it could bring to my life versus what would be the worst thing that could happen if things don’t go according to the plans. Read more>>

Jaap Deinum | Creative Producer

Taking risks is what led me to work in the arts and took me to the US to do so, too, but it’s also been the cause of some of my biggest downfalls. Those may be terrifying in the moment, but the lessons learned from them are invaluable. I also think it’s important to keep pushing your boundaries as a creative. You get so caught up in the demands of daily life—be it a 9 to 5 job not in the arts, the complications of maintaining your immigration status, or something else—that you’ve no time or energy left to get excited by art. Read more>>

Heather Malley | Program Director, Caterpillar Cottage Preschool

For me, starting Caterpillar Cottage Preschool was the only thing I wanted to do, risk didn’t matter at the time. I had a clear vision to create a nurturing, progressive, relationship-centered preschool that supports children and their intrinsic motivation to explore and learn. I was well prepared and passionate. I remember saying, “Oh! This is happening.” You know that spark you feel when it seems nothing will get in your way?  Read more>>

Ryan Sarfati | Large scale artist

Growing up doing graffiti in Los Angeles, risk taking has always been apart of my life. I painted in the streets for 20yrs before I ever started thinking of art as a career. To this day I continue to push the boundaries in everything I do and with that comes risk. In 2019 my business partner and I painted a world record mural in Columbus OH, standing 11 stories high and spanning 11,000sq ft. This was and still is one of the largest Augmented Reality murals in the world. Read more>>

Michael Kaminsky | Music Manager

I’ve found I’m more inclined to take risks when I’ve had nothing to lose. This applies a lot to earlier in my career, when I was living with my parents and working the angles just to get by. I inadvertently broke every rule because I didn’t know better. When I had my first song going #1 I remember butting heads with the label executives over an issue that seemed completely backwards to me- and now 20 years later I look back and kind of understand where they were coming from, because that’s just how the playbook is written. Read more>>

JChris (Chris Urquiaga) | Singer-Songwriter, Pianist, Producer

I think that risk in the context of the music business connects ambition and uncertainty. You have to take risks to achieve the ambitious goals you have. Otherwise, you will always play it safe and never find your way to achieve your objectives. Taking risks is a huge part of my career and my personal life. I came out of the closet which was a risk. I dared to charge forth with a career as an independent musician which is another risk. But if I did not take those risks, I would be unhappy. Read more>>

Melanie Sidlow | Photographer

I am a huge risk taker. Taking risk can be so nerve-wrecking but it’s also one of the best things that I have chosen as business owner and photographer. Recently, I was having lunch with a friend who has been in the photography business for more than 10 years and asked me how I’d reached where I am now in only 4 years. My answer was simple – risk-taking was at the core of my journey! From reaching out to other photographers, potential clients, and participating in styled shoots, risk taking helped me work harder to get where I am right now. Read more>>