In our experience, most folks, including ourselves don’t have enough of an understanding of risk and the role it plays in our lives and careers and so we have made a concerted effort as a team to have conversations about risk with our interviewees. We’ve shared some highlights below.

willy zogo | Actor and stunt

There is a formula that says, the higher the risk the higher the return. It’ s the law of the nature you get what you deserve so to have a bigger impact you must take a very big risk especially with the competition we are facing nowadays, to be able to succeed in what you are doing you must take a big risk. Read more>>

Shupeng Jiang | Industrial Designer & Footwear Designer

I like taking risks, particularly within my design work. I’ve realized that taking risks fuels my energy and passion for design. Actually it’s an important motivation in why I chose this career path; design not only allows but also encourages risk-taking. Read more>>

Mark Cheng | Director/writer/animator

There’s that quote, “if you think the cost of failure is high, wait until you get the bill from regret” I think that summarizes how I feel about risk. So many of our battles are lost in our mind before we even take a physical step forward. Read more>>

Garrett Atkinson | Mixing Engineer/Studio Owner

Every decision I’ve made has been a risk. Starting a studio not in a major music city, putting more money than I had into the studio which had no guarantee of making a dime, quitting and turning down other job positions to go full time on my own, etc. Read more>>

Liz Devine | Photographer

When I think about it, everything has been a risk, especially choosing a career in photography and then moving to NYC to pursue a full time career in photography. I moved to NYC in 2014, before that I had a full time photography job in Portland, OR which I got right out of college, I was very lucky.  Read more>>

Andrea Calao | Director, Writer and Performer

The proudest moments in both my career and life have emerged out of embracing risks. When I dream about who I want to become, how I want to add to the world and what I want to build, the only things I do believe in are risks. Read more>>

Santiago Serrano | Cinematographer

I see risk as vital for personal growth. Years ago, I took a leap of faith and moved to the USA without a clear plan, but with some goals in mind. It turned out to be a rewarding experience, with adapting to a new language and lifestyle adding depth to my perspective and shaping my career path. Read more>>

Meryl Meisler | Artist whose medium is photography

During my freshman college semester, I aced an Art for Non-Art Majors class. The professor asked, “Have you ever considered becoming an Art Major?” My heart literally pounded. I called my parents to ask their permission to major in art. Read more>>

Erika Weitz | Artist

As an experimental photographer, risk is essential to success. I don’t think you can make art and avoid it. Most people understandably avoid risk because they want to avoid failure. But both risk and failure seem to be fundamentally built into the creative process. Read more>>

Lindsay Olson | Owner & Founder of Lulu Designs

I am an introvert in all ways and am pretty conservative when it comes to decision-making. But, when it comes to taking risks in my business, I’m game. As an entrepreneur, risk comes with the territory.  Read more>>

Richard Wang | Composer & Conductor

Choosing to work with music, or arts is probably one of the most important and risky decisions anyone can make. It will not be easy, it will not come without great effort and sacrifice. But for some of us, it’s a decision that not only makes sense, but it’s the only decision that makes sense. That is my case. Read more>>

Bob Gossom | Poet

My natural inclination is to see the risk in not taking a chance. The practical downsides of failure always have to be understood and managed, but I’ve never been concerned about the emotional risks of falling flat. When an endeavor fails – whether business, personal, or creative – my perspective is that it didn’t work out, this time.  Read more>>

Robert Kowal | Gatherings Guru | CEO @ HUSHconcerts | The Godfather of Silent Disco

You fail at everything you do not try. I was on one path in life which was extremely convention al at one point. I had a cathartic experience that changed my perspective and put me on a far more esoteric path. Once I started following my heart and betting on myself, my life unfolded in a beautiful way.  Read more>>

Manny Nieto | Producer, Engineer, Artist

I do believe we need to put out in the universe for thinking ideas and deep inside believing in yourself. I wanted to chew her once that’s my band she could do a tour from New York City up to Chicago. Because of their scheduling they weren’t able to drive out there And we only have a little bit when it shows so I told them five tickets flying to New York City and I’ll pick you up ha ha. Read more>>

Eva Nomikou | Singer, Performer

Risk, to me, is the cornerstone of growth and progress, both personally and professionally. It’s the catalyst for innovation and the doorway to new opportunities. Without risk, there’s no evolution. Throughout my life and career, I try to see risks as steps towards my aspirations instead of obstacle.  Read more>>

EDWARD GUSTS | Movie Maker and Mercenary Artist

This is interesting question to consider right now. Early on in my career as an actor I would take ANYTHING. My approach was to do every role available and see what stuck. If I lost money or a job over a role so be it. Read more>>

Jess Taylor | Independant Filmmaker – Director and Producer

It’s exciting: it’s an invitation to create, discover, sometimes even rebel. I don’t have much interest in making easily digestible work, and it’s very risky to ask your audience to exercise patience right now. Read more>>

Jillian Ibarra | Writer & Artist

Until recently, I’ve lived a life curated around what I thought people expected from me. I’ve always played by the rules and never got in trouble. As an introvert, I tried not to step outside my comfort zone. Risk-taking was not an option for me. Read more>>

Kamtin Mohager | Musician and Creative Director/Graphic Designer

I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for taking risks. At a young age, I knew that music was becoming the most important part of my life. I continued to find myself excited to discover new bands and learn the history behind them. Read more>>

Adriano De Ferrari | Music Producer, Guitar player and Audio engineer

I feel like risk is such an important thing to have in mind when wanting to do something good for your life, there is always a risk of loosing something or getting in an uncomfortable position if failing. Read more>>

Jiamu Tao | Animator & Designer

I’m not the kind of person who’s constantly seeking adventure — I can feel pretty content in my comfort zone. But if something intrigues me and I feel I have the need to do it, I would go for it. Decisions are normally made really quickly without much second thinking — I guess that makes me a risk-taker to some extent. Read more>>

Diana Stobo | Founder & CEO

My entire life/career has been built on blind courage, thinking “what I don’t know won’t hurt me” has been a great opportunity for creating results outside the box. Diving in head first and then learning to swim has been one of my greatest strengths. Read more>>

Kama Hagar | Holistic Wellness Coach, Editor in Chief of Maui Makai, Founder of Mukama Botanica

Risk gets me buzzing. But before you think I’m one of the lucky ones who gets excited about things that make my heart drop, I want you to know that I’m not. I am riddled with anxiety and have been my entire life. In fact, that’s a huge part of my story.  Read more>>

Jacqui Wolf | Visual Artist ＆ Art Teacher

As I continue to grow into a teaching artist, I have such an honor to work for Nicole and Marbella Jaramillo at Studio Claremont, where they set an excellent example as small business owners and artists. I walked away from teaching in the traditional school system that might provide me with comfort and familiarity, but I am now getting the experience I would never have a chance to get anywhere else.  Read more>>

Miguel Berg | 1st Gen Colombian Development Executive and Triathlete

Having studied Mechanical Engineering, I was raised with a mindset that risk is a pathway to reward, even if that reward is a lesson from failure. We cannot be afraid to fail nor shy away from opportunities in our present simply because it’s too risky. Read more>>

Cory Ricaurte-Whelan | Sculptor

Artists take a lot of risk; deciding to be an artist is a risk in itself. I feel like risk is necessary to go where you want to go. There is lots at stake every time I start on a new sculpture or head to an exhibition. Risk is a learning opportunity, and necessary. Read more>>

Marquise Myles | Actor, Director, Dancer, Filmmaker ,Writer

I think taking risks has played a huge part in my life and career because I’ve ultimately always betted on myself. Risks means taking chances. I think if you don’t take a chance on yourself how do you expect others in whatever field you’re entering to take a chance on you.. Risks has always been at the fore front. Read more>>

yilong zhang | Music Producer & Artist

You can’t do anything cool without embarrassing yourself first. This is what I learned from street dancing and skateboarding even before I started pursuing music. The risk of failing in front of everyone is always there. When you are starting out, you are going to feel bad when people despite your poor skills. Read more>>

Christine Suh | Educational Entrepreneur

Risk-taking has been a fundamental aspect of my life and career journey. I resonate deeply with the idea that “each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”-Theodore Rooselvet. This sentiment is echoed in my belief that taking risks is essential for personal growth and professional development. Read more>>

Ryan Wood | Camera / Steadicam / Gimbal Operator

Risk to me is a vital part of progression in my life and career. I believe the key part is to take calculated risks. I have always tried to take risks that push me outside my comfort zone but not so far that it would be hard to recover. Stepping outside your comfort zone puts you in a place where you are forced to step up and learn. We should always be learning. Read more>>

Marion Stenfort | Actress, Singer/ Songwriter and playwright.

For some reason, I’ve never been scared of taking risks, and I think that’s mostly because I believe everything I do in my life, every decision I make, is somehow dictated by love.  Read more>>

Mackenzie Costa | Freelance Graphic Designer

As a Los Angeles-based graphic designer born and raised in Bermuda, risk-taking has been an integral part of my journey. I view risk as an opportunity for growth and innovation rather than a barrier to success. Moving to Los Angeles and pursuing a career in such a competitive industry required courage and a willingness to step outside of my comfort zone. Read more>>

Shakirah Edwards | Conversation Curator

There risk is almost always worth the reward! I moved to LA with $1500 and within a year I was working at WB on the Ellen show, interviewing stars at press junkets, and living out my dreams in real time. Read more>>

Raeden Richardson | Novelist

In my early twenties, I bought a one-way flight to New York City with a suitcase crammed with books, making money by bartending in Lower Manhattan, or posing for life-drawing classes in Harlem, or carrying almond-milk lattes and dog-eared manuscripts around the Flatiron building when I was assisting an old-school literary agent—all the while trying to write a novel. Read more>>

Delorean Redd | Confidence Coach

I believe that a healthier, happier world begins with a healthy, happy individual. As a Confidence Life Coach, I partner with my clients to help reclaim their sense of identity, become the best version of themselves while transforming into who God called them to be! Read more>>

glenn marsden | Founder | International Speaker | Author | Thought Leader

The Imperfectly Perfect campaign, spearheaded by myself operates at the intersection of personal development, mental health awareness, and social impact. Read more>>

Moshe Lewis | Physician, Music & Medicine Show Host, Journalist

Music is Life’s Medicine. My goal is to uplift the health of all people through inspiring stories from musicians, actors and celebrities discussing how they deal with their careers and health challenges. Read more>>

Hanbin Choi | Drummer, Artist

Looking back, when I was pursuing music in Korea, I noticed a lack of information about audition requirements and materials for Berklee College of Music.  Read more>>