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.

Kasia G | Artist

When it comes to risk, I believe in really going for it and seeing it as an adventure, rather than something to be afraid of. One big risk I took was moving by myself to the US over two decades ago with hardly any money and not knowing English. Read more>>

Nika Khitrova | Actress, Producer and Life Coach

I’m a big believer is taking calculated risks. When I’m producing film, I have a plan A, plan B and a plan C and I have a backup alternative too. Then I feel I can relax and just trust the flow. We cannot predict the future, all we can control is the present moment and how prepared we are for what could happen. Read more>>

Marco Cesare | Music Producer & Engineer | Localization Professional

Honestly, I think that risk is essential, so long as it’s (sometimes) carefully considered. I’m from Connecticut, and currently live in L.A., and the decision to move here was, as it is for many, risky. However, taking that risk, and the subsequent risks that led to me forging a path for myself to succeed were essential. Read more>>

Armaan Pujani | Production Designer

It is always the most crucial part of the industry. You are trusting your instincts and taking these blind decisions that you do not know the result for. It is a big part of my life too. In my journey in the filmmaking business – I started my work in India – in Bollywood about 5 years ago. Read more>>

TYRONE MILLER | Talk Show Host

I think Calculated risk taking could positively change your Life. RISK Taking has been Pivotal in my life and Career. It was risky to leave my Day job to compete on a reality show, but when I won the show it was worth it!  Read more>>

Source Hauntings Paranormal | Collective all women paranormal team

In a world where conformity is the norm, we stood out like sore thumbs. Our beliefs were unconventional, our actions risky. But we didn’t care. We were determined to be authentic, to be true to ourselves, no matter the consequences. Read more>>

Katie Mamie | Costume Designer & Stylist

I believe risk taking has absolutely played an integral part in my life and in my career as a Costume Designer. It’s funny because I wouldn’t consider myself to be a risky person, but looking back I can see how many risks I’ve actually taken, and how they’ve gotten me to where I am today.  Read more>>

Jocelyn Chin | Business Owner (Happy Lemon, Picnic and Chill, The Boba Balloon)

One of the best decisions I made for my businesses was not being afraid to take risks, but only if I believed in myself enough to remain consistent and follow through with them. When I launched Picnic and Chill, I had little to no experience in event planning.  Read more>>

Raheem Jarbo | Mega Ran: musician and author

Risks have enhanced, then created, then propelled my life and career. My mother always told me to play it safe; to build a plan and a foundation…. Graduate college, gain real world work experience and the like. Read more>>

Meltem Ege | Vocalist, Composer, & Educator

After two bachelors, a Masters, a Doctorate, two decades of performing, touring, and teaching, I’m very excited and proud about where I am in my career. Though I’ve been featured on several recording in the past, I’ve finally diversified my skillset enough to release an independent, self-produced album of original music. Read more>>

Jessica Foreman | Fashion designer, Creative

As a quote my late uncle said “no guts, glory”. I think this whole creative journey is about risk. I’m a recent fashion graduate, navigating post grad reality in this era, moving to nyc with no specific job set. I think this whole brand I’m working on creating revolves around risk; and not limiting ourselves to a specific title. Read more>>

GIMS | # 1 French Speaking Artist

Risk-taking has always been integral to my journey as an artist. I believe in pushing boundaries and venturing into uncharted territory to discover new avenues of creativity and expression. Read more>>

Jocelynn Jocey” Jasper | Paint Night Hostess”

I’ve always worked in sales. I’ve always done well. I think back to how much time and energy I’ve invested into multiple jobs and how I’ve helped companies build wealth. I finally realized that it’s time to build wealth for my own family and if I put the same effort into myself that I’ve contributed to past jobs, I will be abundant! Every time I bet on myself, I never lose. Read more>>

Alejandra Viana | Ideating creative ideas and business solutions for over 10 years

Failure is so key to growth, that is why I have always viewed risk taking as a positive adventure. It feel exhilarating not knowing the outcome of something and also learning from each experience. Read more>>

Dr. Melissa Berry | Naturopathic Physician and Chocolatier

I guess in hindsight I’ve been a big risk taker, it didn’t really seem like it at the time we started, I was just too determined and single-minded to listen to all the nay-sayers – almost the opposite! The more I was told my business would never “make it” only fueled me to work harder, especially with a small child then to take care of! Read more>>

Craig Quinlan | Managing Director

You cant get to second base if youre worried about taking your foot off of first base. I was taught something long ago and it has stuck with me to this day and that is successful people do the things that unsuccessful people arent willing to do. It isnt that successful people like doing those things anymore than the unsuccessful person…..they just focus on the right ‘R”.  Read more>>

Sean Morrissey | Co-Founder | Saunabox

Nolan (my co-founder) and I have mutually agreed that we are more scared at the possibility of looking back with regret that we did not take enough chances than we are scared of the risk of losing some time or money. In our opinion, you can’t compete with big companies or separate yourself from the noise unless you take risks.  Read more>>

Lauren Biazzo | Actress, Model, Makeup and Hair Artist, Content Creator

I have always been the kind of person that says yes to opportunities first, and then I figure out a way to make them successful. It is so easy to say no I am not ready or I can’t or I don’t know how…but I think it’s way more fun to put myself up to the challenge of taking a risk and seeing how I can make it work out best for me!  Read more>>

Luis J Gutierrez | Composer, Orchestrator, Multi-Instrumentalist

Risk is a word that conveys sacrifice. I’m used to it. However, there has to be a plan in order for success to happen. Probably the biggest risk I have taken was to drop out of college and pursue music.  Read more>>

Crystal Allaf | Whittler / Wood Carver

Taking risks and leaning into the unknown has taken me and my career as a whittler tremendously far. Often times we find ourselves getting stuck in what’s comfortable. What risks allow for is a chance to grow, learn and find deeper parts of ourselves that have been buried beneath the mundane. Read more>>

Nain Padilla | “Ninesoul” Producer

Taking risks is very important. It’s a part of Growth and Risking it all for a dream that you only believe in and see in the moment. I took the risk when I decided to stop studying Civil engineering and to pursue my career in music in 2013. Read more>>

Evangeline Edwards | Actor & Writer

Risks are vital. At almost every major point of growth in my life I can look back and see the risk that was involved, be it moving to a new school, trying Shakespeare for the first time, sharing a short story with a new group of people, or learning to dance. Read more>> 

Dayandra de Miranda Leao | Actor

When I think about risk, I think about how to be courageous and brave is to know what you’re afraid of and to do it anyway. I was born in Brazil, and I came to the United States with my parents and older brothers when I was really young. Read more>>

Santiago Dollero | Founder & Creative Director of Pony Boy LA

In order to understand how I view risks today one must go back into my history of decision making. For years my decision making was characterized as that of the safe route. Growing up I diligently lived by this mindset getting all the right grades, securing spots in the right schools and ultimately laying a path to the job society deemed secure. Read more>>

Ariael Brooks-Porter | Student of Equity

Risk is funny, I have a mantra I say in my head when it comes to risks, “Growth and comfort can’t coexist.” The truth is our best selves are often on the opposite side of the risks we’re afraid to take. We gotta get over that hump, we have to take those steps to actually sit in those fantasies we dream about for ourselves – we deserve that. Read more>>

Manatsu Aminaga | Dancer/Artist

Risk taking make me excited. I won’t be able to find the next step without it. Sometimes it’s scary and so stressful. But I’m always fighting risks and myself because it’s taking me new world. I am sure that I will encounter a new side of myself that exceeds my imagination and have wonderful encounters. Read more>>

Seth Goldstein | Producer, Author & former Chauffeur

I have been a risk taker for the better part of my life. As a matter of fact, most Jews did when escaping Hitlers clutches. My family left to Spain and eventually settled in Guatemala. I took a page from my ancestors playbook and learned that without risk there’s no progress. Read more>>

Molly Robbins | Actor & Filmmaker

Caitlin and I approach risk taking with open arms. By choosing to independently produce a feature film together, we are hurdling ourselves off of a cliff into the unknown. We both graduated from film programs and have seen how cutthroat the industry can be. Read more>>

Darryl Cokes II | Comic Artist, Illustrator, Background Artist

I believe that taking a risk is essential in anything we do. I think we can easily get caught in our own minds and make up a reason why we can’t do something or try something new because of the fear of things going horribly wrong. I’ve done that a lot in my life and only recently have I really started breaking that shell over the past few years. Read more>>

James Ridgley | Screenwriter/Director

Growing up as an extroverted introvert I have always forced myself to take risks. My first career as a comedy-juggler – I worked at the California Renaissance Faires and the minute I heard about a few good ones across the US I booked one near Chicago and managed to get a ride with a craftsperson doing the faire also. Read more>>

Jacqueline Huang | Motion Designer & Illustrator

I take risks all the time. In the world of creativity, risk-taking is inevitable. While there is always an easier approach available, embracing risks is crucial for advancing one’s career. It’s also important to weigh the potential outcomes and make calculated decisions when considering these risks. Read more>>

Beata Storey | Fashion Designer / Brand Owner

Taking risks has always been an integral part of my journey, both in life and in my career as a fashion designer. I view risk as an essential ingredient for growth and innovation. Without taking risks, we limit our potential and confine ourselves to a narrow path of familiarity. Read more>>