Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Marina Caro

Any creative endeavor is a “risk” since you’re dedicating your time and efforts without knowing what will come of it. I’ve learned to trust that I can always ask questions and figure it out with the help of others. Most people appreciate being asked thoughtful questions and being sought out for advice, and I’ve learned to use that to my advantage as much as possible. The worst thing that can happen is being shooed away, and then you find someone else to ask! If learning and growth are the main objectives, you can never lose, and all other accomplishments will follow. Read More>>

The Noise

Risk-taking? I don’t think there’s a way around it. If you want to create something real, you have to lean into the unknown. Playing it safe has never built anything worth remembering. I’ve taken risks in my career—sometimes out of ambition, sometimes out of pure instinct. Not every risk has paid off, but every single one has shaped me. Read More>>

Maiwand Kakar

I believe that success comes from taking risks. Playing it safe may feel comfortable, but it often means missing out on incredible opportunities. Looking back, I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t embraced uncertainty and stepped outside my comfort zone.

One of the biggest risks I took was leaving Afghanistan for Turkey at 15. It wasn’t just about moving to a new country; it was about building a future despite the unknowns. Many doubted I’d even get the visa, let alone succeed. But I took the leap anyway. Arriving in Turkey with my mother, I had to juggle work and studies, learn a new language from scratch, and adapt to an entirely different culture. It was challenging, but it shaped my resilience and my mindset toward risk. Read More>>

Suheil Lopez

Well I have been taking risks since 2020 when I decided to move across the country from the Bronx, NY to LA. I drove with my daughter and cousin because I needed a change in my life. So risk taking plays a big role in my life/career becuase taking risks can only go one of two ways.. you either succeed or you learn a lesson because I don’t see failure. Failure would be not taking the risk at all Read More>>

Tommy Ha

Risk-taking has always been at the core of my career, and launching IAM America 2024 was one of the biggest risks we’ve ever taken. Bringing a brand-new automotive event concept to the U.S.—especially in a market saturated with established shows—meant breaking industry norms, proving our vision, and gaining the trust of competitors, vendors, and attendees from the ground up. Read More>>

Liam Coballes

Risk is just a scary way of phrasing a choice. We make choices every day, but labeling it as a “risk” changes the perspective of that choice and gives it more weight. Most people see it to be a daunting task of either gaining or losing something, which isn’t wrong, but I find it easier to view it as a logical or passionate decision. When creating my goals or coming up with a plan, I consider it a gauge of how passionate I am to see this through, and how realistic I should be with the execution of it. Read More>>

Chelsea Spirito

My perspective on risk has really fluctuated and changed over the years, but it’s definitely been a central theme in my life. I was always a creative kid growing up, but the idea of making a career in art and film was consistently tamped down by the question “Can you make money doing that”? I wish I’d felt this pressure more from a societal standpoint, but as the saying goes, “the call was coming from inside the house” and my family played the dominant role in shaping my risk averse career focus. When it came to my personal life however, Read More>>

Alejandra Rosales

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was moving to the United States to study my passion, film. I’m very close to my family, and the thought of being away from them filled me with fear and uncertainty. I wasn’t sure if I could make it, but I did. I’ve now been in Los Angeles for over a year, and that feels like a huge achievement. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned so much, not just about my carer, but also about myself. Read More>>

Michelle Mason

Risk taking is the name of the game. We can’t succeed at anything in life without failing first – so to me it’s a non negotiable. I’ve gotten really good at being uncomfortable in life and pushing the limits. Growing up in a military family I moved every two years of my life, this taught me early on to accept change and discomfort. Taking risks is the secret to unlocking your potential. Read More>>

Yamilex Gonzalez

Taking risks is about learning and gaining a deeper understanding of yourself in uncomfortable, high-pressure situations. Regardless of whether the outcome is a loss or a win, each experience offers a new perspective. In most cases, it’s about strategically taking a chance. Read More>>

Jennifer Lauer

Risk is a new drug for me. I only wish that I was more willing to take risks as an artist earlier. Perfectionism and fear definitely kept me from putting my work into the world in a risky way.

Having the idea for something and then creating the work were well practiced, but for me, the risk was in the sharing it. Will anyone like it? Will they get it? Will they care? And the truth is, sometimes yes and sometimes no goes for all of those questions. Read More>>

Erica Campos

Taking risks comes with a lot of fear, but it can lead to bigger and better opportunities. Even if it doesn’t work out, at the very least, you’ll have clarity and insight. Read More>>

Nolan Englund

Being an artist and having a career is inherently risky. You and your art are a commodity, (unfortunately), and its never guaranteed that it will sell. You have to constantly make risk/reward assessments to progress your career. The risk, mostly comes down to money. What else is new?

The first financial risk in my career was going to film school. (I am tremendously lucky that my family were the ones risking the money). Film school is famously only worth what you put into it, and through hard work I got a lot out of it. Namely my main network of collaborators. The reward outweighed the risk! Read More>>

Corey Cail

Taking risks has always been a key ingredient in my journey to success. One of the most pivotal decisions I made was stepping away from the traditional path of higher education to fully immerse myself in the music industry. Choosing to pursue a career in the studio, without the safety net of a college degree, was a gamble. Read More>>

Ai Furusato

I did most of my schoolwork by studying at home. The time efficiency and the ability to study when I wanted was perfect for me as I wanted to attend college as soon as possible, but I was worried about the risk of not having a normal student life when I decided to study at home. But risk, on the contrary, makes you prepared for it. When I felt the risk, I had a strong feeling and motivation to pursue my goal more. Read More>>