Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

Naledi Chai

I believe risk is an important part of understanding pivoting and being able to let go ideas, designs, traditions and sometimes, people. Risk is a true reflection of ones intention and when you get yourself used to reflecting I guess the whole notion of risk tends to disappear and we’re starting to embrace failure as the grace and freedom to continue to make and create Read More>> 

Joey McCarty

To me, taking risks may be one of the most important things in pursuing music – especially nowadays. As a small music creator, I have taken many, many risks which range from changing genres of the music I make, or even signing contracts that will be risky to meet the requirements on. Whichever it may be, I believe that taking risks is a very important part in the industry. Not only can it be very rewarding, but it also teaches you to have a little bit of faith in yourself and to not let anxiety or worry stop you from pursuing what you want to pursue. Read More>> 

Jihnae Davis

Taking risks comes with an experience. Experience, comes with lessons… whether it’s a bad experience or a good one, no matter what you learned something from. You can always gain something. As an actor/ creative… taking risks is key. Having tons of experience is major and important to take on roles of different people to BECOME and to bring the character to life. Read More>> 

Monica Lundy

I once found myself alone in the desert surrounded by a pack of wild dogs. It was a moment in which everything was on the line. I realized that my best chance of survival was to be fearless, but not excitable, and proceed with confidence and calmness- knowing it might be the last thing I did. I think this is a good rule of thumb to apply to most risky situations in both life and work.

Without risk, life would feel like a kind of Purgatory. It is by putting yourself at risk that you can understand your fears, develop new courage, and grow. Read More>> 

Alejandro Monfort & Sofia Felguerez The Photo Pot

The biggest risk my wife, Sofía Felguérez, and I ever took was starting over from scratch. We had already built a life and career we loved in Mexico City, working together as photographers. Being able to make a living doing what we loved felt like a privilege, and we were deeply grateful for it. But we also had bigger dreams, so we decided to take a huge leap and we moved to Los Angeles to chase our professional goals. Read More>> 

Kim Slipski

Funny enough, I tend to self-identify as pretty conservative when it comes to risk. But if you look at my track record – quitting my corporate job, solo backpacking around the world, and starting my own business – you’d probably say anything but! Read More>> 

Ariella Kirschbaum

Being an artist — dwelling in my imagination, planning, working with my hands — is so fulfilling that taking risks are merely stepping stones to achieving the life that I want to live. In my studio, I try to follow what feels alive, rather than worrying about how it will be received. If I make something just to please others, it loses its soul. So I take the risk of making something honest and personal, and trust the right people will feel it. Read More>> 

Felice Janecke

I think that risk is inevitable! Ultimately, it’s more risky to do the right thing, whatever that means. Its more risky to be kind to outsiders, its more risky to voice when criticism that is important to you, and its definitely risky to pursue art as a career (especially independently). While every one of those risks doesn’t pay off every time, I find that taking the right risks, the risks that represent you morally, end up paying the highest dividends for the longest time. Nobody ever did anything good by playing it safe, so I take the risks that I believe will let me do good, well. Read More>> 

Hiro Saito

So far in my life, I have taken 2 big risks. The first was moving to the United States
from Japan at the age of 18. The second was at 37, when I started my own
business. I am incredibly thankful for taking those risks as they have dramatically
changed the course of my life and given me the life I’ve always dreamed of. Read More>> 

Dashon Kilbourne

I feel that without risk taking then I will have a less chance at success. In order to be successful then I have to step outside my comfort zone. Risk taking has played a major part in my life. I’ve taken risk and failed multiple times. Failing in life is what has made me who I am today. I’m not afraid to fail anymore even though I feel like I’ve already failed enough. Read More>> 

Oliver J. North

Risk taking is a huge part in my life. Honestly in all of our lives, what I mean by this is playing it safe is a risk, taking the big swing is a risk. Its a matter of how you see it, I did not want what my parents a society presented to someone like me. Therefore, I left my corporate job and bet on what God told me. I wouldn’t be speaking with you now without the risks I’ve taken and continue to take. Read More>>