Are you a risk taker? Do you think you have a stronger appetite for risk relative to your friends and family? We asked some folks from the community about their approaches to risk and have shared their thoughts below.

Shaneisha Dodson | Doll Maker

We have to weigh our risk to see how far we are willing to go to achieve our goals. Risk has played a big role in my career. I always bet on myself. Read more>>

John Bombay Gutierrez | Writer, Producer, and Director from West America Film Company

I believe that risk is a necessary part of success. You must take risks to level up and achieve your goals. Logic will always find a way to talk you out of a risky decision. That’s why the majority of people don’t take big risks. The risks just don’t make sense, and depending on the person, they aren’t worth it. Believe me, I get it. Read more>>

Jessica Franz | Photographer/ Screenwriter

I don’t think anything worthwhile was ever achieved without taking risks, honestly. It is such an essential attitude to break the ranks or even out of the box you were, most likely, put in. Whether it was society, your culture or even your own family – we are all guilty of playing it safe most of the time. Read more>>

Shavonne James | Therapy Group Practice Owner & Licensed Clinical Therapist

I’d like to think that I’m a calculated risk-taker. I definitely know what I want, most of the time, and I’m not very impulsive so I can play the long game as long as it’s moving me in the direction of the desired outcome. I understand that sometimes there are things that look like setbacks but, because they may be benefiting the end goal, I’m willing to make those sacrifices. Read more>>

Raymond Karago | Actor, Producer, Writer, Entrepreneur

It is essential. In order to succeed in anything, you have to be willing to take multiple risks. That includes risking failure, risking humiliation, risking starting over, risking being in unfavorable situations, an a lot more. You have to be willing to risk it all. I have taken many risks in my life, more than a few times those risks have not paid off and I have failed but in those moments I learned and moved forward, making the risks worth it in the end. It is not easy, and you may not like it at first, but in the end, risks do pay off. Read more>>

Pi Jacobs | Singer-Songwriter, Vocalist, Guitarist and Producer

I was a pretty shy and fearful child. And as I was beginning in music, that trend continued. When I was about 17, I was playing bass in my college Big Band, and one day the drummer called me at home to tell me that I was playing so timidly, that he hated playing with me. I was so offended that he confronted me like that, that the next rehearsal I played super angrily and loudly, and it was awesome! Everyone noticed and was happy that I had started to assert myself. Read more>>

Meagan/ Rohan | RoadPitch Hosts

We are not risk-averse at all. What it means to us is opportunity. We’ve purposely spent time experimenting and taking as many risks as possible when it came to outreach and partnerships Not every risk led to a fruitful opportunity but the risks that did… Well worth it for what we’re trying to accomplish. We’ve been able to meet people and foster relationships we otherwise would have never gotten the chance. In our opinion, taking calculated risks can be beneficial as it enabled us to explore new opportunities and push ourselves outside of our comfort zone. Read more>>

Octavius Luke | Brand owner, creative director and photographer

I always think about the risk. Whenever you share your art with the world you never know what type of reaction you’ll receive. People may not like whatever it is that you share with them. I typically worry about the risk for a little then I ignore it because I want to gain the genuine support from the art that I put out whether it’s clothing or photography so I can continue to appreciate and reciprocate the love to those supporters. Read more>>

Spencer Galbreath | Entrepreneur, Marketing Executive

I believe risk taking is an important factor and any movement in your career, because you can’t be scared to pivot or grow, and it comes down to believing in yourself, and taking that risk to do whatever it is that you’re doing to prevail and succeed. That’s exactly why I named one of my companies dreamers, risk-takers & innovators. Which is short for DRI, Without a dream and without a risk, you would not innovate. Read more>>

Nat Eden Fino | Writer & All-around Creative

I am someone who has taken tremendous risks in her life, probably more than most. I am very adventurous and have an unwavering trust in my competence. I am the type of person who jumps off a cliff and figures out how to fly on my way down. Did I fall on my face? A few times. But in the end, I know I will always end up on my feet again, even if bruised and broken. Read more>>

Jacob James | Musician

Choosing to pursue any kind of art has an inherent risk factor. You risk your time, money and the way people view you to name a few examples. At a certain point you just have to accept that you’re going to have to take some risks to progress and that failure is a part of the learning process. In the long run, I think we’re ultimately better for having chose to bet on ourselves and lose than to play it safe and not know what could’ve been. Read more>>

Jacob Matthew | Film Producer

I started my first film company, while working as a bartender, at 23 years old. That company failed…. obviously. Lmao. Right? I mean why would a film company of a 23 year old bartender succeed? — If you want to be in this life, the artists’ life, you have to completely surrender all of the dogma you have around what success means to the average person. Read more>>

Iona Burciaga | Producer / DJ – Artist

Personally, I think risk is exciting. I’d say most of the time when I decided to step out in faith, I took risks and I’m pretty much called to do that everyday because of my faith in God and because of my career. If I never took risks and played it safe or even followed some “protocol” I wouldn’t be able to do so some of the things I’ve been able to. Read more>>

Ian Taras | 818GYN

Risk-taking involves stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, embracing uncertainty, and making decisions with potentially significant outcomes. In my life and career, I have come to appreciate the value of taking risks, and how it can lead to personal and professional growth. Read more>>

Giulia Asquino | Actress

Taking risks has always been a present and constant part of my career and my life. Many times I didn’t even realize it, but when I tell my story, and I see people’s reactions to what I tell them, I understand that in reality, I have always taken many risks, consciously and not. Read more>>

Rodney Damon Collins | Actor, Writer, Producer, Director & Podcast Host

When I think of the word “risk” I have learned that there’s an element of risk in everything we do. When you graduate from college (if you decide to go) there’s the risk that you will not receive work in your chosen field. When a couple decides to marry, there’s the risk that things won’t work out. An athlete assumes a level of risk every time they step on the playing field or court. Read more>>

Kenny Lam | Actor, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Content Creator

When it comes to risks, I take the time to think about and weight both the pros and cons of the end result of taking whatever the risk is. Taking risks plays a huge part in my life/ career as not just an Actor but also as a producer and content creator online. I understand that people take alot of time when it comes to risks but for me, I don’t let the thoughts occupy much of my time as I’m usually about 5 steps ahead when it comes to having plans. Read more>>

Alie Davis | Model – Actress

I believe risk-taking is what has allowed me to be successful so far. I am comfortable being uncomfortable temporarily for a greater goal. I’ve picked up and moved across the country, and to other counties at the drop of a dime. I have no regrets for my risk taking decisions Read more>>

Selin Cuhadaroglu | Actress

I think in every career you need to take risks. I don’t think you can find great success without taking a risk or getting out of your comfort zone. For me, I had to decide if I wanted to take the risk of moving to a different country to pursue my passion in a place where everyone else is striving for the same goal. Every corner you turn in Los Angeles, you will find an actor. Read more>>

Alex Lunardon | Restaurateur

My dad taught me a thing or two about sacrifice and risk. Although I know I’ve both given and taken some good advice over the years, I don’t think any of it compares to his. At 42, he packed up his whole family in Argentina and came to a new world to make it better for his children. As a youngster, I didn’t entirely understand the upheaval, but when I reached 42 myself, it became crystal clear — it’s now or never. Read more>>