There is a wealth of academic research that suggests that differences in risk appetite are at the heart of differences in career and business trajectories. We wanted to go beyond the theory and ask real people from the community about their perspectives and experiences with risk and risk taking.

Charlotte Laws | Author, TV Host, Speaker & Activist

Risk-taking is like porridge. It should not be dangerously hot or scaredy-cat cold. It needs to be just right. In other words, it is all about taking calculated risks. They are integral to success. My goal from a young age was to be a voice, to feel like I was making a difference in the world. I realized the best way to accomplish this was to author books and articles, to become a cable news contributor and to assist causes close to my heart. Read more>>

Julia Bresnan | Film Editor

Taking risks is how I got my entire career started. Jumping at an opportunity even if it terrifies you is how I’ve gotten to where I am and I will continue to do it. I landed my first ever Production Assistant gig because I swiped up on an instagram story asking for PAs. That one indie project introduced me to the people that would get me on every job I’ve ever worked afterwards. Read more>>

Anna Russo | Femalepreneur | Beauty Expert

Nothing in Life is guaranteed. I was always curious about “how far can I come” and “what’s on the other side”. As far as I know, I’ve been a Risk taker my whole life but obviously learned many lessons by taking them. There were WINS and LOSSES but one thing I never wanted was REGRETTING that I never tried something out. Read more>>

Kate Bode | singer,songwriter

The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was moving to Los Angeles to pursue my dream of becoming a recording artist. You see, Los Angeles is like the center of the world when it comes to entertainment. I’m originally from Europe, but I’ve always had this longing to live in the United States. American culture has been a constant presence in my life since childhood, through my favorite cartoons, films, and, of course, music. Read more>>

Moni Jasmine Guo | Composer & Pianist

There are, of course, good risks and bad risks, and one needs to make the decision of which ones to take. I think of my life as an ongoing experience. Despite the nerves and fear that sometimes accompany risk-taking, I’ve found that the ‘right risks’ are often worth embracing. Read more>>

Joshoo | Artist and Producer

I have really prioritized conquering my fears in both my life and career. I have found that if I can recognize, and then jump straight into feelings of fear and vulnerability around doing something I have been more able to realize all of the dreams, desires and possibilities I have in my life. I believe if you’re not able to lean into risks and uncertainties there’s no future for you as an  artist! Read more>>

Geoff Mitchell | Artist

Of course, as an artist, you are very often told as you’re learning how important it is to take risks and I think that’s true, it’s how we grow – and intuitively I think we all know that, it would be hard to deny it. In college, I began as a painter and soon found myself making short films. Having been a musician since I was younger, I was able to develop my own soundtracks for these films, which led me into creating sound environments for art exhibits. Read more>>

Victoria Fratz Fradkin | Co-Founder of Social House Films

We’re constantly taking the risk of which production to green light. Being a small production company, even the decision to green light a new short film comes with risks — financial risks, limited resources, and stretching our team beyond their limits. But these are risks that any business owner will take when trying to expand their company and I think most people would agree that simply treading water in this industry isn’t going to propel you forward. Read more>>

Carly Chan | Photographer / Videographer

Taking risks has been a crucial aspect of my journey as a photographer and videographer, allowing me to grow both professionally and creatively. By pushing boundaries and embracing uncertainty, I’ve been able to achieve significant milestones and discover new opportunities in my career. One of the primary ways risk has positively impacted my career is through innovation and experimentation. Early on, I realized that playing it safe would limit my growth and creativity. Read more>>

Danielle Sheree Brown | Founder | Fiscal Manager | Tax Professional

As human beings, we take risks every day. If we think about it, leaving your home poses a potential threat and could be dangerous, but most people still go outside. I have taken many risks personally and professionally. Typically, hearing the word risk brings on a sense of anxiety for most of us. I view risk-taking as an opportunity to achieve something different to remove the associated anxiety. Read more>>

Marsella Reyes | Fitness Trainer & Entrepreneur

Taking risks is all about expanding your limits. When we’re too afraid to step out of our comfort zone and do things that lead us to uncertainty we tend to box ourselves in, limiting our potentials. Risk is probably one of the ONLY strategies that has worked in my favor! When the circumstance makes you scared but excited at the same time you know you’re on the right path. EVERY risk I have ever taken has led me to success, and if it wasn’t directly it navigated me exactly where I needed to be. Read more>>

Lizzy Passion | Musician, Mom, & Entertainer

I’m certainly not perfect at it, and am often afraid to, but I can say with confidence that the highlights of my life have been the result of me taking risks. All I had ever known was Texas, and at twenty-five years old, I said yes to moving to Malibu, even after laughing off the prospect of doing so initially, and that one decision changed the trajectory of my life entirely. Read more>>

Agnes Ashi | Hair Artist

Risk feels like stepping into a space of both uncertainty and limitless possibilities simultaneously. It can be daunting but the truth is, not taking risks can be just as risky. In my career and life, every significant leap forward has been a risk, firmly grounded in faith. Read more>>

Fairlie Ann Arrow | Documentary Filmmaker

I think that starting your own business is always a risk. Is it worth it, yes absolutely, doing what you are passionate about is definitely worth taking a risk for. Over the years I’ve had to take on jobs that have one purpose and that’s to pay the bills and allow me to find ways to do what I’m passionate about. We have to get up everyday and go to work anyway, so why not work hard and take risks for what you love, and I think today, more and more people are doing just that. Read more>>

LaChelle Chrysanne | Writer/Director/Producer

Risks are extremely liberating. They take you out of your comfort zone and force you to believe in your ability to come out on the other side better than you were before. I’ve taken a lot of risks in my life and career. Moving to different cities, leaving a full time job to freelance, performing and/or putting my work in front of an audience are some of the most pivotal risks I’ve taken. If it weren’t for risks, I wouldn’t be walking in my purpose or even have the confidence to know that I’m on the right path. Read more>>

Christine Ly & Olivya Soth | Slime Creators

Taking risks is an important part of a successful business. Risk involves uncertainty and the possibility of failure, but it provides opportunities for innovation, adaptation and growth. By embracing risks, we’ve been able to push past our comfort zones and challenge ourselves. Even if the outcome differs from what we expect, the ability to explore and challenge the slime industry is itself an achievement. The risks we take are thoroughly analyzed, of course, and we’re always prepared to navigate the challenges we may face. For example, we take risks every week when we drop new products! It’s fun to learn along the way. Read more>>

April Grace Lowe | Writer, Producer, Actor, & Storyteller

Taking creative risks is like riding a unicycle on a tightrope—it requires balance, guts, and focus. It’s always a rollercoaster of emotions, and I have to make sure that there is a healthy dose of humility and humor to get through it. Stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things is both terrifying and exhilarating. I mean, let’s face it, there’s always that little voice in the back of my head saying, “What if this doesn’t work?” or “What will people think?” Read more>>

Sebastian Laborde | President & Owner of L.E.G. Entertainment

Risk taking is a big part of having great success. Most entrepreneurs prefer to take it safe and secure, and there is nothing wrong with that, they do say, “slow and steady wins the race” but you have to remember that you took a risk when you decided to go solo, you took a risk when you reached out to your investors with your ideas to help finance your business, you took a risk when bought that space to build your business, you took a risk when choosing your equipment carefully to make sure you were looked at as a professional of your career. Read more>>

Shelli Bradley | Wardrobe Stylist/Costumer/Creative Director

Risk taking is what life is all about. If you do it or don’t do it, you’re taking a risk right? So you may as well take the bolder risk. I remember working retail in 2014/2015 while I was pursuing my styling/costume career in tv/film and it was very hard holding down a full time job and trying to do some freelance work to help me get experience. I just couldn’t do the four walls anymore, so I gave my two week notice with no other job in sight other than a very part time job that I had which barely paid for anything. Read more>>

Janky Dood | Digital Artist

The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. I tend to take risks and then figure it out as I go. Feels a bit like I’m flying by the seat of my pants, but it’s exhilarating. Almost all of the things I dream about require taking a risk, and if I don’t take the risk then there’s a 0% chance of it happening. I would rather be scared and fail than regret not trying. Read more>>

Tasha Van Howe | Author

My husband and I have struggled for years to have a family of our own. Our son passed shortly after he was born, but never gave up, and we risked it all and took out loans for IVF, which failed, then another loan for a private adoption that ended in scandal. Although we don’t have the family we thought we would, we risked it all and our love has helped us persevere. Read more>>

Patrick “PJ” Bean Jr | Actor, Hip Hop Artist, Business Owner

Risks, to me, are essential to growth in the overall human experience. Either way the result it will always serve as an appropriate teacher. Although some risks have more dreadful consequences then others. When I think about risks it will always follow my passions and values. But in my earlier journey I didn’t realize that the less risks I took to further myself the more stagnant I became and the more opportunities passed me by. Whether the risk was financial, Read more>>