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.

Sahba Shere | Painter

My creative life is inseparable from my story as a first-generation immigrant of Indian heritage. I was raised by wonderful parents – my mom was an amazingly prolific artist when I was growing up and my father was a math professor – but I grew up in a fairly traditional environment. Read more>>

Perri Lawler | Watercolor Artist, Art Gallery Owner, Art Curator, Instructor, & Community Activist

When it comes to risks, I think that they are necessary to take in almost all aspects of life but especially when it comes to growing. I believe that taking risks in my life has been a beneficial step towards growth within myself, my career, and my artistry. Read more>>

Deborah McDonald | Coinfully Co-Founder

My entire career I have been very risk averse. I spent the totality of my numismatic life with a single company, putting one foot in front of the other to build my reputation brick by brick. Read more>> 

Vishnu Vinod Pillai | Writer, Director, Producer & Editor

Risks are nothing but a necessary element in all our lives. It is the fear of the same that stops many from achieving their dreams. Fear of risks is the ultimate dream killer, for without it we shall not be able to come out of our comfort zone and break out of our shells. Read more>>

k.d. Domoto | Black doll maker

I’ve been making and selling Black rag dolls for seven years. The risk I took? I’m not Black, I’m Asian. I was not sure that how people would feel about a non-Black person selling Black dolls which are very clear cultural identity items. Read more>>

Joyce Cho | Illustrator

I think the biggest risk I took was leaving a decade-long career in corporate marketing to go to art school. So, I’ll talk about the risks people take with their careers. In my case, the decision changed the entire course of my life, and now I’m working full-time as a freelance illustrator. Read more>>

Gillian McMahon | Leader/Singer/Second Guitarist

Taking risks is the best thing you can do in a creative career. Whether that’s experimenting with your music or connecting with someone you admire, I’ve found that a lot of the risks I’ve taken have paid off. Read more>>

Francisco “ Cico” Silva | Sound Mixer / Musician / Drone Pilot / Adventurer

Taking risks is a fundamental part of my growth since I was very young. Very much like my parents who came to this country from Chile, South America.
As a young student musician I wanted to be a lead trumpet player that had all the high notes and solos…. Risky. Read more>>

Seann Altman | Fashion Stylist Content Creator

Taking the risk is the first step to anything. We take risks everyday big or small. But if we didn’t take them we wouldn’t achieve the things we want in life. Taking a risk is taking a chance and that’s for everything in life including your career. Read more>>

Michelle Argyris | Founder of Windtuition Wellness & Actress

Since I came out of the womb, I was taking risks that made my poor mother’s hair turn grey. Taking a chance on yourself is incredibly courageous and if we truly, deeply believe in ourselves, anything is possible! Read more>>

Brigette Lebel | Metalsmith & Jewelry Designer

Taking risks has always been a big part of who I am at my core. My dad taught me from a young age the importance of taking risks, trying, failing, and getting back up. Read more>>

Nabil Thouri | Actor

I have a very optimistic approach on risk. I embrace it because I believe that a life without risk is bland and unfulfilling. My high ambitions often push me to take various risks, both big and small. Read more>>

Ben Ulrich | Actor

After I was offered a scholarship to study at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory, I was extremely excited to pursue this path and couldn’t wait to get to the United States. At the same time, I recall how bittersweet it felt, knowing that I would have to leave Germany for the unknown. Read more>>

Natalia Solis | Stylist & Apparel Industry Management

Taking risks in life is the only way I force myself to grow, to be able to pursue my dreams. One of the biggest risks I’ve taking so far would be moving out of my home town from Stockton Ca to Los Angeles to pursue Fashion. With no money, no idea what LA is like and only faith that it would work out. Read more>>

Rosina / Nicholas Kazi / Murray | Musicians / community activators

As a partnership we have 2 musical projects, one is a 25 year old alternative / electronic duo called LAL, one is a dance music project called ROSINA that incorporates drag and gender performance (with drag performer Fanny Galore-Wngz), and we help run an arts space for and by Queer/Trans and / or Black and Brown folks and friends, called Unit 2, out of our warehouse space in Toronto. Read more>>

THIRDPARTY

We’ve all had to approach taking risks in our own ways. Dedicating our lives to our artistry is a risk in and of itself, not knowing whether or not the time we’ve invested will pay off. Read more>> 

Jon Le Vert | Artist

In my experience, taking smart, timely risks was essential. However, it really helps to know what you want several years down the road. Like, I just knocked on the door of the talent agency that repped me in Chicago and it let to a Netflix role within 18 months. Read more>>

Turk Jones | Artist

If I had never made the decision to take some serious risk and bet on myself and my dreams, I can assure you i would not be where I am today. Taking risk is still such an integral factor in maintaining my upward trajectory. Read more>>

Jason Ongoco | Actor & Storyteller

Risk to me is knowing what I’m giving up when I put my time and effort into something else. Fear is definitely a factor. For example, I’m an actor/writer. I gave up a great relationship of 10 years back in 2003 and the potential of marriage and children to focus on acting. Read more>>

Hernando Caicedo | Writer/Actor

My parents came to America in the 80’s through Mexico. They swam across the border into Texas. They came to this country, literally with a bag full of clothes and a ziplock back taped to their underwear with cash they’d saved up. In a way, the risk my parents took by coming to this country created this mindset for me that taking risks in life and career is a normal way of life. Read more>>

Siqian Li | Concert Pianist

Embracing risk is an indispensable part of personal growth and achievement. To flourish in the face of challenges, we must push beyond our comfort zones and venture into uncharted territory, seizing opportunities that may lead to better paths. Read more>>

Marissa Kiersch | VP of Brand & Experiential

Risk is an integral part of innovation and growth, both in my personal life and career. Coming from a background of domestic and global experiential tours for film campaigns at Legendary Entertainment, I have become accustomed to navigating the high-stakes world of entertainment. Read more>>

Caitlin Bury and 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>>

Chenwei Xu | Graphic and Motion Designer & Illustrator

I believe risk-taking is an essential part of personal growth. One of the biggest risks I’ve undertaken was relocating from my home country shortly after college to pursue graduate school and career opportunities in the States as an international student. Read more>>

Zumbambico

As an entrepreneur taking risks becomes a key part of my practice. I am always on the look out opportunities to share my work with others and this involves taking a lot of chances and learning to deal with rejection on a daily basis. Read more>>

Emily Hsu | Producer (Animation, Games, VFX)

I think about risk everyday. Being in this industry is inherently risky. There is a high chance of failure at every turn: it takes a long time to develop projects to the point that they can be moved into production, completing an animated project is a marathon-run spanning multiple years, and can be canceled or shelved at any point before crossing the finish line. Read more>>

Gudy Prada | Drummer & Mix Engineer

I strongly believe that taking challenges is vital for personal development. Growth rarely occurs when we remain within our comfort zones. This principle has had a profound impact on my professional journey. Since the early stages of my career as a musician, I actively pursued opportunities to collaborate with musicians who exceeded my skill level. Read more>>

Alyssa Young | Videographer & Editor

Being a freelance videographer/editor, the freelance life is all about risk. There’s no guarantees unless you put yourself out there and take chances. Working as a creative, I’m constantly pushing myself to get better each day. I have to put out my content in hopes someone comes across it and wants to work with me, or reaching out and networking, which can also be very intimidating. Read more>>

Cler Verzo | Dancer & Gamer

Taking risks is always a big challenge for me—but I know I have to face it. It’s part of growth. I moved to LA from the Philippines eight years ago. I remember how everything was new to me, from the place to the people. My world just got bigger and more overwhelming, but I knew I had to be brave if I wanted to fulfill my dream of becoming a dancer. Read more>>

Lindsey Freeman | The Energy Architect

Risk is the only way through this life. From a young age, I knew I wanted to have a BIG life and leave a BIG impact on the world. Without the discomfort of taking risks, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Read more>>

Olumide Onajide | Certified Personal Trainer&Strength&Conditioning Coach – MPH/BA

Risk taking has been a part of my nature since a kid. It has enabled me to challenge myself to be the best version of me in all of my career goals. As a risk taker you have to be able to accept defeat or life can become a mental struggle. Read more>>

Trevor Motes | Filmmaker

My life for the past few years has been all about taking risks. I have evaded being miserable countless times by taking a chance on myself and taking a leap of faith, and it’s benefited me in my professional life as well as my personal life. Read more>>