We asked some brilliant folks from the community to talk to us about how they think about risk and the role risk has played in their lives and careers.

Belle Le Grand | Actor

I’ve found myself thinking often about risk versus safety lately. These thoughts have only become more apparent as I’ve continued my creative pursuits, regardless, my answer to this question is quite simple: Safety is smart, safety is practical and safety is logical. There is nothing wrong with wanting to obtain or maintain security. However, I have never found comfort in anything that did not make my heart sing. Read more>>

Simone Marie | Actor

My entire career as an actress has originated from my risk taking desire. I view every type of opportunity that comes my way as a lily pad i need to hop on to get to where i want to be. I mean could you really call yourself an artist if you don’t base every single move off a risk? Read more>>

Thomas Purves | Music Producer

I believe risk to be a crucial ingredient to progress both in a personal and social context. Risk can be observed in a positive and negative perspective. We crave stability and security, but ultimately need risk to propel us forward. In a musical/cultural sense, risk has been the defining catalyst for timeless output. Read more>>

Lisha Riabinina | Photographer. Traveler. Travel Planner.

Honestly, I don’t see taking a risk as something risky. I know sounds funny but let me explain. I believe that the risk existed before you made your decision. You are evaluating the probability of success, troubleshooting, trying to force the obstacles, and measuring what would be the impact of the risk not paying off. Read more>>

Ra7ael | Pop Singer/Songwriter

Many people would think that immigrating to another country might be a risky decision to make in your life, but I believe that staying in a country where the culture it’s not very appreciated and still marginalized by a good part of the population would be a bigger risk for me to take. By the way, United States and Germany were the countries that most streamed my songs on the last year and Brazil was not even included in the Top 5. Read more>>

Taylor Hoverson | Clothing Brand Owner & Creator

I think that taking risks and doing what scares us is what makes life worth living. Often I think about the quote, “Life exists outside of your comfort zone.” It resonates with me because inherently I am not a fearless gal, I’m actually quite full of fear but I intuitively know that almost everything I really want, in business and in life, requires me to take a risk. Read more>>

Jada Cintron | Actor, Musician, & Marketing/Advertising Specialist

I think if you don’t take enough risks you won’t unlock the next level of yourself. No one who makes it big plays it safe their whole life. I’m a huge planner and have been this way since high school, once graduating college I realized I could never completely abandon planning but if I wanted to reach the next level I had to become more comfortable in taking risks. Read more>>

Sanja Zdjelar | Violinist & Performance Artist

Risk is an inherent part of any decision-making process, and can be a key factor in achieving success. Taking calculated risks can lead to new opportunities and experiences, and can help to drive progress and innovation. At the same time, it’s important to carefully consider the potential risks and rewards of any action, and to try to minimize unnecessary risks when possible. Musicians often take risks in order to pursue their art and achieve success in their careers. Read more>>

Ayin Es | Contemporary Visual Artist

RISK is not just a job requirement, it’s most necessary for creating any art that’s worthwhile. I consider risk-taking one of the most important parts of both my process and my career. It is a risk in this society to be vulnerable. It is a risk to stand in one’s truth. There can be an element of risk at every opportunity that presents itself, and it’s a matter of how you react. Read more>>

Jorden DeGaetano | Photographer & Creative Director

Something that has guided me throughout most decisions in my adult life has been avoiding the risk of playing life safe. To me that is the greatest risk of all time. While comfort and stability are great, I knew I had to take the risk of giving up stability and certainty in the beginning, in order to gain traction in running my business. Read more>>

Diana Greshtchuk | CEO & Founder of Fan Your Flame LLC, Trauma-Informed Financial Literacy Coach

As a CPA, and being in the financial industry for over 20 years, my perspective on risk has shifted over time. Things like skydiving and bungee jumping used to be risky. However, when you lose the people closest to you, the way you see the world and the way you connect to risk changes. When my second parent passed away in 2020, my world was forever changed. That loss gave me a new perspective. Read more>>

Josh Sasson | Video Editor

I’m honestly pretty bad at taking big risks, but last year I left the relative stability of a staff job at a post house on the hunch that I might be happier working in a different corner of the industry. At the time, it felt like a big risk, and definitely paid off like one. One of the immediate benefits of that was how much it freed me up to make my own creative work. Read more>>

Cristina Salto | Fashion Model & Content Creator

There is absolutely nothing wrong in playing it safe, but this is definitely not my story. Since I was a kid I knew that venturing into the unknown is terrifying, but is the only way to get properly rewarded. I had to overcome my fears and take some major decisions in life and to be more explicit, Read more>>

Ethan Zeitman | Sound Designer and Mixer

I think most people agree that risk taking is good in every aspect of your life. Some people are simply more inclined to step outside of their comfort zones, and I try to put that into practice as often as possible, but it’s always a new challenge. In the arts especially you must practice risk taking, whether that’s in the form of a new collaboration, or trying your hand at a different style or genre in your field. Read more>>

Dr. Cassandra Lenza | Founder of Healing on Hudson, Licensed Therapist

I would attribute my ability to handle risk as my big driver for success in business and in life. In business, many of my bigger decisions have been based on intuition and an “idea.” I live by the idea that I would rather look back and say “I tried it” than regret not trying. Read more>>

PAUL NERI | Installer, Woodworker & Artist.

I’ve lived most of my adult life taking risks. I grew up in a small town in the French Alps surrounded by my awesome family and friends, and now I have my own woodwork business in the amazing city of Los Angeles!! So yeah it took quite a few hard decisions and challenges to get where I am today but very young I realized that I never wanted to compromise about my life. Read more>>

Dr. Pete Borboa and Micaela Borboa | Chiropractor & Co-Owner/ Director of Operations

The only reason our business exist is due to my partners perception of risk. I was always afraid of taking risk. I was taught to always be a hundred percent prepared before starting something new or accomplishing something new. This created a life of stagnation, never moving forward and always afraid of risk. Read more>>

Shaé Universe | Singer & Songwriter

I believe taking risks are essential in any pursuit of elevation. I also believe in God so sometimes my risks aren’t even all that calculated but I move in faith. It can be scary sometimes but for me the rewards have proven to be worth the risk so far. Read more>>

ogreta | Musician

Risk is kind of a fundamental part of the program isn’t it? As an artist I mean. I’ve been an actor as my primary career since the minute I left high school and crikey is it a bonkers profession to try and make work but I love it. It’s forever changing and not always what one would expect it to be, but it truly makes me happy so it’s worth it. Read more>>

Suzy Espinoza | Traveling Hairstylist

“The biggest risk, is not taking one” I strongly believe this. I moved across the country at 22, broke, with no family members and didn’t know a single person in this city. I didn’t even really know anything about Vegas, except for the fact that it’s near California and that it’s known for its partying. Read more>>