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.

J. Rady | Founder & CEO at Out And About Busin

For me, risk-taking is a fundamental aspect of achieving success, particularly in the realm of business. I firmly believe that the greater the risk, the more promising the outcome or result can be. This perspective has greatly influenced my approach to decision-making and navigating my career path. Read more>>

Rachelle Carson | CEO/Founder of LILY + MIEL

Risk-taking has guided my life and career decisions. The decision to launch LILY + MIEL was about stepping into the unknown and was a huge risk for me, not knowing what the outcome would be. Every product formulation, marketing strategy, and business expansion has required me to venture beyond my comfort zone. Read more>>

Sofija | Singer-songwriter, instrumentalist & producer

I think that risk-taking can be scary for some people, and exciting for others. I have experienced both perspectives but regardless of what it feels like, I think it is a necessary evil for artists. I’ve experienced the feeling of not thinking I am truly ready for something in my creative process, but I’ve done it anyway and was really glad I did. Read more>>

EDDIE SATURN | Creative Director, Musical Artist & Alien

RISK IS WATER! I think if you are going to get what you want out of life, truly truly, then you must risk to get it. Things that are laid out are fine and you can live a happy life following the laid out things BUT to get the life you dream of, no matter what the dream is, you have to go off the tracks which is a huge risk. Even something small like getting the attention of a person you’re interested in takes risk. Read more>>

The Artist Aesthetic Tour | Concert Series

Opportunities to take risks in life arise more often than not, Its the simple act of being an artist that can most definitely be risky. Most times, taking risks in life or your career can be a hit or a miss. it could lead to amazing opportunities, personal growth, and cool experiences you wouldn’t have had otherwise. Read more>>

Alex Untoria | Character Designer & Visual Development Artist

I find risk to be a necessary part of life. If you never step out of your comfort zone, you will not progress far in any aspect of life. I am not saying go to Vegas and risk it all on red or black. Risk can be as simple as trying out a new medium of art or as daunting as quitting your job to start a new career path. The key is to take calculated risks. Read more>>

Robin Vega | Photographer & Videographer

When I think about risk, I see it as an inherent part of any decision-making process, especially from a business point of view. I think that a well calculated risk can lead to significant growth and personal transformation. My approach is to firstly asses the situation, weighing the potential rewards against the drawbacks. By minimizing the downside and having a clear plan for mitigating challenges, my best case scenario is alchemizing risks into opportunities for growth. Read more>>

Priscilla Perez | Entrepreneur

We take risks every day of our lives whether it be in business or just life. Taking risks is essential when wanting to succeed. So often you hear about success and not often do you hear the stories about risks and failures. Taking a risk and sometimes failing is a key component to revolving. I have taken several risks and made many mistakes. Read more>>

SHi XI | Recording Artist/Producer/Songwriter/Engineer

The only risky thing about risk is not taking them. I feel like the biggest risks I’ve ever taken have always lead me to higher places both in my career and life in general. I’m always challenging myself to do things I haven’t done and push past my comfort zone… That’s where ALL the rewards in life are! Read more>>

Andrew Fabela | Photographer

To me, taking a risk is like travelling into the unknown. You never really know what to expect until after you take that risk. I know that for me personally taking risks has been a key part of my career as an upcoming creative, and has given me truly wonderful opportunities that I am thankful for every day. I one day decided to take the risk of going to an unknown address in Downtown Los Angeles to assist a photographer on set. Read more>>

Dana Goldberg | Comedian, writer, and activist

As an artist I take risks on a daily basis. I stand on stage in front of crowds from 50 to 100,000 people in some cases. Will they laugh, will they like my comedy? Am going to offend people? Am I making a difference? I think about these things a lot. Although, I think less about if I’m going to offend someone with my comedy than the other questions. I want to make people think, challenge their belief systems through humor. Read more>>

Simmya Tave | CEO & Nursing Student

Taking risks honestly pushed my brand further, I feel that if you aren’t willing to take risks with your business you’ll find yourself being discouraged and unmotivated. For me risk honestly molded my brand if I didn’t take risks I wouldn’t be where I am today. Read more>>

Brad Alden Mowry | Owner – Artisan Cloth | Singer/songwriter Worship director

I believe taking risks is an essential reality to any successful business history. Calculated risk is nice, and guarantees are nice. But sometimes, you really have to trust your “gut”. In my case I lean on my faith and ask for clarity in prayer for direction, as well as peace about risks I am considering. I think risk is inevitable and risks must be taken to advance your career, and business at times. Read more>>

Luciana Faulhaber | Actor, Advocate and Content Creator

Risk taking is well, scary, otherwise it wouldn’t feel like a risk and it is pivotal for growth. There is that saying that “nothing good happens in your comfort zone” which I disagree with because comfort feels pretty good otherwise people wouldn’t stay there. So we all have to ask ourselves what is what we want actually want. If is is comfort than that is great. There is nothing wrong with that. Read more>>

Meagan A Culberson | Event Curator, Writer & Creative

I used to be afraid of taking risks because I was terrified of the unknown outcomes. I liked to play it safe because that’s where I was comfortable and felt most at ease. Looking back, my hesitation to take risks was more about my need for control than my fear of the unknown, and trying to control every outcome is not only exhausting but completely unrealistic. Risks are necessary in life and in your career. Read more>>

Arthur Kayzakian | Poet | Educator | Literary Organizer

Risk is very important if I want to survive. Without risk, I would be afraid to leap into projects. The biggest risk I have ever taken is on myself. I trust my character to get me through anything, especially when I live in a world that challenges my well-being. It’s crucial to have a strong support system and know where to turn when things get rough. Read more>>

Inès Ridane | Dancer & Choreographer

Taking risks is part of the process. We can’t wait at home for things to happen. Being afraid is a normal feeling, and it takes courage to overcome it. I’d rather take risks and see where it takes me than let fear take over and have regrets later. wondering what would have happened if I had tried. I sincerely believe that the Universe puts a dream in each of us. Read more>>

Nadine Chavez | Hair Colorist

Taking risks in your journey is necessary in order to get to where you want to be. In my career I knew that I had to put myself out there if I wanted to learn/work with the best no matter what the outcome would be in the end. Read more>>

Amanda Gibby Peters | Feng Shui Practitioner / Educator / Author / Speaker

If I had to distill it down to my biggest takeaway, it would be that I am always worth the investment — whether that is in a course / class / coach; a trip somewhere new to me; or ways to grow / try something new in my business. When I started out 20 years ago, I would worry about every dollar before I spent it, not trusting if the “money spent” would “pay off.” Read more>>

Kaitlyn Andrew | Model

I believe in high risk, high reward because this mentality is essential for driving innovation and developing new approaches in market disruption and overcoming industry challenges. Risk is essential in my life and career because it challenges me to grow and evolve into the person I want to be. Each day I move closer to becoming a better version of myself because I am actively doing the work necessary to produce better results. Read more>>

YB Terrion | Artist & Entrepreneur

I look at it like this: we only have one life to live. Personally, ai don’t want to spend my life being the person that played it safe and never took a chance or never took a risk. To be honest, those people/artists are the ones that last the longest and are remembered. The ones who did what they wanted to do instead of playing it safe, that’s who I want to be. Read more>>

Lisa McClendon | Singer/Songwriter/Life Pursuer

I quit my traditional job on July 28th of this year to live my dream of being a full-time artist again. That’s what you call RISK! Risk looks like getting in the car and going somewhere, you may or may not get into an accident. Risk looks like starting a new relationship, you may or may not get your heartbroken. But we take risks in hopes of reaching a desired outcome. Read more>>

Leilani De Marco | Dancer

I believe in risk taking to bettering your life and pursuing your goals of doing what you love. I’ve taken a lot of risks in my life including, moving from Australia to New Zealand at the age of 19 to further my dance career, all the way to the present moment (almost a decade later) of me working on my visa for America to continue living my dreams of performing and working in the dance industry! The risks I’ve taken have gotten me to where I am today and for that I am so grateful. Read more>>

james bacchi | Gallerist, Curator, Art Consultant, iPhoneographer and Collaborator

I’ve always been a risk taker and for the most part enjoy it. It took some time, but what I learned over the years is as long as you can avoid large scale financial risk the act in itself is extremely self-motivating and good for the soul. Read more>>

Megan Weeks | Graphic Designer

Risk taking and being ok with failing is essential for entrepreneurs! I remember when I first thought of quitting my 9 to 5 job to pursue my passion I was overwhelmed with”what if’s” and fear. However, if it was not for taking the risk, preparing for any outcome, and overall trusting myself, I would have stayed in a stagnant place for a very long time. Read more>>

Sormeh Attarzadeh | CoFounder of Zentap

As I look back on my life and career, I can’t help but recognize the significant role that taking risks has played in shaping who I am today. If I could hop into a time machine and have a heart-to-heart with my younger self, I would undoubtedly emphasize the importance of letting go of the fear of making mistakes and worrying about what others think. Read more>>