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.

Janet Kong | Nail Technician

Taking a risk can change your life. I loved getting my nails done, so my mom suggested that I go get my nail license since I was taking forever to getting a college degree to work part time as a nail tech instead of serving. I definitely hesitated but ended up agreeing and enrolled in nail school. It was one of the best decisions ever. Read more>>

Clara Auguste Mohagen | Multidisciplinary Artist, Choreographer, Mother, Data Enthusiast

I’ve taken numerous risks in my life, but I don’t know if I would be considered a “risk-taker”. As a Virgo, I believe most of my risks, at least, now, as a more mature adult, have been calculated and have contributed to a more peaceful mental state of being. Read more>>

Holly Pendergast | Style Disruptor and Visibility Coach

Risk is about betting on yourself.
Risk reaps reward.
Risk comes with failure which gives you the wisdom you need to win.
Risk is how you find out what you’re made of.
Risk is *the* thing that teaches you how to pick yourself back up, learn how to pick yourself, not abandon yourself when you experience rejection, and love the parts of you that you are used to shaming. Read more>>

Kate Shearer | Artist & Photographer

I believe risk plays a critical role in the creative process and have found it crucial to embrace it in both my art practice and my approach to running a business. In the spirit of ‘writing drunk and editing sober’, when approaching my fine art work or photography for clients, it’s imperative to create a safe space where my clients and I feel safe to take risks and explore, knowing that all or at least some of the output from our time may never see the light of day. Read more>>

Marcus Finnie | Drummer, Artist

Risk taking is a big part of self employment. It places a great deal of drive and determination to succeed in your respected lane. It crosses over into my playing at times of improvisational music taking musical risks to find new ideas so that I don’t become static. Read more>>

Cheryse Terry | Cafe owner & Archivist

Risk is required for success. To me, What’s the worst that can happen, If your plan don’t work out you can go back to the drawing board and do what you know until you can start again. Read more>>

Tricia Rose Burt | Speaker, Storyteller, and Host of the podcast “No Time to be Timid”

My personal mantra is “the riskiest thing you can do is play it safe,” which is the exact opposite of how I was raised. I was expected to follow a secure and predictable path and I did what I was told. By my mid-30s, I was in a mediocre marriage and a lucrative consulting career, billing my time in 15-minute increments creating PR and training programs for some of America’s largest institutions. Read more>>

Jazmone Shannon | Entrepreneur & Legal Analyst

I am a business owner that understands that everyday won’t be a sell out day. I have taken risks where I have prepared for a mass amount of people just to have sold absolutely nothing as well as events where I sell out and people are asking for more and where they can find me. Read more>>

RENE RUSTON | Entrepreneur

You can’t live an extraordinary life without risk. That’s all I wanted since I was a little girl: An extraordinary life. Pack in as much joy and adventure as I can while I am on this earth. Never let anyone say “you can’t “. I cannot imagine any measure of success has been achieved without taking risks. Read more>>

Keīlah Harris | Comedian & Culinary Host/ Travel Vlogger

the biggest risk was learning to have faith in myself and the worlds want to give me the life I want. It was very fearful decision when I first took the risk of prioritizing my creativity and play as work. Banking on yourself means giving yourself the time for other opportunities. Read more>>

Carlotta Romano | Composer for film and multimedia

I believe taking risks has been crucial in getting me to where I am today. Every decision involves some degree of risk, and I think the choices that push you out of your comfort zone tend to be the most rewarding in the long run. One example from my own life illustrates this well. Read more>>

Sara Davis | Actress

I won’t lie, I don’t always take risks. Sometimes life is moving too fast and before I know it, months have gone on and I haven’t changed my routine one bit. I read a book a few months ago called “Everything is Figureoutable” by Marie Forleo. I think about that silly statement often. It makes the most difficult tasks seem mundane. Read more>>

Liz Vice | Singer songwriter & world traveler

When I was a teenager, I experienced health issues that really changed the way that I see “life”. I received a kidney transplant at the age of 22. This is what I call my “bonus life”. And with this extra time I have on this earth, I have wasted a lot of it with fear and anxiety. Read more>>

Fiona Skye | Wardrobe Stylist

Taking risks has been a key factor in shaping my career as a wardrobe stylist. What’s beautiful about risk-taking is that it entails putting yourself out there with everything to gain and nothing to lose. This willingness to embrace risk sets one apart from those who fear rejection. Read more>>

B. Earl | Writer/Filmmaker/Tarot Reader

I have lived my life by taking calculated risks, some more calculated than others. At a young age, I dreamed of moving to LA to make movies. Growing up in a small town in New Jersey, LA could have been on the moon. I wasn’t sure how I would get there, but when I got an opportunity to move to NYC I figured that could be the first step. Read more>>

Desiree Porter | Artist

I think risk is really important to become comfortable with. I see it as necessary for not only creativity but also substantial growth anywhere in life. I am very appreciative and proud of my younger self for facing risk in ways that were constantly challenging for me and doing things that didn’t see anyone else around me do. Read more>>

Olena Pokalchuk | Digital Marketer, Co-founder of The Digital State Marketing Agency

Better to swing for the fences and miss than never step up to the plate at all. That’s my motto whenever those doubts and wobbly knees creep in. Living in Ukraine, you get a real crash course in risk-taking. It’s everywhere, from the everyday stuff like “will we have clients next quarter?” to the more “will a missile land on my house tomorrow?” kind of worries. Read more>>

Jessica Black | Content creator / airline agent

The way I think about risk is to go for it. I say that because you never know when you will get that opportunity again. If you have to second guess yourself then you know you’re not ready, but think quickly about it and take action right then & there. Read more>>

Colin Huerta | Actor & Musician

I think that the reward is always worth the risk. You have to kind of risk it all and let the universe know that you really believe in yourself and you want something. I feel like I am in the midst of one big risk right now. I grew up, went to acting school, and started my career in Chicago. Read more>>

George Kapitan | Marketing at L’Oréal USA , USC Graduate, Career/Lifestyle Content Creator

In my opinion, taking a leap is the most important thing that you can do in your life. Otherwise, you are bound to have a boring life for the rest of your life. I have taken so many leaps of faith in my life, and it has allowed me to truly LIVE! Read more>>

Shio (Sio) Tepper | Music Maker

I have come to understand myself to be a courageously afraid person. What I mean by this is that I fundamentally walk through life with an immense amount of fear. My closest family and friends will be the first to tell you that I am a panicker. I’ve had many a harrowing experience on an outdoor adventure for example, where I’ll be the first to cry in a sticky situation. Read more>>

Carlos Rodgarman | Composer/Music Producer

You always hear “without risk, there’s no reward” and all my life this has been confirmed time and time again! Every time I’ve been in a situation that has life changing consequences you always get the two voices talking to you… the one that says “Stay where you are, at least you know this situation and you have some level of comfort here” and the other one…. Read more>>

Nadiia Fokova | Momanager. Hair stylist

Emigrating with two children, a disabled husband, a dog and a cat. Isn’t this a risk? But we decided to take this step. And we have never regretted it. Yes it was difficult. And there are still many challenges ahead. But we are ready for them. Read more>>

Anna Stepanova | Fashion stylist and wardrobe consulting

Taking risks has been essential for personal and professional development, pushing boundaries and exploring new opportunities for me. Significant progress comes only from stepping out of comfort zones and facing challenges head-on. Read more>>

Haille Trimboli, Ph.D. | Associate Director of Customer Success, Yoga Instructor, Entrepreneur

As a Leo sun sign with a Sagittarius rising, I thrive on risk. In all seriousness, I view risk as a catalyst for some of the most fulfilling moments in my life and career. When I find myself too comfortable, whether personally or professionally, it’s often a sign that I’m not progressing or contributing to society as much as I could be. Read more>>

Vincent Biller | Student

Risks can be challenging, especially mentally, but are always worth a shot. You will never reach something unless you try it. Getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing new things might change you and the way you see things. I am someone who takes risks knowing I will most likely succeed. Read more>>

Cesar D’ La Torre | Actor

I think risk is something necessary in the acting career because if you don’t take risks in your career you are probably going to stay at the same level and taking risks in this career is hugely important to be able to accomplish your goals, I think in every role I’ve done in my Acting career I’ve taken risks to be able to get the part because before getting the role you risk so many choices to portray that character. Read more>> 

Jen Ash | Singer Songwriter & Actress

I think you are very dramatic using the word “Risk” and we should probably say : “taking a chance” instead. Risk involve danger and sometimes just using the word put us in a state of fear which is the reason why we do not act on it . People always fear the negative and don’t focus on the positive. Read more>>

Jen Ash | Singer Songwriter & Actress

I think you are very dramatic using the word “Risk” and we should probably say : “taking a chance” instead. Risk involve danger and sometimes just using the word put us in a state of fear which is the reason why we do not act on it . People always fear the negative and don’t focus on the positive. Read more>>

Tiffany Tan | Music Composer

A person has to take risks if they want positive changes. We either stay in our old comfort zone and continue our established life pattern, or we take risks and embrace new possibilities. I had to take lots of risks when changing careers. I used to work at a bank before deciding to do film scoring. It was quite a leap. Read more>>

MAE SEVEN

Moving across the Atlantic was a big decision. We left most of our family behind, along with other career options. It wasn’t easy. We had no idea where we would end up and had to build new relationships from scratch. Read more>>

Andrew Soria | Pop Surrealist Artist & Photographer

Considering a career in art or a creative field can be challenging, but the rewards are worth it. There is no specific formula for success in this field; it’s mostly a combination of chance and effort. If you’re truly passionate about it, you’ll find a way to make it work. Read more>>

Patricia Peter | Production Designer / Architect / Interior Designer

Risk-taking has played a significant role in my life and career. Embracing risk has allowed me to transition from a successful career in architecture and interior design to pursuing my passion in storytelling for film and television. Read more>>

Ricardo Muniz | Vocal Student

Taking risks throughout my life has taught, and continues to teach me, how important one’s time and interconnectedness with others is. Ever since taking my biggest-ever leap of faith at age 17 moving to Chicago, to pursue what I loved, three hours away from where I had graduated and family lived. Read more>>

Jayde Jonathan Glover | General Contractor & Touring DJ

Life is an uncertain thing, I believe my perspective stems from the desire to truly live. On one had I could have a safe and predictable life, on the other I could have a uncertain life full of surprise and adventure. Read more>>

Yu Hin Bryan Chan | Singer, Actor, Producer, and Voice Teacher

I fell in love with Musical Theatre when I was an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, but that came with a twist. I’ve always despised the hugely extroverted style of Musical Theatre. All throughout high school, friends would perfectly recite the lyrics to “Hamilton” or “Les Miserable” and I would cringe at my core and tell them to stop. Read more>>

Gabriella Lester | Magician/Escape Artist

Honestly, I think everything in life is a risk. Every decision involves some degree of chance, it’s just about what choices you choose to make. For me, I always take the scarier path… and that doesn’t mean more dangerous or life-threatening, it just means more challenging and out of the box. Read more>>

Anna Stella | Marketing Expert

When it comes to risk, I believe there are no wrong answers, just bad outcomes. My philosophy is simple: time will pass whether you do something or not, so if I’m really into something and the moment is right, I’ll just do it. Read more>>

Alex Alpharaoh | Actor, Writer, Coach & Entrepreneur

My mere presence in this country was a risk… for 30+ years. I was an undocumented immigrant who would wake up each morning and worry that that day would be the last day I got to wake up in my own bed because I was always one encounter with law enforcement away from being detained, processed, and deported. Read more>>

Bijan Amir | Multi-Platinum Music Producer

I think in my industry, taking risks is one of the cornerstones of being successful. I think with all great art, or great artists, the best results came from trying to do something that wasn’t the norm, or doing something that would shake up the industry, regardless of what they thought the general’s perception would be. Read more>>

Brett Gaffney | Actor and Host of “A Word Before We Leave”

Risk has always been something that i’ve measured time against more than financial investment. Growing up, I can from a lower-class neighborhood in the suburbs outside of Kansas City. My family didn’t have much, but my parents ensured and did everything in their power to provide for my two siblings and I. Read more>>