Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

AYSER SALMAN

As an immigrant born overseas to parents who fled Iraq for a better life, the concept of taking risks was instilled in me from an early age. Immigrants love famous quotes and parables, and my family was no different. “No change without change” constantly echoed in my mind, informing my views on risk-taking. Read More>>

Phil Wright

I believe taking risks are necessary. Especially when it comes to being an entrepreneur. Every great asset that I’ve achieved has steamed from taking a risk. Read More>>

Makena Sommer Partington

Risk is an opportunity, not a deterrent. There are various risks in life, some damaging, and some only scary because we impose fear into exiting our comfort zones. If we become risk-averse emotionally, we often lose attunement to our intuitive purpose, hindering our success. Throughout my life, taking risks has been the transition between my many lives. Leaping from one trajectory to another takes risks, and I have had to choose to welcome these risks with open arms. Read More>>

Ayce Boogy

I’ve put my blood sweat and tears into my work and have risked many things even without knowing , but I feel you won’t ever make it far without them . Read More>>

Zachary Smith

I’ve always been a risk taker — it kind of comes with the territory when you’re a photographer navigating Hollywood’s shifting landscape. For years, I traveled from city to city, shooting with clients, sometimes knowing I wouldn’t make a profit. I did it to build my brand and keep my name circulating. Then the strikes hit, and much of the acting industry went overseas, making everything harder to sustain. Read More>>

Yanin Ruibal

I’m a risk-taker because I’m impulsive, and yes, sometimes I regret my decisions, but I always learn from my mistakes. It’s just my nature. I tend to be at peace with my decisions, I don’t wallow on what could’ve been, I learn and I move on.

I took the impulsive decision to move to Mexico City. I had the idea,
and a week after I was living here. I had no family, no friends, no job, I’ve never been there for more than a few days, but I knew that if I wanted to be an artist, here is where I needed to be. And I never looked back, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Read More>>

Olivia Montoya

For me, risk is less about recklessness and more about growth. I see it as a necessary part of evolving—personally and professionally. In my career as a hairstylist, taking risks has meant stepping outside of the comfort zone of routine to try new techniques, take on challenging clients, invest in advanced training, or even shift environments completely when I knew I needed to level up. Read More>>

Norma Montenegro

Risk can be terrifying. Growing up many of us were taught to value security, the lessons were fear based. But in looking at my parents I saw the huge risk they took to come to a new country and start a new life and decided to follow their actions not their words, which were rooted in caution. As a first-generation Latina, I was raised to go to college, save money and retire with stability. In opening my business, Sunset Wellness with two friends, I risked everything to create what I’ve never seen but have always needed. Read More>>

Tom Dunn

I think risk-taking has shaped both my creative process and my life choices. There’s always been an element of embracing the random, and there’s more risk in the unknown. I rarely start a painting with a clear idea of what I’m aiming for—and in life, it definitely feels like I’m winging it sometimes. Read More>>

A Girl

I feel risk takers always end up on top and obtaining EVERYTHING they’ve set out for. My best results have come from taking risks. My entire life I’ve taken risks for what I love! My music, my peace and sanity. My healing and becoming me! It all took some major risks. Being a new resident of California was a RISK! I’m grateful for them all! Read More>>

Algernon Lanier

Betting on myself didn’t feel like a risk. I knew I could do this. I didn’t view it as a gamble — it was just the life I always wanted. I’m doing what I love, on my own terms. That’s not a risk — that’s freedom. Read More>>

Denise Anstey

I see risk as a necessary ingredient in growth—both personal and professional. It’s never about being reckless, but rather about being willing to step into the unknown with purpose. Every meaningful turn in my life has involved risk: leaving a secure path to pursue my passion, starting a business from scratch, or saying yes to a project that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Read More>>

Darius Fong

Early in my career, I moved across the world to pursue music full-time. I left music school to intern at a recording studio—a move that didn’t make sense on paper. But it led me to work with some of the most iconic artists in the world and engineer Grammy-winning records. Read More>>

Sidney Thomas

I think that taking calculated risks are not only exciting, but can also open us up to new opportunities and whether the risk taken results in success or not, there’s always a lesson to be learned. The risks I’ve taken have often involved relocating and switching jobs/careers at the same time. I’ve uprooted myself 4 times, once without having a job lined up. Each of these moves have given me the opportunity to grow, learn new skills, meet new people, and certainly challenge myself.  Read More>>

Annyett Royale

My very first publicist after being signed to No Limit Records , said to me one day “No Risk No Reward”. That is advice that I’ve carried with me my entire career. I would not be where I am today had not taken that advise and stuck to no matter how difficult things had been getting here. The music industry is so unpredictable so if your aren’t a risk taker this industry is not for you. Every record , every performance, every dollar spent putting out new music, from production to marketing , to starting my own label ” Royale Records was a Risk . A risk I still believe in to this day and one I will continue to take. Read More>>

IazY

Embracing risk is crucial for escaping the limitations of our comfort zones. Sticking to what feels safe prevents us from advancing to new stages in our lives. I have found that taking risks has allowed me to explore avenues and music genres like Rock or Pop that aren’t necessarily expected of people of my complexion. I chose to follow my passion for music instead of attending college like many of my friends. Without taking risks, our dreams cannot come to fruition, truly. Read More>>

Marina Alves Pereira

I believe taking risks is often the only way to truly grow personally and professionally. To me, risk isn’t about being reckless, but about believing in your potential enough to step outside of your comfort zone. Some of the most important moments in my life came from taking bold steps without having all the answers in advance. Read More>>

Justin Moynihan

I think my understanding of risk is largely framed by mountain guiding and outdoor education. The idea that risk itself is neutral. Just the potential for change. Usually that change has negative as well as positive potential. We then use a spectrum to evaluate the likelihood of harm versus the likelihood of “success”, and equally measure if that risk ratio is worthwhile. Which is where you get into the weeds. Because sometimes meaningful growth requires hardship. Even consequential failure (including injury). Read More>>