Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

Ani Ferrara | Interior Designer

The biggest risk for me was leaving the film industry entirely behind and entering the interior design field to do what I love. Ever since I was young, I would write essays about what I thought my future would be like. I imagined being an Art Director and working hard to win that coveted Best Production Design Oscar. I started my journey by attending UCLA and studied set design. Read more>>

Zack McCoy | Owner/Photographer, Zack McCoy Photography

My previous job was in finance, which is all about risk aversion, so I find it fitting that the biggest (and best!) risk I’ve ever taken is quitting that job and following my passion into photography! I had done photography as a hobby for 12 years and had a desire to do it full-time, but was trepidatious about taking the plunge. Leaving a steady paycheck for the uncertainty of small business ownership was a daunting proposition, to say the least. Read more>>

Alexander Rodriguez | LGBTQ on-air personality, journalist, and emcee

Eight years ago, I was making six figures, one of the youngest Vice Presidents in the Entertainment Division of a major bank, cushy office in Beverly Hills, living the life. I was miserable. Banking? Me? As I got more into podcasting and celebrity interviews, I realized banking was not a passion, it was a paycheck and I was extremely unhappy. I took the plunge. I resigned from my job and turned to working for myself in the entertainment industry full time. No steady paycheck, no expense account, and no idea how hard it was going to be. Read more>>

Tiffany Baker | Artist

It has taken me several years to cultivate a relationship with taking risks. Even the word risk seems unnecessarily taboo. In general, I try to measure risk taking in time, resources, or energy spent on a new, unfamiliar opportunity. I ask myself “What would be the consequence if this fails or if I cannot recover immediately?” How will I pivot if this direction doesn’t work out? Read more>>

Eliza Gill | Artist

I think takings risks is an absolute necessity for the growth of an artist. Without it the artist falls trap to the creature comforts this life has to offer or to the grind of maintaining those comforts. Art is uncomfortable, it’s constantly enduring growing pains and testing boundaries. You risk losing relationships with people and environments when you pursue expressing your artistic truth. When you commit to being an artist you offer who you were and who you are to the sacrificial alter of the audiences perception of you. Read more>>

Tammy Harper | Professional Pianist/Vocalist & Music Executive

Risks are the foundation of who I am in a lot of ways as it is in a direct parallel with faith. In the secular world it could be called daring greatly…a book I love by Brene Brown. She states that daring greatly is vulnerability is a strength and not a weakness. I resigned from my job of 15 years as a single mom of a 5 year old daughter because God spoke and said “It’s time”. Read more>>

Evelyn Lorena | Actress/Filmmaker

Risks stop feeling like risks the more it feels authentic for me. People always talk about the right things to do because they heard it from someone else, but it was only “right” because it worked for them OR because started to believe that. I really believe that if you’re coming from the right intention a risk pays off, because it’s your truth. Truth is so loud. Read more>>

Gene Blalock | Film Director

My whole life and career are a result of taking risks. If I wanted security, I would be doing something other than what I am. I decided early on that I would rather be content and able to create and do the things that interest me rather than be wealthy and miserable. I strongly believe that taking risks is essential to success. Without taking risks, you cannot push boundaries or create something truly unique and memorable. Risks have played a critical role in my life and career by allowing me to experiment, learn, and grow as an artist. Read more>>

Kristin Mothersbaugh | Actor, Spiritul Business Owner, & Filmmaker

Risk-taking is essential to growth. Change is inevitable, but growth is optional. Yes, taking risks can be uncomfortable. Many people stay frozen and not wanting to take any risks because of uncomfortability. However, it is worth it to move through uncomfortability when looking back I believe, and brings you to a life of greater joy and peace. The bravery gained through facing uncomfortability really does pay off in the long run. Read more>>

Jenny Goldberg | Makeup Artist

Well, to be quite honest, everything about choosing a freelance career is a risk. My work can get cancelled moments before starting and I’m not owed anything. Everyday I look for a new job. Almost every job is a new experience. I had no idea when I went to school that there were so many aspects of this job that weren’t just painting people’s faces. I’ve had to develop many skills but some skills I was lucky to already have developed, which helped me to feel like I had made the right choices and took the right risks. Read more>>

Todd Franklin II | Co-Founder & CEO of Cali Avenue Promotions LLC

I embrace risk. If I hadn’t taken risks in my life, I would be a very boring person. Bravery is something I’ve always aspired to embody. From moving out of my home state at 22 to organizing a protest and running for public office at 23 to starting a business in Los Angeles at 25, all of these things required me to have faith and take risks. Read more>>