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.

Jeanette JJ” Branch | Professional Stuntwoman

I learned very early in my life that in order to achieve extrodinary goals you have to take risks. When I moved to Los Angeles from New York, I drove 3 days across country. using an atlas with my route highlighted by a marker. There was no GPS. That was a huge risk. It was also one of the best decisions I made for myself. As a result, I ended up with a career that is fulfilling and feeds my soul. I thank God for giving me the courage to take those risk. Read more>>

Laylon Whittaker | Gallerist

I’ve always been a risk taker. When I first opened The Vault Gallery in 1991 in the Old Bank of Cambria brick building which houses the Vault ie the name Vault Gallery. I met the CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank. He decided to take me under his wing because he surmised I knew nothing about business. He wanted me to think units on the wall. I just could not bring myself to think about art and artists like that. By the end of his 2 month sessions with me he told me I would never make it. I proved him wrong with an exhibition of John Lennon work and sold $70,000. I sent him Christmas card for years telling him I was still in business and to date the Vault Gallery has sold 16 Million in Fine Art Sales. I think if you don’t take risks within reason your still thinking that you have a boss telling you what you can and can not do. Owning your own business is creative and allows freedom. Read more>>

Andrea Maw | Artist + Formulator

I consider risk a fundamental aspect of creating. If we are authentically creating, not simply repackaging others’ ideas, then we are always at the edge of the unknown. And with the unknown must come uncertainty – while we can imagine the rewards, we can’t truly understand the journey required to achieve what is in our mind’s eye. Often, a creator otherwise known as an entrepreneur, no matter what one’s business or industry, must go all in. Many people are reluctant for all the unknown factors including whether we think we personally may be up to the task. There is a way to transform a lack of some of the fundamental elements for getting projects off the ground in the area of knowledge, attitude, skills and habits by acquiring those through mentorship and training. Centuries ago that was considered working with a master as an apprentice. Once one brings more clarity and definition around a vision or goal, I’ve found a fundamental step is literally to leap head long. My friend Dusti said, “Leap and your wings will appear!” We painted that quote on the floor of one of our juice bars. When we are clear about a vision or goal for ourselves and why it is intrinsically important to us aka passion, by committing fully with an action, we are summoning the greatest creative force to come to partner with us in letting go, letting God! This is when the magic swirls around your project by way of synchronicities that no AI could even conjure up, delivering key information through different messengers, ‘chance’ meetings with important contacts to further ones goals, the perfect inspiration about the next step, and so on. Read more>>

 Jack Cook | American Film Director

Risk is necessary. At times taking a large risk is the most frightening feeling for an artist or entrepreneur… but if you don’t take the risk, nothing will happen and that is worse than failure. Read more>>

Jill Casty / Fused Glass Sculptor Casty | Fused Glass Sculptor

I had a small business doing graphic design in Los Angeles. Then moved to Santa Monica. In the beginning I was designing books in the education field, mostly for young children and many filled with illustration. I moved from that to beautiful designer Coffee Table books, then into commercial design doing catalogs and presentation materials. From there to the Shopping Center industry in its heyday. Each endeavor was a lot of fun. Each move involved some risk as that speciality was new to me. Read more>>

Celeste Gomez | Author, Poet, and Performer

I think risks are a good way to help someone grow and reflect. Risks can be scary, but the world isn’t meant to be easy, so taking risks has shaped my confidence, outlook on life, and goals on what I want to achieve. Risks can stir people away, and that was one of the fears I held when working on my poetry collection. When you’re writing poetry or any form of art everyone might not understand or agree with what you write. Vulnerability is a powerful and beautiful thing when it comes to your work, and for those who don’t understand it’s not your job to make them agree. It’s your job to be yourself. Read more>>

Nafisa Tosh | Designer/Maker/Tailor

I like risk, I like the uncertainty of my work. I never have long term plans in my work diary scheduled in usually. The way that I work isn’t for everyone, my work pops up and these days I kinda have a rough idea of the fashion calendar. Read more>>

Adam Cagley | Author, Actor, Producer

Risk has played a huge role over the course of my career, solely because everything I’ve done has required ridiculous amounts of it! Acting, standup, producing and now my books. I tend to make career choices and changes that have very slim odds of success, yet I throw everything I have into them anyway. When I started acting I was 10 years old and the odds of making it wasn’t something I’d ever really entertained, even though I had a snowball’s chance in hell. It was just something I loved and wanted to do, odds be damned. I’ve carried that through my entire career. If it’s something I love and it’s something I want, I go for it with all the focus and determination I have and ignore the high likelihood of failure. I obviously try to mitigate the risks and rig the odds in my favor but I don’t feel like I’ve ever really failed because at the end of every venture I’ve come away with a body of work I can be proud of and that I enjoy. I was in some of the most popular shows of the last 20 years, I performed for sold out crowds and opened for some of my heroes, I’ve produced movies that I love and my debut novel was the number three best seller in Western Horror Fiction. There’s always going to be risk, there’s always going to be a probability of failure. It takes an equal amount of passion, focus and raw stubbornness to make it work! No guts, no glory! Read more>>

Barbara Kolo | Artist/Painter

You have to take risks to move forward. It opens more doors for you and gets you out of your comfort zone. When risks pay off, it builds your confidence and helps you overcome fears. I found in my own career that the most success artists take risks and the rewards are greater. When it comes to risk, I usually trust my gut feeling and do some research. Then, decide if it’s worth taking the risk. Read more>>

Linda Escamilla | Massage Therapist & Instructor

Life has taught me that you will never be prepare for anything if you don’t take that risk. I’ve learned that our time isn’t promised and waiting for the “right moment” might never happen if you don’t take action. There was a time in my life where anxiety was my biggest bully. Anxiety was affecting my personal and work life and I would be very depressed about it. I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone and to try new things because my anxiety would lie to me, telling me that it was not safe for me to do and to step back. Now that I reflect back on that, I tell myself, how would I’ve known that whatever move I wanted to do what not okay if I never tried? What if that risk could have been an opportunity? Yes, it is scary when we don’t know the answer to an outcome but I believe it is in that moment where you have to tell yourself : This can either be a lesson that I have learned or I’m proud of myself for doing this and saying yes. When COVID happened, I took the risk by offering house calls , which led me to starting my own business and later on to expand my massage career online by teaching others my modalities. I am now creating my dream life because of the risks that I took. I am so proud of myself to see how much I’ve grown in my personal and professional life. Read more>>

Darian Elyse | Brow Artist & Trainer

Risks are the only way to learn & grow. And when it comes to business, you may have to spend some money in order to make money! I always made profit because I was determined. I didn’t have any guidance, I didn’t have any tips and tricks. I took risks! I took a risk investing in poor quality Ombre Brow training, low grade brow kits, renting studios from bad salon owners, but kept going, I didn’t let it discourage me. I feel that I even took a risk by trying to put myself out there with the intent to connect with other brow artists, but it just wasn’t reciprocated. A lot of people in the beauty industry refuse to help you, but I kept going. I knew I would come across people that were for me and that people would gravitate towards me because of my character and personality. Taking risks helped my business grow which funded vacations, relocating, a new car, a new apartment, and so much more! I think long term when I think of risks. Read more>>

Phill Bourque | Muralist/artist

Growing up in a small town south of Boston, most people worked to provide for their families or just simply to survive. It helped grow a good work ethic but everyone usually hated their job or just stuck with it because it was practical or paid the bills. There wasn’t much wonder or excitement except for two days over the weekend that you were given freedom to let loose or enjoy yourself before another tough week of work. I was always a huge fan of drawing, painting and the whole creative process. Physically challenging your creativity with a notebook or canvas. Unfortunately, people around me always told me to get a “real” job or something that was more practical for a career. Read more>>

KrissyLuv | Accomplished Producer, Charismatic Host, Passionate Motivator, Sex Symbol

Embracing risk is the essence of life itself. I find joy in the excitement of seizing opportunities, whether they result in failure or success. If we look at anyone who has been successful, they have all taken risks. I have found the most challenging aspect of taking risks was stepping out of my comfort zone, showing up and trying new things even when I was scared to do so. I have failed so many times but I keep getting wiser with every risk. Read more>>