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.

Allison Masikip | Rockwork Engineer, Designer & Ceramicist

Risk is defined as a situation that exposes oneself to danger, harm or loss. I feel that my personal perspective on risk is quite unique in the fact that I have had to face numerous near death experiences due to my health history.  Read more>>

Stephanie Stephanie | Lead Designer at Stello

Risk gives Energy, and energy can often be measured by instinct. If you trust your intuition, the risks worth taking become a lot more calculated. True risk comes from having no idea what you’re doing. But sometimes you need that spark of energy to forge new creative paths, so we always want to foster an atmosphere that encourages audacity. Read more>>

Lynn Lewis | Big Sur Wedding and Elopement Photographer

I am naturally a very risk-averse person – I love to plan ahead, do my research, and prepare for what’s ahead. So when it came to starting a photography business, I approached it in the same way I did everything. I held a full-time job for 3 years while doing photography in my free time. Read more>>

Yesenia Nieblas | Real Estate Advisor

Risk-taking for me is like navigating uncharted waters. It’s about weighing the potential gains against the possibility of setbacks and being willing to step into the unknown. In my journey as an entrepreneur, taking calculated risks has been the catalyst for growth, enabling me to push boundaries, innovate, and create meaningful change. Read more>>

Michael Isaak | Singer-Songwriter

The biggest risk I’ve taken thus far in my career was my decision to take a leave of absence from Princeton. While some might advise against time away from school, I had this feeling like “If I don’t do this now, this opportunity might slip away.” Read more>>

Kim Caicedo | Writer/Director

Risk, particularly the risk of failure, has always been necessary for me. Choosing to start over from a successful career as a Designer/Art Director to pursue my dream of being a Film/TV Director was the embodiment of this ethos. Read more>> 

Zhong Hu | Game Designer & Producer

I’ve always focused on maximizing my learning in my career choices, and taking risks has been a crucial part of my journey to becoming who I am today. Just over a year ago, I was on a clear path to personal fulfillment and success. However, I experienced profound self-doubt about what I could achieve. I was hyper-focused on career growth and didn’t believe anything extraordinary would happen for me. Read more>>

Nathalie Karagiannis | Writer and artist

Audacity is crucial in life and work. It allows openness to the unknown, or a propensity to unknowingness, desire, play (in its most serious guise, that is, the way children do it, being completely immersed in it), traversing our multiple fears, Without risk, there is no heightened sense of living. Read more>>

Matt Christian | Actor, Writer, Improviser

An artist’s life hinges on risk. If you’re following your calling and engaging with the magic that is the creative process, every step you take is going to involve some element of stepping out into the unknown. There’s an adage in the improv community that goes “jump off the cliff and figure it out on the way down”, which really sums up both the improviser’s experience on stage and also the mindset you have to adopt when pursuing a creative career. Read more>> 

Antonio Valverde | Graphic Designer

For me, I honestly think taking risks is essential for growth. Being a first-generation Mexican-American it is ingrained in me to strive for more. Moreover, navigating life as a queer individual involves confronting risks daily, given the ongoing debates surrounding our rights. For better or worse, taking risks is always scary but vital for progress. Read more>>

Lauren Pohle | Nurse Practitioner & Business Owner

“Without risk, there is no reward!” When I announced to my family that I was resigning from my stable full-time nursing job at the hospital, complete with benefits and a pension, to pursue the journey of starting my own business and opening a medical spa, their reactions were less than enthusiastic.  Read more>>

Lola Torres | WLC Team Member

I see risk as a tool. It’s an inescapable aspect of life that can be imperative to long-term success but also survival. Worldly Love Company serves as somewhat of a safety blanket for marginalized people looking to integrate themselves in a community that embodies revolutionary customs in order to change the current social culture. Read more>>

Karina Primelles | Founder of Xula Herbs & Herbalist

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance? In reflecting back on my entrepreneurial journey, I can say that achieving a healthy work-life balance has been challenging, but also a great learning experience. Read more>>

Brad Roehl | Founder & Co-President of Visionary Studios

I started taking risks the second I decided not to go to college in order to pursue my business. I believe risk assessment is a business owners number 1 job. Knowing when to spend when to hold back and when to jump is one of the things that can set apart a company from being just okay to being great. Read more>>

Ilich Gomez | Background/Layout & Prop Designer for 2D Animation

Working in any creative industry comes with a high level of risk, the pursuit of a creative career is competitive and there’s a lot of work behind the scenes that needs to happen for you to achieve the amount of success you want for yourself. Whether you’re doing it just to get by or become the person to direct the next Into the Spiderverse there will always be a risk. Read more>>

Katie Mulligan | Freelance Illustrator

As an individual, my default setting is seeking control and security as I tend to be pretty anxious. Unfortunately for that tendency of mine, risks are an essential part of growth in any area but especially illustration. A lot of the really exciting changes and progressions come from risks taken with medium or approach or even ideas. Read more>>

Hanna Tzong-Han Wu | Dancer & Choreographer

I see risk taking as offering yourself opportunities. Go and risk so far so you know how far you can go. I took my risk 7 years ago moving to the US at 17 without knowing how to speak proper English – It was the best decision I’ve ever made. Have all the courage to be ready to fail and explore the unfamiliar worlds, in life and in arts. Read more>>

Ashley Howard | Business Owner of Grit + Gratitude Studios

Life is short. I’ll always look at the risks I’m taking, and evaluate if at the end of my life I’d be ok having NOT taken the risks. Having not had the courage to believe in myself, and what’s possible continues to propel me forward with intention. Read more>>

Luisa Buenrostro | Actress, Singer & Dancer

As an actor, embracing risk-taking is, in my opinion, one of the most vital skills to hone early in your career. My relationship with risk is a constant dance between taking chances and playing it safe. Taking risks on a daily basis often looks like stepping into an audition room and making a bold choice. Read more>>

Elise DeMae | Singer & Musician

Taking any risk, even if it is a small one, is brave, in my opinion. And being an independent artist is definitely a huge risk. You never know what tomorrow brings, but that is the essence of a colorful and adventurous life that musicianship can offer. Read more>>

Paul Bivens | Photographer

I am a strong believer in taking risks, I believe no real change or improvements will occur while hiding in our comfort zones. Not attending college and moving from North Carolina to California after high school was a huge risk I took. Read more>>

Travis White | Vegan & Lifestyle Influencer

I truly believe that embracing risk is a testament to one’s resilience. It has significantly shaped both my personal journey and professional trajectory. Had I not had the courage to step into the role of social media manager for a prominent celebrity and their brand, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Read more>>

Danney Paul | Artist/Creator

Risky business is where it’s at. Typically, I would say if you feel like the situation is too risky then don’t do it. Although you can’t help but pull the trigger in certain situation’s that are too good to pass on. I don’t like to enter into a risky situation unless I almost know certainly that the outcome is going to end up in my favor. Read more>> 

Chenghao Yu | Graphic Designer & Illustrator

Regarding risk, I am someone who embraces it wholeheartedly. I don’t like staying in my comfort zone. I believe that when utilized properly, risk can be a powerful catalyst for enhancing projects. This is evident in my portfolio. While I am a student of illustration, my portfolio is filled with interdisciplinary collaborations, such as interactive installations, fashion, and experimental films. Read more>>