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.

Hua Ye

Facing new risks always presents new opportunities to test my current skill set and improve myself afterward. Keep learning from every risk could broaden my recognition, no matter if I succeed or fail because of it. Never stop facing risks is one of the keys to keeping up with the changes in the industry. Read More>>

Benjamin Lock

I think about risk as something that comes with any meaningful growth. I don’t take risks lightly, but I do see them as necessary if you want to move beyond what’s comfortable. Read More>>

Aki Sakamoto

Some might say that moving to America without knowing any English or not having Family members around is a risky move. Starting my own business can be risky too. Some might say that moving to America without knowing any English or not having Family members around is a risky move. Starting my own business can be risky too. Read More>>

Jessica Lan

I have a couple of life mottos, and one of them is: you gotta risk it to get the biscuit. For me, taking risks has always been about stepping into uncertainty to create something meaningful and aligned with my values. Starting my own practice was a big risk: leaving the security of established systems, building a client base from scratch, and taking on all the responsibilities of running a business, but it allowed me to create a space where I can provide care that feels authentic, culturally sensitive, and client-centered. Read More>>

Sarah Samira Yancey

I think about risk as something that’s necessary if you want to move forward. For me, some of the biggest shifts in my life have come from taking chances that felt uncomfortable in the moment. Moving from Germany to LA in 2014 was a huge risk. I left my entire life behind, didn’t know anyone in the U.S., and had to start from zero.  Read More>>

Sebastian Siren

I see risk as doorways I choose to walk through with intention. Most people meet risk with the survival-brain chorus: What if it fails? What if I’m not a fit? What if it all falls apart? I’ve had those thoughts too.  Read More>>

Bruna Mejias

I believe every choice comes with a certain type of risk even if you don’t choose, that’s a choice that comes with a huge risk. To me the biggest risk is to try not to risk anything, that’s the worst risk you can take. When you want something and it’s clear to you what it is that you want, you have to be willing to risk something in order to get it and you have to be brave enough to do it because otherwise you are risking 99% of the chances that you are not getting it, without realizing. I think it comes down to what it means to you to get what you want, what are willing to sacrifice to have a real chance to get it. Read More>>

 Irina Khichenko

For me, risk has never been something to fear—it has been the price of living a meaningful life. At 23, I left my home country with just one suitcase and started from scratch as an immigrant in the U.S. That was the first big leap. From there, I built my life brick by brick, fueled by both necessity and ambition. Read More>>

Alex Pellegrini

I think risk is very crucial in a persons journey to success. It’s played a huge roll especially coming from alcoholism and rolling the dice to come out here and make success from it. From buying all my detail equipment and not really have the money to do so but still did… Read More>>