Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Rose Ha | Entrepreneur

I remember being in college and feeling like there wasn’t a single major that sparked interest for me. After 5 years at a university with little direction and terrible grades, I made the decision to drop out and pursue culinary school. I fell in love with cooking immediately and eventually decided to move to San Francisco. I found myself moving on a whim for an opportunity to stage/intern at a Michelin starred restaurant with no guarantee of a permanent position. Read more>>

Karina Andrea | Musician, Ifluencer, Entrepreneur

Taking risks has been the main theme of my life since I was about 12. I’ve never been afraid to showcase what I’m passionate about. From implementing a choir program at my middle school, to transferring from public high school, to remote school to pursue my music career. To this day, I’m 23 years old and continuing to shape the next phases of my professional pursuit with nothing but more risks. I genuinely believe everything I’ve experienced thus far has prepared me for almost anything else that comes my way in the near future. Read more>>

Fernanda Ochoa | Restorative Tattoo Artist

Risk was a huge factor in starting VIDA Cosmetic Tattoo, as I’m sure it is for all small business owners. Being that we are a small business, time and money was definitely in question because we not only put all of our spare time from the jobs we were already working into creating this, but also our savings. It really is a gamble—but so is everything else in life, and without risk there is no reward. I also believe that reward comes to those who put in the work. Read more>>

Joshua Leomiti | Actor

Great question. Being born is a risk and we’re all going to die. Running that in my mind every day has been my attitude to make life count and personally, I’ve taken so many risks that are not logical to some. The risk of letting go of consistent workforce jobs to fully pursue my acting career, the risk of investing into my own films, the risk of the possibility of nothing ever happening for me in show-business however, how would I know if I don’t go and try? How I think about risk(s) doesn’t so much concern me when I know my ‘why’. Read more>>

Destinee Thomas | Actress

Risk is nothing but the physical act of faith. Faith is the spirituality of risk. Since my adolescent years, my soul has always seemed to gravitate toward living in California. This year I took one of the biggest risks of my life by fulfilling that soul craving. I pushed myself to break free from fearing the unknown and I’d say it has been worth it in every way. The risk I took by moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, propelled me into a higher consciousness of who I am, what I truly want out of life, and navigating the path to accomplishing those things. I think of risk as simply having the courage to go after the things you wish to bring to fruition. Read more>>

Bella Rabbit | Recording Artist, Grammy Nominated Songwriter, Voice Over Actress.

Life is experienced through trial and error, that’s how we learn what works and what doesn’t. I think my life has been filled with decision making that seemed risky for most people. From moving to Los Angeles after getting a scholarship back in Mexico, all cause my intuition screamed at me, “this is not your path” to leaving a record deal and deciding to start building again from the ground up with my vision being the lighthouse. Playing safe doesn’t help you evolve. Read more>>

Stacy Cay | Comedian, Model, Actor

Up till I finished college, I was very risk adverse and played life very safely. But I wasn’t happy. At rock bottom of depression, lying on the bathroom floor from a hangover, I made a conscious decision to just for it (the proverbially “it” being the thing I wanted, but was too afraid to put effort into or risk failing for). Quickly my life started changing for the better. I changed a lot about myself: my gender, my home, my family, my career aspirations. I spent so long dreaming about doing comedy that I got tired and finally started doing it. Read more>>

Hannah Hauge | Art Director & Stylist

I think that my entire career choice has honestly just been one huge risk – anyone working in a freelance position could attest to this. You’re having to constantly put yourself out there, face rejection after rejection, until something hopefully lands. Network your ass off hoping you’re in the right rooms with the right people because for creatives jobs don’t come naturally. We have to hustle really hard to get a couple jobs to pay our bills as well as save, so that we can simultaneously invest in ourselves and our craft, then start the process all over again. Read more>>

Adaeze Nwanonyiri | Interior Decorator & Professional Writer

Risk taking is extremely exhilarating because your skin is in the game. With every risk, there is reward. Taking risks have played an important in my life because I am forced to face with all possibilities, obstacles (positive and negative) to complete the task at hand. It also forces me to make decision in a split second which comes down to going with your instinct. Read more>>

courtney ursetti | Health Coach & Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula

I believe that when you are unable to take risks, it is due to fear. Every risk I have ever taken has proved to be my biggest opportunity in life. Read more>>

Abigail Wambaugh | Psychotherapist and Owner of Abby Wambaugh Therapy

Thoughtful risk taking has played a significant role in my career. I professionally started out in digital marketing and public relations and took a risk to leave that profession and go back to school to become a psychotherapist. Leaving a stable, growing career to start over in a new one was a risk, but a necessary one for me to sustainably work and not continue to deplete myself in a profession that left me feeling uninspired, frustrated, and ultimately was not aligned with who I am. Read more>>