The Risk Series: how do you think about risk?

Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

Alberto Medina | Tattoo Artist, Veteran, Business Owner, Realtor

Risk is the factor that separates those that become stagnant and those who will take their next step towards completing their goals. I feel that most people see risk as word that has a negative connotation, but when I see possible risks involved on my path in life, I see an obstacle that once attempted to hurdle I will either be triumphant or i will learn something about myself that will have value later in life. Either way, I come out the other side a better version of myself. Read more>>

Victor Migalchan | Show Runner, Director

First of all thank you for having me at this interview. Very good question. Risk is an inevitable thing in our lives. We as human beings start our lives with a risk of being born or no, being healthy or no. It goes on and on. Risks bring people motivation or anxiety. It is important how you deal with the risk. Read more>>

Wendy Haines | Somatic Coach / Teacher / Creative

Risk is ultimately such a subjective word. So, here in my responses, I’d like to define what risk means to me and how I see it in the work that do with people. Risk is a sign that you are at an edge (or beyond) the edge of your comfort zone. Our comfort zone is a reflection of our current “shape” ~ the sum total of our experiences and how we have been shaped by those experiences. Read more>>

Julia Linger | Comedian, Actor, Singer, Writer

Risk has been the drive to take me to where I am now, and to push me to work harder every single day. After my mother passed away and I graduated college, I followed a safe path within entertainment and worked my way up the corporate ladder. I specifically worked in Casting, where I adored what I was doing, but a small part of me always felt like ‘If I had the courage, I would be an actor’. Once I had gotten to where I said I wanted to be (working at a streamer), I realized that I wasn’t happy no matter how much I was making/safety I had and the “safe” route just made me feel a constant “what if” feeling. Read more>>

Kelli Clark | Freelance Animator & Designer

I think about risk, especially in the context of one’s goals or career, as betting on yourself. Investing belief, time, effort, and maybe money into your own visions and ideas. For me, risk has played such a huge part in my freelance career.
I was one of the few members of my family wanting to pursue an arts education. I didn’t have a blueprint for how a young black female animator could be successful. Read more>>

Cherie Laurent | Australian TV star, Songwriter, Producer and Singer

What was your thought process behind starting your own business? My thought process behind starting my TV show “ Ma Cherie “ came from my strong passion and desire as an artist to create a platform for “ Good” that will make a positive change and impact on the world and humanity in general. Read more>>

Marion Maclou | Actor & Dancer

I have my own definition of taking risks. As human beings, we are always in the search of a comfortable zone. Whatever it is, wherever it is, it could be easy to get in, but hard to go out. Taking risks is having the courage to step out of the comfort zone to pursue a career, a dream, and others. Read more>>

Victory Jones | Singer, Songwriter, Sound Alchemist & Creative Entrepreneur

Deciding to embody my design as an artist and move in the world as a musician has undoubtedly been one of the riskiest adventures of my life (to most). But it’s is also the most rewarding, because I am fully alive & aligned when I allow myself to create from this space of deep truth, vulnerability, transparency & embodiment – as a keeper and amplifier of sound sharing my energy & life as a storyteller. Read more>>

LiL MC | Hip Hop artist (rapper, singer, producer) and Hip Hop educator

As an independent artist and an independent contractor/hip hop educator, every success I’ve ever had in my life has been a result of risk-taking. If you aren’t willing to bet on yourself then why should anyone else? As a musician and an artist I’m not just selling people my music and art but my lifestyle- LiL MC is not just a musician, LiL MC is a brand. Read more>>

KATHRYN KVAS | Writer, Comedian, Filmmaker, Creative Director

It took me a long time to understand that there are different levels of risk. I guess I took a risk by not going to law school even though my dad really wanted me to, so I could study creative writing and become a creative in advertising instead. But if I’m being honest with myself, that wasn’t the real risk I wanted to take. Read more>>

Zev Hattis | Music Producer, DJ, and Music Software Developer

I’m a big risk taker, and I always have been. The interesting thing is that I’m not not at all fearless, actually quite the opposite. Like many I often struggle with anxiety and perfectionism, but I love constantly putting myself in situations that I’m uncomfortable with – for better or worse. You would think that by now I would be pretty comfortable taking risks, but it’s still hard for me every time I put out my art/work into the world. Read more>>

Sahand Nayebaziz | Photographer

I think risks are truly essential. My life wouldn’t be the way it is if I didn’t take many risks over the years, so I look back and can’t imagine my life without each risk I took. I feel lucky, actually, to have taken a couple of creative risks earlier on when I was in school. Read more>>

Irina Sopranzetti | Owner of Sopranzetti

Starting my own business at the age of 21 was one of the biggest risks I have ever taken. I kept reminding myself that failure is a huge possibility when starting a business at such a young age, but I’ll never know if it can be successful until I try. I ended up quitting my full time job, and never looked back. That’s the risk I took, and I haven’t regretted it since. Read more>>

Matt Bravo | Content Creator & Dancer

Life is all about taking risks. You NEED to take risks and leave your comfort zone in order to grow as a person. In my experience, I’ve had many successes after taking risks but also many failures. That’s just how it goes. But at the end of it all, I learned and grew, and that’s what most important. Read more>>

Sophia Wang Choe | Chef

I think when you’re passionate about what you do, taking risks is something you’ll eventually come across. Passion driven so you follow your heart always thinking “I can do it”. The biggest risk I took was probably when I was 25/26 and opening two restaurants adjacent to each other sharing the same kitchen. Read more>>

Nate Huntley | Actor, Writer, Musician, Comedian

Every time I’ve taken a risk, it’s either gone incredibly well and worked out or the results of the risk didn’t matter because I felt so good about taking it. But honestly, I used to be risk averse! I was too concerned about doing something “right” that I wouldn’t do anything at all. Read more>>

The Palms | Band

I believe that in order to create or accomplish something truly special and significant , the risk of failure must be high. However, growing from failure is essential to the journey. Being entirely independent has been a massive risk, but incredibly rewarding at the same time. Sharing original music with the world is equally the most exhilarating and terrifying act we do as musicians. There is always an underlying fear that nobody will care. But it also might just change the world. Read more>>

Kelsey Verzosa | Intuitive Reiki Healer & Hypnotherapist

Risk taking is so important in my eyes in living a fulfilling and happy existence! I’ve been fortunate enough to do a lot of solo traveling to some really cool places. Morocco and South Africa were two of my favorites! In terms of the role it has taken in my career; I’ve had a few different careers that have taken me on some really awesome adventures. Read more>>

Elle Jae Stewart | Filmmaker, Writer, Director

Risk is tricky. Risk is scary. Risk exudes doubt. Risk is a darkened field with no known directions, blueprint, or guidance. Therefore. life itself is a risk. The audacity to “live” the audacity to “dream” and actually take steps to make those dreams come true are all risks! Read more>>

Anthony Annis | Music Producer

Risk is a funny thing. With risk there are no guarantees. You could either win or lose, in the artistic realm that means potentially breaking even money wise or returning to a job you dislike or moving back in with your parents. Read more>>

Erica Hubbard | Actress

Taking risks selecting roles to portray is vital to sustain longevity in the entertainment industry. You want to perform different roles on projects with a variety of storylines & characters to keep your career interesting and exciting. Read more>>