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.

Kelly McMahon | Illustrator & Graphic Designer

Risk has become a lover of sorts in my life. It snuck up on me, a handsome stranger asking you for just one dance. That charming smile invites you in, it feels calculated, you know it– so you convince yourself you are leading as the music begins. A little one, two step, it’s easy enough to keep up with, but as you glide through the unexpected twirls and dips, a spark ignites, the stars shine brighter, you savor every little touch. Before you know it, the awkward side to side sway has become the tango, there is a thrill in this fast pace momentum and you are hooked. Read more>>

Margie Traxler | Founder/CEO of Grain Free Mama’s and Host of A Place At The Table Global Community

Risk is inherent in every aspect of our lives. We are constantly surrounded by various elements of risk daily. Do I dare to be great and risk the possibility of falling short? Most of the decisions I make during the day involve an unspoken assessment of risk for action taken or not taken. Read more>>

Bruce Palmore | Screen Printing and Embroidery

Risk-taking has been essential for me in business. If I had never taken a risk with any business endeavor that I started, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now. I view losses not as failures, but as lessons. Everything that I have ever lost has contributed to my growth and learning. Experience is life’s best teacher. Read more>>

Carlee Wallace | Fashion Stylist & Art Director

Leaving my full time role as Lead Stylist at Lululemon to pursue a freelance career was one of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my life so far. I’ve never looked back and while I’ve been offered many other full time in house roles I’m set on my path and couldn’t be happier. Working for myself was always the dream and it took risks to get here. Sometimes choosing the path with more resistance isn’t a bad thing. Taking risks and feeling uncomfortable is where the real work begins – discomfort is a catalyst for growth. Read more>>

Missoni Lanza | Owner of Movement Bottega, Movement Specialist, Certified Pilates Instructor

Truthfully, I see risk a catalyst for any great endeavor. Risk is always part of the equation if you want to scale your growth in any category of your life. I’m a true believer in this and live my life fearlessly when it comes to pursuing various endeavors. With this being said, I think in order for a risk to work in your favor, you need to commit to it with everything you have. Read more>>

Solange Zindzi | Glow-getter Expert: dancer, author, model, speaker, certified life & mindset coach, NLP practitioner, hypnosis practitioner, certified movement & fitness coach

Everything I have achieved in my life is because I dared myself to take risks. I truly believe that if you want to get anything done during your lifetime on Earth, you have to take risks. Taking risks goes hand in hand with being brave which is why I believe that working on your ‘be-brave-muscle’ is the best gift you can give yourself. Being brave is about daring yourself to get more comfortable in new and unknown situations, to be yourself, and to make the most out of anything and everything. Read more>>

Sara Rothan | Garment Engineer

I think we’ve all heard the phrase, “nothing ventured, nothing gained” and what that doesn’t really address is how scary it is to make changes and take risks. But there is definitely many rewards in pushing yourself to try new things- not only in your business but also in your life. I can’t count how many risks I have taken in my life but I know a huge number of the really fantastic experiences and projects have come from trying something that seemed daunting. From living in Costa Rica to starting my businesses! Read more>>

Rebecca Johnson Osei | CEO & Clinical Psychologist

I know people can have incredibly divergent tolerance for risk. Most people probably fall somewhere towards the middle of the spectrum, but then you have people who are very tolerant and others who are so risk-averse that they almost never leave the comfort of their safety zone. I tend to think of risk-taking as situation specific. Read more>>

Rebecka Rubio | Artist

Starting your own small business is scary enough as it is, but throw a pandemic in there and of the uncertainties just come flooding in! I took a huge risk starting my business. Before buying anything, my accountant Husband would do the math on pricing and profit to make sure we were purchasing the right items for the right price from the right suppliers.  Read more>>

Tabitha Andelin | Fashion Designer

I think risks are so important and I also think I need to take my own advice. When I first started my brand and made clothes, I wanted people to buy them so I took almost no creative risks. That seems like such a silly thought to have because who wants fashion that plays it safe? In my early collections, the clothing that sold the most were actually the garments I thought had the most “out there” designs. Read more>>

Thyme Lewis | Writer & Actor

No risk. No reward. Simple as that. I’ve done many things in my life that involve risk and breaking through personal and social boundaries. And I’ve been kind, but firm. I’ve had the good fortune to be driven and goal oriented, even if the goal posts move in the discovery process. And with time and dedication, I always improve. Writing the MacGuffin Book Series in the focus of my life now and I’m thrilled with the process. Read more>>

Shivaraj Natraj | Vocalist, Beatboxer, Percussionist, Producer, Arranger

I am someone that thinks hundreds of times before taking a risk. I end up taking calculated risks in my life. Leaving my stable job as an SAP TM consultant in India, having worked for 3 years after completing my Mechanical Engineering, in order to pursue a career in music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA was one of the biggest risks I took. Read more>>

Megan Greenspan | Actor

Taking risks is a huge part of my life as an actor. A lot of the time, roles and auditions that come in deal with storylines and topics that are uncomfortable. I am forced to leave my comfort zone to accurately portray the storyline and character given to me. If I were to always play it safe and not take risks, I would have no career. Art and success is rooted in risk taking and in being uncomfortable. That is where you will find the most growth. Read more>>

Lizanne Falsetto | Food & Protein Pioneer, Wellness & Longevity Advocate and Speaker

As an entrepreneur, the concept of risk is foundational to our journey. It’s a vital part of the process, but it should never be undertaken without due diligence and strategic consideration. To be an entrepreneur is to inherently be a risk taker, yet it’s crucial not to enter into any business venture blindly. Read more>>

Edwin Chisley | Professional Music Composer For TV & Film

Taking risk has played a big role in my life/career simply because it has forced me to face & overcome my fears. For example career wise, having a regular 9 to 5 job eliminates the fear of not having “steady” income flow. In the beginning stages of entrepreneurship the income flow is no where near as steady as a regular 9 to 5. With that said, one day every entrepreneur must make a choice between the two because they two always end up clashing with each other. Read more>>

Ashlee Juergens | Actor

‘Risk’ used to be an extremely scary word for me. I had a negative connotation with the word always questioning “What if I take a risk and fail?” Being someone who was so afraid to make a mistake and get things wrong, I wasn’t seeking risk in my creative work because it was too scary and uncomfortable. It sounds stupid to me now, because it’s even more risky to stay in the same place for the rest of my life. Read more>>

Hayley Fisk | Photographer & Business Owner

When it comes to taking risks, I am a firm believer in taking calculated risks. I have never been one to dive in head first without having an understanding of the costs and benefits of my actions. Deciding to move to Los Angeles from Illinois, when I was fresh out of college, would have normally felt like a huge risk. However, because I did the necessary research and thoroughly considered why I wanted to make the move, I felt the risk was worth taking. Read more>>

Jada Clark | Performer

When it comes to risk, I think it is always important for me to check in with my true wants and needs over anything else. This doesn’t guarantee something will work out, but if I feel aligned with all of my decisions whether they seem risky or safe I won’t have regret which is the enemy of fulfillment to me. Risk taking has played the biggest role in my growth because the unknown is where true change can happen. It has allowed me to make career moves that weren’t expected of me, but that have always ended up being a perfect fit because I am forced to trust myself more than anything. Read more>>

Tania Becker | Hair Stylist

I would consider myself a thoughtful risk taker! I typically make career moves that may not be the norm, but it doesn’t happen without a lot of research. That said, I am also lucky to be comfortable with a chaotic schedule. Book a flight this afternoon as an opportunity comes up? Sure! The unexpected things are the challenges I live for, and what brings a smile to my face 🙂 Read more>>

HUAHAN ZHANG | Photographer

I consider the risk to be an inherent part of life, as we constantly encounter it when making choices. When it comes to my life and career, I believe that taking risks is essential. In the creative process, especially during the planning stage, I often face numerous risks and uncertainties. One approach I adopt is to proactively anticipate potential scenarios and devise corresponding strategies. Read more>>

Stevie-Jean Placek | Actor and Producer

Risk is an essential step in someone’s life for two reasons. Also, to clarify, I’m talking about healthy risk, not a situation that puts one in danger or harm. 1. Taking a risk creates positive growth in your life. The challenges that come with it allow you to gain inner confidence and learn more about yourself.
2. Career-wise, taking risks causes momentum and opportunity. Read more>>

Armin Nasseri | Award-winning filmmaker/actor

I have always been a risk taker. Anytime you make an independent film and you fund it yourself, it’s a huge risk. I have done this many times and the rewards have been incredible. No risk, no reward. Read more>>

Lanier McKinney | Dancer & Choreographer

I think that it’s necessary to take calculated risk in order to achieve your goals. Whether it be on the dance floor or just learning a new skill set. I believe the greater the risk the greater the reward and once I make my mind up about doing something, it’s done! Once I made that decision on what I wanted to do I then educated myself and set goals I then took that leap of faith to move somewhere I have no connections with the belief in self that I could do it. I then took that leap of faith in order to follow my dreams. Read more>>

Jakob Belton | college athlete

I believe that life is all about taking risk and dealing with the outcome whether if it is positive or negative. Taking risk had a huge factor in my life decisions especially during high school where I decided not to apply to any university and apply to a juco to keep my dream of a playing division 1 football alive Read more>>

Olivia Carlisle | Musician

My entire career is built around the risks i’m willing to take. Musically, you have to take risks to stay relevant. Even with branding it’s vital to take risks. You look at an artist like Taylor Swift, who’s made a career out of risk taking by genera shifting. It keeps her audience engaged and always wondering what you’re going to do next. I’d say this current chapter of my career has been solely about risk taking. Read more>>

Dante “ DP” Patterson | Marketing & Brand Consultant

The way I think about risks is that there will always be the unknown. Some people are ok with not finding out. But, I’ve always been this way since a kid.I’d do something and live with the result or consequence. Because I know what happens if I don’t right ? What if I do and the end result is beneficial. The role that risks have played in my life/career has been crucial. An example is while at Boston College studying marketing. One of my classmates his dad was the founder of New Balance.I sat there looked at him and said this kid is good. I had my oldest daughter at the time was just born and with no family resource’s. Read more>>

Sarah Espinoza | Beauty Content Creator

I started my own business because at the time I felt it was the only way to pursue a creative career. I had been working at a hotel, while also doing makeup on the side, mostly on weekends. I started to think to myself, is this it? Am I always going to be working all week long just to be able to do what I love on weekends only, which also left no personal time in between. I decided I had played it safe enough and that wasn’t going to cut it anymore, I had to start prioritizing my dream which was technically plan A as plan A instead of as plan B. Read more>>