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.

Luke Rex Psy.D. | Psychologist and Filmmaker

When I contemplate “risk,” I think about the interplay between regret, opportunity, and the courage required to step into fear in order to accomplish something meaningful. In 2005, after having pursued an acting career for 10 years, I found myself working in a sales job. I had just turned 30, and the late nights working at cocktail bars as a bartender since graduating from acting school had lost its lustre. Then, I received word from the US government that I had won a Greencard in the Diversity Visa Lottery. Dilemma. Do I stay in my newfound sales career (which I enjoyed) or do I take the risk to venture back to New York City and give the acting career another shot? What propelled my decision to take the risk and uproot my life from Sydney, Australia to the US in 2006 was a contemplative process. Read more>>

Bo-Yu Chen | Steadicam Operator

Behind all the glamour and myths, filmmaking is an exceptionally competitive industry where success is attained by the best and most resilient individuals. There is no prescribed roadmap for success, as each person’s journey to success is unique. To navigate this challenging landscape, I approach my path with a mix of confidence, optimism, and humility. I made a significant decision when I embarked on a career as a steadicam operator. At that time, I had been working as a director of photography for two years, and I was drawn to the art of camera movement. I had struggled to achieve the dynamic shots I envisioned, particularly within the constraints of low-budget projects. Read more>>

Oswaldo Cepeda | Photographer

My entire career was a huge risk and the biggest risk I’ve taken in my life. I moved to California in the start of a pandemic with $600 in my bank account. Taking that risk and seeing where it led me has taught me to not be so afraid of risk as long as you have a plan. There’s going to be risk in everything you do especially in the business world but often time you’ll quickly learn that those big risks are the ones that give you the biggest rewards. If I would have avoided risk and not left my comfort zone I would have still been stuck in my hometown working a job I hated. Learning to be uncomfortable and being okay taking risks will take you wherever you need to go in order to succeed. Read more>>

Jarryd Elias | Composer for Film & Television

First off, I just want to acknowledge that embarking on a career in any artistic field is already a daring venture, akin to scaling a steep, never-ending hill. Trust me, I still feel like I’m on that uphill climb. Yet, what propels me forward, what keeps my spirits high, is my undying passion and love for what I do and the field I’m in. In the realm of film scoring, one of the most common risk assessments revolves around handling projects that might not offer substantial payment, or in some cases, no payment at all. When faced with such situations, I’ve learned to consider three crucial factors. First and foremost, I evaluate the timeline. If I have a generous amount of time to craft a mere two-minute piece, I’d gladly take it on! Read more>>

Rae Latt | Actor, Producer

Being an actor does not happen without being able and willing to take risks. The unknowns are numerous. Will I get the job? How will I pay rent? Who should I study with? How many side hustles to I need to pursue this career? You have to take risks right from the start. After all its basically freelance work. Study, study, study! However, Auditioning is a very different skill. I think this is where you takes the biggest risks. Especially now in the selftape world. You are pretty much on your own to figure it out and make decisions. Yes, you have several times to get it done/right but you can’t ask questions for clarity if you need it. When we had auditions in the room casting was there with you. You could ask a question or get more information. Read more>>

Kartikay D Pawar | Film Director, Producer, and Entrepreneur

Risk has always been a guiding principle in my life, shaping both my personal journey and my career path. I’ve never been one to shy away from taking risks, and it’s played a pivotal role in getting me to where I am today. Growing up in a humble household in a city that might not be a big modern metropolis but possesses immense cultural richness and a giving, caring character, I was instilled with the belief that without risks, I wouldn’t be able to achieve the kind of life I envisioned – one that would not only be fulfilling for me but also leave a positive impact on current and future generations. Read more>>

Ransford Doherty | Actor, Teacher, Motivational Speaker and Author

According to RiskBites.com, “A hazard is the possibility of something causing harm, while risk is the probability of harm” based on exposure to that hazard. In my 25-year career as a working actor in Hollywood, taking risks has been part of the way, not in the way of my life. But more importantly, how I respond to the results of taking risks has been key because at the end of the day, the thoughts, and emotions I must deal with from my choices, are within me. It’s why I don’t take the highs too high and the lows too low. For example, when it came to deciding whether to stay on the East Coast with family and friends or move to Los Angeles, CA to pursue a career in television and film, I had to ask myself, “Do I want to deal with the risk of regret for not leaving or the risk of failure that I would have to face, which are many, in pursuit of my dreams?” Read more>>

Marlon Santo | Leather Artisan

For me and my bussisnes taking risk have been crucial , i left my full time job an my home to go live alone and start my bussisnes from 0 so the time has teach me that specially in moments of instability taking risk is the righ choice to get out of it whether in a good o bad way Read more>>

Katherine Jelte | Production Designer, Art Director & Set Designer

Risk constitutes a fundamental element in life and career development, akin to the seasoning that elevates an otherwise ordinary dish. It acts as the driving force behind progress and innovation, functioning as the catalyst that propels individuals beyond their comfort zones and into uncharted territories. In my personal experience, embracing risk has resulted in profound personal growth and transformative experiences. It has served as a gateway to new opportunities and facilitated self-discovery on both a human and designer level. As an ambitious teenager, I turned to Google with a straightforward query, “Film Schools Utah.” This quest led me to East Hollywood High School, a public charter institution dedicated to the art of film. Read more>>

Laura Lanci | Producer, Singer, Actress, Choreographer, Voice Teacher and Vocal Coach

The biggest risk I took was deciding to stay in the United States. I had a life set up for me in Argentina, but I fell in love with whom today is my husband, and I had to make that decision, being far away from everyone and everything I knew at the time was very difficult. I know that my decision was the best one for me at the time because I evolved in many ways, I am better than I was before, I grew and because of that, I can now help others through that growing process as well. I believe that every day is a gift and so I intend to live life to the fullest. I believe that risk taking is about not being afraid of what we call ‘failure’ or ‘success’. I take risks because for me the only failure is to not try again. And the greatest success is to be kind to myself regardless of the outcome. Read more>>

Zenya | Music Artist

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” – Mark Zuckerberg From a woman that started out my singing, song writing and performing career in Australia to working retail and nanny jobs to pay for my ticket to move to NYC over a decade ago, I’d say I’m a huge risk taker. That risk of moving to another country with fourteen hundred Aussie dollars was something most people wouldn’t dare to do but I did it. I networked, sung anmd vocal produced other peoples demos, was in any and every writing session I could get into, charging no one a dime, just to be seen, known and heard paid off. Read more>>

Carolina Voldt | Tattoo Artist & Fashion Designer

It’s funny, but I’ve never considered myself to be much of a risk taker. That said, I find now that taking risks and risking failure is a part of life, so I feel it’s worth it in order to succeed. In my professional life, I treat taking risks as new opportunities. I wouldn’t be where I am today, doing what I do, without them. Going to catholic school for 9 years and wanting to be an artist was a risk. Deciding to halt my education after I was rejected for the third time in three years from an LA design school was a risk. Trying to start a clothing brand in the midst of a global pandemic was a risk. Switching career paths at 24 to pursue being a tattoo apprentice was a risk. Life is full of them, and there’s many more to come. I think at the end of the day, it’s all about mindset. Read more>>

Erica G. Peralta | Fine Artist

When it comes to the fine art world, risk taking can be a challenge in a world that rewards safety. I believe my art practice is based on risk taking. Whether I am discussing topics that are hard to swallow, or I’m visualizing a reality through practical concepts; I investigate the structure of systems and base my work on the institutions that have raised me. Speaking out on my truth as a person creates a vulnerable and cathartic connection with my audience, creating a chance for the viewer to create their own meaning for what they see. This can be tricky. Read more>>

Daisy Close | Singer/Songwriter & Actress

Risk-taking has always been a factor in my life. I grew up as quite a curious child. I love learning, and I am always finding new ways to expand my overall knowledge as an individual. I always loved taking risks, maybe more than I should. I would get in trouble and be sent to the principal’s office very often in elementary school for this reason. Growing up as a young girl with these big hopes and dreams of making it big in the entertainment industry as a singer, songwriter, and actress in itself was a big risk. I was always mocked and ridiculed for having such “unrealistic” dreams. What was funny was that you would think I would become sick of hearing all of the negative remarks about how it was never going to work and hearing all of the snickering behind my back and just give in to what everyone was saying and pursue something more realistic, but instead it was like almost the opposite had happened. Read more>>

Mike Guevara | NBA Performance Coach

We work with Fred VanVleet of the Houston Rockets who has a mantra, an ethos that embodies the concept of risk taking. “Bet on Yourself.” Although I bet on myself far before I met FVV, I wanted to share that because like minded individuals always find themselves to share the same space, same success. We are currently in our 2nd season working together and will continue to build over the course of our careers. My risk-takers story starts during covid time. My wife and I just moved back to LA and we had a choice to make. We were offered a lucrative contract to work with an NBA all star full time or decline start from scratch, “bet on ourselves” and figure it out in LA. Read more>>

Mooka Chanel | Media Personality & Creative Entrepreneur

Personally, I believe risk taking is imperative for growth. I’m a firm believer that nothing grows from a comfort zone. Some of my biggest lessons in life came from me taking a risk on myself and believing in my vision. Especially with my creativity, every time I share my work with the world I look at it as risk taking. I’m chasing my dreams every day, no matter if I win or lose I’m showing up. There’s validity in that experience, everyone doesn’t have the courage to take risks to go after what they desire in life. Read more>>

Mikaela Phillips | Producer & Actress

I’ve never been one afraid to take risks, especially when it comes to work and career moves. I’ve learned firsthand how sometimes taking the more unconventional approach, really pays off. That being, looking at something with a different and fresh perspective and approaching it in a way that someone hasn’t before. There’s all these set out steps and process that generally every filmmaker “should” take and is taught or told that, that is the only way to do it. You can’t do this, you can’t do it that way. When we were making Counter Play – a hit tv drama filmed in Australia – we approached the process of creating as an independent production in a totally new light and very entrepreneurial way. Not only did we utilize and leverage all our own personal connections and network of contacts but we procured a lot of locations, sponsors and wardrobe, through product placement and contra deals – something that hadn’t been done before for a web series turned commercial television series. Read more>>

Jacky Macias | Founder of Jaques Skin & Co-founder of Aesthetic MdR

I’m a Yes kind of girl. Every opportunity that has ever come my way I simply say yes to. I figure what’s the worst that can happen? If it doesn’t work out the way I wish, I simply just keep moving along with a lesson learned. Life is too short to sit and think what if. Read more>>

Care Lue-Hing | Freelance Movement Artist & Creative

I’m all about risk-taking. That is how I grow. It’s all in how I go about taking the risk, though. I know for a fact that I am divinely protected, so any “risk” I take has already been calculated for me as it is up to me to complete the task. Read more>>

Amanda Benjamin | Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Youtuber, and Podcaster

I used to be very risk averse and a major perfectionist. I would never perform a song that I couldn’t perform flawlessly 1000 times; I was a trained opera singer and the opera world is all about perfection. Perfect pitch, perfect diction, perfectly spoken and sung foreign languages, and (a more recent development in opera) a perfect look. Thankfully, before the pandemic I had found a few companies that defied that last convention and have spoken out about it. I had also ventured into film (even more perfection required with close up cameras!) and despite all the pressure I loved it. Read more>>