How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Kiana Nicole Washington | Actress, Singer, & Filmmaker

I certainly would not be wear I am today if I did not take risks. Even the decision to pursue acting, a career path that is not always be consistent both work wise and financially, is a huge risk. I always knew I wanted to take on this challenge and own the things that I can control in my career. Aside from choosing to be a performer, I also made my most challenging decision ever which was to leave my parent’s home in Georgia to move across the country to LA during the pandemic. It was my first time living outside of their house and first time working in the LA market. It was a huge leap, but without it, I would not have grown into the artist I am today. Read more>>

Imani | Makeup Artist & Content Creator

I believe in taking risks, when they make sense. I would never take a risk with the collateral being my family in any way. If the collateral outweighs the actual risk itself, I’ll have to reassess the actual risk to make sure it’s in line with who I am as a person, business owner, and content creator. Read more>>

Wayne Fernandez | Entrepreneur

Taking risks have defined my entire existence, from packing my bags and moving to new countries, through to gambling when I start a business. I come from three generations of travelers, all who have packed their bags with nothing and gone to different worlds to pursue their dreams, India/Africa/UK/Canada/Australia/America. Read more>>

Bryan Tamburrino | Founder of Tangible, Municipal Consultant, Grant Writer, Zoho Partner and SaaS Integrator

Risk has been a significant factor in shaping my decision-making process and ultimately driving the success of my business. As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that taking risks is a necessary part of achieving success, but it requires careful consideration and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Read more>>

Edit B Kiss | Success Habit Coach & Holistic Mentor

Probably you heard about the 6 human needs concept? One of them is uncertainty or variation. I love taking risks because I am driven by change and new adventures. I was wondering before why I don’t have the fear like others to step into new experiences. Then during my spiritual journey, I understood that I am more driven by my higher self than my ego. When you take risks you believe in yourself and the divine guidance. You are never presented with visions and opportunities that you are unable to fulfill. Read more>> 

Shuchi Dwivedi | Screenwriter & Lawyer

Risk comes from fear of the unknown. We take risks every day, whenever we make a choice whose outcome is unknown we take a risk. And we are able to do that because of one constant factor, ourselves. For me, taking risks is betting on myself. In a world of unknowns, I choose to bet on the one known, myself. After all, if I don’t bet on myself who else will? Read more>>

Bruno Cunha | Composer, Music Producer, and Mixing Engineer

Well, I am a big risk-taker. I left everything I had in Brazil to come to the US. Great things require big moves. I think if I hadn’t done anything and stayed in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have conquered the things I did. Read more>>

Bandee Smith | Artist, Model and Fashion designer

Risk falls on a balance beam, like the greater the risk the more successful the end result could be or vice versa. In order to establish balance while taking risk, a person must know their worth they are able to put on the line comfortably. In my career I tend to evaluate and re-evaluate things over and over to access the who, what and when prior to concluding a decision. I find when I take my time to think things through and process scenarios I lower my risk of failing or not performing to the best of my abilities. Read more>>

Courtney Dowdell | Licensed Therapist, Founder of Courtney Dowdell Therapy

Risk-taking Risk taking is fundamental to growth; it involves an embracing of discomfort with the unfamiliar and a grounding of swirling uncertainty. Risk often invites us to move into the liminal– “the space between one destination and the next”. It is transitional and transformational; it asks us to expand our and open ourselves to the vulnerability of not knowing what is next. When we try something new, we may not be good at something; it asks us to humble ourselves to learn and practice a new skill, a new perspective, or possibly a new way of being, etc. Read more>>

Shane Stanley | Filmmaker

I subscribe to the theory, no risk, no reward and fortune favors the brave. You can go work for the man and live a comfortable existence but are you going to truly be fulfilled? I had the whole future mapped out for me in several industries growing up… but at the end of the day, I couldn’t conform, be a robot or expected to fall in line. Sure, it’s been hard at times, many bumps and bruises along the way but wouldn’t trade any of it in for anything. Read more>>

Brendan Moran | Professional Dancer

Gamblers always describe risk as a binary equation. The more you risk; the better the reward. With a career such as dance, the risk becomes your life, and it’s hard to define what you are even risking until after a decision or choice has been made. This makes this binary definition of risk even harder to assess because the formula doesn’t work for the path I am on. I think in my life risk has become taking a chance on myself and trusting myself at each present moment while lightly considering the future. Read more>>