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.

Bryley Michael Bell | Actor

What I think of when it comes to risks and overall risk taking is the potential of success and growth. Without taking risks in life or for your career, you will never know the full potential that you yourself has with going far and making it in whatever direction you choose for yourself, your life, and your career. In order to achieve the things you desire, you have to understand the importance of risk taking and going through the loops of life. It won’t always be easy, as risks come with all different challenges, but it’s key for overall success and life experiences. It will mold you into who you need to be. And the growth that comes with that, is priceless. The role of taking risks has played a powerful part in my career thus far. Read more>>

Andrés Solórzano | Cinematographer

I’m a cinematographer so for me risk taking translates to risk managing. What I mean with this is that in order for me to take risks on set I do need to have a plan. So any risk becomes manageable. For example if we are doing a stunt scene on set. I try ti gather all the information needed for this scene. Talk to the stunt supervisor, listen to their concerns about the stunt we are about to do. Then after gathering all the information I can elaborate a plan to shoot this scene the best way possible managing the risk and minimizing it the best way possible. I believe cinematography is a lot about planning and then being ready on set to trow those plans out the window. Read more>>

Luis Marciliano | Production Designer for film and advertsiment

Taking risks has been key to my life and career success. It can be scary to step away from stability, but when it doesn’t make you happy, it’s important to face that fear. At 23, I left a comfortable life as a lawyer in Brazil, surrounded by family and friends, to follow my love for film in New York City. Being a lawyer did not make me happy, so I decided to face my fear and take a risk to pursue my passion. After graduating from an one year conservatory program at the New York Film Academy, my first professional job was as an art assistant for an indie film, driving a truck for the art team. That’s where I fell in love with the art department. But after a while I Knew I didn’t want to stay in assistant roles for too long. I wanted to be the head of the art department one day. Read more>>

Niki Bente | Singer/ performer

Choosing a self employed life is always a risk, but thinking about about life in general aren’t the best lessons and successes achieved by taking risks? That’s how I feel about being in the entertainment industry. It’s a big risk, but the reward is every day feels like a day anything can happen. I meet new people constantly, and some end up becoming great friends. I have been to some amazing cities I may never have been to without some of the shows I get to do. The number one reward though is, I get to do what I love and call it work. Life is too short to hate what you do for living. Whether or not you turn your hobby into a career ,I strongly recommend finding a job you love. You’re there so much of your life and everyone deserves to be stimulated and most of all proud of what they do. I can honestly say I’m proud and so grateful of what I do. Read more>>

Jason Rivera | Photographer

Over the past six years, embracing risk in my photography journey has been transformative for my career’s trajectory. I owe this mindset to my parents, who made the boldest sacrifices during my upbringing. They instilled in me the value of relentless dedication, illustrating that hard work yields rewards and seizing opportunities is paramount. Little did I envision myself as a photographer, let alone shooting for esteemed fashion brands like Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue so early in my career. My inclination toward fashion photography didn’t stem from a predefined interest but rather from my admiration for the eccentricities inherent in the industry. Read more>>

Pedro Cavaletti | Artist

If I hadn’t taken risks I wouldn’t be here today. Moving from my country alone at the age of 16 was not easy. I moved to New York to study fashion and taking that decision was hard because even though it was a dream of mine I was really scared. Of course, a lot of times I thought that I shouldn’t have done this, but taking this risk was the best thing I have ever done, I learned so much and had a huge personal growth, which changed who I am. Take risks, we tend to regret more of the things we didn’t do than the ones we did. Read more>>

Pinktastic Plastixx All Girl Pop Rock Band | All Girl Pop Rock Band

If the band had any ind of motto it is “your dreams don’t expire”
I think we take risks by putting ourselves out there but we have so much fun and when you are undeniable… they can’t deny you! Pinktastic Plastixx will be on CBS Dec 1st in a segment for The Weekend Wrap with Secret Los Angeles. We also are very much a brand AND a band. As The Pinkest Person in The World (officially ) I had to create a band who would wear some pink. haha
Thankfully the girls like the color – that was one of the prerequisite for the audition. They all got the pink memo!!!! Read more>>

Larissa Decker | Permanent make up artist

As a permanent makeup artist, I understand that risk-taking can play a significant role in both personal and professional growth. Here’s my perspective on risk and its impact on my life and career: When it comes to risk, I view it as an opportunity for growth and progress. Taking calculated risks allows me to step out of my comfort zone and explore new possibilities. It helps me push boundaries, learn from experiences, and continuously improve my skills as a permanent makeup artist. In my career, taking risks has been essential. It has allowed me to expand my services, try new techniques, and stay ahead in a competitive industry. Read more>>

Anna-Maria Orlu | philanthropist, Actor, Miss Nigeria United Nations 2024

I have always been a risk taker even since I was a little girl, I have always been fearless. I think it comes from my upbringing childhood. Being an immigrant, you are taught to be fearless and to never accept no as an answer. It has really served me well all throughout my life because it has created a resilient woman. I like to say if ” may it work was a person” it would be me. From being in being in foster care for 10 years in Dublin, Ireland to moving to America alone, I have always found a way to make the best of any situation and chase my dreams. Nothing was ever handed to me, so it was important for me to take big risks to get the rewards. Read more>>

LÉA THE LEOX | Multi-Genre Artist

The most successful and well known artists and musicians are where they are because they took risks. As a multi-genre artists, I take risks every time I put out a song that is under a different genre our that tests the bounds of what music can be but I believe that’s the only way music can move forward. Pursuing a career as an independent artist is a risk in it self. While working a 9-5, in an office setting, with consistent pay would be a reliable source of income, that’s not what I’m passionate about so I decided to take the risk and follow my dreams. Read more>>

Maggie Bard | Pen and Ink Artist

I work in pen and ink, so the idea of permanence is built into my process- once something is on the page, it’s not easy to change. So risk taking is a regular practice for me, and often informs the work. The biggest artistic breakthroughs I’ve had were the result of taking risks, whether it was expanding stylistically because my interests changed, or deciding to leave the city that I spent years building a significant community in. It’s impossible to evolve as an artist and human if you’re afraid of making a mistake. Read more>>

Jeremy Burnett | Actor

I believe when it comes to risk, you have to take them, especially after assessing the risk that you are taking. You can’t let fear be the reason stopping you from taking risks. There’s always a risk to reward ratio. Sometimes the reward is fulfillment, sometimes its peace, sometimes is happiness, sometimes a just one step closer to your dreams, sometimes its just as simple as okay I took that risk and it didn’t work out but now I know that path isn’t for me right now or just in this moment. “If I fail today, I’m going to learn something from that failure. I’m going to try again.’ `Kobe Bryant. A lot of the times risk is part of the journey, part of the process and it can be a gift. Read more>>

Karen Jenifer Lopez | Artist/Mental Health Provider

I am moved by Terence McKenna’s quotes about how “nature loves courage”. This is an important reminder that, “by hurling ourselves into the abyss, we discover that it’s truly a feather bed”. Many times in my life I have encountered a fork on the road where I get to either remain seemingly safe and comfortable by doing what is familiar or hurling myself into the unknown. I truly believe that without courage, we are unable to truly grasp, and embody the essence of who we are. It takes courage to truly materialize the inner visions and dreams, and to experience it in this lifetime. Without courage, I would not have enrolled in college, pursued my masters degree in Psychology, nor would I have follow through with my tasks in order to get to the other side. Read more>>

Naila Léa | Musician & Comedian

There is a saying: ‘He, who doesn’t take risks, never drinks champagne’ I have taken quiet lot of risks in my life to be where I am today and I can assure you that the biggest things that I’ve accomplished in my life all came from taking risks. Starting from coming to America from my hometown Armenia to publishing my 1st music video I love taking risks in my day to day life, and don’t get me wrong sometimes those risks mean going against the rules, which between me and you;) is something that appeals to me a lot because it involves great benefits if done correctly Read more>>

Fabian Palacios V. | Film director & writer

Risk is a fundamental element of filmmaking; no film that didn’t take any risks exists. The risks come in different forms, whether it starts in the writing process with the subject the film is about, the risks the shooting demands when crafting the film, or even the exhibition itself can be a considerable risk. However, the risks are the fuel for filmmaking, too. It is the excitement that pushes you to create and to go for it. If there isn’t any rush in what you make that makes you doubt what you’re doing, then it isn’t worth exploring. Film is a beautiful art form for exploring internal issues, social and moral problems, and, more than anything else, emotions; so naturally, when you present the audience with questions, you are taking a huge risk by doing so. Read more>>