In our experience, most folks, including ourselves don’t have enough of an understanding of risk and the role it plays in our lives and careers and so we have made a concerted effort as a team to have conversations about risk with our interviewees. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Dr. Lauren Bowman

I think risks are necessary for an individual to grow. If you don’t take risks, you will not be able to reach your goals or fulfill your happiness. In my life and career, I have taken two important risks. The first risk I took was that I formed Lotus Lady Music LLC in hopes of filling a gap that is needed: to provide not only music instruction and music arranging for ukulele, but also as a music consultant for those who wish to become music teachers or start a music program in their school. Read more>>

Camille Krilanovich | Tattoo Artist

I think of risk taking as motivation. I see it as an opportunity for freedom and open ended possiblity.
I opened my first tattoo studio during 2008, and the idea that I could create a space that was in line with my aesthetic and community vision was so exciting that it outwheighed the doubt that comes with starting a new business in some ways that went against tradition at the time. I was incredibly motivated to possibly elevate tattooing and control my path as an artist. There were certainly many sleepless nights, plus I had a 2 year old at the time and was a sinlge parent-what was I thinking! But honestly, I remember the motivation of this possibility keeping me going. Read more>>

William Gabriel | Photographer & Storyteller

The decision to shoot exclusively on film in 2023 not only was a risk to my wallet but my creative credibility! But that’s kind of the fun, isn’t it?

Risk has become an essential part of my photography because it allows me to communicate and express myself in ways my voice no longer can. Being unable to speak without pain has been challenging, but what’s been harder was figuring out the best way to capture something correctly without the crutch of a phone camera or digital screen. Read more>>

Hilary Helding | Writer / Producer

As a writer/producer, my entire job is about risk. Whether it’s getting a big studio to invest in one of my projects or if I, in turn, should invest time and energy into a project someone else has asked me to be a part of. Every decision is either asking someone to take a risk on me or my taking a chance on them. Read more>>

Omaira Nightshade | Owner & CEO of Horror Vibes Coffee

Risk taking has been life-changing for me, especially when it comes to my business. I took the risk of opening a coffee shop that was horror-themed where people like me could be themselves and enjoy some fun, specialty coffee with friends and loved ones. A lot of people around me were against the idea of a horror-themed coffee shop initially and told me I would lose business if I did it, since it was such a niche idea. I was so passionate and excited about it that I moved forward with the idea and took the risk anyways. Fast forward three years, we’ve become a destination spot in Los Angeles. I always encourage those around me to take risks and to avoid letting fear get the best of them, because you truly don’t know unless you try. Read more>>

Vanity Halston | Entertainment/Creative Director & Entertainer

Being in the entertainment industry, we are always juggling ideas to set us apart from the other shows or entertainers. Being that I produce shows and productions in what is sometimes a tourists destination, I have to come up with fresh ideas that people might want to see. Every show is a risk, you never know what an audience wants to see or hear. Taking risks to bring in different themes and ideas has allowed me to put on shows that I wouldn’t normally do in fear no one would want to see them, only to have them be a successful hit. If I would never have taking the risk to produce it in the first place, I wouldn’t have ever known that. Then again I have taken risks to produce things that flopped. Everything is a learning experience and without risks we don’t know what hits and what sinks. Read more>>

Daniella Rae Beltrami | Professional Dancer and Choreographer

Risk is the very foundation of my journey—without it, I would not be where I am today. It is a habitual practice I look forward to now, as I know it’s the way to the magic of life and evolution. Artists are, by nature, risk-takers. To create art is to have faith in what has not yet materialized, to believe in the unseen and the unknown. There is little logic in this process; it demands a leap of trust, a willingness to fall and surrender. I took a risk when I moved to London,UK with no job & no money but a deep inner knowing I needed to for my artistic journey. I take risks reaching out to choreographers I admire to assist and learn from. Every time I enter a battle, or put out my work I risk being judged. Read more>>

Sofia Grille | Dancer and Dance Teacher from Chile

For me, choosing to be a dancer in South América it was already a challenge. In our countries it is really hard to have opportunities in a daily basis. There is not much dance jobs, and you have to work really hard just to get regular payment conditions. Because of that, all through all the years that I have been dancing, I have been taking risks in order to get more options to build my career, spending a lot of money traveling, going to the US to take classes and try to build connections, investing in my career and creating Spaces and events for dancers in my country. Thanks to that, I have been able to teach abroad, danced in international festivals and now I can actually choose to take my biggest risk and build a career outside my country. Read more>>

Carissa Gustafson | Clinical Psychologist & Author

I see risk, which brings up fear, as inextricably linked to our values or the things we care about most. In this way, I use fear as an indication of what I care about and try to move towards it as opposed to away from it knowing that I do not control the outcome and that it is ok to fail! Read more>>

Steven Wong | Foodie, Yelper, Content Creator, Philanthropist

Risk taking is a part of life, especially to learn and grow. I think anything in life, if we want to become better and to challenge yourself, you have to take risks. It is only a failure if you give up. Each time I try, I learn something new and I try not to make the same mistake. I push myself to move forward, I am not afraid to try new things, in a way kind of throwing things on the wall to see what sticks. Read more>>

Haleigh Foster | Aesthetic Injector & Business Owner

I believe risk is both emotionally and data driven. Identifying risks and their potential for loss and reward is a process that for me, requires deliberation and appreciation for the work and ambition that that will be integral to leveraging a positive outcome. For me, 2024, had both professional and personal risk investment. Professionally, this year, I committed to a business venture in a space where accessibility and social pressure have contributed to the aesthetic industry’s dilution- but with a patient-outcome oriented team, comprised of knowledgeable providers, it continues to have an incredible potential for growth. And personally, my husband and I of 10 years, mutually decided to end our marriage, in an effort to pursue different aspects of life that we felt as though we were not achieving together anymore. Read more>>

Mikhail Kriuchkov | The founder of For U Med Spa

In my experience, risk-taking isn’t about recklessness; it’s about embracing uncertainty as a pathway to growth. For me, risk has been a defining force shaping both my personal life and my professional trajectory. A few years ago, my wife and I made the decision to leave behind our home, our extended family, and the comfort of a well-established business in Russia. We arrived in the United States, specifically Beverly Hills, with limited resources, no local support network, and no guarantees of success. In essence, we bet everything on our ability to adapt, innovate, and persevere. Read more>>

Daniel Vettorazi | Creative Technologist

Risk has been a defining element of my career. I view it as an opportunity to transform uncertainty into innovation. Early in my career, I founded one of Brazil’s first adlabs, where we introduced groundbreaking AR campaigns, including Brazil’s first Hololens interactive experience. At a time when the technology was nascent, taking this leap positioned me at the forefront of creative technology in my country. Read more>>

Ben Holland | Writer and Film Director

In my artistic career, risk sometimes means leading a crew up miles of steep switchbacks, crossing ice cold streams with an eighty-five thousand dollar camera, or casting an ex-girlfriend’s sister because although she’s never acted before, you know she’s the one for the role. I truly believe in the power of calculated risk and that most ideas are possible. When real thought and hard work are put into a plan, what initially seems risky often becomes much more achievable than it first appears. I’ve learned risks won’t always pay off but that’s part of the process. Failure happens, but if you’re prepared to take risks, you should make peace with that outcome, knowing it’s part of the journey toward something bigger. Read more>>

Massimo Mcqueen | Akashic Records Reader, Actor, producer and writer

I believe that taking risks is part of life, whether we are aware or not; sooner or later we are gonna face that dilemma…don’t avoid it!!!!!
Usually a risk comes into our consciousness when we seek change and we want to better our existence.
I have taken multiple risks in my life, and besides the initial fear of the unknown or because the way I was brought up -which was to always be cautious- I listened to my heart and followed my guts, and never regretted anything to these days. Read more>>

Aabir Vyas | Actor

Risk, in my opinion, is an inevitable part of life. Whether we acknowledge it or not, risk exists in every decision we make, big or small. For me, risk-taking has always been about trusting myself, staying true to my dreams, and being willing to step into the unknown even when the odds seemed stacked against me. Read more>>

Quei Tann | Actor, Writer, Social Worker

When I decided at 16 that I was going to be a movie star, I knew it was going to take some serious risks. At the time, I was living in Vegas, but I was dead set on moving back to LA, where I’m originally from. My “plan” (if you could call it that) was to stay with a Russian model I’d hooked up with during a runway gig at a Vegas hotel. Turns out, he was mixed up with the Armenian mob and became the fall guy for a weed bust. Read more>>

Justin Chesney | Writer & Podcast Host

You know, we work in an industry that’s built on a foundation of risk; while many of our friends who’ve opted for jobs in much more stable fields, ours is rarely consistent. We find ourselves constantly taking risks just to stay afloat while we push forward doing what we love to do. So, when someone in entertainment asks me if they should take a risk on something, my answer more often than not is “well yeah, why wouldn’t you?”. I mean, maybe don’t take a job that’s shooting in a remote warehouse down by the river, BUT go to that mixer that you feel out of place at, email that management company you feel is out of your league, and enter that competition you feel you have no chance at winning. Why shouldn’t you? As long as you’re not putting yourself in danger or being an asshole (can I say that here?), do it; you’ll thank yourself later. Read more>>

Yoshe Li | Singer-Songwriter & Multimedia Artist

I think taking risks plays a major role in creating momentum and motivation in my creative work. As artists, we often find ourselves drowning in possibilities and a fear of commitment. How do we define whether ideas are good or determine at which stage the work is considered finished? The mindset of taking risks helps us move forward with our decisions and unlock the potential of possibilities, instead of being surrounded by options and struggling to make progress. Read more>>

Shydia Juanita | Writer & Director

I believe taking risk is an essential part of success. Although often times taking risk can be scary or feel like you are venturing out into the unknown. When you allow the thrill of the unknown to push you to your greatest heights sometimes we find that risk can pay off and pay off big. Some of my happiest and most euphoric moments came after taking risk that made me feel like maybe I could indeed be crazy. For example, in 2021 I had a dream that something was waiting for me in California but at the time I lived in Philadelphia, PA. Across the country literally ! I felt this overpowering thought and feeling to move ! So I did within 2 weeks of having that dream and within 2 weeks of moving to Los Angeles I got a job as a production assistant on a really popular show. What a crazy Risk ! I have been working in Tv/Film since I moved and all because I took a risk. Read more>>

Allison Stewart | Artist

Risk is an integral part of being an artist. If you don’t take risks, your work will stagnate. One of my favorite quotes by an artist is about taking risks and I keep it written on the first page of my sketchbook:

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from a single thing that I wanted to do.” -Georgia O’Keeffe Read more>>

Yue Wu | Design Director

Here are the three things I follow when it comes to risks and how I respond to them:

1. Accept the Inevitability of Risk: Risk is unavoidable—nothing is ever 100% certain. Acknowledging this helps me approach decisions with greater caution and a mindset prepared for uncertainty.

2. Assess Holistically and Mitigate Blind Spots: Since risk is always present, I make it a point to assess it thoroughly by leveraging what I already know, seeking input from others, and doing due diligence. There’s always a chance of overlooking something, so I consciously work to cover all perspectives and minimize blind spots. Read more>>

Alejandro Amézquita | Guitarist

Risk has been a defining element of my journey, both personally and professionally. Moving from Puerto Vallarta to Los Angeles at nineteen, with no roadmap and few connections, was a significant leap into the unknown. That transition wasn’t easy. It required resilience, faith in my abilities, and an unwavering belief in the dream I was pursuing. Read more>>

Rafa | Stand-Up Comedian

Taking risks has helped my life in many ways. One risk I did take that helped me was moving to Los Angeles. I was in a job I didn’t like and felt like I was going no where with my acting/comedy dreams. In that moment I decided to give my two weeks and drive from Omaha, NE to Los Angeles, CA. I had planned to move when I had enough money but some circumstances made me realize it was now or never. I took that risk and I’ve been in Los Angeles for 8 years now. Taking risks has helped my stand up comedy career as well. Going to open mics and knowing people might not laugh is tough to face but it’s how we as comics get better with our material.  Read more>>

Talia Johnson | Musician & Multimedia Artist

I don’t consider myself a very big risk-taker, I never have. But at the end of the day, there are sayings in life that exist for a reason. “No risk, no reward.” “Scared money doesn’t make money.” I’m in a point in my life now where, I think I need to be taking more risks and really considering what I’m putting on the line. When I do, it’s for what I firmly care about and believe in. In the past, I’ve taken risks that started off with me being more fearful and resistant than anything else. But those risks ultimately led to being exactly where I am today and I think about that a lot nowadays. I contemplate risks I will have to take in the future to reach my goals of success and personal prosperity. Read more>>

Elaine Montalvo | Costume Designer

If not for taking the risk to try something new, I never would have explored costume design. While I was a student at the University of California at Berkeley, I enrolled in classes that I had never before heard of. It was there that a professor, Warren Travis, introduced me to the art and discipline of storytelling through character and costume. He encouraged me to continue my education in graduate school and pursue costume design as a career. Risk invites challenge while expanding the world of possibilities. Read more>>

Alexa Lamantea | shoppable livestream producer

Risk is necessary in order to reach a potential you didn’t even know you had. For me, taking the leap into the world of influencer e-commerce and livestream content was a huge risk. I was building a career in New York City as a post producer and was at a place where my career was at an amazing pace and I chose to do a 180 and dive into something completely new for me. Post was all I knew. I graduated from Fordham University and immediately starting working at a post house and that career path is laid out. You know what the next step is, the ladder hasn’t changed. The influencer universe is forever changing which is thrilling but takes the security that post gave me and turns it on its head. Read more>> 

Cindy Lauzon | Channeler

The role of risk is the core of my whole life and career as it is today. Working at a corporate job for over 15 years, always felt very secure but stale, with a routine and specific day of the week to enjoy myself.

In the last 4 years, I started questioning what I really wanted out of this life experience. I let go of a job that was no longer fulfilling my aspiration without having anything secure to fall back on. I started taking courses that I always wanted. Furthermore, I took care of my health and lost weight I was carrying for too long with almost no efforts. My happiness in general was shifting. Read more>>

Alyssa Howard

I think of risks as a step in a journey, you can’t have success without risks. When I first started posting on social media almost 10 years ago, I have gone back and forth between posting something, deleting it, posting something again, then deleting it and so on… I was embarrassed of what my peers would think, what they would say about someone who is different than them. I still have those same thoughts in the back of my head to this day saying “Just delete everything you’ll be better off”. Then I remember I don’t want to be the same as everyone else, and all of my best work comes from when I’m not worried about others and what could happen. Read more>>