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.

Lila Kova

I’ve always been someone who loves taking risks and challenging myself. I’ve never wanted to follow the crowd—I’ve always aimed to do something different, something that others weren’t already doing. The uncertainty of the outcome was part of the thrill. Read More>>

Kyra Yong

As the child of immigrants, I never allowed myself to take many risks. I excelled in school, graduated at the top of my class in college, and secured a stable job with benefits and a retirement plan. I focused on following the safe path, believing that hard work would eventually lead to success. Read More>>

Storm Di Scozia

The entertainment industry is changing. The closeted gatekeepers who once demanded silence are being replaced by a new generation of fearless risk-takers. In 2025, as attacks on Queerness escalate and the rainbow flag is torn down by those who fear its brilliance, the greatest risk—the most radical act—is to be unapologetically ourselves. Read More>>

Anvita Sharma

What was the thought process behind starting your own business?
I started teaching part time 18 years ago because my Guru Rachana Upadhyay (who I was learning Kathak from) encouraged me to. At that time, I really didn’t know if I had it in me to lead a class of my own, but after some thought, I decided I wanted to help pass Kathak on to the next generation. Read More>>

Karim ElDin ElAlfy

I mean, I feel that risk is a constant presence in every decision we make in our lives, whether that decision is to pursue our dreams or not. Action and inaction both hold risk. So, ultimately, the question becomes what life one wants to lead and dealing with the risks to achieve that outcome. Read More>>

Nat Wilson

I’ve taken a ton of risks throughout my career. Growing up, I trained almost exclusively in classical ballet, and when I was 19, I decided to change my focus to work in contemporary dance. Read More>>

Juan Gomez

Taking risk is the single most important piece of the puzzle when trying to see the needle move in terms of progress. There were many key times where I had to bet it all but there’s one in particular that stands out as a great story. Read More>>

Paloma Elise

I believe that nearly every decision we make involves some level of risk. Taking risks is a risk, not taking risks is a risk. But it’s best to take risks that you’re passionate about, so when challenges arise, you have enough passion and love for your business to get through the difficult times. Read More>>

Jia Jia

Risk-taking has played a significant and transformative role in my life and career. The most impactful risk I’ve taken so far was deciding to pursue my artistic career in the United States and immigrating here. Read More>>

Agua Lemus

I always felt like I’ve lived in a bubble of my community, the diaspora, the melting pot that is Los Angeles. I never understood the concept of not wanting to bring your food to school because it was funky. What was funky to me, was normal. Read More>>

Rosie W

I have always been a risk taker, including in my college days, when I was turned down for the degree course I wanted to study because I was deemed ‘bad at math’. I persuaded my Head of Year to take a chance on me, and guess what? It turned out that math wasn’t quite as essential as they thought. I graduated with flying colours. Read More>>

Natalia Moore

There is no reward without taking a risk, and oftentimes, the greater the risk, the greater the reward. I learned this to be true when I took a significant risk to quit my career as a teacher and give it my all in pursuing my dream since I was a child: becoming a published children’s book author and illustrator. Read More>>

Sahej Singh

The saying, “There is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone,” underscores the undeniable role of risk in both life and work. As a director, you’re constantly navigating risk. Read More>>

Jose Elias Ortega

I think about risk often. Risk definitely played a huge role in my life which had made me who I am today. Once I turned 18 years old I moved out of my parent’s house across the states to Atlanta Georgia. Read More>>

Hsuan Ting

For me, risk-taking isn’t just about uncertainty, it’s also about recognizing the risk of not taking a risk. I don’t like to dwell on regrets because I’d rather just try. Failure doesn’t scare me, because I’ve learned that nothing lingers as much as wondering what if you took the risk. Read More>>

Marissa Goldman

I think I was more risk averse for a while, but as I have been in it for a longer time I have learned to trust myself more, which makes you go for riskier things, but also I guess makes it feel less like you are taking a risk, when you believe in yourself more. Read More>>

Rico Griffin

Risk has been part of everything I’ve done. I’ve never followed a traditional path — I built Dire off instinct, off vision. From the start, I knew I was doing something different, and that meant stepping into the unknown. Read More>>

Alec Tomas

In professional wrestling, we take extreme risks when it comes to putting our bodies on the line. But we also take major risks when it comes to the sacrifice and commitment it takes to succeed in this business. Read More>>

Stephanie Contreras

Risk-taking has been a huge part of my life and career—sometimes in ways that have led to incredible growth, and other times in ways that have made me go, Welp, that was a learning experience. I’ve taken big leaps, failed, healed, and kept going. Read More>>

Lea Crigger

For me, risk has been the driving force behind every breakthrough in my career and personal growth. From stepping onto the court as a Miami Heat dancer to touring internationally with legendary artists, working with brands and partnerships, to mentoring aspiring dancers, each bold move has shaped my path. Read More>>

Vanessa McCaffrey

Its so funny when I think about this because I very much see myself as a very conservative and well thought out type of person but gosh looking back everything in my life I have gone truly with my gut and always an insane leap of faith and just jumped into the ocean and swam. Read More>>

Garrett S Broussard

I can’t stand a looming “what if”. When I back down from something that’s too risky, I spend an eternity thinking about it. Regret is like a mental tattoo that never fades. I’ve applied that to my career in animation and visual effects, and it’s served me well. Read More>>

Veronica Barrera

I never really considered myself a risk-taker, but then I remembered something. I took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles about 14 years ago. I didn’t know anyone, anything, and moved here for love. Read More>>

Brandon Notch

You won’t get far in life without taking risks. If you think about it, we face risks every day—whether it’s something as routine as getting into a car or navigating the chaos of traffic on a motorcycle. As an artist, risk is something you have to embrace. Read More>>

Wellie Jackson

Risk are everything they’re also simple you either take the risk or you loose the chance. Personally I can’t live with regret so if it makes sense I’ll always take the risk. Read More>>

Julia Levy, Pierre-Axel Coulibeuf

Risk-taking has always been part of our journey.
We never feared starting over or reinventing ourselves when life asked for it.

After living in France, London, and Los Angeles, we eventually chose to settle in Santa Barbara. We love the beauty and the lifestyle here, it reminds us a little of the French Riviera. Read More>>

Yangzom Gama

I think of risk-taking as essential to growth, both personally and creatively. At the beginning of my design journey, I often worried about making mistakes or falling short of expectations. Gradually, I realized that embracing uncertainty, experimentation, and even the occasional failure is crucial in developing my creative voice. Read More>>