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.

Russell Wyche | President & Producer

The ability to take risks is extremely important to success. As my mom says, “Boy you jumped out the window with no parachute!” Some risks have to be more calculated than others to minimize loss but some are just the roll of the dice and hope for the best. It may end up in failure but there is a lesson to learn in every attempt. Read more>>

Joselyn Medina | Josie The Barber

I’ve never been afraid of taking a risk. I always encourage people to go for it. I moved out of Puerto Rico to the United States all by myself pursuing my life purpose. I only had $250 to my name! I thought if I would’ve let fear take over I wouldn’t be where I am today! I landed a job 2 weeks from touching down in the states! It all a mindset, in life we gotta be able to take risks! Read more>>

Serhat Ozisik | Logistician and Founder

Risk taker means entrepreneur and if you run a business you have to take some risks according to your buziness size and expectations to develop. Read more>>

Ashley Faith Council | Master Cosmetologist / Serial Entrepreneur

Taking risks to me can be one of the most rewarding things in life honestly. When I write down and plan how to reach my goals I tend to learn more about myself. What I mean by that is I acknowledge my strengths and also areas that I can improve in. Taking risk to me makes me feel nervous but in the end I always feel like I’ve accomplished something. You have to be willing to take risk in life in order to reach your goals and full potential In whatever it is that you do. It’s sorta kinda similar to the street saying “scared money doesn’t make money”. Read more>>

Tré Hazelwood | Producer & Director

Being self-employed really conditioned me Read more>>

Delecie Mccommons | Childcare provider and entrepreneur

My opinion on risk. In order to make it in any business you can’t be afraid to take them. Sometimes that may be more than one risk at any particular point in life. I wouldn’t have made it to run 3 successful business without taking risks. Read more>>

Leah Huggins | Author, Non-Profit Consultant & Servant Leader

Risk taking is an interesting thing. When you are serious about making a plan work, risk taking doesn’t seem so risky. I remember when I quit my job to volunteer. People thought I was crazy, and at one point I thought so too, but it was worth it and open many other doors. Now when I think of taking a risk I always remind myself that the reward will be greater than the risk and then I take the leap of faith. Read more>>

Lance Avery Brown | Artist

When it comes to being an artist period it comes with risk. The biggest risk you can ever take is believing in yourself. That starts a chain reaction of finding out what makes you unique and waiting for acceptance or opportunity. If anybody that claims to be an artist has not been at a point of their artistry of trying to figure out what to do better because of circumstances, opinions, or self doubt, in my opinion they haven’t  experienced all the things an artist goes through. Read more>>

Ivey Grant | Account Executive + Marketing Creative

I think about risk how I imagine most people think of risk – fearfully. It takes away a sense of control I am always desperately trying to keep in my life. Now, after the initial panic that something horrible could go wrong in taking the said risk, comes the quiet reminder that something equally more beautiful and wonderful could bloom as well. Read more>>

Olivia Celine | Actress – Writer – Producer

I’ve faced a lot of loss in my life, and it’s taught me that ​life is much too short and too precious to play it safe. I lead with the philosophy that we’re on this earth to follow our wildest dreams, to become our best selves, and to create. So, if I’m not honoring that by taking every opportunity I can to cultivate my talents and share my gifts, then what am I doing? Read more>>

Mona Madl | Fine Artist

I feel like as an artist you should always feel a little uncomfortable. Taking risks is a chance to grow and learn more about ourselfs. There is no growth in comfort and you will never discover the true YOU if you never try to grow your personality. All the risks I have taken in my life define the person I am today. I would have done it all again. It is part of my jourey through art and discovering what is within me and how God created me as a person. Take risks! Read more>>

Lisa Janay | Fashion and Apparel Entrepreneur & 5X Published Fashion Model

I believe that taking risks is one of the best decisions you can make even though it can be perceived sometimes as a negative connotation. Trust me, I understand why it can be viewed as being a negative thing but if you let people put fear into your plans that’s where something can possibly go wrong. Read more>>

Infinitie Green | Designer, Buyer & Creative Director

I think risk is a way of life. It’s how you navigate through life. I feel that is there’s no RISK there is no story. Sometimes throughout life…you can’t play small. Something Read more>>

Mandii Brown | Mental Health Professional & Creator of Well What Had Happened Was…””

Its funny, I have a verse from this poem called “Risk” tattooed on the right side of my body, purposefully, to remember what it meant to take risks in life; even if it was painful. Read more>>

Sarah Fox | Professional Makeup Artist

Most people look at risk and think of failure, when I think of risk, I think of an opportunity to grow. I worked for Van Michaels from 2017 to 2020 and when covid hit in 2020, I decided to take a risk, which was leave my full-time 9-5 job to completely full-time freelancing. As a free-lance makeup artist, it is completely different than being a makeup artist in a salon. Read more>>

Quineitra Shelby | Singer/Songwriter

Good question. Risk taking has become a key factor to my growth. If you don’t take risks you don’t really see your full potential because it’s like you’re stuck in a box. As far as for my life/ career, I took the risk of moving to ATL with my husband to pursue our dreams .It’s not easy moving away from everything you know and starting over but it definitely pays off. It’s worth it. Read more>>

Jessica Wilson | Holistic Counselor, CEO, & Model

Risk taking is very important for an entrepreneur. You have to be willing to walk in faith and use wisdom at the same time. Some risks may be too costly and may not be a good investment. You may make some mistakes along the way but it’s important to be courageous enough to try. Read more>>

Billie G | Artist

HAHA I’m a certified risk taker. I don’t trust people who are scared to take risks, cause why tf you scared??? Anybody that knows me knows I’m there today gone tomorrow lol. I never wait on anybody to do anything. I’ve failed countless of times but it’s always worth the risk in the end. I will literally risk it all to be happy or make my next move. Read more>>

Shawn Elisse | Photographer

Life wouldn’t be exciting without taking risks in my opinion. I took the risk of becoming self-employed and putting all of my energy into my improving my work without no real idea what the outcome would look like. That’s what really challenges me to get creative. When something doesn’t work out in the way i hoped , then I look for another route until i find what works for me. Read more>>

Monica Brown | Senior Technology Executive and Entrepreneur

aking risks are necessary for all business ventures. Many years ago, my mentor told me “scared money don’t make money” and I’ve been running with that mindset ever since. Now that’s not to say that you throw your time and money into all possible ventures without some thought and consideration. Read more>>

Jesus Venson | Photographer/Videographer- Entrepreneur

When I think about risk it has played a big role in my life. Being from Cleveland, Ohio, I never traveled because my mom was a single mother with no assistance. So when I was a senior in high school I only really looked at out of state schools so I can get a taste of independence in another state. Read more>>

James Thomas | Public health Professor/Lecturer

Risk-taking, in my opinion, is the only way to truly be successful. We often shy away from risk because of fear of failure, not realizing that not taking the risk is a form of failure within itself. My journey of becoming a professor involved taking a risk of changing my major, leaving my role in working in student affairs as a graduate assistant to become a teaching assistant. Read more>>

Ja’Shaundria Morris | Business Owner | Graphic Designer

I have taken risks in business, career, and personal life such as choosing a college, buying new equipment, releasing new products, finding new vendors, and etc. Sometimes it’s best to take risks in order to grow your business or yourself. Risks is how you learn. If you don’t take risks, you are not trying to grow. Read more>>