There is a wealth of academic research that suggests that differences in risk appetite are at the heart of differences in career and business trajectories. We wanted to go beyond the theory and ask real people from the community about their perspectives and experiences with risk and risk taking.

Liz Jahl | Owner of Liz Jahl Photography

My motto is ‘No risk, no reward.’ I was originally working in a corporate position in the biotechnology industry. I knew it would be a risk to take the plunge and start my own business, but life is short and we should spend time doing what we love! I’m glad I took a risk with starting my own business and working for myself. Read more>>

Tiyonna Griffin | Content Creator & Makeup Artist

I feel as though taking risks are essential to a successful life, if you know how to handle them properly. Without risks you won’t know what you truly enjoy or dislike because you don’t have the experience behind you. I know taking risks are important because I’ve taken a number of them, whether it was dealing with my career or simply personally. Read more>>

Wanru Gong | Illustrator, oil painter

Risk brings changes in my life. To be honest, I wouldn’t say I like changes. However, I have to admit that I can try new things and explore new opportunities by taking risks, which leads to greater rewards. Read more>>

Emily Retamozo | Custom Cookie Business Owner, Mobile App Creator

If other people look at my life they would probably think,” wow she has no fear and just goes for things!” I mean within the past year I launched a mobile app, quit my full time teaching job, and have traveled more that I ever though possible. But in reality, risk scares the heck out of me and all of those big life decisions came with A LOT of tears. Read more>>

Renada Hoskins | Entrepreneur & Fashion Designer

I love the phrase “no risk, no reward.” If you are not willing to take risks in life then you aren’t willing to challenge yourself to your greatest potential. There are no guarantees in life and even if you do not get your desired result you will learn something along the journey. Starting a business in an industry that I knew nothing about was a huge risk for me because I invested my money in an area that was completely foreign to me. Read more>>

Tatiyana Blood | Chief Operating Officer & Head of Talent Management, After Ours, LLC

Risks landed me from doing something I thought I loved to doing something I truly love. I believe life is about trial and error and in order to be success you have to take risks. My biggest risks was dropping out of law school and starting my own talent management company. It was always instilled in me by family at a young age that I would be an attorney so I based by educational path off of such. Read more>>

Kanita Braxton | Corporate Recruiter & Serial Entrepreneur

I think risk are so necessary especially if you want your business to succeed. Progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first. You don’t know how the future will play out or if your business will be successful if you don’t take risk. Read more>>

Cashme’ Gonzales | Mindset Coach

My entire life I’ve been taking risks. Trying my mother’s rules, seeing what I could get away with, to putting in for positions I had no clue about while working for the federal government. As a result, this is how I know I can put my mind to any & everything & succeed. Being my true authentic self, I realized I always went against the norm of what others deemed fit. Read more>>