Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Wavyy Jonez | Actor / Artist /Visionary

Life is about taking risks and seizing opportunities. We shouldn’t hold ourselves back or play it safe because when our time is up, none of our possessions will matter. We only have one chance at life, and the choices we make shape our journey. I’ve experienced many challenges and losses, but somehow, I’ve managed to overcome them. Taking risks is crucial because it allows us to grow and discover new possibilities. It’s all about working hard, having faith, and embracing the uncertainties that lie ahead. Read more>>

Michelle Calhoun | Tax Professional & Real Estate Developer

Being an entrepreneur taught me that if you’re scared to take risks, you won’t reach your full potential. It’s not just about spending money on a location, inventory, or business cards – I had to invest in my mindset, education, and my team, to grow my business. Unlike a regular 9-5 job where you know what you’ll get for your time, chasing dreams is different. Sometimes it takes a while to see results, and they might be less than expected. But I knew that to achieve the life I wanted, I had to take risks. Read more>>

Toni Collins | Toni Collins | Creative Catalyst & Actress

When contemplating risk, I view it as an inherent challenge, an opportunity to defy conventional limitations and assert my autonomy. The apprehension surrounding risks often impedes personal and professional growth. While I wouldn’t characterize myself as a rule breaker per se, I am inclined towards unconventional approaches, driven by the unique workings of my thought process. My trajectory deviates from the norm, requiring a level of determination beyond the ordinary to reach my objectives. This inclination towards nonconformity is evident in my approach, such as entering a room full of directors in full character prior to an audition. Read more>>

Matt Guy | Comedian

I don’t mind taking risks. I think a large part of growth is being uncomfortable. In comedy I think audacity is necessary, and if you can match that with courage and some confidence, you whittle a joke down to how you really feel about something. There is a line, that sometimes must be crossed.
Both in joke writing and the business. Read more>>

Whitney Stansell | Visual Artist

Just being an artist is risky. Making work for others to look at, scrutinize, hopefully connect with and love is a vulnerable practice. In my art practice I am interested in telling the stories that have shaped me, my history, the neighborhoods and environments that I live in, and the people that surround me. For the past several years, I have worked more and more with paper. Paper is a common material used everyday in the most quotidian of jobs, yet it has a deep history as an art making material. I am interested in the simplicity in which paper works to communicate, record, and preserve memories. It is versatile, malleable, and recyclable. Read more>>

Vrushali Hanamghar | Production Designer

I believe in taking risks. Up until now, the only times I have grown as a person and learnt something is when I have stepped out of my comfort zone and went for something that seemed impossible at the time. I was coming out of a really dark place during covid and I just decided to move to a new city and find work. I had no place to stay. I went to a backpacker’s hostel and stayed there for a week and found some work. I met one of the coolest people in my life there and made some unforgettable experiences. I then properly started working in the film industry as an art assistant after I made enough connections. So yeah, I would say always risk it. I am taking a huge risk right now, but that story is for another day. Read more>>

Brandon Hughley | Photographer

I feel like taking the risk is holding back a lot of future entrepreneurs. Risks are apart of the process when starting a business. You can choose the level of the risk. Anytime I am about to take a risk I try to make sure it is a calculated risk. Meaning yeah I might lose with this risk, but I am able to bounce back from it. Before I invested any money in my business I took time studying photography either on YouTube or through friends to make sure this was the risk I was willing to take and it worked out great. Read more>>

Stephanie Forbes | Artist and Entrepreneur

When it comes to taking risks, I believe there is simply no other way to move through this life, especially as an Artist. I approach risks with a single plan- Plan A, where Plan B does not exist. Of course, with a conscious respect to being mindful and responsible, I don’t like the ease of what having a “Plan B” puts on my resistance to a risk I take potentially failing. When you execute a risk with no other options than for this risk (i.e idea/ vision/ project/ business) to succeed then 10 times out of 10, that is exactly what it will do. I have had many risks come off as ‘failures’ to the outside eye, but to me, they become passion projects with limbs of learning, experience and growth, that I would not have obtained otherwise, and where my next risk will grow larger in its capacity to succeed. Read more>>

4Point | Rap Artist

It’s funny because my relationship with risk has evolved a ton over my life, and it’s always been central… but for almost opposite reasons. When I started making music, I was 17 and terrified of risk, mostly social. I was scared to ask girls out because of my fear of rejection. Same thing with starting conversations and speaking the truth when it might be controversial. I felt like a coward and I hated that because it’s not who I wanted to be. My journey as an artist was born out of this desire to transcend fear, among other things. Read more>>

Ashanti Eliza | Photographer & Dancer

I view risk as an integral part of the artistic process, a catalyst for growth and innovation. Embracing risks has played a pivotal role in shaping my journey as a creative. This willingness to step into the unknown has led to some of my most memorable and impactful work and experiences in life in general. I have always been a multifaceted creative, from playing instruments, to dance, to photography, and really the list goes on, I always wondered if my art was too convoluted and thought of dumbing myself down to be digestible to others multiple times. But really embracing each part of me publicly, regardless of how it’s received, has been a stepping stone to refining my craft and finding my distinctive voice. Read more>>

Shanae Davis | Trade School and Nail Salon Owner

Risk taking with regard to business is a must in my opinion. I believe playing it safe at all times in business will hinder your growth as a business entity. The way I see it, risk equates to opportunity. This doesn’t mean that I’m willing to take every risk that presents itself to get ahead. There is a difference between positive and negative risks. One positive risk I’ve taken to propel my business, was leaving a full time job, with good pay and benefits to start my business. This was a positive risk for me. It allowed me the necessary time and room I needed to build the foundation and get the business off the ground. Others may perceive leaving your job as a negative risk because of the assumed drastic change in finances and daily dynamic. Read more>>

Obsidian | Burlesque Dancer

I used to pride myself on living a very prudent and well thought out life. I liked feeling comfortable and knowing what to expect until I got bored and began to feel unfulfilled. Sadly, I knew that I’d never get to where I wanted to go and achieve the things that I knew would fill my cup without taking risks. So, I guess you could say that discontentment and dreaming led me to reshape the way that I think about risks. Risks became the door that led me to my art and my joy. Risks help me grow and learn. I’ve yet to regret the risks that I’ve taken. Even when they haven’t panned out the way I’ve planned, I learn something new about myself or the business. Read more>>

Myla Glenn | Lash tech

Risk taking Quote – if you never take a risk you’ll never know if capable of achieving your goals My motto is to step out on faith and trust god. Taking that “risk” could be all you needed to succeed in life . Even when no one believes in you, believe in yourself! Because once you go up in life you’ll appreciate you for choosing yourself! Prove it to yourself! F the critics Read more>>

Juwan Carter | Photographer

Risk, in my opinion, is an uncomfortable reward; if you want to achieve your goals, you will eventually have to take those steps. Although taking a risk can put us in difficult situations, it can also reap rewards if we put in the necessary preparation and effort. Risk has served as a test of my faith and tenacity that I will receive tenfold returns on anything I invest. Read more>>

Meech Jennings | Freelance Photographer

The word ‘risk’ can bring on an intimidating connotation but I believe that risk is the reason we find growth in the things we do. I’ve always believed that if my dreams don’t scare me, they’re not big enough. This has made me to mold my dreams beyond what my thoughts could imagine. I went from doing what’s asked of me from clients to trying to challenge the way I think and reinvent simple concepts into beautifully complex pieces. I started to try to find a story in my ideas and capture photos in that light. Once I did that, I began to truly see the difference in what I do. Read more>>

Amanda Powell | Lead Bartender, Actress, Influencer, Mom

To be honest becoming a Self-Taught Bartender was a risk for me, Purple Kissez Kreationz started as a bakery and six months in, I attended a pop up shop and I saw a mobile bar and I decided I wanted to provide my customers with desserts and cocktails. I didn’t drink and didn’t know how to make a cocktail but fast forward now: I have a very successful mobile mix bar, that carry cocktails, desserts, and cannabis, I have taught over 20 other amazing women how to be bartender, being invited to bartend at the hottest spots all over the United States. ALL from taking that big risk early in my career over 6 years ago! Read more>>

Michelle Miller | Photographer & Business Owner

I have never really been a risk taker. Throughout my life I’ve always played it safe, erring on the side of caution. However, I approach risk with a calculated and logical perspective, evaluating potential outcomes before making decisions. Quitting my corporate job in 2021 to pursue photography full-time was a significant risk that shaped both my life and business. It was the beginning of my very exciting journey to becoming the entrepreneur I am today. While I do weigh the pros and cons, my unwavering self-belief and confidence in my capabilities serves as a driving force. This mindset empowers me to embrace challenges, take calculated risks, and continually propel my business forward. Read more>>

Marquies Byrd | Social Worker, Author, Speaker

Taking risk is scary, yet rewarding when the outcome is what you hoped for or close to it. The unknown and unexpected leaves you in a state of vulnerability and makes you feel weak at times. In my life, I’ve had moments of playing it safe and not wanting to take the plunge but my desire for something better and greater often compels me to push through anyway. I’d rather take the chance than berate myself for allowing fears to hold me back. The primary fear that many people have and I have struggled with is how we would be perceived by others. If we could focus on learning from failures and remembering that as long as we have breathe in our bodies we have another opportunity to succeed then more people would take the risk instead of holding back. Read more>>

Zainab Khan | Founder of Studimation & Host of The Zainab Khan Podcast

I approach risk as a catalyst for growth and innovation. The shift to online classes during COVID-19 pandemic prompted me to take a risk and address the challenges my peers faced at that time. I decided to turn those mundane online classes into fun short videos. This marked the beginning of Studimation, an educational YouTube channel aimed at making learning fun and accessible. The creation of the Book Week series added a dynamic element to Studimation. During Book Week, students can connect with authors, explore the world of literature, and gain insights into the creative process behind storytelling. In essence, taking risks has been a guiding principle, allowing me to make a meaningful impact on education, connect with a global audience, and continuously refine my approach. Read more>>

Jermaine Jefferson | TV/Film Actor

I think that calculated risk is necessary for the creative. Calculated risk taking played a huge role when deciding to leave the police department to be an entrepreneur. Read more>>