Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

Almighty Mingo | Social Influencer, Multimedia Producer, Musician, Speaker, and Author.

To me, risks are like jury duty; one day we’ll be called for it. Preparation and calculation have always been my initial priority before taking my leaps of faith. After all, we all take risks, I just chose to prep before that final step. Read more>>

Keshia Walker | Founder, Insights Marketing & BCGA

If you want to be successful in business, you must be willing to take risks. You can cut down on the level of risk you are taking by being prepared. I have taken risks with new activations and on new clients or celebrities that I haven’t worked with but because I do my due diligence in other areas, I am prepared for the risk and on average have endured much more profit than loss. Read more>>

Gabrielle Gay | Globally awarded Education Futurist, Influencer, and Founder of The Erline Bradshaw Foundation

I believe that calculated risk is absolutely incredible and so needed for success. I genuinely took so many risks in my career and I wouldn’t change a thing. For example, our Gabrielle Gay Award for Excellence in Reading and Literacy Mentorship Programme and The Femme Lex Cohort Programme of The Erline Bradshaw Foundation – are the first, largest and most awarded education programmes of their unique kind to come out of the Caribbean Americas. Being the “first” to do something is incredible, but also risky. There is no “blue print”, no guide book on how to begin. But as with all things innovation – it’s key to pray, do the necessary research required, and then take the leap! I genuinely would never have achieved the success I did without taking calculated risks. We all should experience removing ourselves from the mundane comfort zones, even if once. What is one thing that you’ve always desired to do? What hobby, place of travel, or field of study has been relentlessly on your mind for years? I encourage you to try it at least once, you won’t regret it! At the very best : it will be successful, at the very least, you will learn such beautiful, uncomfortable and valuable lessons that will take you wisely through the seas of life. Make a well researched plan. Take the risk. You just might change your life in the best ways ever. Read more>>

B.Tierraa | Artist & Owner of Junomar Multimedia

Taking risks has been an underlying theme in my life career wise. I took a risk leaving the broadcast industry, but that led me to the advertising industry. Then my family and I, took a risk leaving our hometown to pursue new opportunities. I left yet another good corporate career and went full speed into entrepreneurship. It was nearly a year before we landed our first multi-million dollar client. Just take the risk, you have everything to gain. Read more>>

Dot Jayei | Tattoo & Visual Artist

I think that a risk is necessary for growth. One of my favorite sayings is, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” I strive to live every day with this quote at the forefront of my mind because we will literally make it nowhere if we never try. When I find myself feeling stagnant or unchallenged in my career, I will search high and low for an opportunity or cast myself outside of my norm and take the risk to create my own. When I decided t0 become a tattoo artist I was taking a huge risk. I was 17 years old and in undergrad looking to step into a male dominated industry that was lack of female presence. More specifically, lack of the presence of black women. At that time, I was told by countless artist that there was no way I could be in school and complete a tattoo apprenticeship. I decided to take the challenge of doing both regardless of the advice thrust upon me. I took the risk of taking my tattoo education into my own hands. By the time I graduated I found myself in a space where I was able to look at my degree as the fallback plan and pursue my passion of tattooing full-time. I can’t begin to think of where I would be if had let those voices stop me from taking a chance on myself. Read more>>

Jasmine Brooks | Cosmetic Company Owner & Makeup Artist

RISK are essential for growth! RISK are evident movements of Faith, knowing that your dreams will and can come true. Taking risk can lead to success or lessons never failures as you navigate your personal and professional journey. Taking Risk has always been scary but the blessings that have come on the other side has been extremely rewarding. I call myself a risk taker, doing it scared, alone & unsure but still DOING IT! Read more>>

Kristina Guede | CEO – Creative Director – Performing Artist

Oooh fun question! Starting our business, The Off Centered Project, was a risk for my partner, Tony, and I. We both quit our jobs and dove in head first. So I would say we started with risk. Though, in the arts, I feel like every decision we make is a risk. That could also be the imposter syndrome in my artist brain talking. lol. Read more>>

Crystal Perry | Founder | President | CEO

In today’s world, where uncertainty looms large, taking risks is often seen as a daunting prospect. However, it is precisely through these risks that we can uncover new opportunities and make a positive impact on the lives of others. Melanated Pearl Inc’s transition from an Emergency Hotel Placement and Rental Assistance Program to the Cluster Rehousing approach exemplifies the importance of taking risks and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Read more>>

Steve Gustus | Tour Dj

Life is all about taking risks if never take a risk you will never achieve your dreams. I took a risk of leaving a 9 to 5 job and pursuing Djing full time. I think that you can’t get anywhere in life without taking risks. If you are not willing to risk the unusual you will have to settle for the ordinary. I am very passionate about Djing Music is my entire life. So for me to take the risk of Djing full time I knew it would all come together. One of the greatest joys in life is doing what you Love. Living with fear stops us from taking risks. I have been blessed with many opportunities in my Dj Journey and if I did not choose to take a risk on these opportunities I would be stuck in the same position. I made the switch of being a Hip Hop Dj to being a open format Dj meaning that I can play all Genres of music, which has open up many doors for me. Read more>>

Carisa Barry-Pope, PhD | EdGuru COO & International Educator

Taking risks is riskiest when no risks are taken. Although I consider myself reserved and reticent, I am not afraid to sail unchartered waters. I also have faith and trust the I will be led to the right places at the right times. Taking risks brought me to the United Arab Emirates. As a principal in Mississippi, I truly enjoyed my career. However, I knew that I wanted to move. Traveling was a temporary antidote to my itch to move, but each vacation was only an ephemeral remedy. After researching teaching and living abroad in several countries, I decided to move to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Read more>>