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.

Weldon Brown Jr. aka Mr.Krush | Self taught Baker turned painter 🖌

I realize now that I never took risks, but chose to stay on the sidelines and just go to work, mind my business and pay my taxes. Now I understand that life will pull you onto the floor to dance or pass you by. I didn’t know embracing change was a necessary part of the process for new connections and learning. Thinking differently about approaching the unfamiliar has opened countless doors for me in the last twelve months alone. Which includes this interview with shout out, iam finally understanding some of the laws of the universe. Now I awake with new expectations and gratitude,which I’ve also learned is an important factor and duty of mine. Read more>>

Alphonso Heyward | Entrepreneur

I Feel Like Everyday In Life We Taking Risk, Can’t be Afraid To Failure, During The pandemic I Started Investing In The Stock Market Knowing The economy Is struggling, which the risk became high reward, And also put God first in everything I did, I end up getting my house built for the first time, current and generation of wealth for my daughter and family, and also investing to myself for my Acting,Directing,creating content and help started a production company with Curstin Andrew 2gwsproductions. Read more>>

Nicole Blake-Baxter | Managing Director & Founder of The Blake Agency

By default, I tend to be more cautious and less inclined to take risks compared to most people I know. However, starting a business marked one of the most significant risks in both my life and career. In my late 20s, I crafted a promising career path at a reputable PR agency, leading campaigns for some of the largest nonprofit organizations and retailers. Yet, it was unfulfilling, and the entrepreneurial spirit within me knew it was time to seek a new direction. Read more>>

Charntae Freeman | Professional dancer & Choreographer

I enjoy taking risks, risk taking is what got me where i am today . I have a hard time making life changing decisions which leads me to self doubt . 10 times out of 9 you probably wouldn’t have even heard the name tae ivory with out me taking the risks that i have . Read more>>

Lydia Troupe | Just a girl that finds bliss in the small things

I think about risks as expansion. Everyone has their own boundaries and limitations. Every time you try something new, attempt a new skill, or meet someone new there’s the probability of failure, but- there is also the probability of succeeding at a new skill, and growing a new relationship. At just 22, I’d say practice the skill of risk taking, it will be the difference between the dreamers and those that live happy. At 17 I wrote a quote after a lesson I learned, ” A second of embarrassment or failure is better than a lifetime of regret”. I live by this and I can say if I died today I wouldn’t have any regrets… truly. The more you risk, the more you expand your boundaries and limitations for growth within life and yourself. Read more>>

STEEZO™️ Trammell | Recording Artist & Inventor of TittyTape

Risk Taking: I’m always willing to take risks in my life because you never know what’s possible until you try. All of the greatest things in life are right on the other side of fear. Read more>>

Nasser & Aysha Nammari & Abdullatif | Nasser: Franchisee & VP of Operations; Aysha: Franchisee & VP of Marketing

Nasser’s remarkable journey defies the notion of risk aversion, showcasing a profound willingness to embrace uncertainty. From living in nine countries and various U.S. cities, his global odyssey reflects a rare adventure that shapes a unique perspective. With over 16 years in hospitality, managing operations for prestigious hotels like The Westin and Hilton, Nasser establishes a solid foundation in leadership. His daring pivot to the tech world, engaging with industry giants like Amazon, Grove, and Warner Media, showcases adaptability. Venturing into entrepreneurship marks a new milestone, a culmination of varied experiences, skills, and an unwavering belief in embracing uncertainty for growth and success. Read more>>

DJ Savant | Mobile DJ & Creative Stoker

Taking risks, for me, is like this. Imagine you’ve been walking on a well-lit path that most people walk on but then acting on the urge to walk off into a path that you can’t see that has no light. All because you feel something calling you. In July 2023, I had that gravitational pull away from my norm, my comfort zone, and towards that unknown direction by quitting my job with just a two-week notice and a handful of booked gigs. It was a moment filled with all kinds of emotions. The excitement of “I’M REALLY DOING THIS!” The Focus and determination to pull it off. And the fear of failing and having something in my home, with my wife and son, turned off! AND THEN especially coming right after eye surgery and joining team Dirty 30! It’s been a whirlwind of a year, but I’m still flying high even though I am just getting the hang of this. While I’ve always lived with no regrets and embraced each failure as a lesson, this leap was a game-changer. “Regret Nothing; Learn From Everything.” That was even my yearbook quote! Haha! Read more>>

Tay Walker | The Ganja Diva

I have always considered myself a big risk taker, but I never thought my risk would lead me to the marijuana industry. The medical industry held a special place in my heart and became a path I knew I wanted to follow even in my youth. I believe the character, Dr. Huxtable from The Cosby Show jump-started my desire to explore medicine and healthcare. I attended Xavier University of Louisiana, which was & still is the number one HBCU to produce Black doctors. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology Premed and Chemistry. Instead of going to medical school, I dove into the chemistry aspect of my degree and began working as a Chemist. I was working for a huge Fortune 500 company when I started longing to actually make a difference in this world. I saw how the addiction to prescription drugs was overwhelming our communities, so I wanted to be able to heal people more naturally. This led to the birth of Ganja Diva. This was the biggest risk I had ever taken since marijuana was still a big taboo, but it paid off once I started getting flooded with cancer and chronically ill patients thanking me for my products. I was truly making a difference. Read more>>

Skai Hye | Music Artist

Honestly, the whole music industry is a big risk taking test lol. You have to trust and believe in your music so much that you’re willing to put yourself through a continuous cycle of unguarded risks every day. It’s really madness lol, but it’s also very beautiful! With no guaranteed success, a big part of having a music career is simply for the outlet and enjoyment. I think anytime the enjoyment of something outweighs your personal fear of risk (for instance skydiving), you’re speaking to something bigger inside and that makes it worth it! Consider what’s the worst that could happen, what is failure to you? Failure to me is giving up before giving it my all. I just know at the end of my life I’d rather look back and think “I’m glad I did that” versus “I wish I’d done that”, and if it falls in the latter then (after weighing it out) I’m taking the risk! Read more>>

Israela De Guzman | Videographer/Photographer

I’d say I’m very open to risk, I fear challenges yet love facing them at times just to prove to myself that there’s nothing to fear regardless of the outcome. I started an eyebrow business before my videography one. I paid a lot of money for it, took the class, bought extra equipment and supplies, got clients, did it for a couple months and decided to stop because I realized I wasn’t passionate about it and instead was just doing it to make passive income. After that, I spent a couple thousand dollars on nail supplies from every website possible and did one set and thought to myself I didn’t want to do that either. Everything I’ve done up until the point of realizing what I truly wanted to do, was a risk. Every step. But with the business I have now, I have always thought of and even talked about starting a videography business but only to a few people. I kept hearing the advice of just starting something even if you may not have everything in order yet. If you start something and fail, then you’ll know sooner than later and possibly move on to the next thing but if you’ve been thinking about doing something for a while and end up never doing it, I feel like that’s an even bigger risk you’re taking that you will just continue to wonder what could’ve been. So when I started doing videography, I didn’t have the best equipment or editing software, but I knew that I just wanted to start. When you’re a beginner at something, there’s always room to progress and grow and since I’ve started, I’ve learned so much from so many people I’ve met and collaborated with and I love that feeling so much. I admire the feeling of being teachable because we just have to be. Taking risks is the only way to live, it’s basically what life is about. Read more>>

Bronwyn Morgan | Drone Tech Founder + Drone Pilot + Meditation Coach

Embracing risk is an often overlooked and powerful aspect of life. Throughout my career, I’ve willingly taken on various risks, such as departing from the corporate world and venturing into entrepreneurship within a field I was passionate about, despite its steep learning curve. The truth is, unless we take risks, we’ll never fully grasp our potential. When the desire for change tugs at our hearts, it’s crucial to approach it with a strategic mindset, incorporating calculated risks into our plans, ensuring a safety net, and moving forward with unwavering determination. Read more>>