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.

Benson Dirosier | beniano beats

Risk taking to me is the succuss ingredient between the start of your journey and your destination. It was the beginning of 2016 when I decided to move from Miami, Florida to Atlanta to venture my music production career. Read more>> 

Tamara Mckinney | Seamstress, Fashion Designer & Educator

I think of risk-taking like getting into a pool instead of dipping my toe in to feel how cold it is and around the cold to consume me I jump into it and that way my whole body emerges and there’s no afterthought. Read more>>

Synethea Hunter | Realtor & Motivational Speaker

No Risk, No Reward. Life is all about taking risks. You can never be 100% certain about anything in life, which is why you have to be willing to take risks with the hope of getting the best outcome. Read more>>

Sylvia Alvarez | Holy Spirit-led Kingdom Leadership Coach

If you’d asked me this question 10 years ago, I would have said I’m not a big risk taker. However, looking at back at my life prior to becoming a born-again Christ follower, I can see I took a ton of risks personally and played it safe professionally. The risks I used to take were the wrong kind and I paid for those, as did my kids. Read more>>

Vania Evangelique | Visual Explorer

Ah such a beautiful question, as I’ve grown in my own journey–and subsequently in my artistic practice–I’ve learned to continue to welcome risk with open arms.  Read more>>

Terrence Antoine | Natural hair Specialist.

lady named Shae that I began living my life for real. She dared me to do some crazy things, but I always saw it through. She permitted me to take risks without potentially being judged for them. Read more>>

Elo Wobig | Fine Art Painter, Retired Physician

Stepping out to declare myself the artist was probably the biggest risk. Like others, I struggled with legitimacy, whether I was good enough to call myself “an artist.” I made the call when people wanted to pay me to for my work in 2018. Since then it the risks I have taken been small in comparison to my first career as an emergency physician. Read more>>

Anthony Edwards | Podcast host and purpose speaker

Risk. O man that’s a scary word, it can be bad or good. Risk is necessary in improving yourself and also going for what you want in this life. Risk was something that I was very averse to, because I didn’t believe in myself back then. Read more>>

Zoe (Yu) Cui | Graphic Designer

In my world, risks represent new opportunities. Just like the two sides of a coin, risks often come with the possibility of breakthroughs, and my guiding principle of life is to always choose the unexplored platforms within my capabilities, rather than the easiest or most stable ones. Read more>>    

John Wannamaker | President of 8Thirty Electric, Inc.

Everything in life is a risk; driving, walking down the street, cooking, riding a bike, shopping in a store, or sitting on a park bench. If we focus on what could go wrong, we give life to that thought, but if we stay focused on the goal, we can usually attain what we are looking for. Read more>>

Kunaal Khilnani | AI Product Manager

In my opinion, risk and success go hand-in-hand, a belief that has been shaped by both my personal journey and professional experiences. To me, taking risks involves making strategic decisions that push the boundaries of what’s comfortable, in pursuit of transformative achievements. Read more>>

Brianna Sealey | Production Designer & Carpenter

As a black millennial working as a creative, I take risks every day. I feel that I have to take some risks to get where I want to be in life. I know it doesn’t make sense to my family, who chose a more traditional lifestyle or rode to success. Read more>>

Joseph Eid | Folk Pop Artist

It’s mandatory. When it comes to being an artist, everything is a risk. Every time you share something, post something, write something, there is a risk that it might not be received like you expect and desire. Every time you invest in your career, an album, etc.. you don’t know if that investment will pay you back. Read more>>

Chohyun Kim | Interior Designer

I lived in Korea for 23 years, and then I came to the United States to study interior design. It was a wonderful opportunity for me, but at the same time, it was a challenging endeavor with risks. Read more>> 

Ahndea May | CEO KW Peachtree Road, Founder Elevate Branding Agency, Superpower mom of 5

Taking a risk is the decision to bet on you. It doesn’t have to be something huge like a roll of the dice that will either double your money or lose it all in an instant. A risk can be as simple as the choice to take action. Read more>>

Shaya B. | Entrepreneur

No risk no reward is my philosophy…aka scared “money” don’t make no money. I have to try new things and strategies because you never know what will take off these days and somebody has to be the brave person for my brand and what I’m building. Same with life. Read more>> 

Will Flash | Musician & Actor

Personally I feel like the word ‘risk’ comes with a negative connotation. Usually people associate risk with loss like “oh, I’m willing to risk this for that”. When you look at the bigger picture, ‘risk’s’ are really Faith moves. Read more>>

Caleb Burch | Artist / Event Coordinator

I think about risk like something us as creatives or entrepreneurs need in order to be fulfilled and reach the happiness we desire, i feel like for most risk is part of what got us on the path we’re on! Read more>>

Jackie Williams | Co-Owner, Furnish Me Vintage

Staring a business is a huge risk. You’re pretty much going in, “all or nothing”. It sounds scary, but my husband Todd and I love a good challenge. Life can get a bit boring otherwise. “All or nothing” means you HAVE to make it work. We don’t like to loose. Read more>>