Are you a risk taker?  Do you think you have a stronger appetite for risk relative to your friends and family?  We asked some folks from the community about their approaches to risk and have shared their thoughts below.

Ayanna Scroggins | Recording Artist/ Singer-Songwriter

I believe in the concept of ‘ high risk, high reward.’ I have spent the majority of my life observing and researching the greats before me, concerning my career path as a musician; and they all have at least one thing in common, risk! When you take risks, at any level, you’re betting on yourself. Before you can expect anyone to invest in you or your vision, you have to be willing to make that same sacrifice. This has certainly played out in my life. Read more>>

Anisa Mahdi | Owner of Nourished by Anisa

I believe the ability to take risk is essential for any form of success. Whether it is in personal relationships or business. I firmly believe in a certain level of calculated risk. By asking a few questions: Is this right for me? Is this in alignment with my chosen life path? Will I be happy with the end result of my choice? What can I learn from this no matter than outcome? Take the time to determine what is needed for the outcome you would like, then move. Read more>>

Leah Matthews | Dance Business Owner + Consultant

Risk is something that I embrace head-on. I think anyone who is an entrepreneur has to have a certain level of comfort with risk. All you have to do is look at the statistics of how many businesses fail to know that business ownership isn’t easy, nor is it guaranteed. For me, it all comes down to calculated risks and what I can draw from the information at hand, but it also comes down to instinct. Listening to my gut usually doesn’t steer me wrong. Read more>>

Nancy Hilliard Joyce | Visual Artist

I’ve made a lot of mistakes. But, I have found over the years that the more risks I am willing to take, the more opportunities arise. I chronicled about these mistakes, risks, and opportunities in a short memoir that I self-published in 2018. A short excerpt from my book, The Education of Little Me, explains a little bit about how making mistakes and taking risks allows us to grow: “While in Cambodia, I learned the story of the lotus flower. The flower begins its life at the bottom of a muddy, dark, lifeless swamp-like environment. Read more>>

Roshedia Armour | Master International Makeup Professional

My take on risk is by any means necessary! I have taken risks all my life. I am a person who has a disability. I will not let my disability define who I am! I want to be successful so I take risks everyday by doing what I need to do to reach my goals in life. I struggle everyday I wake up but I push through with ambition and determination. I will beat the odds! Giving up is not an option for me! Pray Until Something Happens has always been my motto! Read more>>

Sandra Mack-Valencia | Visual Artist

Even though we have heard that it is easy to “play it safe”, I actually believe that it is more difficult to stick to the norm if you know in your heart that you should be doing something different. To fight your own passion is way more painful than to go for it. There are two big risks I have taken in my life, and that I am grateful I did. The first one was when I decided to quit my engineering studies and pursue my art career. Read more>>

Tasha Hussey | Entreprenuer

I am a huge risk taker when it comes to my career. My career is always a reflection of what is happening in my personal life. I had a clothing line when I was young and stunting was important. When I got married and started a family I designed and made home furnishings. In my forties I started my jewelry collection as I wasn’t buying much clothing anymore, just reworking what I have with accessories. Read more>>

Kelley Buttrick | Voiceover Talent

Look before you leap. Yep, it’s a cliche, but a good one. I’ve taken many risks in my voiceover business, some soared and others flopped. Cheesy as it may be to say, I’ve learned from each of those risks. Lesson 1-Explore: Write down all of the possible outcomes from taking this risk, good and bad, realistic and farfetched. Dig deep and get them all down. Take a couple of days, then go back and read the list. Do the goods outweigh the bads? How likely is each outcome? Read more>>