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.

Teayanni Ross | CEO Crown Collection Hair

Let me just say this, I am a risk taker, a daredevil lol. My dad always tell me “nothing beats a failure but to try.” When it comes to risk taking I think “the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.” Read more>>

Taylor Bell | Hollyhood Tay Realtor and Rapper

I feel like we need to take risk to elevate. I myself have had my best accomplishments when I took my biggest risk. About two years ago I was working my 9-5 in Pennsylvania and I had this tug on my soul to quit my job and relocate to Atlanta. Read more>>

Wendy Oliver | Permanent Makeup Artist & Registered Nurse

In my life, CALCULATED risk taking has always been a key to my success. It’s quite ironic because when I think about my personality I would never label myself as a “risk taker”, but looking over my life I have always done things where I couldn’t necessarily see the end, but trusted my gut. Read more>>

Braxton DeJohn | Creative Director & Wardrobe Stylist

I think risk taking is very important in any career and in your life overall. I believe when you have a strong passion behind something than it’s important that you take a risk to get to the next level that you are aiming to reach. There is always a lesson in the risk that you’re taking but that risk will open up doors and opportunities for you to grow. Read more>>

Coco Michelle | Public Relations Agency

What do I think about risk? Take them. Each time. 9 times out of 10 you know one pathway but what happens when you take the risk? So take it! Read more>>

Samantha Ward | Creater

I think risk taking is playing a huge role in my life/career because I am making sure each day I’m fearless. Risk taking/ fearlessness is asking questions and asking to meet with individuals that I feel can help my brand grow. Read more>>

Devonte Longmire | Creative director/ photographer/ videographer

I usually try to take my time and think before going with a move Risk taking has played an important role in my life. I feel like you have to take chances in this industry to get where you want to be. It’ll be worth it in the long run it’s a good feeling knowing you took a chance and it was worth it Read more>>

Crystal Smith | CEO & Designer

I think risk have the potential to be a great opportunity to explore the unknown. If you never take any risk, then you’ll never know the outcome of certain situations and or opportunities. Without risk there is no reward, I heard in a song that “chances make champions”. Read more>>

Omar Derby | Filmmaker & Director

The reward needs to be big enough and line up with my goals. Once it does, I go all in! Even if it doesn’t work out exactly, I’m still gaining something along the loss. Read more>>

Nichole & Meredith Thompson, Lilly | Founder & Co- Owner, Co Owner

As it relates to doing business in another country, this was a “high stakes” risk for owners, Nichole & Meredith however both fully believe in being driven by “what they see versus what they feel.” They saw themselves changing the narrative as it relates to handbags and leather goods. You dont commonly hear ” Made in Africa” and we wanted to make this a norm, risky…very much so, but a risk we are willing to take over and over again. Read more>>

Erica Benefield | Comedian

Risk has played a huge part in my life and my career. Going from a stable, safe corporate career to comedy is a risk. I have a family. Other people that I love more than life rely on my ability to earn money. Read more>>

Annette Hammons | Restaurateur and Ceo

Risks, with hindsight now in foresight, have been my saving grace. From the day I decided, to take the path that would eventually lead me here. I took the risk to return to school to get the career I needed. Read more>>

David A. Kelly | Author (or Author of the Ballpark Mysteries series)

I don’t love risk, but I take risks all the time in my professional and artistic career. Starting my Ballpark Mysteries series of children’s books in which my main characters Kate and Mike solve mysteries in different Major League stadiums was a hug risk for me because I’d never a book before, I hadn’t gone to school for writing, and I never considered myself very imaginative. Read more>>

Veeta Dinkins | US Army Combat Veteran & Certified Nutritionist

I think about taking risks as THE ONLY way to succeed at anything in life. How will I know if it will or won’t work if I don’t jump out there and do it? Is it scary? Heck yea? But it is also fun. What if my risks pay off? Then it is time to take another, another, and another…etc. Read more>>

star diartiss | recording artist

The way I view risk is as a necessity. Fear of risk – of the unknown, can only lead to complacency. That doesn’t fit into my ideals regarding life. I choose to go after what I want unapologetically, and that often gives me my competitive edge. Read more>>