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.

Aisha Midgett | Entrepreneur & Social Worker

Life has taught me that with risks comes great rewards or either lessons. Whenever I take a risk, I know that I’m either going to accomplish something or grow from something. And, when I think about my life/career, I am reminded that the times that I was my happiest and proudest was when I stepped outside of my comfort zone and took a risk on something that I either wanted or needed to do! House of B&J Collection and my 15+ years in the field of social work are the perfect example of beautiful risks. Read more>>

Lauren Glover | Nurse and Artist

For me, taking a risk in life is a way of exhibiting your faith in God. I came up with a term back in my college days called ‘Fleaps’. Fleaps stands for faith leaps. Fleaps enables you to open up opportunities where you can learn, grow, and become more of whom you are truly meant to be. Any risk can have good and not so feel good consequences, but I am a strong believer that there is a reason for everything. I am a introvert at heart, but I love to create and give to others. Read more>>

Aisha Davis | 501c3 Founder, A Cup of Tea with A Black Woman ; Microsoft DigiGirlz Board Member & Account Executive Higher EDU Midwest | Customer Success Subject Matter Expert | Cloud enthusiast | #BlackWomanInTech

I always had faith and as the scriptures say, “Faith without works, is dead”. In my career, as I have navigated new opportunities and even in day to day, critical situations. I have had to lean on my faith and then act, taking that risk! I tend to run towards things, that aren’t the norm and I like to walk into my fear, to overcome it. I have followed the path less taken and I’m grateful for it. Read more>>

Carylon Cooper | Mother to 3 wonderful children and 15 grandchildren, former fitness industry leader and marathon runner.

The first risk is staring at a vacantly white canvas. Problem solved by picking up a piece graphite and mark making with broad spontaneous unthought movements. There, not scary anymore! Every piece of art makes me vulnerable. Never quite knowing if my heart is too exposed. It’s high risk to abstain from people pleasing to authentic work. Read more>>

Cristine Tindall | Café Owner

Taking risks are necessary and they can be scary. However, I prefer to take the calculated risk over the high payoff risk. Assuming some risk has played a significant part throughout my life. I have moved several times in search for the all allusive answer, what I want to be when I grow up. I have worked fulltime for the government (civilian and military) for most of my adult life. I have purchased homes in two different states and deployed to a combat zone two times. Read more>>

Andrea Michelle | Model and stylist

Risk are hella scary. Period! But I will say that they are necessary because without them we can never really see what we are truly made of. When I moved to Los Angeles at  (insert age lol) I was winging it and following the dream of wanting more for my life and to experience new things. I learned [insert your words] and more importantly I got to see the risk actually pay off. Read more>>