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.

Averie Jones

I look at risk as the path between potential and opportunity. It’s said that potential is about tomorrow while opportunity is about today. It’s easy to sit and dream of tomorrow while letting that potential and passion fester inside of you, growing stronger and stronger, waiting to be presented with an opportunity to showcase it. I think risk is the creation of your desired opportunity, as opposed to just waiting and hoping for any opportunity to come. Read more >>

Reckless Richiee

In my career risk taking is the most important factor . Reason being is because I learned quickly risk make you rich . Risk taking to me is honestly believing in yourself/your craft . In this world someone can only tell you yes or no but you will never know the answer unless you take the risk ! I personally put it all on the line every time I put words on a beat because the beat is already fire but now it’s up to me to make it even better ! Read more >>

Katie Mulberry

The biggest risks that I have ever had to take was leaving my stable well paying office job to pursue a career within the entertainment Industry. Read more >>

Jodi Gremminger

You simply cannot pursue a career in this industry without taking risks. Many people often don’t pursue their dreams because of the risk that they have to take to get them there. Personally, I would rather take that risk then spend the rest of my life wondering what could’ve been. Read more >>

Matthew Ramessar

I feel risks are just a part of life. You can’t necessarily grow and learn without taking that big risk. As far as my life/career, I wouldn’t be where I am without going to that studio session, without spending as much money as I did on equipment, and so on. Read more >>

Jessica Senquiz

If you’re marginalized, it’s okay to carve unconventional paths for yourself; sometimes this can be risky. I worked really hard to get to Boston University on a full ride scholarship coming from poverty. When I got there, I had to level the playing ground; more than 10% of the student body came from the top 1% in America. I thought I knew what wealthy was, but I had no clue. Read more >>

Kent Shelby II

I think about risks as opportunities to grow and get out your comfort zone! People hesitate on risks because there is no guarantee on the reward of the risks. The role risk taking has played on my life/career has got me out of my comfort zone in many ways! It made me look at things from a different perspective and also help me build that fearlessness from With to get things done Read more >>

Tomica Brown

Great question! I think that calculated risks are necessary for continued forward progression and growth. Smart risk-taking has played a significant role in shaping my experiences and outcomes. I have been a Physical Therapist since 2006 and I loved helping people regain their function to perform gross motor skills and be independent again. Read more >>

Lindsay Frame Buss

Leaping into uncertainty is a powerful and necessary part of the Creative Process. As a storyteller, coach, and human who sees her life as an artistic unfolding of relationship, action, surrender and love, understanding the nature of risk is primary. For decades I lived with a profound aversion to mistake-making, believing that the only alternative to doing things “right” was doing things “wrong”. This binary held me back from so much discovery, adventure, community and, ultimately, the brilliance of self-transformation. Read more >>