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.

Salexia Powell | Licensed Esthetician

I think risk are unavoidable. Risk helps build confidence! By taking risks, you give yourself permission to try things out, to learn, to fail, to grow and to explore. You get to test your limits and go beyond what you believed was possible. Taking risk has played a major role in my life/career because I have the mentality now if I don’t do it now, then when will I? Tomorrow is never promised. Read more>>

G. Allen Battle | Conference Curator, HIV Advocate, & Disruptor

Well, I see risk as commonplace. Every decision poses a risk in one of at least two directions. Once I understood this, I made it easier for me to way my options, study to space and simply flow with the best options available. Every decision is risky. What matters is how we approach said risks. Read more>>

Rachel, Breanna Centanni, Piispanen | Esthetician

Risk is often necessary for growth. As long as you aren’t hurting others or yourself, taking a risk could be the most pivotal point of your life. Leaving a full time steady job to start a small business together was the biggest risk we have ever taken. Read more>>

Jocelyn Wiltshire | Owner and Lead Designer

Taking risks is a major part of our business. The greater the risk, the bigger the reward. In our professional opinion, go big or go home! Read more>>

D.O.L.O. | Lyricist & Label Owner

Risk…Hmm. Over time I would say not being more eager to take risk earlier on in life has led me to miss out on certain opportunities. I never was scared to challenge myself, but I would always move toward something guaranteed or had a proven route to success. Read more>>

Shana Williams Vernon Thomas | Executive Coordinator & Rental Specialist

We think of risk as a paradigm of duality- Possibility vs. Peril, Courage vs. Fear. So, for us, it was really a question of whether we wanted to take the path of possibility and courage with endless opportunities or take the path of peril and fear with complacency. We chose the path of possibility and courage. Many call it, “Taking a leap of faith”. Read more>>

Miranda Barney | Tax Accountant & CEO

Risk is a danger, chance or a feeling of uncertainty, something that can cause harm. When I take risk, it is normally a calculated risk however I have taken risks on impulse. In my life sometimes I make impulse decisions, which can be a risk. I have learned to that using a more calculated risk has been more beneficial to my career and life experiences. Read more>>

Tyriq Glover | FOH Engineer & Video Director CEO of Love Yours Productions

Risk taking has played a Huge role in my life and career as a whole. Im a strong believer in. If you don’t try you won’t get anywhere. To make a long story short I left college after my freshmen year because of student loans and knowing that I really didn’t need school to be successful. Read more>>

Dominique | Entrepreneur

If you think about it, we risk our lives everyday in some capacity and the level of risk we take is a direct reflection of our courage. When it comes to entrepreneurship, I do not view risk any differently. Business requires taking calculated risks to progress, and sometimes the risks pay off and other times failure greets you as swiftly as you take your next breath. It is the cost of doing business. Read more>>

Erin Preston | Student, Athlete, Teeth Whitening Specialist, Pending Real Estate Agent

Personally, I believe the overall concept of “risk taking” is amazing. Most people have this mindset of thinking taking a risk would lead to a negative outcome. Or even a positive one, when it’s neither! Taking a risk will NEVER determine the success of a persons future/career. Read more>>

Majay Lewandowski- Mista @Majaydacoolkid | Public Figure , Actor , Model , Event host and Male Musicvideo Vixen

Risk taking played a major role in my life and career . I took a big risk and step in faith when i moved to usa by myself when I was 20 years old . I had no real plan just a vision and 700$ in my pocket . Fast Forward to now Im living my dream . Read more>>

Meghan Basinger | Founder + CEO | Stevie Collective Interiors

If you asked me this question 10 years ago I’d say I was very risk-adverse in business. I was comfortable in a corporate setting as everyone’s go-to project manager. I got things done. I wasn’t the “big idea” person, I was the executer.  Read more>>

Oscar Torre | Actor (The Haves & The Have Nots , The Hangover III), Director (Pretty Rosebud, Just a Man &a Woman)

Taking risks is essential to being able to succeed in life. The first risk I took towards my dream of being an actor was quitting my job as a substance abuse counselor to pursue acting. I needed to move away from my safety net.              I love the quote, “Jump and the net will appear.” Read more>>

Talivia Sallee | Nail Artist

Being that I was an individual who was extremely introverted and not a risk taker at all, I personally believe being a risk taker is extremely essential. If you think about life, you’ll notice that change is inevitable. We must make decisions in life that may make us uncomfortable but the outcome is always for the greater good. Read more>>

Laura Camacho | Athens Tango Project’s Musical Director

My relationship with risk taking has always been of acceptance.  The fact is that it came with the territory every time I had to follow my own career path.  I didn’t want the risk, but it has always been the pesky little brother of the type of growth I seem to need. A large part of me continues to crave stability and security, and in the past, I postponed changes several times due to fear. Read more>>