We asked some brilliant folks from the community to talk to us about how they think about risk and the role risk has played in their lives and careers.

Dawn Hull | Founder

Taking risks has played a crucial role in shaping my professional career and personal growth. It has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of trusting my instincts. I often view risk as an opportunity for growth and innovation. Each of my entrepreneurial ventures, from OliverAlert to aKeKee to CandlestickCoasters, involved taking risks and stepping into the unknown. Read more>>

birdfoot brown | Writer, Photographer, Filmmaker & Spirit Expressionist

Risk is the act of taking a chance. Venturing into the unknown with hopes of something beneficial on the other side. To be an artist, and to make a living as an artist, is to live a life of constant risk. Risk lives in our bodies; our bodies push us toward it. Read more>>

Victor Collins | Business Owner

When I think of risk, I think about how attached or detached I can be with things. And honestly, the practice of being detached has helped me explore more and take more risk in life because I don’t think about what I can lose or come from a scarcity mindset. As a result, I feel comfortable with adventure, with meeting new people and going new places. Read more>>

Roji Aldashi | CEO of Better Tomorrow Solar

I’m an early adopter of risk. Moving to this country in 1986 was challenging, but I overcame it and more. In business, Georgia is one of the toughest states for solar and renewables. Investing our life savings was risky, but we knew it was essential, and we have never looked back. No pain, no gain! Read more>>

Shaé James | Video Editor

Risk has always been a concept I approached with caution. Naturally inclined towards routines and the comfort they bring, I found safety and security in the predictable. However, 2024 marked a significant shift in my perspective. Read more>>

Tim Jones | Multi-Media Storyteller

When it comes to risk, I see it as an opportunity to exceed the limits I’ve set for myself. Yes, risks can be scary, but I feel like it’s just a part of life. Originally, I aimed to start my career in filmmaking and on-set work, but nowadays, most of the opportunities I receive involve other creative tasks like photoshoots, web design, 3-D visuals, editing and shooting vlogs, capturing footage and taking event photography. Read more>> 

Khae McLean | Creative/Artist

You can’t live comfortably without taking risk! I believe that is a ma hot key in life. Even though it is a scary thought, living with the what if’s can be even scarier. A lot of major companies started off as just an idea and the risk of going for it. If it wasn’t for me taking that leap i wouldn’t have created a company that has helped so many people feel comfortable in their skin! Read more>> 

Rayy Blank | Music Artist

Everything I’ve done in my career required taking risks. I’ve been broke plenty of times from taking the risks necessary and everything has been impactful upon my career in making music. You can’t be afraid to make something from nothing when it comes to making music and everything about making music is risk taking. Read more>>

Christy Baker Knight | Naturalist Artist, Educator & Writer

To be honest, answering this question is a bit of a risk. Instead of painting a pretty picture, I’ve learned that art can save you. The creative processes I’ve held dear my whole life were put to the test last fall when I was stuck alone in Milan, Italy, for a month while my late husband underwent (then) life-saving surgery and hospitalization after a terrifying vacation start. Read more>>

Mikhayla Smith | Poet Laureate and Author

I have never considered myself to be a risk taker, but have come to realize that in everything we do there is risk involved. You just have to make it count. Before I became the poet laureate, I went through a period of what felt like sheer rejection. Read more>>

Positive B White | Author, Motivational Speaker, Entreprenuer, Businessman,

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I think for me the decision to trust GOD and have faith was a real turning point for me. Taking calculated risk can be quite beneficial as long as your chasing your dreams. Read more>>

Heaven Hightower | Foundation of a organization

I have a mile disability , even through my challenges I took a risk in school by making honor roll all through my 12 years of school and then in high school I made all A’s my four years of high school and graduated top of my class by being determined and working hard for what I wanted in life. Read more>>

Lashonda Johnson | Modern/Contemporary Choreographer, Dance Artist, and Teacher

I thinks risks are good! Risks can be good for the soul, your career, and your personal relationships. However, I believe risks can and should look different for everyone. For me, taking a risk means making a decision that energetically feels good to me without thinking about it for too long. For others, a risk could be the complete opposite. Read more>>

Anita Robertson Peters | Real Estate Broker and Owner

Without risks, there are no rewards. Taking risks has allowed me to put my family in a position to have generational wealth. 24 years ago when I quit a job cold Turkey it allowed me to become a female entrepreneur and role model to many. Read more>>

Demetrius Williams | Designer and Creative Director

I think of a risk as an opportunity, a choice. I can either choose to never believe in myself, never see if I have what it takes to become successful or I can choose to play it safe. With risks comes repercussions or rewards, how you navigate those risks determines the outcome. Read more>>

Cashmere Carter | Curators of Sensuality & Facilitator of Holistic Health

Taking risks is akin to trusting your intuition and placing faith in something greater, whether it’s seen as trusting in oneself or in a higher power. When you embark on risks, you’re not just testing your boundaries but also your belief in the world’s potential. Read more>>

Valencia Ray | Beauty & Bridal/Fashion Model

From the outset, l’ve always been resolute about the goals l’ve set for myself in life, steadfast in my commitment to pursue them despite the challenges along the way. Confidence and dedication have been constants in my journey. However, as a freelance model, navigating the risks of budgeting and investment can be intimidating and most times overwhelming. Read more>>

James Floyd | Owner of Krave Imagery LLC

I’ve been taking risk for years now and without doing so I wouldn’t be where I am today. In order to reach new heights taking risk, & being extremely uncomfortable is just apart of the process. Taking a risk led to one of our biggest decisions which was leaving our home town to move here to Atlanta. Read more>>

Durand Rougeaux | Artist and Model

Honestly I feel like we take risks every single day. Some more than others but at the end of it all your either going to let “risk” stop you from achieving your goal/goals or your going to run straight through that barrier of fear and either preserver or fail and start back over. Risk has been the highlight of my life and what I’m trying to do. Read more>>

Frances Bailey

What others see as a risk, I see as faith. Often times when we hear the word risk, its send some into a place of fear. However, I changed my perspective and realized that risk can be a way of pushing complacency out of the way. We have to do what we haven’t done to get what we don’t have. Old keys wont open new doors. Read more>>

Graham Farrar | Sport Photographer & Videographer

Thinking about risk is hard, I believe that it’s all a mental battle with taking risk. Taking risk is one of the hardest things to do as a business owner, It can completely change your life, but taking risk is an adventure in disguise. Taking risk has affected me and my business because it’s helped change how I view photography, like taking a risk and traveling to other state to shoot clients. Read more>>