Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Susan Soulard | Business Leader in Food & Health

I have always had a wild side but the older I get I take more calculated risks. In my 20’s I was moving carefree from country to country based on where I was offered a position as a commercially trained Chef and some of these were London, French ski resorts, or Monaco on the French Riviera. By taking risks, I was fortunate to have an incredible culinary journey and make some great friends during this typical rite of passage for young adults. Read more>>

Sofiya Derehuz | Esthetician, Owner of Eleganza Boutique.

I had found that taking risks goes hand in hand with starting your own business and manifesting the life you want to lead. I’d consider myself an active un-calculated risk taker. The largest and most positive shifts in my life have always come from taking a big leap and not always knowing where I’m going to land. I’ve learned throughout the years to rely heavily on my intuition towards any decision I make.. But grant myself some grace and empathy when it turns out differently than I expected or hoped for. For me risk taking represents limitless potential and possibility. Read more>>

Jalyn Rangel | Martial Arts Business Owner

Risk is necessary to gain any real amount of success. Starting a business is risky, you are investing your time and money into something that could fail. You are giving up your comfort (free time, less stress, consistent income) in the present to hopefully live a very comfortable life down the road. You’re risking your present for your future. Read more>>

Das Fuerst | Street Artist, Visual Effects Compositor, Award Winning Filmmaker

There was a point in my life when I was younger when taking risks got me into a lot of trouble. I’ve always been a rebel by nature, but I found out that you can’t just keep flipping the game table over and expect things to work out all the time. It took me a while to figure out that taking risks means knowing when to walk away when gravity tries to pull you in – and the inverse, committing to something when nature tries to pull you away. I’ve always tried to lean into the uncomfortable decisions because those are the ones that make life worth living. The inspiration I have as an artist depends on my life experiences 1000%. If my life is stale, then so consequentially my mind and art suffers. Some might say, “what if it doesn’t work out?” Read more>>

Katie Stevens | The Messy Artist

I spent years contemplating if I should start making a career out of my art. Fear and risk go hand and hand and it wasn’t until I was hit with a sign that I decided to take a chance. I was reading one of my late father’s journals. I do this every so often to feel closer to him and find answers to questions he can no longer answer. I randomly opened the journal to a page and the first thing I saw in his scribbled writing is “take a chance”. I don’t know what exactly about those words change my whole mindset but suddenly everything made so much sense. Read more>>

English Epps | Personal Chef, Caterer, Culinary instructor & Menu Curator

I believe without risk there is no progression and/or reward. As far as food goes I have based my entire career using risk. Putting food items that don’t traditionally go together. Using techniques and preparations that seem taboo or risky to others. I feel taking risk is truly the only way to be innovative and that is what I constantly push myself to do. Take risk be an innovator. Read more>>

Deanndra Ross | Entrepreneur

I think risk-taking is a huge part of entrepreneurship. In fact, I wouldn’t have started my business if I wasn’t willing to take risks. I didn’t always dream of being an entrepreneur, but when I found myself as a single mother with no college degree and no idea what I wanted to do with my life, I knew that something had to change. That’s when I decided to start my own business—it was the only thing that made sense at the time. Read more>>

Sean Van Wickle | Cinematographer & Photographer & Producer

When I think about risk, I think about the doors it could open. Taking a risk can be very scary, but rather than letting the fear control me I think about the positives that will come in the future. Keeping this thought process with me through the years has helped me continue to grow and learn and that is exciting to me. Read more>>

Jacqueline Kopito | Writer & Twin Expert

Writing Twintastic was an amazing process. After finding a publisher willing to publish my book, I was beyond ecstatic. Fast forward, after more editing and rewrites, the book was finally done. then, the publisher told me I had to help with promoting the book once it came out. At the time, I didn’t think much about it, I thought to myself that I had a few contacts, and that I would send out a few emails and things would fall into place. I could not have been more wrong! The few contacts I thought I had, disappeared. Read more>>