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.

Pierre Burrell | Actor

You know they say “With greater risk comes greater reward”, me driving from Southern California across the country to Atlanta, GA in year 2021 to moving in my first apartment & pursuing acting. Out of that I made my dreams come true all thanks to God & my hard work. I’m a signed Actor, I’ve been published on multiple entertainment magazine articles and now I’m on Google making a name for myself. This life is not a rehearsal the camera is always rolling so keep going after it! Read more>>

Dani Fiondella | Manager Synch, Recording Artist, Music Supervisor & Author

I think taking risks is a large part of pursuing any career and in life in general. Partly because you always have to be an advocate for yourself, which can be challenging. You have to be willing to take measured risks towards achieving your goals and realize risk means you don’t always win. The best thing you can hope for is to learn along the way. Risk has played a huge role for me personally as I made life and career decisions that gave me time to hone in on my craft and industry focus. It put other things temporarily on hold, but it gave me time to grow personally and professionally for which I am extremely grateful. Read more>>

Nick Nickyboy” Leonardo | Musician/Producer”

Risk Taking plays a huge role in my life/career. Pursuing anything in a creative industry is a huge risk. Nothing is guaranteed There”s no salary & no paycheck you know is coming at the end of the week. You have to get after it and make it work. Becoming comfortable with the uncertainty is something i’ve learned to accept Read more>>

Sally Boice | photographer

I feel that the best things in my life have come about from taking a risk. Life is what happens outside your comfort zone. Relationships are a risk, moving is a risk, changing careers is a risk, and having a child is a risk. It will often not work out, but the experience is still catapulting you toward growth and a life fully lived. If you are sure what you want, the risks don’t feel risky. I got married at age 20, not thinking it was a risk at all. I am now divorced, but know the twenty-year-old me would still take that risk. I wanted to move to Kauai, a huge risk. It was the best 5 years I could have imagined. I wanted a daughter after having three sons. I now have five fabulous children, and can’t imagine not having my twin daughters. Read more>>

Julia Abreu | Entrepreneur, Actress, & High School Counselor

I would say that taking a risk is a very scary thing and it took me a while to really understand that without taking a risk you will never push outside of your comfort zone. Imagine a life where things are the same and safe you will never be able to grow and have experiences that shape who you are. Risk taking means taking a chance, having confidence in your abilities and being able to experience either success or failure but out of both we always learn a lesson and become better. Read more>>

Mare Oshea | Hair Artist

I wouldn’t have a career without taking the risks that I have in my life! Everything new and scary is a risk but continuing on in spite of fear of failure has been the best moto. The only way out is through and I never give up. Read more>>

Caitlin Hochuli | Learning and Outreach Specialist

I was voted “biggest risk taker” in high school, and that’s something I remind myself of when I feel uninspired. Then, I played ice hockey and wore bold colors; I spoke my mind when I thought something needed to be said. But risk looks quite a bit different now. Taking a risk is quite literally a gamble, but either we keep doing things the way they are now or change. So again, I remind myself to take a risk or stay the same when I get uninspired. I have done this throughout my career. I moved 12 hours to go to college, and it was the first time I was away from home for longer than a week. After finishing my Environmental Science degree, I only applied for one opportunity – to become a teacher. Read more>>