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.

Taylor Logan | Salon Owner & Hairstylist

When thinking about opening a business, risk is the first thought that comes to mind. Risk for me means what do I have to lose? At the end of the day it is about risk assessment. As a hairdresser I had specific risk factors to consider. How loyal was my clientele? Where did the majority of them live? How booked out were my books? If I opened a business, what was my total investment if I lost it all? These questions were just a start. I had to look myself in the mirror and ask myself was it worth the risk of losing it all and starting over and what were the odds of that happening? Personally, my calculated answers told me to take the risk of opening my own salon. I knew I would regret not pursing my dream more than taking the risk and failing. Read more>>

K.M. Robinson | Social Media Marketing Expert and Speaker + Bestselling Author

Like with any skill in my business, I started small with risk-taking and learned to be brave. Over time, I built up myself within my business and became fearless which has allowed me to accomplish incredible things despite not all of my risks panning out as hoped. There was a time when I was terrified to ask for collaborations with others—now I don’t bat an eyelash. When I was starting out, I didn’t love public speaking or being on livestreams and now I can walk onto any stage and give a full hour presentation with zero prep time. Read more>>

Erica Haynes | Event & Wedding Planner

I believe that there is no success without risk. I started my business while working a 9-5 job. That was risky because I often researched things when on the clock. After years of operating my business while being an employee, I decided to give myself a fair chance and work solely for myself. In May of 2019 I left my job and began the journey of growing my business full time. Read more>>

Ben Wilson | Singe/ Song-writer

I think one of the major keys to success is sustainability. Often we get wrapped up in fantastic stories of “over-night-success” and get frustrated when it doesn’t happen for us. Success is not based on one big leap of faith you take on yourself, it is a daily choice to bet on yourself and work towards an uncommon dream. Risk is a part of that. Risking to leave home, familiarity, family and friends and pursue something that has a small chance of becoming reality. Risking the safer option of building a career in a more conventional industry. I think that many people do not pursue big dreams because they get intimidated by the distance between where they are and where their dream ends. I think the “what if” is fare scarier than the risks necessary to finding success. If it all ended today, I could find peace in the fact that I did take the risk of betting on myself and that I made it as far as I have. Read more>>

Sandra Sutton | Author, Speaker & Self-Worth Advocate

I’ve always been a huge risk-taker. Over the past year, I learned the importance of taking a risk. I discovered that being comfortable with being uncomfortable propelled me into new places. Stepping out of vulnerability into a space of confidence was highly uncomfortable, but I became fully persuaded and determined to move into the lane assigned to me. In that lane, I wrote my book and started the Girl Made Worthy movement. In 2020, I decided to use my personal experiences to teach women self-worth, self-healing, the value of forgiveness, and ultimately, how to believe in themselves again. The reward in taking risks is knowing that it compels others to show up when I show up. Read more>>

Danielle Coe | Photographer

Risk taking is what started my small business. After years of suppressing my love for photography and art, once I separated from the military and had our son, I decided to pick up my camera again. I decided to jump out of my comfort zone, educate myself on running a photography business, and lastly share my vision with the world. I would like to say I have a bubbly personality, but I am a true introvert. Photography allowed me to break out of that shell. Now I meet with numerous of faces and I get to make beautiful imagery. So my advice, take the risk. It won’t always be a win, but it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Keep going. Read more>>

Josh Schafer | Editor-in-Chief and Brand Manager / LUNCHMEAT

Taking risks is how you grow, both professionally, and personally. Betting on yourself can be scary, but it can also be extremely empowering. It’s one of the key ways you truly learn about who you are, and how you operate, what you’re capable of. You learn from it. That’s huge. Taking risks and pushing yourself to do whatever you can to get your art, your voice, your message out there, is one of the most important aspects of being an entrepreneur. I think that risk equals opportunity. It’s an chance to see how far you can take yourself. Read more>>

Bethani Blake | Emerging Artist

Throughout my (rather short) life, I’ve found that the ability to progress has depended solely on risk. Risk-taking began the theatre thus influencing choices relational and abstract to my troupe. I was able to adapt easily to completing my undergraduate degree in Savannah, Georgia, after growing up in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. Upon reflection, this seems as though it was the prelude to the next big risk: moving to New York. During the meat of the pandemic, I was able to latch onto many opportunities. But in just four months after graduating with my B.F.A in Painting and Performing Arts, I was given the opportunity to interview for a position with the Whitney Museum of American Art. Read more>>

Jennifer P. Jackson | Director & Writer

I think that taking risks is a necessary part of both growth and success. In order to change your circumstances, you have to get a little uncomfortable sometimes. That means stepping out of your comfort zone into the unknown. Of course you should have a plan, but the risk is in execution of that plan when you are venturing into uncharted territory. It can be scary, but I don’t know of a successful entrepreneur that ever lived that didn’t get to where they got to without taking risks. I certainly didn’t get to where I am without taking any risks. When I moved to Atlanta in 2015, I slept in my car for almost 3 months. Read more>>

La-Niece | Actress, Press photographer, Videographer & Film Editor

When I decided to leave New York and move to Los Angeles most people thought that was taking a risk but I looked at that move as increasing my odds as an artist. My first year living in Los Angeles I got my first speaking role in a featured film “Least Among Saints” and was immediately eligible to join the actors’ union. I was also booked on the Reality TV show “Operation Repo” and I was featured in music videos. Personally I feel that if I am not moving in the direction of my dreams, my goals or the things that I am really passionate about that is the risk but as long as I keep moving towards those things than the odds are more in my favor. Read more>>

Rachel McGiboney | Photographer & A Salesperson That Won’t Settle

Risk is an invitation. For different. For unknown. For adventure. It’s a language that we all have the opportunity to learn if we can muster the courage to do so. I’ve had 7 corporate jobs in 10 years. Each job I chose to leave, some without another lined up, others with my next role waiting for me. Every move was risky because in every decision you opt out of one thing for something else. Choosing to quit a six-figure job to pursue photography was quite a risk. One that I’m still currently paying for. But I needed to do it to satisfy the insatiable, “what if” questions that run rampant through my head. I needed to know I could do it. I wanted to know if I would enjoy it. I couldn’t determine that until I took the risk and tried. Read more>>

Ty Nicole Tucker | Master Mixologist & Owner of SoMixxy, Inc.

When I think of risk, I think about all of the endless possibilities of success. Yes- of course there are always margins of error, however with proper planning that margin is oftentimes decreased. I would even go as far to say that being a risk-taker also requires faith and manifestation. One must remain firm in your beliefs in order to affirm your thoughts, which allows you to positively manifest your achievements! Read more>>

Desiree’ Baker | Hairstylist & Educator

Risk taking is so important!! I believe if you aren’t truly scared of you own dreams and you aren’t taking risks often enough then your dreams aren’t big enough. We weren’t out here to just live mediocre and play small. I’ve take risks and sure I’ve failed at some of them. But to me those are discoveries and learning lessons. If I hadn’t taken those risks, then I wouldn’t have met certain people, or crossed paths with certain people, been given opportunities I was given ect along the way that have put me where I am today and aligned me for success I am currently achieving. “You gotta risk it to get the biscuit” Read more>>

Jessica Boyd and Steven Hughes | Digital Nomads & Travel Content Creators at Journey Black Home

Journey Black Home was birthed after we decided to sell around 90% of everything we owned to roadtrip the United States and find the next place we’ll call ‘home.’ Taking that risk wouldn’t have been possible if we hadn’t also taken the risk to become entrepreneurs. Jess has been self-employed as a brand design strategist since 2014, and Steve left his sales position at a Fortune 500 company last December to go full-time as a financial therapist. All that to say, we’re definitely no stranger to risk; the rewards we’ve experienced personally and professionally, on many levels, couldn’t have happened without it. Read more>>

Taylor Briggs | Designer & Entrepreneur

I think people tend to use the word risk and fear interchangeably. Based on your perception of things, is the glass half full or half empty, risk and fear can be synonymous. When I first started my journey as an entrepreneur I was a person who associated the two in the same way. The fear of taking risk actually propelled me into my journey. I remember being in a bad place within myself and life and I ran into someone I hadn’t seen since high school and as we were talking they were telling me about all the wonderful things they had going on. Read more>>

Kobee Horton | Rapper/Artist

Risk taking plays a big role in my life… by taking risk I positioned myself to become who I am today in a positive way, Some people may call it being a rapper I call it being a influencer a person who people look up to or may wan’t to be one day, so I speak from my heart to try to reach other people heart on a emotional connect so that they can feel where I’m coming from or the struggles I endure daily. Read more>>

El Ryce | CEO of Ownly Brand Co.

When I think about risk the only thing that comes to mind is “just do it”. Without risk there is no reward. Being the sole investor into my brand was very scary. To not know if my brand would succeed or fail while putting in my own money is risky. My only thought during that moment was bet on yourself if no one else does. Four years later that risk led to our streetwear being purchased all over the U.S. Read more>>

Quincy Palmer | Also known as DJ iLLWiNK – DJ, Producer, Audio Engineer and Vintage Stylist

When it comes to working for yourself or pursuing your passion as a career, the entire process is basically risk taking. Risks are much much easier to take when you have confidence and belief in yourself. Making my initial investments into my DJ equipment and vowing to myself that I will generate income off of it was a risk. Moving out from home after graduating college and being determined to pay my bills with my skills alone and no job to supplement income was a risk. Moving to Atlanta without having any kind of network or connection or plans to work a regular job was a huge risk. All I’ve ever had was my equipment, my skills, and belief in myself and it has carried me for the past 3 years. Read more>>

MoAndra Johnson, MFT | Relationship + Sex Therapist | Founder of SOTT LLC

One of my favorite things to say is I’d rather fall and get back up than to have not risked at all. We literally miss 100% of the shoots that we don’t take.  As I navigate life and continue to learn, I found that it is vital to take risk. Taking a risk may be uncomfortable and scary but I have learned that you must step out of your comfort zone to grow, propel and be successful. Read more>>