We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Aort Reed | Contemporary Visual Fine Artist & Muralist

Risk is a very delicate element when it comes to creative careers. It’s one of the most important & determines if a person has the ambition & grit it takes to dive into an independent career path. Sacrifice & risk both work hand & hand with putting time & energy into your craft. Being an artist definitely takes a lot of time focusing on, reflecting on & creating a quality body of work. Taking the risk to jump off the cliff & take flight into an unconventional path 100% can be scary for most, but is very important for true artists. Read more>>

Meka K Howard | Social Media Influencer , Model, Entrepreneur & Actress

Taking risks is not so much a role but it correlates to the essentials of learning core values growth wisdom and peace within myself. Being an African-American woman of today in a systematic society, I’ve used senses that I never knew I had. Risk-taking is an inherent aspect of entrepreneurship and can play a crucial role in both personal and professional development. For anyone, including a black single mother managing multiple businesses, taking risks can be both challenging and rewarding. One important risk was betting on myself, thus allowing my gifts to be expressed through being an actress, social media influencer, model, and stylist. Read more>>

Diliana Malaish | Designer and Apparel Product/Communications Manager

I always strongly vouched for risk taking & I think more people should do it. I feel as though when you do force yourself out of your comfort zone you are able to learn way more about yourself and be able to have unique experiences. Risk taking had landed me unique and different opportunities in the Fashion Industry & met amazing people! during the experience. How I approach risk taking is; I ask myself “if not now than when’? I personally like to take that risk as soon as I can than wait, I find that it can lead to procrastination and contemplation. Sometimes I feel as if it’s good to be impulsive with decisions as it can force you to get out of your comfort zone and sometimes you can get or achieve the things you always wanted to get done. Read more>>

Jasmine McClain | Journalist and Digital Marketing Specialist

Risk is an important part of growth and innovation. Taking a significant risk in my career occurred when I left my corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship. Despite not having a concrete plan, the decision allowed me to capitalize on a short window of opportunity after signing my first freelance contract. This experience taught me the value of embracing uncertainty, adaptability, and leveraging opportunities when they arise. The risk-taking mindset has played a huge role in shaping my life and career, providing me with lessons in resilience and the importance of seizing favorable circumstances for professional development. Read more>>

Jasmine Jeffrey | Entrepreneur | Business Advisor

I think that everything in life is a risk as nothing is ever really guaranteed. The saying no risk no reward is exactly that. I remember when buying my first house, I was 25 and so excited initially. Almost everyone I knew questioned was I ready and shared horror stories of theirs or someone they new in regards to owning a home. I took the risk of going forward although I was now more afraid than excited. I had absolutely not issues up until I sold it years later making a 6 figure profit. Also took the same risk moving to Atlanta, which also turned out to be a rewarding decision. Often times we fear the unknown, so to validate that fear you have those who will validate it with pessimism and those who will value it with optimism. Read more>>

Beat Champ | music producer , artist , song writer and engineer

Risk has played a very big part in my life and my career……… The saying “THERE’S NO REWARD WITHOUT RISK “ , is very much a true statement . Read more>>

VALERIE HIGH | Writer & Teacher

The word “risk” always seems to immediately present a negative connotation whenever I hear it. The outcome is either going to be pass or fail, sink or swim, be successful or unsuccessful. When it truly comes down to it, “risk” is a direct challenge to do something you’ve never done before. It doesn’t matter if the outcome is something less than what was desired, at least an attempt was made and a lesson was learned from it. Granted, I want to be successful at whatever I put my hands to do, but realistically, many times, that will not be my outcome. Failure takes on a different face here for me, because failure means I didn’t even try to accept the challenge. The lesson is simple: I’m a winner when I try. Read more>>

Joan Montreuil | Screenwriter, Director, Film Editor and Author

As a Creative, we have to become risk takers. We must take risks in order to succeed because it is through taking risks that they can push the boundaries of our creativity and stand out from the crowd. By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I have the opportunity to explore new ideas, experiment with different techniques, and challenge myself. Like what works and what doesn’t work. Taking risks allowed me to break free from the ordinary and create something truly unique and innovative. It is often these bold and daring moves that capture the attention of audiences and leave a lasting impact. Read more>>

RNB | Celebrity Party Rocker

Without risk theres no reward. Since 2015 DJn has been my sole source of income. My backup plan is being homeless, so I have no choice but to make it. Thankfully by the grace of God Im now making more money than I have ever made working for a company Read more>>

Dr Neha Khorana | Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist & Reality TV Consultant

Taking risks is such an important part of learning to trust yourself and building confidence. Most of us are risk-averse, myself included, but being able to step out and do something that scares you is also what makes it easier for us to take bigger risks in the future. We can be scared AND still do the thing that scares us! Read more>>

Tyree Williams | Creative Portrait Photographer & Creative Director

I think risk is often looked at as a bad thing. People hear that word and they automatically shudder or shy away from moving forward with anything associated with it. My perspective on the word risk is that it means investment and the only way to mitigate that risk is to put enough work in after the initial investment, that you constantly minimize the possibility of failure and maximize on the return. It wasn’t until I really embraced the fact that there is no such thing as a risk free business that my business really started to thrive. I bought that expensive camera, I took those expensive courses, I invested in my own studio. At the time I couldn’t afford any of those things but I knew myself and that if I ever came across a challenge that was too big for me, I’d always show up and do my best. Read more>>