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.

Aurèléa | Actor & Creative

Risk taking is relevant in all aspects of my life and career. I’ve taken a lot of risks to get to where I am today and I find that more often than not, taking a risk on something that you’re really passionate about is extremely rewarding. Initially the biggest risk I took was upending my life in Australia, where I grew up, and moving across the world to New York City. All though it had always been a dream of mine, it was still a big risk whether I would be able to maintain a life in the US and be able to successfully work here. Read more>>

Jack Babel | Clothing Brand Owner

Risk can be scary especially when it comes to impacting your career path and or life in a big way. It’s important to keep pushing yourself & see what you’re able to accomplish the further you go. At worst it can be a learning experience and try again when necessary but it has really helped me learn to get out of my comfort zone and push as hard as I can. Read more>>

Brian Hampton | Author & Journalist

My view on risk is if the result doesn’t end in me dying do it. No one has been successful without taking a risk. Some people will think limiting risks or not taking chances will reduce disappointment or failure. It works the opposite in my experience, when I don’t jump out on a calculated limb I feel like I’m in limbo and stagnant. The reality is nothing is safe, that job, money, success, routine can all end at once. My biggest fear is regret, I can take failure. Failure in itself is an illusion, it’s a redirection, a course correction to find your path. Read more>>

Christopher Rosene | Creative storyteller, bridge builder, serving leader, rapper, lover of humans & Jesus Christ.

In my opinion, risk is necessary for self-discovery. The biggest risks I’ve taken whether they worked out in my factor or not, have led me to exponential growth. It should be calculated before you take it. Ask yourself if this doesn’t work out can I afford the fallout? As a man of faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Bible says we have the Holy Spirit as well and he certainly helps me determine if a risk is a good risk to take. Read more>>

Sarah Davies | Co-owner of Biggerstaff Brewing Company

Basically, my husband, Clay, and I risked everything to open Biggerstaff. It was a giant leap of faith that we had a concept and a product that would grow over the last year into a living. breathing entity. Biggerstaff started as a dream that grew to become a reality and it took so much bravery, grit and belief to get us to this point. We are so grateful for those who took the risk with us to be part of this special place. Read more>>

SiSi Hinley | Fashion Model & Actress

Risk-taking is actually a considerable aspect of my career and life. “You have to roll the dice to play” is a saying I keep in mind while elevating my career. The times I consider risk-taking the most are when I’m approached with situations that may benefit or impair my life. If I knew for a fact, or it at least had a higher chance of a negative result, I wouldn’t choose to take the risk. But if there is a chance, I may succeed at taking the risk; I’m in because even if the bet fails, it teaches me a lesson that I need to move forward. Read more>>

The Dye | Alternative Rock Artist

The career of a musician in today’s world is 95 percent about taking risks! You gamble with your financial stability., you challenge yourself every day in order to continue growing as an artist and you have to make difficult choices that jeopardize your future at all times! The reason why you’re able to live in a constant state of challenge is because you’re living entirely for your passion! You’re living for the now! You also have the conviction that your art, your craft, your work, is extraordinary and that if you keep your focus at it you’ll be leaving a mark behind! Read more>>

Kali Arnold, M.D. | Business Owner/Yoga & Mindfulness Expert

I always felt that the risk of staying in an unfavorable situation is greater than the risk of leaving it to find something better. This is how I felt when I made the risky decision to leave my well-paying career as an orthopedic surgeon to pursue health and wellness full time. Even as a young girl, I knew I was a healer. I thought becoming a doctor was the only way to share my gifts but I quickly became disheartened by the state of the current medical industry. Read more>>

Porcia Lewis | DJ & Creative

Take risks all day, everyday. There are many possible outcome to a single action, so always take a chance and try something new. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t break the norm that was keeping me super comfortable. Read more>>

Jonathan and Mark Phillips | Real Estate Developers and Bar Owners

We honestly believe that our ability to take risks has greatly influenced our successes throughout our early career. In our experience the biggest difference between those who continue to improve and those who stay stagnant are their ability to take on risk. The great thing about living in such a versatile market such as Atlanta Metro is you have limitless opportunities to become successful which enables you to take on more risks! Read more>>

Diamond Quenshay | Creator

I believe that taking risks can change your life. You must take action you’ve never taken before if you want something you’ve never had before. That essentially involves making risky decisions. Even when I’m terrified, nervous, or worried that I won’t succeed, I push myself to accomplish things outside of my comfort zone. I understand that getting it correctly the first time is not how my success is determined. I accept the chance since it takes struggles to go where you want to go. Read more>>

Takosha Swan | Renaissance Business Woman

Risks have made my dreams come true. The business life can become an amazing experience by looking at risks and planning for them. Risks are scary and in the beginning stages, seem to be impossible, that is why we call them risks. However, it’s really great to have the ability to see a risk and make it possible and less risky through knowledge and planning. Read more>>

Latefa Nicole | Entrepreneur & Hair Stylist

Risk taking is necessary for advancing your career and living your life. I believe we often hinder ourselves because we’re afraid we will fail if we take the big risk. I’ve opened and closed a secondary location of my hair salon to open AtlWigEx .The area was just not an area where my ideal client resides. So I had to me a decision to protect my brand by closing it down. Some may look at it as a failure but it was an experience I needed to walk through. I learned what works and doesn’t work for what I’m developing. The key is to take calculated risks. Weigh the pros and cons before going through with them. If the benefits outweigh the possible cons, go for it! Read more>>

Joshua Anthony | Community Activist

Risks are just the steps that need to be taken in order to secure a brighter future! I much rather go all in and face the possibility of a setback, rather than not going for gold and miss a life-changing experience. There is risk in everything I do, be it the process of building legislation that can change the lives of Georgians for the better, doing community events, or even deciding what I want to do in the gym on a given day. Taking risks can be the difference between me being able to continue the path I’ve been blessed enough to build or fail because of the fear of taking a chance. Read more>>

Whitness | Singer

I think about risk as an opportunity to go beyond my comfort zone and discover the unknown. Before ever taking a risk, I always hope that the outcome is in my favour, but life doesn’t always work that way. I often have to push through my fears and anxiety in faith, and trust that any risk I take will work out. Even when some things don’t go in my favour, theres always a lesson to be learned and in doing so, my comfort zone is also expanded. Risk taking has played a huge role in my career as an artist. Read more>>