Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

Victoria Lewis: Entrepreneur, Life Coach – Mentor, Travel Phlebotomist

I must say risk taking has played a major role in my life/career. If you don’t take risk then how would you ever know?!? I am big on faith and going after everything I want in life. I learned to think big, dream bigger, and be bold & fearless because what’s for you will always be for you. Long as God is on my side I am unstoppable! Read more>>

Lea Hortman: Entrepreneur & Spoken Word Artist

One of my favorite quotes is “If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more”-Erica Jong. Such a true piece of wisdom for creatives. I believe taking risks is the. the first piece of the blueprint. that you don’t see when it comes to following your dreams. Taking risks is leaving room for mistakes, failures, and starting over. Read more>>

Ted Phaeton: Founder of The Modern Man, Podcast Host, Anchor/Meteorologist

I’ll start by saying I’ve been skydiving twice and, if given the chance I’d go to space if my fiance would let me! Risk is necessary. You see, so many of us live life avoiding risk, danger, and the chance of being hurt or failing. The reality is that life in itself is a risk. Once I accepted that I had the power to pick the risk I truly wanted to embrace. Read more>>

Afo Oyeneyin: Social media Influencer

I love taking risks, it’s a big part of the reason why I’m in the position I’m in now. Risks has gotten me so far in life, and I think it’s impossible to be successful if you don’t take risks. People tend to be stagnant because they are afraid to step out and take risks. My thing is, you only live once so why not? Read more>>

Nicole Dickson: Actor, Writer, Educator, Entrepreneur

I think that more people would start businesses if they didn’t let fear of failing stop them. I take risks constantly in my business, it doesn’t always work out, but I’d rather try & fail then not succeed at all. That said… I’m lucky. Read more>>

Marlon Adams: Audio Engineer

I live by risks. No risks, no rewards. I think risk is what separates the good from the great. I strive for greatness, so taking risks are almost an impulsive nature of mine. It’s definitely cost me a couple times, but each cost was reimbursed to me by the lessons provided. Read more>>

Jazmin Brann: Model & Actress

Risk is the reason for success. This is the motto of my life and how I’ve reached the level of success in such a short amount of time. Growing up a small town in Michigan, nearly everyone is stuck in a routine. Whether that is a work routine or just what you do on a day to day basis. Read more>>

The Ansahs Uncut: YouTube Creatives

Risk | noun | A Situation involving exposure to danger or loss, involving uncertainty about the implications of a specific activity. Sounds scary right? But the Truth is: There is no bigger Risk than becoming complacent & not taking any. Read more>>

Dorsha James: Dr. Dorsha James, MD Founder and CEO of myURGENCYMD

I believe that to be a successful entrepreneur one has to take risks. When I decided to work full-time on myURGENCYMD, I chose to leave a successful career as an ER physician with a guaranteed income. This impacted me, my wife, our livelihood, and our lifestyle. Read more>>

Eezy Olah: Artist & Producer

Risk taking has played a major roll in my life. Every great moment I’ve ever experienced has been due to risk taking. When I dropped out of college to begin the journey of mastering my craft as an Artist/Producer it resulted in me create a space for local musicians and songwriters in my hometown to grow with me. Read more>>

Noel Niks: Artist & Model

Risk taking sets you apart from most individuals. Majority of people’s careers are where they are because of them taking the extra step that could cost them everything which turns into something iconic but also set them apart because they did the unthinkable! Every time I step out of my home, go to the studio or in life ill never not go ALL THE WAY and do what nobody else will do! Im just uniquely different no rapper is out there rocking wigs in thigh high heels like me. Read more>>

Marland Moore: Ceo/ Founder

This is a very important question if you ask me . The first thought that comes to my mind when thinking of risking something is what are you losing in return . Which by making any choice in life can be followed by a favorable or unfavorable outcome . Taking risk has played a very big role in my life . Read more>>

Talia Hunter: Tattoo Artist

I see “calculated risk taking” as an essential part of achieving any goal or dream. You can have a dream or goal in mind, but how bad you actually want it will show in your drive and how far you are will to go transform that dream into your reality! I accredit a great deal of my success to the risks that I have taken to achieve by any means. Read more>>

Sabrina Kaylo: Owner & Founder of Bizarre Coffee

I have always had sort of a spontaneous instinct deep within me and it resurfaces at the most crucial times. It has brought me some of the most amazing experiences and opportunities all while testing my ability to trust my natural gut instinct. Read more>>

Candra Thomas, LPC, CRC, CCH, CPC: Owner and Psychotherapist- Dynamic Change, LLC

I personally feel risk taking is essential to being an entrepreneur. I left Georgia in 1995 to attend college at Alabama State University. Then tragedy hit my family causing me to become comfortable and complacent in Montgomery, Alabama. Although deep in my heart, I personally knew that Atlanta was always home for me. Read more>>

Jonathon Leach: Film Producer & Photographer

Risk Taking “Willing to take risky action in the hope of a desired result”. Taking risk is apart of life. I choose to take risks because I know for a fact playing it safe is not always the right thing to do. When I decided to start my own photography business, I did not know much about photography or film. Read more>>

Stacye Jones: DJ and Producer

When it comes to risk I think about it for a second and then I dive in. I try not to think about it to much so I won’t talk myself out of my next move or project. I have taken plenty of risks and some have backfired but the ones that didn’t back fire definitely outweigh the few risks that did. Read more>>

LaKia Starks: FOX 5 Atlanta Producer

When I think about risk, I instantly start thinking about how we take risks everyday. When we wake up in the morning we make a conscious decision on how we are going to navigate through our day. One wrong decision can change your life. One good decision can change your life. However, it is solely up to you on how you proceed. Read more>>

Ronnie Brown: Rapper/Producer/Hip-Hop Enthusiast/Entrepreneur

I view taking risk as the difference between moving forward, and staying stagnant. Think about it, we risk losing balance every time we choose to take a step, literally every time we walk, and it’s the same in any other aspect of our lives. Read more>>

samose mays: Parks and Recreation Director & Motivational Speaker

Taking risk have played a major role in my career. In 2009 I quit two jobs to go back to college full time to pursue my degree. I dropped out of college twice, so I risked losing my vehicle and apartment to realize the dream of being a college graduate. Read more>>

Gueringer The 13th: Creator

How I think about taking risk is based off the reward. Every risk isn’t worth taking, but some are. The role that risk have played in my career have either helped me progress or learn a lesson to use on my next risk I’ve taken. Read more>>

Jillian Greenwood: Special Education Teacher & Designer of Unique Event Designs

When I think about “risk”, I think about doing something that could fail or be successful and something that takes me completely out of my comfort zone. My personality doesn’t normally allow me to do things that are uncertain. It has always been a must that I know the outcome. Read more>>

Duby Rodgers: Artist & Relatable Human Being

Taking risks has been the most beneficial thing to my life. Even a small risk can yield great rewards so I just try to look at everything as an opportunity for growth. I’ve taken a lot of risks. Read more>>

A’Dria Glenn: R&B Singer, Songwriter and Entrepreneur

I believe risk taking is stepping out on faith to achieve a goal. There is definitely not a foreseen outcome; you could fail or you just might succeed. The risk that I took to fulfill my passion began in the Fall of 2015. I was sophomore at The University of Southern Mississippi located in Hattiesburg, MS majoring in Nursing. Read more>>

Keisha V. Stubbs: Sales Trainer, Sales Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Non-Profit Leader and Author

There have been numerous times in my life that I’ve decided to take a risk. Fortunately, they’ve all worked out. Risk, to me, is taking a chance on something and doing all you can for it to work out. One such risk is my entry into the automotive sales industry. Read more>>

Isiah Neely: Founder of Rise Above Sports Training and Skill Development

Risk taking plays a substantial role of where I am today. Leading up to starting my own business I always did things that kept me in my comfort zone because I had more of a control on how things played out. I played sports my whole life which was a vehicle that land me to College of Slippery Rock University where I also played football. Read more>>

Jamescia: Devonte Robinson | Brown | Videographer ; Photographer ; Director ; Media Company

I’ve grown to learn that risk-taking is a huge part of running a business. You won’t reach success if you’re too scared to take risks. Some risky decisions turns out to become some of the best decisions you’ve made. It took us a while to understand that concept. Read more>>

Cal Deezzi: Music Producer, Engineer, Songwriter and Educator

Risk taking is a key part to success and is an important part. I feel that it has helped me personally by gaining experience and understanding in what it is that I am and have been pursuing, and finding out what it is that I do and do not want to do. Read more>>

Marissa Hornsby: Online Boutique Owner

I believe everything we do in life is a risk, mostly because we never know the end result at first glance. For myself and House of Noelle, I’ve taken many risks, I don’t regret any of them. Owning a online store, not really sure of what will transpire but investing in my vision, was a high risk. Read more>>

Markeon Edwards: Philosopher

Taking risk(s) is the evidence of the unknown that activates your faith. Taking risk for me has give me the courage to surpass any challenge that present its self. Risk taking gives you strength to do what you fear. It’s only after you’ve taken the risk that you realize, the sacrifice is everything you thought it would be and more. Read more>>

Rocquel Quach: Teeth whitening and credit repair

Im all for taking risks even if you fail at least you’ve tried. You never know when taking that risk will actually pay off. Me being a risk taker has made me a better person, because even when things failed it taught me a lesson and made strive harder to achine my goal. Read more>>

Amanda Christine: EntrepreneHER & Creative

I’m all for taking risk with no regrets! It’s either you do it and succeed or you do it and fail with the opportunity of trying it again knowing what to do differently. It’s all a part of having faith as well. If you have Faith that things will manifest then you have to stand firm on that belief. Faith without work is dead so you have to take some risk and put forth action in order to receive the intended outcome. Read more>>