Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Freddy River | Music Producer & Artist

I think that taking risks in your career is essential. You have to take risks and you have to be uncomfortable sometimes. However, I would say that making sacrifices is something that I have done a lot more than taking risks in my life and my career. I’ve lost a lot of friends and family because of my extreme focus on becoming great. Even with romantic relationships, it’s hard to balance that with a deep connection and passion for something that you revolve you life around. In my case, that thing is music producing. Read more>>

Hollie Townsend | District sales manager for Eleven86

Life is all about Risk. ! When you decide to leave your house is a risk. So you never scared of No’s . It’s just a word, a symbol . Words only hurt if you let them. So take a risk it’s ok Read More>>

Adia Reid | Experimental Performace Artist, Composer, Writer

Risk taking has been very central to my success. The first thing that comes to mind is the way i entered into extracurricular activities as a kid. At 4 or 5 years old, I went to church and hear the choir. I was compelled to join them so I did. I probably pretended to know the words. I did the same thing when I hear about auditions at JRP, a now dissolved talent academy of sorts. This was also my strategy for entering Rakaba, a west african dance company that took me across the world to Ghana in 2007. So to say the least, I would not be where I am if I didnt have the risk taking spirit. Its an essential tool in the innovation of performance, and in the fostering of creative confidence. Read more>>

Sérgio dos Céus Nelson | Screenwriter, training actor, journalist and Host

I have always believed that the first step towards victory means accepting to face risks and frustrated expectations. In 2013 I founded the Association of Environmental and Human Rights Journalists. The process, from the conception of the idea, demanded more concentration from me, until I was able to assemble a team that allows the work to be done. We have been touring in parks and reserves and we have been organizing lectures, seminars. When I created my company (Elevate, Communications & Technologies) I accepted the risk of investing without being sure of the return. I spent money I didn’t have. Read more>>

Sheana Fair | Chef & Owner

Risk taking is a main factor in everyday living. If we don’t take risk how would we know what works or doesn’t work. Every part of my journey is a risk. Taking a step out on faith, having a vision & going full force to make it happen. Most time what I envision doesn’t always turn out that way. I don’t allow that to stop me, the next time around I know what to do differently. If you don’t take risk you could lose out on a lot of opportunities. It has to work or it has to work. Read more>>

Twin Jude | Recording Artist

The biggest risks I’ve ever taken have led to the most valuable components of where my career is at today. If I had never taken the leap of faith and chosen to believe in myself above everything else, there wouldn’t have been nearly as much for me to hold on to when times got tough. The voice inside my head that has told me to keep going along the many ups and downs I’ve encountered would probably have told me to quit and be more “logical” at times when my back was against the wall. Read more>>

The Ozzy Kidd | Rapper & Entertainer

I think about risk as a sort of cause and effect in anything in life. In order to progress, you may have to put something at stake. Just apart of life honestly. In anything I’ve done, there was something that could be lost or gained, sometimes both. But it helped me to learn to always go for my goals and not let what could be lost stop me. Read more>>

Ayanna Marie | Chef & Artist

I live by the saying with risk comes reward. You have to step outside your comfort zone and the comfort zone of others, because that’s what separates the top from the bottom. All my life I’ve been a risk taker and although some risks didn’t end with rewards it taught me valuable life and business lessons. Read more>>

Rios Palante | Artist and Toy Designer

To me, risks are taken when boundaries are broken, whenever you “step out of line,” your programmed self tells you to play it safe and stay within those lines but, change will only come when you take a risk. Risk is necessary for personal and professional growth. Take a risk, but also be prepared for some push back. If you believe in your “risk” go for it or remain on the outside, looking in. Read more>>

Hollie Townsend | District sales manager for Eleven86

Life is all about Risk. ! When you decide to leave your house is a risk. So you never scared of No’s . It’s just a word, a symbol . Words only hurt if you let them. So take a risk it’s ok Read more>>

Lance Devereux | Award Winning Floral & Event Designer, Co-Star of VH1’s My Celebrity Dream Wedding””

Risk taking has truly been one of the greatest keys to my success thus far. Without risk and challenge, there is no reward. It has been the smallest of risks that have paid off in my journey. Believing in myself enough step away from full time employment with benefits to purse entrepreneurship full time was the scariest yet most rewarding risk of my career thus far. Anytime I’m fearful to take that first step, that first risk towards my next level, I think about that moment and remember the blessings that followed that leap of faith. Read more>>

Capodei Capi | Rap Artist/ Small Business Owner /Entrepreneur

In life there are People who Settle & There’s People who don’t take No for an answer & don’t accept failure. Generally the bigger the risk the greater the outcome if accomplished .I have always been a risk taker because I came from poverty with nothing to lose. Majority of the times I took risk it was extremely productive and beneficial . When taking a risk you have to look at the gain and the loss and if the gain is bigger then the loss I feel like you should chance it . Read more>>

Malaika Floyd | Sound Therapist & Yoga Instructor

Actually I believe that risk has played a huge part throughout my whole life and career lol. I have never really had a traditional 9 to 5 job. From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue work as a professional dancer… which I did in-fact do! After high school, I went to school at SUNY Purchase Conservatory where I received my BFA in dance and a focus in choreography. After I graduated, I performed and toured with various companies such as the Martha Graham Dance Company, Radio City, and The Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Many would say that a career as a professional dancer is not the most traditional and is often filled with uncertainty and instability, so a career in dance itself can be considered “risky.” Read more>>

Erica Green | JuzprettyCEO

I’ve Learned in life you never know where it will take you when you taken a Risk .If it Makes you uncomfortable you should wanna learn more about it getting out my comfort zone have put in places I never thought I will be when it come to My Business. It’s always better to know you tried instead of not knowing if you’ve never took a chance . Read more>>

Stewie Stash House | Actor/ Entrepreneur

Risk comes with all success. It’s not just a pass or fail, it’s more like sink or swim, that’s how I feel about risk. Taking risks plays a major role in my life by keeping me motivated to always strive further in my career as an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Tiffany Stewart | CEO, Author & Poet

Risk is such a fascinating concept because there is always a consequence of risk-taking, and there is always a lesson, no matter the outcome if you’re paying close enough attention. Regarding my life and career, I liken risk to faith. Faith is risk-taking because you don’t necessarily know where the next step leads; you just know you have to take it. In my personal example, in early 2020, I was CEO of a fairly successful business. During a literal pandemic and also a tumultuous relationship, I took a risk and walked away from it all; everything. Read more>>