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.

Robert Barsky

In some ways “risk”, variously defined, has been at the very heart of all my endeavors: the risk of working outside the proverbial box, the risk of making surprising connections between different disciplines or realms, the risk of following questions to their logical conclusions rather than sticking to the way things have been done in the past. In my most recent endeavor, The Beltline Chronicles, I connected my passion for Great Books and epic quests to Ryan Gravel’s (and others’) dream of building transit and affordable housing on fallow rail lines that circle Atlanta. Epic quests, such as Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, or Cervantes ‘Don Quixote’, or Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’, or Toni Morrison’s ‘Paradise’ Read More>> 

Alec Bonk

I’m a big believer in doing what scares you. I try to orientate myself to the choice that makes me the most nervous because I know there is something real there that needs to be explored. True growth happens when you get out of your comfort zone.

I’ve taken some massive risks in life and have always come out the other side better because of it. When I started production on Blind Cop 2 in 2019, I had no idea it would take six years of work from that point to get it in front of audiences. We shot 75% of the film that summer, then we ran out of our crowdfunding money and the cast and crew had to all go home unsure of if the movie will ever be finished. Read More>> 

Henry Rodriguez

Risk has been a part of every major decision in my life and career. I spent 14 years in law enforcement, working in three different departments — and with every move, I was stepping into the unknown. Each change brought new challenges, new environments, and a new level of responsibility. But I took those risks not just for professional growth — I took them for my family. Every transition was about giving them a better life. Read More>> 

JUM3E

The saying goes, “No Risk, No Reward” and whilst this is probably true, there are still some rewards in not taking risks; but the greater risks will bring greater rewards and the reward from playing it safely.

For me, I am currently in the midst of taking on the biggest risk I’ve ever taken… Myself.

Belief in myself, and high self-esteem is not a natural thing for me, to some it comes naturally, for me, not so much. Maybe that’s like you too? And the funny thing is people always assume that I am so confident because I am so outgoing and charismatic (from what they’ve said, I think I’m just me), but I can give support and encouragement to others 1000%, but when it comes to me… Read More>> 

Chapelle Nichole

I believe that risktaking is very essential in the journey of finding your way to your purpose. Without risk there’s no reward. It’s very easy to become stagnant in life, especially when you’ve become so comfortable in your surroundings. Jumping out on faith and taking a risk could be extremely intimidating to most.

My life is just a large encyclopedia of risk. I’ve been a risk taker my entire life. Being a risk taker can be very bittersweet, because not only does your family and friends not understand the risk that you are willing to take but you yourself have to convince yourself that it’s the right choice for you and enjoy the ride. Read More>>