Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

Emily Anderson | Consultation Educator & Lived in Color Specialist

Risk is in everything we do. Without taking risks, even if they end up being failures, we can never grow. Risk to me is just part of the adventure of life. If I never took any risks I wouldn’t have my career, my business or my personal hobbies that bring me joy. Read more>>

Dr. Randy Hines II | Physician, podcaster, and aspiring comic.

Pursuing a career in entertainment takes a huge amount of risk. Especially, if you’re trying do it as a career and not a hobby. It is not the safest path to take and lets people look inside your inner thoughts. Consequently, this can lead to a whirlwind of thoughts and self-doubt. Am I filling a void that is needed? Am I wasting my time or money? Will people think I’m strange? Does my voice sound weird? These are some of the thoughts that I had before starting my medical podcast and now trying my hand at stand-up comedy. The risks associated with both were totally different. Read more>>

Kyra Joyner | Cosmetologist

I think of risk as stepping out on faith. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t but it’s always worth a try. I feel in being a hairstylist you have to take risks in order to grow. Read more>>

Kerry Nelson | Photographer

Fear is our great enemy to success, it’ll keep you from stepping out of the boat into uncharted territory. When it comes to taking risks we have to embrace failure and have the courage to pursue our dreams. Read more>>

Ashyah Smith | Entrepreneur, Future Esthetician & Pro Makeup Artist

I truly feel as if in order to become who you’re dreaming of becoming you have to take risks. You can’t win in life without taking risks. Read more>>

Cornelius Boeder | Actor & Writer

I have a lot of thoughts on this and I doubt that I’ll be able to communicate them concisely, but let’s give it a shot. Taking a risk when it presents itself is one thing, but in my experience it’s often not that straightforward. I feel like the first image that comes to mind, when taking risks, is someone dragging you to the end of a cliff and telling you to jump. In reality I feel that it happens mostly when you’re making a choice from a fairly stagnant position. Read more>>

Ben Sproles | Industrial radiographer, fine-visual artist, graphic designer, concept and fashion creator.

My motto: High-risk equals high-yield is something my father taught me at a young age. The game of art and creativity, is risk. If you’re unable to risk, you will create nothing new or fresh and be just another bot. In a cubicle.
But even with the high risk succeeding to a high yield, you still put in jeopardy all facets of life. It is a very all or nothing lifestyle; Read more>>

Judith Warren | Event venue owner, CPA

I have never been a risk taker. My degree was in accounting/business I was quite afraid to lose money or the property that my siblings and I had inherited from my grandparents. For a solid year I spent going over every detail of this new hospitality business. Budgets were drawn for every senario. Family members demanded that all loans be paid off in 8 years. My budget included to borrow enough cash to last a year with no inflow of revenue. Read more>>