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.

Smeesh | Artist & Muralist

There’s something about making a pros and cons list that reassures any decision. BUT! risks don’t really happen that way. I think that risks are taken by allowing ourselves to listen to what it is we actually want, regardless of how scary that decision may be. In 2020, the pandemic had left me in a position where I had lost my job, my future was in a foggy place, and I wasn’t sure what the next move was. My husband (fiancé at the time) and I got Covid after a friendsgiving, and had lots of time to think while we sweated our fever out in bed. For years we had been thinking about moving to Atlanta, thinking it a dream and never a reality. Pre-pandemic I had a job that was helping me finally pay off my loans and be able to survive, so why leave the job? Why move? Read more>>

Joanna Lohman | Professional Speaker

A moment so ordinary can have extraordinary implications. A small risk can develop into a culture shifting reward. A simple question, “what are you gonna do with your life?” can turn into a profound answer. There is a razor thin separation between safety and possibility. Meaning, one tiny courageous step IS the start of progress. And when you unleash the possible…..the ripple effect can reach far and wide. In a world that is constantly changing, it’s imperative that we progress with it. Progress requires risk. The concentric circles of change from where the impact grows. Bigger and bigger. And as we know, progress is not always linear but as time moves so does what’s possible. That is the beauty of one small step. Read more>>

Kandice Pritchard-Harmon | U.S. Army Dental Specialist

Risk taking from my perspective is touch and go. Either you succeed and achieve a learning experience or fail and achieve a learning experience. It can either be a win-win or a lose-lose. The deciding factor is you. Taking risks in my life and career gave me the courage to fight myself and others. I am proud as a human to even have the right to take risks, no matter the outcome. Read more>>

BAYE | Owner & Art Director

Taking risk is something that should be taken very seriously. To me it’s the measurement of faith and will power. It has played a major role in my life simply by allowing me to understand, know my capabilities, standards and boundaries. When to be weak and when to be strong. According to my international experience, risk taking is a definite fundamental that everyone should experience at least half of their lifetime. Read more>>

Dynise Petty | Business Owner,Psychologist,Author,Teacher,

I love risk taking those that do are greatly rewarded I took a chance with GOD on my side he gave me a vision and I didn’t let up no matter what came my way I sought to achieve everything, I put my mind to and it has been amazing!! Read more>>

Jahna Amani | Musical Artist

I am a firm believer in the fact that risk taking drives creativity and creates opportunity. I would not be able to create the music that I am creating today without taking risks. Whether that be something small like experimenting with a new genre/sound that may be foreign to me, or something much bigger like putting my personal experiences into a song and releasing it into the world to be digested by anyone it reaches. Taking risks has played a huge role in my career because it has led me to take unexpected turns that have allowed me the space to create what I would call some of my best work. Read more>>

Cate Osborn | Educator, Advocate & Content Creator

Many of my friends have joked that I will die doing something absolutely stupid because I think it will make for a funny story later, and that’s honestly probably quite true. I love risk. Every interesting thing I have ever done involved risk. I have been a blacksmith and a professional magician, I have moved across the country to pursue two masters’ degrees in Shakespeare, I moved across the country *again* to run the Georgia Renaissance festival, and each time, I learned invaluable skills that sent me further down the path I’m on today. It’s a huge risk to look at the comfort and security of a 9-5 job and say “no, I’d rather play Dungeons and Dragons and teach people about sex on the internet for my job”, but that’s exactly what I did. Read more>>

Wanda Cronic Howell | Owner Dealer, Cronic Automotive Group

There are often national car dealer meetings in Las Vegas. I get the question, “How much did you gamble?” My answer is always I have enough risk every day in running three car dealerships. I don’t need to gamble. One of our biggest risks is in undertaking and completing an over $4 million dollar renovation at Cronic Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Griffin. Even though it’s a large investment in our community, and leaves us with a lot of dust and noise to deal with, it’s always worth upgrading facilities to create a better customer experience. Read more>>

Chloé Lucan | Stylist, Costume Designer and Creative Director

I look at risk taking as a necessary function to achieve new things. A lot of people hear the word “risk” and think of “danger” but they should reframe it to hear “Possibility!” It’s been a driving force in my career that’s allowed me to work on projects and meet people that I wouldn’t have been able to if I hadn’t taken the risk. Read more>>

Toni Sanabria | CEO of RosePeau LLC, Esthetician, and Business/life coach

Robert G. Allen is known for saying, “Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.” Putting it in another way, everything you want requires some level of risk. Taking risks can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it’s also one of the hardest to do as well. I am a firm believer in taking risk in order to reach unique goals life. For me, taking risks has played a very beneficial roll in my career by opening doors for me, networking with the right people and exposing my brand as well. Read more>>

Alexia Dugger-Maye | Dancer, Model and Actress

My personal life and career life are almost East and West of each other. I’ve had to take many risk in order to do the things I’ve done and it has made me so strong. If I hadn’t taken risk, I may not be the inspiring person so many people have told me that I am. When I’m able to help someone from my own experience, or when I see myself on that TV screen acting, dancing, or seeing amazing photos of myself I’m reminded that it was all worth it. I feel like taking risk is a part of success. Read more>>

Eden Gutstein | Illustrator & Tattoo Artist

Taking risks can be interpreted in various ways, and I firmly believe in embracing them, provided they do not harm oneself or others. To me, taking a risk is akin to accepting a dare, pushing oneself to proactively transform dreams into achievable goals, no matter how ambitious or unconventional they may appear. Based on my life experiences, I’ve found that I truly materialize my aspirations once I let go of fear and break free from my self-imposed mental barriers. If we were to redirect the same amount of energy we spend dwelling on whether something will work out into focusing on how to make it work, we’d likely be halfway toward realizing our dreams. Read more>>

Michelle Rouche | Speaker, Champion for Women, Transformation Coach, Author

Mark Zuckerberg said, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” I’ve never been afraid to take risks. I was the friend who always encouraged others to try what they didn’t believe was possible. Fear will always try to rob us of the rewards of our risks. We can’t lose sight of the positive side of risk taking. There are rewards! I’ve never been shy, soft spoken or timid. That sometimes doesn’t make people comfortable but that character trait is what fuels my risk taking. I’ve learned to always bet on me. My confidence comes from God. I know that I can’t lose when I put my faith and trust in His plan for my life. He’s an excellent project manager. I’ve learned to lean into His wisdom when taking risks. Read more>>