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.

Auriyana Armour | Filmmaker

I personally don’t often use the phrasing “risk” or “taking risk” when it comes to anything I believe in whether that be in regard to my career or personal life. It’s not about taking risk as much as it’s about having faith in whatever you’re doing. I’ve grown up with a large belief of doing the hard work and then trusting the process. Read more>>

Paris Dwyer | Actress

Since I can remember, following the trajectory of finishing high school, going University, getting a degree, and then finding a job that could fulfill my everyday needs looked like the only safe bet at achieving a sense of stability in this lifetime. Growing up in a working-class family, I was privy to the struggles my parents faced to put food on the table, and the resentment they sometimes felt towards their past choices.  Read more>>

Peggy Roberts | Director of Golf Instruction

I am currently a golf instructor and when I give golf lessons out on the course, I find myself often talking with my students about risk. The flag might be positioned over a pond – am I willing to take the risk to go straight at the flag, or should I take a more conservative approach and hit to the center of the green on my shot?  Read more>>

Yosoye Adesoye | CEO and Head of Construction at YSB Properties

It has made me broaden my horizon. You have to be willing to take a leap of faith to get things done. Without risk and persistence, most great establishments and businesses wouldn’t thrive . In general, risks are viewed as potential threats or challenges that can have negative consequences. Read more>>

Maribel Rodriguez | LMHC, Hope and Healing Coach

I have always been a risk taker compared to those in my family and community. I have consistently tried and done things that are considered out of the box for my family, culture and community. Read more>>

Maria Fernanda Pinkus | Fashion model and Fashion Content creator

The biggest risk I have taken in my career was move to another country to pursue my modeling career. I always wanted to pursue something creative so it was risk taking deciding to pursue a non traditional path as a career. Read more>>

Taylor Whigham | Mortgage Loan Officer & Certified Spin Instructor.

Without risk you can’t live your full life. I’ve taken risks that not only involve my financials but my mental capacity. Once your mind is made up, you can take any risk. Read more>>

Jordin Andrade | Olympic Athlete

I feel like comfort zones are stationary. Sometimes thats not a bad thing. However, when youre young and full of aspiration, it is the biggest thing to hold a person back for achieving something larger than expected. I use the phrase High risk/High reward because if it was ever Low risk/High reward, it’s probably a scam. Read more>>

Jasmine Vargas | Licensed cosmetologist

If you’re not ready to risk it all and step out on faith you’ll never know what it’s like on the other side of being successful. Read more>>

Randi Glover | CEO & Hospitality Mentor

I believe that risk taking is a huge part in starting a business. You have to be willing to do trial and error when you are starting out, because there are so many methods in the entertainment industry that could work, and I had to try more than one in order to figure out which one works best for me and my company.  Read more>>

Fatimah Abdullah | Head of Studio at BWA

I love taking risks. For me, it’s all about exposing the possibilities. Stepping into the unknown has led to as many successes as failures. I’ve been lucky to be a part of small, mighty teams, and taking risks was a matter of survival. We were responsible for prying the door open for growth, leading to innovation. Read more>>

Dr. J or Jen Self | Queer JEDI: Equity & Justice Strategist and Coach

Honestly, just being who I am is a risk, and I know that many others can identify with that. I am white and that has afforded me unearned privilege and safety in many circumstances where others never feel safe. And, I am also a queer, genderqueer, neurodivergent, assigned female at birth, intense, outspoken, truth-telling person who doesn’t just believe in equity and justice and speaks to it, lives it, and asks for it from others. Read more>>

Taylor Dru Williams | Business Coach & Consultant

As I reflect on my journey and the role that risk-taking has played in my life and career, I realize that embracing uncertainty has been instrumental in my growth over the past decade. Taking risks are important in life and have been a huge piece of my story. Read more>>

Kenah Jonel | Artist

I don’t really consider anything a “risk.” I see everything as an opportunity to learn something, grow as a creative, and move closer towards where I want to be in life. I think part of the journey includes making mistakes and going through hard things, but those are necessary evils to your highest potential. Read more>>

Chanell Carney | Licensed Cosmetologist & Head Spa specialist

Risk to me are a bunch of “oh wells”. When I say this I mean, I rather have more oh wells than what ifs. Ill try anything because nothing beats a failure than a try. If I wouldn’t have took a risk and moved from my home town to Atlanta than I wouldn’t have been the person I am today. Read more>>