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.

Lauren Hughes | Photographer, Creative Strategist & Social Media Manager

I think that when you make the decision to become an entrepreneur you’re essentially take a huge risk. You risk your business not doing well. You risk not making as much money as you did at your 9-5. The list goes on but it ultimately it comes down to stepping out on faith. Trusting that if God gave you the vision for the business, He will give you the tools you need to succeed. Taking risk has definitely played a huge role in terms of my career. Read more>>

Keegan Carter | Artist & strategist

Risk is funny because it’s an all or nothing type of thing. I chose to reframe the concept in my head and focus on the concept of curiosity and exploration. It’s the same thing to me, just a better way of thinking about it. Take walking for example. One could say that every time your foot leaves the ground you’re at risk of falling. One could also say that if your foot never leaves the ground you can’t walk forward or even run. It’s all about how you think about it. Read more>>

Aundrea Miller | Photographer & Filmmaker

Risks are a necessary part of the journey throughout life, as is struggle. There is a spectrum of risks and struggles. One of my favorite metaphors for this came from Will Smith and Steve Harvey. Will Smith said during a motivational speech, “God placed the best things in life on the other side of fear.” In an episode of the Steve Harvey Show, Harvey says, “You’ll never know if you can fly until you take the risk and jump off the cliff first.” Sometimes we pass up on opportunities because we’re afraid of change or what we may lose in the process. Read more>>

Sonal Patel-Cochran | Designer & Founder of Tribe

I always remind myself that if everything I do is successful, then I’m not taking enough risks. Some of my biggest wins have come from trying things that I was completely unsure about. When it comes to starting something new or out of my comfort zone, I push myself by not having a back up plan. It gives me that extra amount of creativity and hustle to get things figured out. Read more>>

Abby Holland | Performer, Creator, & Young Professional

I think risks are an integral part of life and the creative process. In order for growth to occur, risks are necessary. A few years ago, my way of taking a risk was saying “yes and” to every professional venture and performance opportunity. My mindset was work as hard as possible, have your hand in every pot, throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. This was a very effective way for me to get my foot in the door, meet lots of incredible people, and do a lot of amazing work. However, this wasn’t as sustainable as I had initially thought. Read more>>

Asia Lee | Entrepreneur & Skateboarder

I don’t really think of “risk” as being a risk when you’re following your heart. I believe when you know you have a great idea and you have a lot of passion and purpose behind it, it should be a no brainer to go out there and show case it to the world. After you take that risk everything else seems to go along and fall in place. Taking risk has changed my life. It has opened my mind to believe I can do anything and is leading me to a path of success. Read more>>

Brax “WhoisBrax?” Francis | Rockstar Businessman

I think there is a certain level of risk that comes with every decision we make, and in order to elevate you have to take some risk. I just recently had to ask myself “what am I willing to risk to purse my dreams?” and after I asked myself that question I quit my 9-5. I like to take calculated risk and do everything I can to make sure things go the way I want them to go, but they are still risk none the less. You have to be willing to bet on yourself, before anyone else can take that chance on you. Read more>>

Cyrú Elaine | Fashion Model & Entrepreneur

I think risk taking plays a major role not in just my business but in every single aspect of life. In order to succeed, I feel like you have to take a couple of L’s and risk to actually get where you wanna be. Taking risk has been a major part of why my business has prospered, one day I could be doing great and the next things can be falling apart but learning to keep going a roll with the punches will get your business where it needs to be. Read more>>

Pastor Deedria Chauntee Example | Pastor, Educator, Mentor

Risks are necessary to grow any business or brand. People say that I am a risk-taker, however, I simply trust GOD. He said that all things will work together for the good of those that love him. and are called according to his purpose. I stand on that promise. So as long as I show up and trust him. I either win or learn. BUT the Fight is fixed in my favor! Read more>>

Tamara Green | Real Estate Agent

I think that to get to where you want to be in life, you must be willing to take risks and put yourself in uncomfortable situations. You limit yourself on what you can achieve when you always do what’s comfortable. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without being willing to step out on faith and take a chance on myself. Moving to Atlanta was a prime example. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be here long term. I’m super close to my family so I wanted to be in a city where I wouldn’t be too far away. Atlanta really offered everything that I was looking for. Read more>>

Jessica Caballero | 2020 Atlanta Top Producer Realtor, Atlanta Fine Homes, Sotheby’s International Realty

Risk taking has always been my biggest teacher. I like to joke that my tenure at Home Depot gave me my MBA, but “daring greatly” as noted sociologist and lecturer Brene Brown calls it has taught me so many invaluable lessons in life and in my career. Fear used to be the reason why I tended to hold back, but I flipped a switch and realized that there are really only 2 outcomes when taking a risk: you either don’t succeed but you learn so many lessons along the way so that it’s never deemed a failure, or you make it. The human brain is really excellent at telling us what we may lose when taking a risk but it’s lousy at letting us understand what we may gain. Read more>>

Max Shapiro | Gastroenterologist

As with any decision, in medicine or business, the benefits must be carefully weighed against the risks. The most significant career risk that I have taken was joining a small group of gastroenterologists rather than a large pan-regional, hospital-owned, or multi-specialty practice. Now, as a part owner, I am tasked with navigating a competitive marketplace without a dedicated marketing team, large cash reserves, or other benefits from economies of scale. Relatively small month-to-month differences in productivity can have a significant impact on our bottom line, and the burden of all decisions rests squarely on us. Read more>>

Jacey Lashawn | Teeth whitening specialist & Spa owner

Risk taking… When I think about taking risks I think about the opportunities and the penalties. You know it’s a common saying “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward”. And anytime I’m thinking of taking a risk I think of that very saying. I feel if you never take a risk you’ll forever live in fear. Sometimes you have to do the unthinkable to achieve the unimaginable. Taking risks is the very thing that has made my business grow. Of course some risks came with taking a loss. But I don’t look at a loss as a loss. I look at it as another way to perfect myself. Think about it, if you never risk anything you’ll never know about the endless possibilities or your full potential. Read more>>

Alexandria Norman | Owner of Inclusive Hair Studio

Taking risks has made a major impact on my life and career. I used to work a 9 to 5 and that job could barely cover my bills. I also worked in a salon after I got my cosmetology license where I worked on commission. That job also could barely help me pay all my bills. But it definitely helped me to build a strong clientele base. Read more>>