How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Adrian Provost | Real Estate Broker & Entrepreneur

Life in itself can be considered risky, however, taking risks and challenging yourself leads to innovation and progression while building confidence and developing skills. Taking risks encourages you to step out of your comfort zone into unknown territory which allows you to confront your fears and develop a greater belief in yourself. Read more>>

Nicole Macias | Model & Actress

Taking a risk has been the most important choice that I’ve made in my life.Taking a chance on myself and not counting myself short when aiming towards my career goals is most important to me. I’ve found that I really am capable of doing whatever it is that I set my mind to. My career has transformed exponentially since I’ve adopted that mindset. If I didn’t take a risk and try with my passions, I wouldn’t be the person that you see today. Read more>>

Jerrod J-rod” Sullivan | Professional Musician & Entrepreneur “

Without taking risks, I probably would not be where I am in my career and life. As musicians and business owners, we always take risks releasing music and products. Back in 2006, I uploaded my first drum video to YouTube. Growing up in a family as the only musician and no industry connections, I felt that social media was the best way to promote my work and possibly network with other musicians. I wasn’t sure what would happen or how people would receive my work, but I decided to go for it and put myself out there. Read more>>

Optulie Heriveaux | Creative, Entrepreneur, Wig Specialist

I used to view the word “risk” so negatively because I would always assume that all the negative outcomes would take place. I would never share myself or my opinions openly because that would risk people criticizing me and/or my work; I rarely thought about risk playing out in a good way until recently. If you take a risk on yourself and your aspirations you truly never know what could happen, but I’ve realized the importance of being open to all positive possibilities. Everyone is always like “what if you fail? what if this doesn’t happen?”; but what if you win? What if you succeed? Read more>>

Marvin Isaac | Photographer/videographer/Graphic Designer

The role that risks played in my career is that it was either a now or never type moment every time i picked up a camera the biggest risk you could ever take is not taking one at all Read more>>

Darryl Stephens | Co-Founder of the Bass Parlour App

Taking risks has been one of the the defining characteristics of my career of my career so far, and the funny thing is that it never gets easier. It’s still stressful and scary each time, but it’s about moving forward anyway despite the fear. There’s an awesome quote from Henry David Thoreau that I love. He says ‘Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.’ I’ve always been much more afraid of not fulfilling my purpose, then I feared failure. Read more>>

Jerichos Revenge | Music Artist & Model

My whole life has been one huge risk to be honest I bet on myself 24/7 an put more pressure on myself then I probably should I literally gave up my whole life back in New Jersey didn’t have to pay rent or worry about a meal to move to atlanta where I was dam near homeless an couldn’t afford a thing all with the plan to be something one day I never understood why life would go left an right but all of that was so I can be at the right plane at the right time some risk have backfired but nothing in my life I regret I know I can do anything I want in life when I want too just can’t be scared to take the risk but if I was you wouldn’t be talking to me right now Read more>>

Gia Compton | Strategist,Attorney, Producer,Connector

My personal gains as well as my strength as a strategist and advisor originates from seeing what may be possible and not necessarily the accepted/traditional model or process. One of my favorite thought leaders Daron K. Roberts wrote about the battle of courage vs. self-doubt and fear. In the end he encourages us to ” stay in the deep end”. The deep end is my native habitat. Read more>>