In our experience, most folks, including ourselves don’t have enough of an understanding of risk and the role it plays in our lives and careers and so we have made a concerted effort as a team to have conversations about risk with our interviewees. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Tiarra Shaw | Realtor & Entrepreneur

Taking risks is a necessary step to grow. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is where real change can occur. If I hadn’t taken risks I wouldn’t be where I am today. 19 years ago I left my hometown with just the clothes in my car and moved to Atlanta. It was risky because I didn’t have a degree, or a job waiting for me in Atlanta. However, I was determined to make it work here. I went on to get my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Along with opening and operating successful businesses. This is all because I wasn’t scared to take risks. Read more>>

Dakota Cerro | Filmmaker & Film Lover

I believe you don’t get anywhere without taking risks. I think everyone every now and then has to take a chance on something may not be comfortable with because you just never know how it will turn out. ive found that some of the greatest success stories are about people who got out of their comfort zones and took risks. not every risk has to be the biggest risk of your life, some can be simple day to day risks but I believe they all add up to make you who you are as a person. Im a big believer in the mentality of “lets try it and see what happens” i’m a very curious person and with curiosity comes of level of risk taking that many people might shy away from but i’ve always embraced it. I think everything has a time and place and sometimes definitely the best option to not take a risk on something but thats a choice you have to make. Read more>>

Marcus Woods | Professional Actor

I think risk taking is a scary, fun, rewarding adventure. Taking risks can be both daunting and exhilarating, but it has taught me to confront challenges with unwavering faith, trusting that the outcomes will ultimately favor me in my life and career. Read more>>

Keon Atwater, CCP | Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Chef, Author, Writer, Artist, Entertainer, Brand Ambassador, Blogger, Podcaster, Content Creator & more!

Risk taking has been so very impactful on my journey. Whether it is In life or in my career, I believe In taking leaps. Unfortunately, this wasn’t always the case. I use to allow fear, doubt and outside opinions dictate how I would navigate as a whole. There were days where I would feel this sense of urgency to do something outside of the norm but I was too afraid to step outside the box. I didn’t want to disrupt the status quo, so I stayed in the lines. I allowed fear of failure to keep me in a place of stagnation, constantly hoping for better. In theory, I was doing everything I was “supposed” to do in a traditional manner (based on societal expectations) but I was miserable. At this time anxiety, depression and self sabotage would get the best of me because I wasn’t doing what I felt like I was being called to do. Read more>>

Lenox Stafford | Author, Writer, Innovative Storyteller

My entire mission through my platform of storytelling is to inspire kids and teens to take risks. Why? Because taking risks builds self-confidence and serves a major role in having you live the life of your dreams. I target the youth because when I started my first real adult job, I noticed a bunch of my older colleagues being too afraid to take chances on themselves. I figured somewhere along the way in life they allowed life to control them. I can stand on this square because I moved to Chicago without ever visiting, after that, I moved to NYC with no job and when I left New York, I moved to London, England with no job or family. Of course I was afraid, but every single time I took a chance on myself, I always end up saying, “I didn’t know I had it in me!” Read more>>

P Muffin | Rapper/ Artist and Entertainer

Umm taking risks have played a big role in my life. I done took a lot of risks, shit for my kids, the people I be around. Im even taking a risk now, with my music career. Read more>>