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.

Jon Echols | Singer/Songwriter

Taking risks has served to be one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Many times taking risks are hard because you want to make sure that you’re not leaving yourself vulnerable and fear settles in. However, I’ve learned that without taking risk I will not be satisfied with not only my career but my life as well. Read more>>

Aline Irakoze | Fashion boutique owner& makeup artist

I believe starting a business Alone is a big risk to take because you aren’t 100% sure if you will sell out of your product or if you will get the desired number of sales or customers you are hoping or desiring for but with faith and prayer I know that everything is possible in Christ and that’s why I started my fashion boutique because I want to empower women to achieve their dreams in style every chance I get it is very possible. Read more>>

Ellarie Noel | Content Creator

Taking risks is ultimately how my career began. I started out splitting my time between what I truly wanted to do and what I had to do to pay my bills, and though I was making progression, I knew that eventually I was going to have to put everything I had into what I really wanted to do in order to see if it was going to work out. Read more>>

Tyler Russell | Private Office Advisor, Engel & Völkers Atlanta

Growing up I learned to be risk averse from the teachings of my family, friends and neighbors. The idea was that you should always take the surest route – go to college, get a steady-paying job, eventually buy a house, build the American dream. I definitely tried that path but it was not fulfilling for me at all. Read more>>

Robyn Thomas | Architect & Interior Designer

Risks and rewards go hand in hand. And really, most of the things we do every day involve risk: stepping out of the bed, taking a shower, preparing food, unlocking the door, driving, saying hello to strangers — the list is long. Read more>>

Jiji Ugboma | Writer and Engagement Strategist

I am a risk taker because I believe life is about growth. Taking risks means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone to challenge yourself and see what you’re capable of. I welcome every opportunity to leave my comfort zone, experience new challenges, and learn something new. Read more>> 

Ross Boone | Spiritual Creative Scientist

We first ran into Ross when he was drawing on a canvas right next to the main stage of a big conference. We asked him if it’s intimidating and he said the biggest tool in his ‘risk’ tool box is to replace ‘fear’ with ‘adventure’ in his mind. And to remember “that if I fail, I’ll come out the other side with a funnier story.” Read more>>

Katie Ratliff | Owner of Lily & Lamb, a Catholic Gift Boutique

Honestly, I’ve always been pretty risk-averse. My parents were small business owners, so I always held entrepreneurs in high esteem. And even though I wanted to start my own business for a long time, it just felt safer to keep my corporate job. Read more>>

Jett Barker | Actor & Musician

Fundamentally, my approach to risk-taking is similar to my general approach for any intensive or difficult activity: strategize as much as possible in advance, and subdivide tasks as much as possible in order to make each individual step more manageable. Read more>>

Diana Chaloux-LaCerte | Co-CEO Hitch Fit & SoulFIT Retreats

As an entrepreneur, taking risks is essential to building a successful business and a meaningful and fulfilled life! My entire career in the fitness industry has been riddled with exhilarating risks worth taking. Some of those risks have worked out better than I could imagine, and others, not so much! Read more>>

Kahlik Hayes | Fashion Designer & Content Creator

I look at risk as a challenge, that you finally pull yourself together to try out not knowing if you’re going to fail or succeed. I feel that taking risks has only made me a better person with more knowledge from all of my experiences. Read more>>

Kimberly King | Visual Artist

Risks? More like sacrifices to be honest. Realizing how introverted I am and being able to step out of my comfort zone in order to promote my creativity is a very interesting journey. I don’t feel like I risked anything other than my time but sacrifices…..yes, I sacrificed a lot to get to where I am in my career. Read more>>

Malaiye

Risk taking and I have an interesting relationship. I personally like to think of it as Faith. Whenever I’ve taken a step into the unknown, I’ve always come out on top, God Willing. Whether that’s closing a door to environments, relationships, the past. Read more>>

Paul Starosciak | Actor

Risk to me is defined as “uncertainty.” So, to undertake any risk, it just means that you are willing to move forward at something that is uncertain or unseen. Faith is attitude of heart that helps with things that are unseen! Read more>>