Are you a risk taker? Do you think you have a stronger appetite for risk relative to your friends and family? We asked some folks from the community about their approaches to risk and have shared their thoughts below.

G. Darkins | Artist

To me, risk means stepping into the unknown, even when it feels uncomfortable. I believe that you can’t truly know if something is right for you until you give it a try. This approach to risk-taking has played a significant role in my life, especially given my physical limitations. One of the biggest risks I took was choosing to share the most vulnerable parts of myself through my art. Eight years ago, I decided to embrace painting, even though it felt daunting at the time. This risk has paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Not only has it allowed me to express my authenticity, but it has also pushed me out of my comfort zone, helping me grow both as an individual and as an artist. Read more>>

Gaiya | Multi-disciplinary Channeling Artist

Risk and my relationship with the term without it staying as a cloud of concept over my head is a beautiful way to introduce the rabbit hole that is my mind hive. As I’m now beginning to humanize risk and what it means to me in my human experience; I trace my lineage. By nature, I like to explore the roots and shine light upon when I first met with risk. I immediately access my ancestry and feel the flush of gratitude for their relationship to risk and the disposition in their confrontation with it during an experience as grand as migrating. Defining risk as being the ability to take an action while holding hands with fear. However, through this process I indulge into my curiosity and bring it to my present asking; what is my piece with risk? What is my responsibility here? Read more>>

Maxwell Felman | FL Real Estate Agent & Mortgage Loan Originator

I think of risk not only that of what percentage is success or fail, but that of how much can i analyze and predetermine variables to ensure success. I rarely do anything that is not a 90% sure thing, but I spend a lot of time and effort considering outcomes and how I will react to those events. By having a Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C in place, I have minimal downtime figuring out the next appropriate action and I am able to continue moving forward as quickly and proficiently as possible. Read more>>

Sofia Lavarello | Multimedia Journalist – Sport Anchor

My entire career has been built on taking risks. As the days go by and I grow older, I’ve come to believe that it’s those risks that propel us forward. One phrase I often find myself repeating is that the magic happens outside of your comfort zone. For me, staying in the comfort zone isn’t an option—it feels like stagnation. That’s why I constantly push myself to take new risks. Read more>>

Zyana Groves | Owner of Florida Sugar Treats

It’s a known saying that the bigger the risk, the bigger the possible reward. Since I started my business I have taken small risks here and there, but nothing big, so I never got my name out to more than a few hundred people. Within the past year, I’ve taken larger risks from giveaways to farmers’ markets. I was nervous about doing them at first because I was scared of the loss of revenue. I’m so thankful that I did it because it put my name out there to tens of thousands of people. I receive more orders and have more followers. Read more>>

Augusto Mendez | Founder of Black Mambo Films

For me, success is defined by the ability to do what I love every day, immersed in the world of film, embracing new adventures, meeting fascinating people, and applying my expertise to each project. Read more>>