We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Denise Arruda | Owner of The Brand Mob – Traditional Branding & Marketing Agency for Main Characters

I believe that taking risks as an entrepreneur is a must. Every little step to growth is a risk! My most recent risk was rebranding my business. I just rebranded from DA Creative Studio to The Brand Mob, and for me it was a HUGE step that I needed to take. Read more>>

Juliana And Fernanda Chen / Macedo | Entrepreneurs

Both I, Juliana, and my partner Fernanda consider ourselves great adventurers. Graduated in Architecture, I worked in several areas such as architecture, interior design, retail, trade and distribution of European and American products and finally developing sustainability projects. Fernanda, a graduate in Social Assistance, worked in hospitals, started her own business such as a clothing store and a restaurant, and as soon as she got married she went with her husband to live in China. Read more>>

Psychology With Charlotte | Psychology Student & Mental Health Advocate

I think it depends on how you define risk, but I very much believe taking risks is so powerful in the sense of facing your fears to improve your quality of life. I’ve learned from studying psychology and working in mental health the power of exposure therapy on a small and large scale. Facing what we fear, when what we fear is out of proportion to its real risk, teaches our brain that we can cope with it, and it’s not as bad as we thought. Taking risks has definitely been a big part of my life.  Read more>>

Ainaz Alipour | Iranian Visual Artist

Risk has been an inherent part of both my personal life and my artistic career. As an Iranian artist working in a transnational context, taking risks is often about challenging boundaries—whether it’s cultural, political, or artistic. Early in my career, I moved from Iran to pursue an MFA in the U.S., which was a huge risk but ultimately expanded my perspective on visual arts and allowed me to bridge the gap between my heritage and contemporary practices. Read more>>

Marianna Ramirez | Business Administrator & Content Creator

Have you ever stopped yourself from chasing a dream because of fear? I have, and I bet you have too. But here’s the truth: the greatest success stories come from those willing to step out of their comfort zones. Sure, taking risks is scary—what if you fail? What will people say? But without taking the leap, we’re left with nothing but fear and a burning question: What if?
What if that business idea could have been the next big thing? What if I had actually succeeded? We can’t let the fear of failure hold us back. It’s true in our personal lives (where we battle insecurities and seek validation) and equally so in our professional lives. Read more>>

Joel Cohen | Fine Art Photographer

Risk taking is life. No risk no reward. Leaving New York to move to Florida was a huge risk both emotionally and financially. We opened an art gallery in Palm Beach, not really having a grasp on the market. We learned really quickly what our path should be, executed it and became successful. Read more>>