Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

Edouard Duval-carrié | Artist/Curator

From early on, my family, though very attached to their homeland, Haiti, felt that for our upbringing it would have been better to leave that place due to its insufferable social configuration and its constant political turmoil. They packed up and went abroad to Puerto Rico where they started a new business. Even though I was very young, 9 years old, I felt that they had taken a serious risk for they hardly knew how to speak English or Spanish. But off we went to a new adventure and I think this fact formed me. Their bravery was quite astonishing for they both truly wanted to keep their status, economic and social despite the fact that this could have been a major setback. The one most affected in this affair was my mother whom I sensed was truly displaced.  Read more>>

Meghan Garrett | Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach

In life, there is no reward without risk. Growing up, I always did what was necessary to get by and get to college. Once I got into Florida Atlantic University in 2020, I quickly realized that college isn’t for me and that I wanted to create the life that I love from scratch. I took the initial risk to quit school, get my personal training certification, and follow my passion.
Navigating life in 2022 at 20 years old in a new job field and not going to school with all of my friends was definitely difficult. While all of my closest friends were worried about what party they were going to on a Friday night, I was at home planning ways to make my future self better. Read more>> 

Nelson Rodriguez Jr | Podcaster | A Man In Search of Wisdom | Story Teller

This is always a funny one to answer for me. In my book, Montana Method, I write a chapter about your superpower. Everyone has one, mine is risk taking. My entire life I’ve taken many risks and one could argue that it’s made me the man I am today. I have an inhuman tolerance to risk. More than once I’ve risked everything I had to get my self to a the next level in life. The main thing is that if the bet is on me then I’m always willing to risk it all. My attitude is if you don’t have that kind of confidence in who you are then you’ll never get anywhere in life. No one needs to believe in you or what you’re doing but you. That’s the only person that can never doubt you. 1% doubt and you’re out. Read more>>

Colin Maloney Jr. | Photographer & Videographer

I usually think of risks in the most rational way possible. The easiest thing you can do is consider the variables you can control. If the areas I can make an impact have a high probability of increasing my chances of success, it feels less like a risk and more like an opportunity. I love opportunities to grow my business. Seeking opportunities, rather than waiting for them to happen, has lead to very positive outcomes in my career. Risks are thought of as this huge leap of faith. Making a decision where the negative consequences outweighs the positive effects. For me, there is no greater negative than not being able to have my career capturing priceless memories. Taking that “risk” on myself was the greatest decision of my career. Read more>>

Diana Mercedes Botta | Company Owner | Wellness, Yoga & Meditation Coach & Educator

Risk-taking has shaped me into the person I am today. From a young age, I embraced boldness without hesitation, making decisions that pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I vividly remember, at just five years old, asking my dad—my former sports coach—if our girls’ soccer team could play against a boys’ team. Our games against other girls’ teams weren’t challenging enough. We went for it, and although we lost, the experience was invaluable. Taking that risk taught me how to confront fear, step outside of my comfort zone, and embrace growth. Read more>>