There is a wealth of academic research that suggests that differences in risk appetite are at the heart of differences in career and business trajectories. We wanted to go beyond the theory and ask real people from the community about their perspectives and experiences with risk and risk taking.

FLY GUY | Artist / Creative

I govern my life according to a quote from Robert Greene (author of The 48 Laws of Power, Art of Seduction, The 50th Law). He wrote… “Life rewards the risk takers.” To paraphrase, when you feel the most apprehensive or fearful about making a decision or taking that leap of faith; stepping into unfamiliar territory…that is the exact moment when you should make the move. By doing that, he believes (as I do), that you will find your greatest reward. I’ve always been the type of person to take the road less traveled. To me, it’s about it being “greater” later; never about instant gratification or a quick buck. I always want to be known for carving out my own path to success. Read more>>

Adriana Falcon | Creative Designer & Image Consultant

I think taking risks is one of the key values of an entrepreneur.. You have to take risks in order to have a successful business. You always win by taking risks because if it works, you got it! and if not, you learn from it. Read more>>

Aileen Abella | Publicist – Owner of A2 Media

The biggest risk a person can take is to do nothing. That definitely resonate with me as the biggest risk I’ve taken professionally has paid off the biggest dividends. One of the hardest things I’ve had to do in business is to believe in myself. It was a huge step to strike out on my own and start my own business 9 years ago– I didn’t have a business plan, vision board or even long-term goals. I had interviewed with a multinational and they came back to offer me a contract. I took a deep breath and questioned why I couldn’t trust myself to do what they saw as potential. So I took the plunge and the rest is, as they say, history. Read more>>

Horacio Quiroz | Artist

Risk is essential to grow, it is part of life. I think taking risks is exciting and scary at the same time. Taking risks confronts you with the unknown and that is scary but in the same way it is exciting to feel the adrenanila of how new paths are generated from taking risks. I think there is a strange relationship between risk and enjoyment, when things become routine and you want to get out of your comfort zone, taking risk will definitely renew you whether you are successful or not in what you do. In the end, the most important thing is learning to take risks regardless of the result you obtain, the very experience of risk and feeling on the edge of the precipice is the lesson itself. Risk makes us vulnerable and it is okay to let yourself feel vulnerable when you need it, although it is not so easy. Becoming an artist for me comes from the risk of having reinvented myself. Read more>>

Ak cespedes | Photographer & Traveler

I tend to be an impulsive person driven by emotion rather than logic. One might say that a risk should be studied, researched, find the ROI in all of it. If I did that, I’d never leap. I would think of too many variables and ways that it can go wrong. I will sabotage it. So I just jump into it. I just think, “what’s the worse that can happen?” and then go for it. It doesn’t always go the way you plan/expect/hope, but that in itself is part of the risk. And the growth, the shedding of fears, the self-trust and confidence gained is worth it. Read more>>

RIGO LEON | Artist

Life is all about taking risks, the success is outside the confort zone, you need to take chances, do what you love and ask the universe for what you want in life. Read more>>

Narisse Spicer | CEO & Founder of Since ’92 Home & Body

I’m passionate about taking risks and doing everything that terrifies me in life. The most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made have been the result of a leap of faith. It’s all about challenging yourself to live your wildest dreams and exploring the world beyond your comfort zone. Read more>>

Katy Hirschfeld | Collage Artist

One of the most meaningful aspects of art, becoming an artist, and evolving as an artist is taking that risk. Everything about art is risky. Since Art is a subjective science, I can’t guarantee who will appreciate it, that’s the risk I take, and I create anyway, which is really liberating, knowing that someone may hate it, but feeling confident enough to continue and lose myself in creating anyway. That takes confidence. Risk taking takes confidence. I think about risk as something you embrace to truly be yourself. I also believe risk brings you closer to your dreams. I took a risk getting into art in the first place….I had a pretty conventional upbringing and had majored in sociology/politics in college. My first real job was for a law firm. During this job I found myself using their scanner and printer for things to use in my collages. Read more>>

Jasmin Terrany, LMHC | Life Therapist & Founder of Jasmin Balance: An Intimate Virtual Society for World-Changing Women

I always try to lead with faith over fear, but have recently realized how much strategizing and certainty, I “require” before taking bigger leaps. Now, I more directly address the fears that try to keep me “safe.” I return to the trust that I would rather experience the fullness of my human experience, even if it is uncomfortable. Read more>>

Aja Sejour | Freelance MUA

When I think of taking risks, I think of fear. Risk is having the courage to face what you are afraid of. In my case, failure has always been of my biggest figures. I know that answer may sound so cliche, but it’s the truth. I take risks carelessly with my goals and businesses because you never know what the outcome may be until you try. Mistakes are meant to be made, so I go in with that mindset in case things may not always work in my favor. But ultimately, I’ve learned more than I lost and I’m okay with that as long I know my purpose. Read more>>

Lexi Layne | Musician

I believe life is all about taking risks. If you never take them how will you ever know what you are truly capable of? I definitely find myself being a massive risk taker, being a new alternative female artist in the music scene “risks” have become my best friend. I am always the one who pushes myself over the line and outside the box to see what I can achieve. It isn’t always easy it’s almost like you’re playing with fire, but if you never play how will you ever know. Read more>>

Chanel Fernandez | Women’s Portrait Photographer and Multi-faceted Creative

All life choices that we face are associated with an element of risk, whether big or small, whether we consciously realize it or not. If you choose one path, you risk missing out on whatever may have happened down the path you did not choose. For me, it’s the element of risk that makes the reward of success that much greater. In a lot of ways, my entire career hinged on one of the biggest risks of my life: The decision to completely cut ties with my “old life” and pursue a fresh start in a new state. This one risk put me on a path to true fulfillment in both my personal and professional life. Read more>>