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.

Ryann Redman | Wardrobe Stylist

Risk taking play a big role in my career- Wardrobe styling is anything but stable and I’ve learned that recently more than ever before. You can go months constantly working 24/7 and then you can also go months without a day of work. It’s all up in the air depending on your clients and what they have going on. Thats a big risk because that means income isn’t steady and that impacts your life and causes a lot of stress. Along with income your schedule is never a schedule . I love not working a 9-5 but things can pop up that you need to magically make happen an hour beforehand and you can end up working 17 hour days. All that being said, this risk of a career choice is something I have never and will never regret. It makes me a hard worker and it makes me grateful for everything I’m working for. Read more>>

Susan Garcia | Entrepreneur, Create-a-cocktail Inc.

When I think about risk, I think about change. It means I am changing something in my life that may or may not turn out good but I won’t know the outcome unless I try it. Taking the risk in my career as a women, mother and wife has been a huge role in life. It identifies me. It explains that I am not afraid to fail or succeed in my career for we don’t know what’s in store unless we take the risk. Read more>>

Savanna Westwood | The Savvy Sitter, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, LLC

There are always risks in life, both personally and professionally. You take risks even just stepping out the front door of your home. Risk is a part of life and it is something we must learn to accept, as well as deal with. There are ways we can manage and reduce risks is how we succeed both in life and business. Read more>>

Della Heiman Goldkind | Co-founder and CEO of The Doral Yard, Founder and CEO of della bowls

My family’s history and entrepreneurial spirit have been big influences on my understanding of and appetite for risk. My Dad’s family survived the Holocaust and rebuilt their lives in the US. The risks and challenges that they undertook to escape Europe during a horrific and turbulent time, and to start from scratch in a new country have influenced my worldview for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Amanda Deschamps | Miami Lifestyle Blogger

I view it as the door between you and success and or a learning experience. I find it necessary to be able to take risks in order to grow as a person. Read more>>

Ricardo Martinez | Musician & Author

I think risk is a necessary evil. Because of risks you move, you dare to do new things, you develop certain strengths you eventually will need to face your own life, you walk different paths in life and therefore you could choose the right one for you. In my case, several risks shaped my life/career: the risk of getting out of my birth country with a goal to achieve, the risk of arrive to a different country and start all over again, the risk of try new things and walk out of the confort zone, among a host of other risks that constantly embellish my life. All those risks have been shaping my life and career as no other force would have done it and I really appreciate that. Maybe at the beginning they seem huge, but it’s a matter of time, will and effort and suddenly, they become pathways to glory. Read more>>