By far, the topic that comes up most in our conversations with entrepreneurs and creatives is risk. We’ve had conversations about risks that worked out and risks that did not. We’ve seen eyes light eye sharing about career-trajectory changing risks as well as folks sigh about the risks they wish they had taken. Below, we’ve selected and shared some of those thoughtful conversations.

Veronica Marley | Veronica Leigh Photography

I used to be very afraid of taking risks when it comes to my career. I liked having a 9-5 consistent job where I knew how much I’d be getting paid and when I’d be working. However, when I moved from New York and left my job, I realized there weren’t really many job opportunities where I was living that piqued my interest much. I decided to do freelance photography and social media marketing for a while which led me to realize how much I really liked working for myself. When Covid initially hit, I re-evaluated everything in terms of my career and decided to fully take the risk of starting my own business and working for myself. It is definitely challenging at times but I can’t imagine going back to the 9-5 lifestyle now. Read more>>

Alane Gianetti | Wedding Calligrapher

If you look up the word “risk” in the dictionary, most of the definitions have to do with loss or potential harm and they tend to give the word a negative connotation. However, when I think about risk, I like to think about what there is to gain rather than what there is to lose. In my opinion, taking risks is a necessary action in order to grow, and I can say for certain that I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t take risks along the way. Read more>>

Maria Diehn | Yoga Teacher

I think risk taking is the one thing you need to do in order to level up with your business. I don’t think there can be success without taking risks. The first risk most Yoga Teachers/ Wellness Entrepreneurs take is leaving their 9 to 5. For a lot of people this starts of with scarcity though and they look for a side job to “pay the bills”. I’ve done this myself and I’ve seen it so often here in Mallorca. What most people don’t realize is that this kills the spirit. Working in the wellness industry you need to vibrate high in order to attract and help people. Read more>>

Amaya Santos | Artist, Singer/ Song writer

I believe you have to get out of your comfort zone and take risk to succeed. Taking risk can be scary but you have to trust your gut and believe in yourself to take risks. Statistically, the amount of artist that are able to break through and make a successful career out of their music is very small. As an independent artist, even starting a career in music is a high risk. Knowing this, risk taking has played a big role in my career, from my style of music to the visual concepts behind it. Read more>>

William Perez | Fashion Photographer

The way I think and feel about risk is that it is essential to a fulfilling life. Every decision we make has risk factor associated with them. It is a scary and a invigorating feeling we get when making a risky choice. Risks have played a very special role in my life. From joining the military to sneaking into a fashion show with a friend that got me started to my career path. I made a VERY risky decision by deciding to sign up for the infamous Fyre Festival within 24 hours of it being announced. Read more>>

Vee | Lash Dealer

Having a business is ALL about risks. Some you win, some you lose but risks are essential. It is what gives you experience, growth, and knowledge. Every risk I took even when I lost, I still won. I learned from all of my bad decisions and made better goals for the future. Read more>>

Liana Cardinalle | Beauty and Fashion Expert

As it says who does not risk never win nor drink a champaigne . From young age I challenged myself not to afraid of difficulties rather face them and fight them. One of the big risks is moving from my origin country Armenia to United States without any english language. The same month I arrived I decided to make money before going to school amd wemt on the street to see if I like any store I would work for. I found my first job at french connections store. Read more>>

Ría | Singer, Songwriter & Fashion Merchandiser

Without risk there’s no reward and that is how I’ve thought about it for a while now. One day, I decided that it if I wanted to live the life I dreamed of I would have to make it happen for myself. Which is when I started creative directing my own videos/photoshoots, educating myself in the fashion merchandising business & taking risks with my creativity. After working hard and seeing the rewards of my work I realized that none of would’ve been possible if I didn’t decide to let risk play its part in my journey. I have a long way to go but I am glad I’m moving forward willing to take these risks. Read more>>

Ernesto Guerrero | Entrepenuer

I hardly believe that if you want to succeed you must go for it when opportunity presents. Don’t hesitate. You can’t always play it safe. If you always play it safe you will spend the rest of your life wondering what if. Read more>>

Yasmine Creese-Brown | Founder, Career Development Advisor

I think risk is unavoidable. It’s always best to try to mitigate it with more opportunity. Relaunching my business was definitely a risky move, but I felt like it was an opportunity to prove to myself that I could do it and take things a little further. Read more>>

Finess Jewelz | Music Artist & Songwriter

I feel like taking risks is a necessity for success. I feel like you have to step out your comfort zone and take risks to break those new barriers to heights and levels. I’ve taking plenty of risks in life to get where I’m at today. Yes it can be nerve wrecking but you have to have faith and a positive outlook. My most recent risk I’ve taken was taking the step back from being a barber to pursue my music career. Read more>>

Ivanea Lanza | Hair Stylist

I believe that risks are a great opportunity to grow and overcome a comfort zone that would rather weigh you down . If you don’t take risks, then you won’t gain. Ever since I was a child, I was always a risk taker. I would have to say that one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was to emigrate into the United States. As a teenage mother, both my daughter and I’s futures were completely at risk. I emigrated to the United States from Honduras at just twenty one years old and didn’t get to see my daughter for the next two years. Read more>>

Isadora Franca | Photographer and Artist

Certain people take risks while others walk away because we easily associate it with a negative effect. I wanted results but was afraid of the risks I had to take to get to the other side. This was because I lacked a sort of self-confidence- in order to see myself take a risk I needed to see myself worthy of a positive outcome. Read more>>

Erika Bernardini | Reiki Master Teacher, Yoga Instructor, Intuitive

Some might call me “the taker of risks!” In the middle of the 2021 pandemic, my husband and I decided to purge most of our physical material belongings while we packed up our two Toyotas and 4 small children, and moved 2000 miles across the country (away from family and everything we ever knew) to build a better life for ourselves. To break the cycle.. to re-write our story! Read more>>

Big Solo | Recording Artist, Therapist, Model & Creative

I approach risk taking like the game, two truths and a lie. The premise is to take as many risks as you can while being conscious of whatever probability of whatever unforeseen circumstance may arise. Consequently, taking no risk at all, may never put someone in position to reach goals or get ahead. It is the very thing that has helped me follow my dreams in all aspects of life go on to cofound Florolina Entertainment, Inc. Read more>>

Alexandra Bello | Beauty lover and Content Creator

Whether it be taking on a chance that is slightly out of your comfort zone or doing something completely foreign to you, to me it is more so about the experience of taking a risk. With that experience can come an opportunity to flourish in your career path. Slowly but surely, pushing myself to keep this type of mindset has helped me to grow on both of my platforms, connect with people, and find my overall niche. Read more>>