Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

JackÖ Renza | Creative Director

Being an independent artist. It becomes a little more uphill. I go through challenges that exceed my expectations and the good thing about this is that it makes me believe, learn and mature for future projects. Taking risks is an important favor for the artist to be able to continue climbing the steps. I see them as challenges that define my art more. The chess pieces are played in an intelligent way. Read more>>

Natalie Restrepo | Energetic Consultant

Risks are liberating, this is what living is all about, lean into the message that resides in the fear of it! Leaving a career I thought was my life was the scariest thing I have ever done but if I would have not taken that risk you would not be reading this in this moment. Read more>>

Shawn Kolodny | Artist

I’ve always had a high tolerance for risk, which has been both a blessing and a bane throughout my career. I’m the type to bet it all on what I believe is a brilliant idea. Over the years, this approach has led me to take bold chances—not all of which have panned out, but those that did, really paid off. When it comes to art, my penchant for risk has expressed itself through my commitment to large-scale installations. Read more>>

Tashi Pearson | Wig Influencer

Taking risk is really stepping over your boundaries & stepping into new territory without knowing the outcome, whether good or bad. Life rewards you by your actions. If you’re too timid to take the first step, you’ll never truly know what’s on the other side. If I had cared about what people thought of me, of my journey, mistakes along the way, then millions of people wouldn’t know who Tashi Pearson is. Every time we step out & just believe, we’re rewarded. Read more>>