Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Bari-Lynn Friedlander | Artist

Taking a risk, making a change, and leaving your comfort zone is the way to grow and find your true passion and path in life. I left my career in fashion back in Manhattan to purse what I had always dreamt of doing: Art! It was by far one of the biggest risks I had ever taken, yet it was also the best thing I could have done for myself. Read more>>

Irina Patterson | Live Events Artist & Creator

I have a tendency to take risks. In 1992, I took a chance by moving to the US from Russia to meet my future husband, whom I only knew through our love letters. My friends told me I was crazy, but it worked out great. Read more>>

Woodline Fancoir | Small Business Owner & Vendor Instructor

What I think about risk is that there is no difference between risk and luck. In order for you to be rewarded for taking a risk you have to trust your luck ,but you won’t know your luck unless you take a risk. From the year 2018 , I decided to take it upon myself and take the leap of faith and start learning how to start my own business . Read more>>

Imani Akbar | Costume Designer & Vintage Enthusiast

Risk taking is an essential element to success. One must take risks. Risks have played a major role in my life and career. If I believe in an idea, truly believe it -to my core, it ignites my determination (Another element necessary for success) to make the idea (s) come into fruition. Read more>>

Tatiana Carrillo | Owner of “Shop The Affect”

Risks have always played a huge part in my life, being that they could’ve led to negative or positive impacts in my life. Running my own business has been an impactful risk in my life, because it is out of the norm for one to do. It’s being your own boss and counting on yourself for everything. While it has had its downs and ups, it’s a risk I don’t regret. It impacted my life, by showing me I am capable of doing anything by myself. Read more>>

Michelle Rusinek | Artist

Last summer, I took what has been the biggest risk in my life thus far – I left the corporate art world (and a steady job) to pursue my art career full-time. I studied art at the University of Michigan, and went on to spend six years working at an auction house. I was consistently painting on the side, during my free time, but, deep down, my goal was to turn my love for making art into my full-time career. Read more>>

Roc Chamberlin | Artist

I view taking risks as an essential part of life. I only have one chance at life and I rather spend my time doing whatever it takes to accomplish my goals. Read more>>

Samson Bakare | Visual artist & Designer

I discovered early in life that the antidotes to stagnation, whether in career or business is to risk it all. Most of the times we are clueless as humans, not knowing the rewards nor detriments that comes with the next decision.I started as a painter but at some points I decided to evolve because of have the passion for sculpture and fashion designing. Read more>>

Jenifer Efromovich Klepacz | Architect/ Interior designer

Taking risks and putting ourselves out there is what makes us stronger and is the best way to learn in all aspects of our lives. Challanges are there to be faced and once we move forward and achieve our goals the feeling of accomplishment makes us feel better human beings. Having to start my career in 3 different cities and 02 different countries has been one of the biggest challenges in my professional life. Read more>>

DJ da Don | Super Producer

You must take risk to elevate in life. Whenever life makes you feel uncomfortable growth is inevitable. You can take the risk or fold. Risk have played a huge part in my life and career. Specifically in my career taking the chance to relocate from Miami to Chicago was a major risk. It was a foreign city to me where many people do not make it. Luckily, I have been able to turn that one risk into a multitude of avenues majority dealing with music. Read more>>