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.

Philippe Horowicz | Founder & CEO

I personally love taking risk and it has gotten me where I am today. From a young age, I have always been the one going beyond the safe zone. Whether it was in sports, leaving my home town and friends to pursuit my goals, to start a business with no capital nor experience. I have always believed that the safe zone aka my comfort zone is where progress stops. Taking risk is where I found myself to learn the most about myself as well as my businesses. Read more>>

Bee Aub | Curly Hair Specialist & Educator

Taking risks is the most important thing to do in life. Pushing yourself forward, taking the step no one has done before. Everyday is a risk when you are operating a local business here in Miami. I was told time and time again that specializing in curly hair would not be a lucrative business idea. I put everything I had into my business, I risked failing and losing everything. Just like the many women we serve every day that take the big risk by embracing their natural hair. They inspire me to keep pushing forward, break stereotypes, to go into the unknown, and knock down all the walls that have been put around women in business for so long. Read more>>

Sean O’Connor | Tour Guide + Environmentalist + LGBTQ+ Community Builder

Risks are everything!! We took over Newport Out in 2018, which was certainly a leap. Newport Out is a small business dedicated to serving as a resource for LGBTQ+ visitors to Newport, Rhode Island. And we also work to make Newport more welcoming and inclusive for all folks, including the local community. We produce events, share resources and support, marketing, experience curation, and more. Although I am from the Newport area, I had lived away for a long time and was just freshly back with my life and business partner, Daniel. But it felt right on multiple levels – to do something meaningful, serve a need in our community, and engage in exciting and fulfilling work. Read more>>

Felva | Musician

In regards to risk taking, I have always had a high risk high reward type of mentality. If its a situation that is going to potentially benefit my music, my team, my family then i am all about it. I don’t think to deep into the negative that can come into my life by taking a particular risk because then i would be inviting that type of energy into situation. Read more>>

staisha grosch | Neurogenic yoga and Rehabilitative Pilates instructor, TRE provider, competitive, and Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant

Without any real certainty of what the outcome will be, every decision we make can be seen as a risk one way or another. With that said, some choices are more difficult than others because they may require us to stretch our edges a bit and step outside of our comfort zone. The willingness and capacity to step away from what feels familiar can open the door to a world of new possibilities. One thing that’s made it easier for me to explore the unfamiliar and take more “risks” is knowing that if something isn’t quite working out then I have the ability to adapt and change. Nothing is permanent. Take a chance and see what works. Read more>>

Tiffany Kory | Ms. Universe Global 2022

When I was just finally finished with my traumatic divorce, I was so honored and shocked to be invited to compete for the first ever Ms. Illinois International in 2020. It was a huge risk to try to shine again after everything I had been through. Taking that step led me to win not only that title, but eventually Ms. Illinois World International, Ms. USA Universe and now Ms. Universe Global. I published my book titled “Ms.” and it became an Amazon Best Seller. I want to encourage other women that they can be a queen too, even if they have no king, no matter the title they hold; Ms. Mrs. or Miss. Read more>>

Cinthya Barragan | Model & Master in modeling, protocol etiquette social

It’s the decisive point between success and failure, risk made me take decisions that were key in developing a successful modeling career, risk has taken me so far because I believed in me. I believed in who I was and I knew that wonderful things would materialize and they did. Read more>>

Glenn (dj Alamo Cooper | Dj

I left a small town to take on a better path for my career , I learned more about myself and others taking a leap of faith believing in my dream to be a world wide dj … Read more>>

Gabbee Dickinson | Photographer

To be honest, I was never a risk taker. I’m a Taurus and those who know about Astrology know, we like our stability and comforts. So although I am spontaneous in nature, risks don’t come easy to me. All of that changed after I lost 4 loved ones last year. I took a good hard look at my life and accomplishments. While I was proud of my 2 degrees, and of myself for buying a house by 23, and having a great paying 9-5 job, I would say to myself and my partner at least once a week, “This can’t be it. This can not be what all that hard work was for, no way I just do this everyday looking forward to the 1-2 vacations a year until the end.” Read more>>

Shaunte’ Antionette | Small Business Owner/ Entrepreneur & Inspired Actress/Singer

I definitely can say risks are challanges for sure! Risks have always played a major role in my life. For one, moving to Florida was a risk. Im originally from Illinois and it was a last minute decision to move to either Florida or California. I packed whatever could fit in my car and me and my dog hit the road to Florida! I didnt have anything lined up nor did I know anyone in Florida. I took that risk to start over completely. Read more>>