How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Leslie Garcia | Writer & Motivational Speaker

Taking risks is an important part of life. Many people don’t understand this. But if we don’t take risks, we might miss great opportunities. We cannot stay still. I personally am a risk taker. If you ask anyone that knows me they’ll tell you that I always have these crazy ideas in my head and I’m not scared to execute. Sure, I’ve failed and I’ve taken steps back but if I never tried I would never know the outcome. I wouldn’t want to be on my death bed asking myself what if I would’ve done this or that? Now, I can tell myself I tried my best. But taking risks has made me a wise woman at a very young age. It has also helped me accomplish things I would’ve never thought I would’ve. Like my book for example. Read more>>

Zach Cramer | Owner of Blend BIke

We’ve all heard it, with risk comes reward. This saying has applied many times in my personal life and work life. That reward can be monetary, in happiness/quality of life, and hopefully both. When I think about the major risks I’ve taken, they all involved relocating geographically. When I was 23 I moved from Wisconsin to Sydney, Australia to work in the hospitality industry. I didn’t know a single person and felt like I had no idea what I was doing. I had the dream, a few thousand dollars, and was determined to make it work though.. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done but ended up being one of the best. I showed myself I can make these big leaps and still land on my feet. From there it was New Zealand and then New York. Read more>>

Karen Fox | Photographer & Electronic Media Artist

Living life without any risk is impossible. We exist in a world fraught with dangers around every turn; a world where we might spend our entire lives at home and still not be safe from harm. I believe many people associate risk with recklessness but is that true? Avoidance of risk is often associated with fear. When fear is the motivational force in our life, we will never step outside of our comfort zone to discover what else is out there or what dreams we might realize. The authentic pursuit of happiness always begins with taking a risk. Read more>>

Blondel Garçon | Photographer

So far being risky is what has gotten me where I am. I still have a long way to go as far as achieving personal goals but I understand that I am young, and taking risks now would be far safer and better for me in the long run. Also the feeling of doing something you’re unsure of is slightly satisfying to me lol. All in all taking risks has played a huge role in my career thus far. Read more>>

Nicole Mercado | Executive Director, Little Smiles

My dad used to always tell me, “If you didn’t have it a day before, then a day after, it doesn’t matter.”, and that really shaped how I view risk and taking chances in life and my career. Risks are all opportunities, whether it be taking a chance on a new fundraising idea, making a major gift ask to a donor, even going for a promotion or next position professionally. I have been faced with each of those scenarios throughout my career, and I looked at each one as a chance to do something great. I always try to approach all things in life with the mindset of “Does the reward of the success, or positive outcome outweigh the risk of hearing a no or failing?”, and usually the answer is yes. Sure, there have definitely been failures along the way, but they have all been opportunities to learn from and grow! Read more>>

Lindsey Wedgeworth | Dancer & Content Creator

Although it’s cliche, you miss 100% of the chances you don’t take. In my opinion, my entire career up to this point has been built on taking risks — from deciding to decline my acceptance to university to immediately work/travel on a cruise ship, moving to LA alone at the age of 20 to pursue my dance career further, or applying for social media internships that I thought I wasn’t qualified for without a college degree (I got the job btw hehe). They were all risks — I never felt 100% ready for any of those life changing decisions but I would have never known if I didn’t try. I think taking risks is one of the best things you can ever do for yourself & your career. Read more>>

Valerie Valera | Artist & Photographer

Risk is inevitable. Life is always gonna bring you to your limits. For me I never had a plan B. So risk has been my whole life and career. But what do you have to lose if you believe in yourself? You get to a point where settling is a risk. Conforming is a risk. No one has control over life. You have to step up to the plate. Read more>>

Lex Fine | Recording Artist

Life is all about risks. Taking risks is one of the major keys to success. Opportunities always appear, and without taking the risk to say YES to that opportunity, you will never know if that is the opportunity that takes you to financial freedom Read more>>