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.

Damondray Christle | Actor/Filmmaker

When it comes to taking risk i am definitely a risk taker. Perfect Example i made my First Movie Called First Love.. I had a vision and i just went with it , i wasnt sure how everything was going to turn out but, i knew that i wanted to create that particular film for sure. Now remind you this film is based in the 70″s right. I never lived in that time frame but, im an old soul so i feel like i have watched enough old school shows to create. I was like ok so how will i get this and that and what about the attire but, i also had faith. Read more>>

Kendra Lee | Digital Artist

For me risk is necessary, should be accepted, but also respected. It is also important to me to note that risk doesn’t look the same for everyone. To me, taking risks – and this can be with any risk- you always have the option to just go for it without thinking about the consequences and just hoping for the best. But when you think about it deeply, being able to take calculated risks in hopes of minimizing whatever consequences, can teach you a lot. The risks I have taken in my life, I make sure they are calculated. Read more>>

Noemi Mendez-Hyams | Licensed Professional Counselor

It was difficult at first for me to start my own counseling private practice. The comfort and predictability of a paycheck, having medical insurance and retirement benefits were all aspects of a career that my parents always stressed were very important. It felt too risky, at first, to not have these in place while starting my own business. I built my private practice in small steps. I started working on Saturdays in addition to a 40 hour job in my field. Read more>>

Jessica Atkinson PMP. CMP, CSM | Project Management Consultant & Corporate Speaker

In my life experience risk has opposite sides. From my Project Management perspective, I love the word “Risk” as it helps me to view words such as issues and problems as having the potential for a successful outcome through mitigation or strategy. Risk becomes a force that we can take on, which becomes inherent to any change. However, as a woman of color risk is an overwhelming force of fear and anxiety. Read more>>

Dustin Gaspard | Singer Songwriter Traveling Musician

Performing and a career in music has so much risk. Through dedication to the craft, investment of your time daily and utilization of new outlets (content) you can mitigate this risk. At the end of the day, I’m old school. I want to go out perform, love what I do and be “discovered.” I think that’s where the risk is. Before todays modern industry, people had a sense of that exploration where it could be found in an old honky tonk, a cafe or a a dusty record store. Today that frontier is the internet, so it’s priority to adjust ourselves to being found and heard in all ways possible, thus making it less risky. Read more>>