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.

Paloma

I graduated Texas State University with a degree in Communication Design during the peak of the pandemic in 2020. At this point, no one was hiring and the first rounds of people to be laid off in big corporations were the advertising/marketing departments. Read more>>

Kim Seymore | Certified PersonalTrainer/Health and Wellness Coach/Small Business Owner

I think risk taking is a non-negotiable in business as well as personal growth. Taking risks gives you an open field and opportunity to succeed. Instead of leading with the fear of “What if I fail?” lead with the mindset of “What if I succeed?” I see it as a chance to shut out doubts and just go for what is already yours! Read more>>

Shelby and Betty | Buy the House, Build the Home

We believe that one must risk to live the life they desire. When we choose to stay in comfort, we will really never know what we are capable of or where we might have gone. Being an entrepreneur of any kind takes risk. Being in Real Estate can feel like you are on a rollercoaster ride, but ultimately the reward of shaping your own life and helping others with such a significant decision is worth it. Read more>>

Kaila “Kayo” Thompson | Content Creator and Choreographer

Risk-taking has been a cornerstone in shaping my career as a content creator. From the beginning, I knew that to stand out and make a meaningful impact, I had to embrace uncertainty and venture into the unknown. It wasn’t always easy, but the thought of looking back on my life with regret, saying “I should’ve tried that,” was a powerful motivator. Read more>>

Bre Ferguson | Podcast Host | Speaker

I believe that risk taking is merely an act of faith. Sometimes it’s terrifying to take a leap when you don’t know what’s on the other side or where you will land. For me, taking risks has completely changed my outlook on life. It’s allowed me to not only get out of my comfort zone but also helped me grow in ways that I didn’t think was possible. Read more>>

Rob Grass | Co-Founder of Nostalgia and Noise

Growing up, I was incredibly risk-averse, primarily because I felt I couldn’t afford to take certain risks. I was afraid of stepping outside of my comfort zone, allowing my fear to dominate my decision-making. I lived a safe life, focused on following the rules, being agreeable to those around me, and ensuring I did everything “right” according to the status quo. Read more>>