Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

Colleen Ximenens | Mortgage Loan Officer

For me, risk taking is really about overcoming fear of the unknown. Fear is such a huge motivator for keeping people in the same place. I stayed in the same place for a very long time. And in that time I never felt fulfilled or purposeful. I was going through the motions. I was stuck and afraid of stepping out of my little bubble because I had been in it for so long and I didn’t know anything else. Circumstances gave me an opportunity to step out of that bubble and I decided it was time to bet on myself. I took a very big risk, mid-life, and changed my entire career trajectory. And with that change I have grown both personally and professionally. While it has been incredibly difficult, it has been worth every second! Read more>>

Karmy B. Smith | Website Designer | Brand Strategist

When I think of a risk, I immediately define it as a possibility of an outcome not being favorable. It’s the thing that the many won’t do without a full understanding of what’s on the other side. A person like myself, who is risk tolerant, is one who considers the risk to benefit ratio, but doesn’t allow the potential of failing to stifle them from taking leaps. Taking risks has been apart of my daily routine in my career in entrepreneurship as a web designer and brand strategist. Read more>>

Demetrius Glover | Founder

Taking risks is the sweetest part of life! In 2019, I was 5 years into my sales career working standard hours that I dreaded daily. I felt stuck every morning I would wake up. I knew there was more to life because I had started my first business by the age of 8 years old and had also been apart of and created my own startups along the way. I knew it was time to go full-time on my dream of bringing wellness that’s fun, accessible, and effective for employees to life. It was a resource that I’d wished I’d had having worked in corporate America for 5 years and having coped with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts since the age of 12 years old. After pushing through much fear of the unknown, I decided it was time. I took the risk to start my own company and 60+ virtual and live wellness events later, here my company SōlHaus stands. Read more>>

Vanessa Cantu | Owner, Rockstars of Tomorrow Music Academy Frisco

I think of Risk as a very calculated challenge. I don’t really ever see a risk as a “RISK”, I see risks as a challenge that I need to get my head around, understand in its entirety, and strategize so I can plan and prepare for all possible outcomes. Once I am able to do that I feel comfortable moving forward. Risks and the way I approach risks have played a very important role in my life, if not the most important. Taking Risks has taken me to places in the world I would not have otherwise been brave enough to travel to. It has helped me reach the top of my career at a very young age which in turn prepared and allowed me to do what I love and am passionate about, opening my own business, Rockstars of Tomorrow Music Academy in Frisco. Risks are definitely not something to fear but to prepare for! Read more>>

Catie Shadley | Owner & Creator, Lemon Lines Paper

Taking risks can feel a little uncomfortable. But that’s how it is supposed to feel, otherwise we probably can’t call it a risk. I’ve realized the more life we live, the easier it is to stick to the stuff we’re good at. Get in our groove and become a role model, expert, etc. – which is amazing! But something I never want to undervalue is the growth produced from continuously being brave. There’s a tension that comes with risk-taking. This tension holds together two things for me: my deep desire to take on something that I really want to excel in (like starting a business, learning Spanish, surfing, driving a stick shift), and the “what-ifs” that trail behind. What if I’m not good at this? What if no one cares? What if people don’t take me seriously? Read more>>

Gabby Sanchez | Cake Decorator & Pastry Chef

In the past four years, the word risk has become the new standard in my life. During this time, I have traveled all over the country, even outside of it, relocating almost every six months. Once I graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, in 2017, the longest I lived anywhere was one year. Immediately after graduation, I moved to Wyoming and took the biggest leap into the unknown. Moving to a guest ranch in the middle of nowhere was, to say the least, completely out of my wheelhouse. I grew up right outside of New York City and rural living was unfamiliar territory. I was nervous and excited but, to my benefit, I grew—professionally, emotionally, and personally—at an exponential rate as a result of this risky venture. Read more>>

Sarah k Levesque | Stylist that specializes in Bridal HAMU and custom color

I don’t think I would have the career I have if it hadn’t been for taking risks. I view taking risks more as taking a leap of faith, they are necessary to facilitate growth. I can look back at my career over the last 13years and every time I a grew or took a step up, its been the result of getting uncomfortable and making a decision that scared me just enough to lean in. To be clear, I don’t think taking risks means being reckless- I think it is unwise to take risks that are not well thought out or planned. Especially when it comes to finances or leveraging personal relationships in an unhealthy or self serving way. Read more>>

Kayro Rivera | Artist & Producer

When you take the step of doing things knowing the risk of it, that’s being brave. If it doesn’t have any risks everybody would of been doing it. I have learn that the risks it have, make me stronger cause I don’t want to mess it up so I try harder than the average people. Read more>>

Lauren Gaubert | Photographer

The saying “high risk, high reward” is one of my favorites. Many people may think that “risk” has a negative connotation to it, but I believe that it’s a good thing. You’ll never progress in your personal life or in your business if you don’t take risks. For me personally, risk has played a major role in my photography business. I started my business in August of 2020. I also picked up a camera for the first time in August of 2020. Sounds risky and crazy, right? It was! I dove head first into educating myself and becoming the photographer I am today. I also dove head first in financially, which is where the risk comes in. Read more>>

Justin McLaughlin | Founder & Head Roaster

I used to be very risk averse, I was too afraid of failing or making mistakes. As I grew older, I realized that taking “calculated risks” is necessary for me to go to where the depths of my soul challenge me to be. Taking risks has allowed me to have less dependence on me and my ability to do things, and more dependence on my faith and others to help me get to where I would like to be. Taking risks has given me opportunities in entrepreneurship that “playing it safe” would not have. Read more>>

Brandon Lipscomb | Creative Entrepreneur

Risk is the prerequisite to growth. I have found throughout my life and career that after a period of time, no matter how great a job is, how great the status quo may be, staying too long in an area without growth breeds stagnation. In other words, to grow requires accepting the risk of possible failure. My latest risk taking adventure comes in the form of leaving a very stable, government contracted position with guaranteed income for the opportunity to set my own schedule, grow relationships with the clients I get to pick, and build the income that supports the lifestyle my wife and I choose to live. This adventurous risk has rejuvenated my marriage, reset my thought life, and; although currently rebooting, it will give our finances the opportunity to reach our previously 10-15 year goals in under 3 years. These financial goals include being able to pay off debt, our home, and have the resources to give abundantly back to the community and Kingdom of God in ways we never thought possible. Read more>>

LOE Turtle | Hip Hop Artist

Risk taking has played a big role in my life/career, beginning from me graduating high school going off to college 8 hours away to realize I really shouldn’t have took that risk. I moved closer to home and started learning how to be independent without my mom. Taking risk has played good and bad roles within my life/career. I have met some good people, built lifetime friendships, and relationships. But I have also lost a lot of money, dealt with people that does bad business, and went in circles many of times because of the risk I have taken. I learn from my mistakes and if something goes bad, I always try not to repeat whatever mistake I did. I believe you never know if something will work, or how far you can really go if you never take risk. Read more>>

Sarah Pierce | Lifestyle & Brand Photographer

Risk taking – wow, this is such a fun topic. I think sometimes the word or concept of risk is met with a negative connotation. Even myself – I immediately think about jumping off a cliff into a lake or something “risky.” And to be clear – I am not that girl who is jumping off cliffs – NOT My jam! But throughout my life, risks have become more related to chances – chances to change your life, chances to make an impact. In my personal life – I’ve made risks that I look back now and am so grateful for – moving to Dallas after college, taking a job opportunity that scared me, saying “yes” to that first date with my now husband. And in my business – the biggest risk I think any photographer can take is sharing their work with the world. Read more>> 

Chai Sun Lee | Tattoo Artist

When it comes to permanently marking others, the anxiety of risk-taking can be strong! Nonetheless, I have made huge strides in my tattooing by making several minor adjustments, which all scared me to a degree. We’ve got to shake the mind up to build new pathways! Regardless of success or failure– lessons learned add up to consistent growth. But the best skill I’ve gleaned from taking risks: the confidence to take more risks. Read more>>

Adeline Nichols | Ceramic Jewelry Designer

Risk taking has never been a second thought to me; It was always just a part of my life. Growing up, I was a high level gymnast where risk taking was necessary to improve, learn, & become a better gymnast. Without risk, there wouldn’t have been success in my sport. Taking risks taught me how to overcome fears while being persistent if something doesn’t go the way I think it will the first time. My family also lived a life of risk taking by starting up their own business 20 years ago. Unaware of what that was going to look, they took a jump of faith & their business is now thriving like never imagined. I see risk as an essential component in making something of an opportunity. Read more>>

Casandra Haynes | Creative Director, Talent Agent, & Marketing Guru

My entire life is a risk. I like to live my life on the edge because it has proven to work out in my favor too many times. I’m a firm believer that you have to have faith and step out on that limb to take those risks because you never know what will happen. We only have one life and I think everyone should live it to the fullest. I started my entrepreneur life on a whim. I quit all three of my jobs and started pushing my freelance media/marketing company first. I had been freelancing since I graduated college so I knew I had enough clientele to get rolling and everything took off from there. Now, don’t get me wrong. Taking risks has its ups and downs, but you will never know if you don’t try. My life motto is “scared money don’t make no money.” and that applies to more than money. Read more>>

Chloee Rae | Singer/Actress

Risks are very important in the entertainment world. Every time you hit the stage , play a role, make an album ect its a risk of people liking or hating what your doing. It is important to be able to take criticism well but not to take it to heart. The point of being an artist is to be able to express yourself & share your soul with whoever you want to see/hear it! Read more>>

Vicki Rodriguez | Business owner/Video Creator & Influencer

Risk taking is highly something that I always encourage when it comes to doing something you love. If I hadn’t taken the risk that I honestly have been taking throughout my life, I wouldn’t know what all I’m capable of accomplishing. From starting my own business to becoming a blogger/video creator and a influencer. Sometimes we just have to risk it even if it’s one thing that you are afraid of not succeeding in. Taking risks have placed me in positions that have transformed into blessings. And I don’t regret any. Read more>>

Sam/Mike Kaiser/Youssef | Co-Founders: Furlough Brothers

The most important decisions in life and business typically come with levels of risk. What has served us well in the early stages of developing our company is the ability to calculate that risk and be pragmatic. Going into business for yourself is inherently risky, but sitting down and assessing risk from as many angles as possible is something that can help mitigate it. We constantly try to think about things like funding, lack of income, marketing, customer satisfaction. timeline of scaling in the “worst possible scenario” so that we can plan accordingly if we encounter that situation. So far this mentality has made us more prepared and we feel that it gives us defense against most risk. Read more>>