There is a wealth of academic research that examines the impact perspectives on risk have on people’s lives and career. While the academic inquires are interesting and provide some value, in our view hearing directly from people about how their views on risk taking have affected their own lives is very enlightening. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Miss Mary Jane Green | Internationally Touring Performance Artist & Music Hall Vaudevillian

Risk Taking: A Necessary Gamble What do I think about risk taking? I think it is a necessity. Period. You literally never know what you can do until you try. There are so many people who have lamented, written books, poems and songs about the ‘what if’. What if you minimized your what ifs? Security and complacency are social constructs designed to keep people in line, designed to work for others – what if you took your passion and worked for yourself? What could you accomplish? This is not for the faint of heart, it is certainly not for most but for some with fortitude and an ironclad willpower the way forward is to break out of what you have been taught is the ‘right’ way to do something and to forge a path on your own. Read more>>

Tricia Sitemere | Career Consultant, Fulfillment Coach, & Source of Positive Energy

TAKE. THE. RISK!! I have a pretty optimistic viewpoint on risks and specifically taking risks in order to uncover opportunities. There are obviously certain circumstances or choices that impact your life and how you live it. I help people BUILD the life they want from the where they are NOW regardless of where they started. I honestly think that being able to take risks is key to not only pursuing but in large part to accomplishing your personal goals. CEO of Virgin Islands, Richard Branson, said, “The luckiest people and businesses are those that are prepared to take the greatest risks. Read more>>

Nathan Jackson  Family Man, Food and Fitness Pro, Risk Taker

Taking risks is the difference between keeping yourself where you are in life and giving yourself a better one. It’s human nature to play it safe, to do things that make us feel comfortable, and to maintain what we have. Our public schools, our media, and especially our family and friends do not readily teach us to take risks and we are creatures of habit and conformity. Safety in the herd. Safety in the tribe. Taking risks in life, in a way, means contradicting our own nature. It means risking our safety and security, even our potential acceptance in the herd. Read more>>

Makeba Waller | Sonographer, Health & Wellness Coach, Birth-Breastfeeding Educator, Navy Veteran

When I think about risk taking I weigh out the pros and cons. I ask. myself would my risk impact my family in a positive or negative way. That’s the most important thing to me as a person or business owner my family comes first in ALL my decisions. Many years ago I opened up another imaging center in Tennessee. I saw the greater finance but didn’t truly way how hard it would be mentally and physically traveling and managing a business so far away. Read more>>

Maria Castle | Hairstylist, Beauty, Cosmetic & Personal Care

The definition of risk taking says “the act or fact of doing something that involves danger or risk in order to achieve a goal”. I feel all of life’s most successful and favorable accomplishments is the result of taking risks. Of course you must take time to plan and research all of the necessary details in preparation of manifesting your hearts desires. Without a plan you could end up in the possible outcome of being in the “danger zone” of the risks made. They say “Good things come to those who wait”, so never rush into something if you want it to last. Read more>>

Stephanie Hanrahan | Writer & Speaker

I’ve never considered myself a risky person. That’s not usually an attribute reserved for type-A personalities like mine who thrive on consistency and control. But when I look back at my life, both personally and professionally, the highlighted moments always involved some degree of daring the unknown. One of my biggest personal risks was the decision to pack whatever I could fit into my tiny, two-door coupe and move to the great state of Texas, knowing no one. I lived in Florida my entire life and suddenly felt saturated. I was too content, too sure of every outcome. Read more>>

Shanie Salmon-Godfrey | Media & Branding Coach

I believe in underwriting your risk. Risk is a part of life and business. There will never be success without risk. I have learned that it doesn’t matter how much you plan, how well written your business plan is, you will always have to take risk. Be prepare for that risk. make preparations and proceed with your plan. It doesn’t matter what your goals are, its risky. Read more>>

Jessica Martinez | Barber & Braider

Taking a risk can be scary at times. Due to not knowing what could be the next step in you life. It’s like a gambling game weather you win or lose it all. Risk taking has played a big role in my career. From grabbing a pair of clippers for the first time. To not wanting to finish my college degree. Wanting to pursue my passion in cutting hair was a big risk. I left college to venture into something I had no clue in doing. Both events were terribly scary, however if I had not taking those risk I wouldn’t be where I am today living my passion. Read more>>

Shauntay Parrish: Influencer , Recipe Developer, and Author

Risk taking has played a major part in my life and career . I took a risk by applying for jobs in a city I had never visited , and when I got the job I leased an apartment online without even physically seeing it. That is how I ended up in Dallas. In my business The Glam Kitchen, I took a risk 2 months after starting my blog by making and selling an ebook. I had barely even gotten comfortable with recipe writing but God put it on my heart to release a recipe ebook to monetize. Read more>>

Ebony Frank: Blogger & Holistic Nutritionist

Taking risks is what life is made of. If there were no risks then my business would not be where it is today. The risks involved included: potentially spending hundreds on my business and not getting that money back in return, not getting any customers, and/or giving up. There are risks involved with anything you do; the true test is seeing if you can endure them. Read more>>

Dr. Vicki High | Corporate Facilitator and Holistic Healing Practitioner

Being a risk taker has opened doors for me in business. When I take calculated risks, it has resulted in exploring ways of learning that entertain and educate with a flair. When people laugh, they learn more. That’s my story and I’ve seen the results decade after decade. One engagement was an extensive multi-week training program, and the client requested a curriculum review. I suggested a ‘rap’ to w’rap’ it up. After the initial push back from the instructors, I explained I would write the rap. They would just have to perform it. Read more>>

Carrie DeCicco | Baker & Mom

Risk…..such a scary word for a lot of people! For me (so far) the risk has been low. I haven’t invested a ton of money into this so if I suddenly decide I don’t want to do this anymore I can literally just stop without loosing anything……except for a lot of sad customers! I’m starting to think about what the future of my business looks like because I’m starting to get so busy….but the risk? What if I open a store front and no one comes? What if I decide to have a store front and I don’t have any time for my family? Is it too risky? Such a scary word! Read more>>