There is a wealth of academic research that suggests that differences in risk appetite are at the heart of differences in career and business trajectories. We wanted to go beyond the theory and ask real people from the community about their perspectives and experiences with risk and risk taking.

Rebecca Slemmons | Owner, Prime Life Pilates & Fitness

I believe risk is a necessary part of life. It challenges you, scares you, excites you, makes you question yourself and your abilities. Personal or professional growth will not happen unless you’re willing to put yourself out there and try. A rule I follow and share with my kids and my staff is to do something that scares you every once in a while. Something that takes you out of your comfort zone and shows you different possibilities. Read more>>

Markeyta Mitchell Doaks | Attorney & Entrepreneur

I think taking risks is pivotal in anything you truly want to do because it focuses you to step out of your comfort zone. For me, taking risks in my career has allowed me the opportunity to have more freedom than I typically would’ve in a traditional 9-5 job. I have so much autonomy over the cases and individuals I want to help now. By God’s grace, I’ve been able to achieve far more in by career now by taking risks earlier on in my career rather than waiting for that perfect moment that never actually comes. Read more>>

Tucker Bankston | MS. Eds, LPC

Risk-taking has always been an interesting topic between me and my colleagues. In my opinion, risk-taking falls into the same realm as “being lucky.” In today’s society, we see luck take on almost a spiritual form as if people can truly be more fortunate than others. To me, being lucky means I was willing to try something (risk possibly) or put myself into a situation where the probability of something happening was higher. My wife likes to say I am lucky because I win giveaways. Well, what she does not know is how many I do not win. I am filling out surveys and entering free drawings often to attempt to win. When I discuss risk, there always seems to be a bit of danger or fear involved in the venture. I see risk as attempting to accomplish or go towards something with one level of certainty (what you can calculate, control or understand) and another level of uncertainty (everything else you cannot control). Read more>>

Choc Craver | Brazilian Wax Expert

I believe that risks and entrepreneurship are a packaged deal. Risks have played a pivotal role in my life & career. Every pinnacle that I’ve ever reached required a leap of faith. Read more>>