By far, the topic that comes up most in our conversations with entrepreneurs and creatives is risk. We’ve had conversations about risks that worked out and risks that did not. We’ve seen eyes light eye sharing about career-trajectory changing risks as well as folks sigh about the risks they wish they had taken. Below, we’ve selected and shared some of those thoughtful conversations.

Christopher Strom | Senior Estimator

I’ve always been a big believer in taking risks… T.S Elliot said “Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go”. You have to step outside of your comfort zone if you ever want to achieve success. Fear of the unknown will try to hold you back from securing your goals and aspirations but.. you have to ask yourself in every challenging situation: “What’s the worst that could happen?”. Failure is nothing but a step on a ladder. Always fail forward. Read more>>

Matt Scott | Laser engraving, vinyl decals, sublimation, T-Shirts

Since I can remember, I’ve always been a risk taker. Many times it did not pan out well but was still a valuable learning experience. Then there’s been times where the risk took me places I’d have never been able to get to had I not taken the leap. I was a previous business owner in my 20’s and sold the business after 7 years to reinvent myself, going back to college in a completely different field, succeeding and and traveling Asia doing humanitarian work. Traveling Asia was a major risk as some of the countries I went to were engaged in civil wars that we could find ourselves in the middle of unknowingly and we knew this on the front end. Read more>>

Brooke Dann | Videographer, Photographer & Editor

The fear of risks used to take over my mind for years. It ranged from being afraid of what others might say to stepping outside my comfort zone to pursue what I craved deep in my soul. I am still working on releasing the opinion of others, but moving outside my comfort zone has revealed my capability. I learned that just because others haven’t seen it done doesn’t mean it isn’t achievable. I grew up not knowing if this creative zone could be something to hold hands with years down the road. Many would try to encourage me to pursue other obtainable careers. Read more>>

Katie Barbato | Singer/Songwriter

I think that risk taking is basically just facing your own fears and the specific fear of rejection. With my music career, every time I put my art out into the world, there’s a chance it may not be accepted or rejected for a project. Every time I get a “no” and the door I am knocking doesn’t open, I know that a “yes” could be just around the corner. Maybe the song wasn’t the right fit for a licensing project but it could be just the right tune for another project. Read more>>

Sierra Vital | Life Group Leader

I see risk as a survival skill some people got it some people don’t. I believe you will never know until you take the risk. Risk has gotten me into doors by simply asking, risk has gotten me into doors by having faith and being unaware of the outcome. Read more>>

Anubi Paris | Alchemist

Taking risks has proven time and time again to be my greatest form of curiosity. I transmute my fear of doing something I’ve never done before, and I fuel it to Jumpstart my creations. When I’m afraid, I dive into it. I don’t give myself room for doubts because then I’ll be letting my ego win. I’m a Goddess with confidence. Fear of risk is only for those who fear change. And if the world changes by the second, why shall I be so uneasy? Read more>>

Coach Campbell | Mortgage Broker

I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t taken risks. I live for risks [in business]. Webster defines risk as a situation involving exposure to danger. In business that danger can be categorized as financial lost for the most part. There’s an old African Proverb that says ‘Scared Money Don’t Make No Money.’ It takes courage to take risks. It takes courage to make money. That’s how I view risk Read more>>

Hayden Griffin | Accountant & Financial Consultant

Like many others, I started my career in the corporate world and similarly to the vast majority of those people; I hated it. Sure, maybe I didn’t at first but over time my mind told me there were bigger things out there for me to accomplish. The comfortability of a steady paycheck, managers laying out every decision you should or shouldn’t make and company benefits that I can take advantage are were nice but there came a point when I wanted to dictate how my future would be laid out. That said, risk played a huge part in my life then and still does now. Read more>>

Rikki Rincon | Entrepreneur/Business Development

Risk taking has been part of my outlook for many years in all areas of work, .No risk, no reward. Often times through some of the risks that I have taken I have had to take a pause and reexamine my strategy but that is the wonderful aspect to taking calculated risks, we learn on many levels how to improve our approach to our area of work. Read more>>

NaRisa Waldo | Raw MIlk Dairy Farm, Owner

My strong suit is being a “risk taker”. Think about it, I left a tenured position at the University of Texas at Tyler in the College of Nursing to pursue a raw milk dairy farm from the ground-up. Left on the table a steady guaranteed salary and position of instant respect for the unknown. Indeed, high risks have been taken over the past ten years! Maintaining a “status quo” is not a comfortable place in life for me. Read more>>