Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Juan C Caamano | Photographer and beatboxer

Well I think it’s really important to really believe in yourself, in your skills, your knowledge, and your potential, and I the way I’ve got more confidence in myself was by just preparing, getting better at what I do in every possible way, learning from the best, and being teachable. That way, you are more able to take risks and have a better chance to make it. Read more>>

Victor Rico | Entrepreneur

You can’t win if you don’t try, simple as that. I have always been a risk taker; I like to challenge myself with things that will help me grow as a person/professional. If you think about it, life is about taking risks, whether leaving a current job to start a new one or ending a relationship to start off from scratch; Life itself is a risk, and sometimes hard decisions lead to better opportunities. I came to the US when I was 12 years old, not knowing English and having spent all my life living in a very small town. Deciding to come to this country was a risk my mother decided to take, yet, it was the best thing she could have done for my brother and I. Adjusting to a different life, environment, culture, etc., wasn’t easy at all, but I was determined to succeed. Due to my immigration status at that time, I felt like my possibilities were limited. Despite graduating with honors, I felt like going to a four-year university was off reach, so I attended a community college. And it wasn’t only my immigration status that made me feel hopeless. My parents separated a couple months before my high school graduation, and while my classmates were thinking about prom, universities, scholarships, and trips, my mind was focused on how to survive. Despite all the challenges, I can proudly say that I went to college, graduated, and I also worked as a medical assistant for one of the best hospitals here in Dallas, TX: Parkland Health. And now life has me in the restaurant industry, in charge of Taquero, a Mexican restaurant located in Lower Greenville. I would like to take this opportunity to tell anyone out there who might feel the way I did to NEVER GIVE UP! And the universe has always a plan, you just have to trust the process. Read more>>

Amatullah Shabazz | Founder of Wealth Climbers, Seed Dropper Academy, Technologist and Community Advocate

I think taking risks in your business is a critical part of elevating yourself with hands on experience. Most risks that I have taken in business have been speared headed by my intuition and with doing so it works out. I have the perfect example for you. During the summer of 2023, our first year in business I needed to secure the food for our summer camp. I literally told my associates that I would secure it with the camp only being a week away due to last minute changes in food arrangements. We were definitely pushing it to the limit. I ended up going to Panera bread walked in, asked to speak with a manager and walked away with sponsorship for our Wealth Climbers STEAM Summer Camp! Had I not took the risk and went for it, I shared our story and mission and was able to provide great food for our youth. Always be willing to take risk when it has a potential positive out come, weigh your opinions and GO FOR IT. Taking risks has opened up many doors, I highly recommend it! Read more>>

Alexandre Parisot | Parisart Artiste

I risked everything with a career of 14 years in the car industry and the last 5 years for Mercedes-Benz to make a living from this passion. Read more>>