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.

Jon Eaton | Founder & President

Roll the dice baby! I feel I am on the opposite of the spectrum as most people tend to become less risk adverse as they get older. I on the other hand look at life as very short; and therefore, if I don’t experience something now than I potentially never will. In all honesty, taking risk is part of life and is encountered daily. This doesn’t mean you need to be Jim Carey in “Yes Man”; but please remember……No risk, No reward. Read more>>

Aleyni Brown | Business owner & Hairstylist

There is no reward without risk. Taking risk is the hardest growing pain of life but if you heal just right it turns into something beautiful. I took a risk and graduated from Grambling state university. I took a risk and became E4 in the national guard. I took risk and retained my cosmetology license at Ogle Beauty School. While graduating in January, in Long Beach, from my Beacon Elite student program. Let’s not forget being a single mother. Risk is worth the reward. Read more>>

Shelby Meeks | Graphic Designer & Digital Artist

My whole career has been sponsored by risks. I have a long backstory of how I ended up where I am today, and the theme that’s most recurring is risk taking. The job I have now is all because of a friend who reached out over facebook asking if I’d be interested in a small graphic design job at a church. I’m way too honest, and not a “fake it ‘til you make it” kinda gal, so I responded with, “I know nothing about any of those programs, but I am so willing to learn”. I spent the next month spam-calling my future director to try to get her to hire me! Read more>>

Elexus Rogers | Mental Health Therapist & Coach

I think about risks as opportunities. There is always something to gain and something to lose. The trick is to determine whether or not the opportunity is worth the effort that you will need to put in. Taking risks in my career has allowed me to grow my practice rapidly and become more well known within my community. In addition, about 90% of the opportunities that I take advantage of lead to more opportunities that I likely would not have been presented with otherwise. Because I seek to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself, I am often busy serving in various capacities. As a result of this, I have to determine when to forgo an opportunity in order to prioritize my mental health and maintain a healthy work-life balance within my life. Read more>>

Jonathan Gaytan | Professional Organizer

When you finally find a sense self-worth and self-assurance, it becomes easier to face rejection rather than live with regret. I made the huge risk of leaving my banking career, which I was committed to for the last thirteen years, and started my own professional organizing business. I’ve taken many risks but this one personally demonstrated the fearlessness within me. I realized that the main reason that I continued to stall my dreams of becoming an entrepreneur was due to the fear of rejection. I feared that people would reject my ideas and vision. However, once I canceled all the outside noice and really listened to myself and truly believed in my vision, I realized that rejection is only going to redirect me in the right direction. Now, I rather be turned down than live with the “What if?”. Read more>>

Rachael Sanders | Artisan & Owner of Wildwood Vagabond Holistics

I see taking risks as a double edged sword, especially in this area (business) of my life. Spending all of my time and resources on attempting to build my brand is a huge risk. I won’t have any 401K or retirement funds to count on when that time comes. At this point in my life I have to make this happen. I am 44 years old and in many ways a little late in the game. In my mind there is no alternative option. At the same time, I feel like it would be more of a risk for me NOT to follow dreams. My self development is directly linked to me reaching my goals and dreams. If I don’t pursue this I risk missing out on seeing myself reach my full potential. That is a risk I’m not willing to take. Read more>>

Heath Harter | Coming up actor

I’m currently a father of 2 at 21 years old and I just recently got into acting. Yes I know I am a little late since I do have kids but, I am trying to better myself and be the parent that my parents weren’t. Being a new coming actor isn’t easy at all. I get rejected, I get little sleep, and I don’t get paid much if any. I was an extra in a tv show and driving back and forth from Austin isn’t an easy drive. It all comes out of my pocket. Moral of the story, you have to take risks to persue your dreams and make a lot of sacrifices. Read more>>

Charmaine Hammond | Professional Speaker, Best Selling Author & Executive Producer

Risk taking has played a pretty pivotal role in my life and career. My first career was in Correctional Services, I was a Correctional Officer in both adult and young offender facilities for almost ten years. Every day there was a high level of risk involved in our work. I quickly discovered the the values that I was raised with were ones that helped keep me safe. Those were kindness, treating people with respect, demonstrating integrity, and collaboration. When I left working in the correctional field, I worked as an Executive Director of a women’s crisis facility, then worked in psychiatry and mental health while I completed a degree in social development studies. Read more>>

Angela Golota | Artist/Photographer

Anytime someone decides they want to enter the art world, there is risk involved. Within art, risk is where the interest lives. Safe art is merely comfortable because you know where it will take you. Risk is what drives the passion for art making, it’s what makes your art develop. Letting yourself play and discover through taking risks is what helps your art practice grow. Going into an art career can feel like taking a risk, and I knew this when I entered art school. Ultimately, you have to decide, do what you love and work hard for it, or take the risk free safe route. If you work hard at your passion and understand it won’t be amazing right off the bat, and you’re willing to go through a period of working other jobs with your art practice on the side, eventually, your risk pays off. For me, taking the risk of going to art school paid off as soon as I realized I was following a dream that many other artists at heart have suppressed. Read more>>

Terrill Ross | Actor, Motivational Speaker, Fitness Enthusiast, Spiritualist

Risk taking and how do you think about risk? The way I think about risk is by measuring the exchange. Taking chances is a part of feeling and being alive, the reward will always be greater than the act of being still. Whether you win or lose at least you can say you tried something that scared you. You must risk failing in an effort to succeed. The risk of never reaching for the greater version of you is living a life that is in all aspects Mundane. What role has taking risk played in your life/career. Read more>>