We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Raka Ahmed | Small Business Owner & Aspiring Author

There is definitely a love-hate relationship with risks especially if you want to start a small business. There is fear that when you do take risks, it is automatically considered a failure. There is some truth to that. Yes, you do fail but what you do about it next will map out your future. Balance is key for when you are taking risks. If you fail on the first try, you have to ask yourself what went well? What didn’t go well? What can I do better on the next try? What’s in my control? It’s a lot of self reflection. Read more>>

Tam Vo | Magician

There’s that old saying “high risk, high reward”. I could’ve settled for an average job, accountant, engineer, doctor and sure, the money would’ve been great. But I wanted to be different. I wanted to chase my passion. I didn’t want to ‘work’ another day in my life. Read more>>

William Metzger | Entertainment Attorney and Record Label Executive

Taking risks is essential for anyone who wants to accomplish their goals and dreams. Personally, I have taken a lot of risk in life, from joining the Marine Corps and leaving home at 18, to moving back to San Diego to teach guitar full-time with only having four students signed up before I moved, to auditioning for the Jazz Program at UNT and moving to Texas, then applying for law school and attending SMU, to opening my own law firm, and finally opening a record label. Each step I made was a risk that thankfully paid off. Risk taking has been enormous in my life and I believe had I not taken risks and only listened to those friends or family who always told me no or did not support me early on, I would not be where I am today in Dallas, Texas. Read more>>

Zane Marsh | Owner of Marsh Advertising

Every major decision i’ve made has been a risk. You can do all the planning in the world but in the end nothing makes it any less scary. Every moment of growth was done out of striving for something beyond my reach. I still have a long way to go but I will always approach every decision the same way. You’ll only go as far as you push yourself. Read more>>

Mehtap McClane | Designer & Artist

Im not sure I really think about risk, I live to follow my dreams. It’s only people around me that tell me I am crazy, I took a risk. 8 years ago I left everything behind to try and learn English. I didn’t know where this was going but something inside me led me on. I left my country, my home, my career, my family and my friends. I couldn’t even order a coffee when I landed in England. I just wanted to do it, to grow, to learn. Read more>>