Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Jennifer Lindsey | Content creator

Risk and confidence go hand in hand, because risk has a way of fueling your confidence — fueling that belief in yourself — as long as you choose to go for it in life. I’ve just always had the mentality of, “if they can do it, why can’t I?” Read more>>

James Burleson | Actor & Instructional Designer

I have not gained much success without taking risks. The biggest risk I have taken in my career is when I decided to honorably discharge from the United States Air Force. By that point, I had already served for eight solid, good-standing years. I could have retired easily at 20 years had I decided to stay in. My father served 26 years, and my two sisters also served in the military. It seemed like the right decision to just serve a full 20 years. However, I would have always wondered what it would have been like to pursue my career ambitions, upon being the first to graduate with a Bachelor Degree in my family, if I decided to not reenlist. I’m so glad I chose the insecure route, as it’s brought me superb success in pursuing my dreams as an Actor as well as using my college degrees to pursue my talents as an Trainer + Instructional Designer. Read more>>

Frankie Blair | Actress, Producer, & Creator

For me, risk is not just about stepping into the unknown; it’s about embracing the possibility of growth and transformation. As an actress, creator, and producer, risk is inherent in every project I take on. Whether it’s developing a new storyline, backing an untested concept, or stepping into a role I’ve never played before, every risk is an opportunity to expand my horizons and push the boundaries of what I can do. Read more>>