How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Sophie Crash | Artist & Entrepreneur

My parents took the biggest risk of all when moving to the United States for a chance at a better life. So to me, taking risks is an essential part of life that has been modeled for me since before I was born. I know that without taking risks, it would have been impossible to achieve success and reach my full potential. Read more>>

Asia Hayward | Mama & Entrepreneur

I am normally not a person who takes risk. I have a fear of not knowing if this will work or not. But, honestly after taking such a big risk and starting my own business I’m no longer afraid to take risks. I view them very differently. I think it’s the best risk that I have ever taken. Read more>>

Valerie Lozano | Founder- Sunnylish

If you try something, you risk failure. If you don’t, you ensure it. I would much rather try than live with the “what if” in my head. I say go for it! I have taken many risks in my life, especially in my career. I remember when I was first planning to leave my full time job when I started my consulting business. Read more>>

Jenny Baum | Personal Trainer & Certified in Nutrition

When it comes to taking a risk in life we have to have faith in all that we do. I was in a position at the time working 45 hour weeks on top of running all of my Camp Gladiator camps weekly. I did that for a little over 2 years. I was financially secure, but I wasn’t truly happy. I have learned that money doesn’t but happiness at all, and I was never allowing myself to fill my own cup. Read more>>

RENE TROY | Model, Artist, Designer & Twitch Gamer

There is risk in everything you do thats beyond the normal routine or comfortability of doing everything the right way. However some more than others refuse to stay within the lines that confine us from venturing out and finding our own path. Why follow what everyone else is doing and create your own trend. Read more>>

Chase Fleischman | Artist/Painter (Surrealism & Sci-Fi themed work)

I think taking risks is important for growth when talking about a career in art. For example, when I got my first mural opportunity in 2017 at Deep Ellum Art Company, my portfolio at the time did not consist of any paintings and solely featured drawings & illustration. Read more>>

Tyler Pennington | Lash Tehnician

I believe that risks are necessary in anything that we do in this life. Risk taking has played a major role in my business. The biggest risk to date I have taken in my career is making the decision to become a full-time entrepreneur. The risk was very calculated and planned and has made me confident that not all risks are bad. Entrepreneurship is the career path of risks. Read more>>

Alexzandrea Grant | Food Critic & Connoisseur

“Bigger the risk, bigger the reward” I do not like the “what ifs” in life. I rather not ponder about something that I did not do, or a risk that I did not take, then overthink about the outcome, no matter how big or small the reward would have been. Read more>>

Crystal Valdez | LCSW & Therapist

Risk taking. A whole jump scare in just two words. Taking risks was a scary thing for my brain to accept, because its’ one job is to protect me and it does that best in familiar settings. Usually risks are accompanied by change, hence the discomfort that comes with. It used to take me months and months to decide wether or not I was going to go through with any decision that resembled even a little bit of risk. Literal months, just ask my therapist. Read more>>

Regina Mejia | Marketing Coordinator

I’ve taken many risks in my life. I have a Master’s in English, my plan was to teach overseas. When Covid hit, those plans got turned around. I always loved photography and social media. So, during the pandemic I took an internship in marketing. I was a preschool teacher prior to this internship, so the switch in offices was quite the culture shock. Read more>>