In our experience, most folks, including ourselves don’t have enough of an understanding of risk and the role it plays in our lives and careers and so we have made a concerted effort as a team to have conversations about risk with our interviewees. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Ursula Emery McClure | Architect and Higher Ed Educator

Risk is the driver of my career. It allows me to attempt things that are unfamiliar, resolve difficult questions, and try for things that often seem out of risk. I would not even be in the DFW area if I had not taken risks. I believe that those who can, should take risks. If they do, they can help others. It is too easy to be complacent but that makes me feel useless. I had a job for life but in 2019 I left that job because I was not making a contribution any more. Read more>>

Aquila Mendez-Valdez | Founder and CEO of Haute in Texas, and Franchisor of the Haute In Network Agencies

For a very long time I thought I would never want to own my own business because I have an extreme need for control and I like being able to predict outcomes. It was challenging at the beginning of my journey as an entrepreneur to become accustomed to the unknown, and depending on myself to make the big decisions, but the more I’ve flexed that muscle the more I’ve learned to trust my gut. Read more>>

Casey Curtis | Fashion Designer/ Leather Artist

Risk taking has been huge for my business and is necessary for any entrepreneur. I quit my secure corporate job as a fashion designer to go off on my own and learn leatherwork. I had never worked with leather before! I had a big dream stirring in my heart to have my own brand and have always loved the artistry that went into leather. Read more>>

Lambria Tillman | Nail Salon Owner

When I think about risks I get in a mode like lets do this! Taking risks have been the best decisions I’ve made in my business. Its become an addiction. Its better to take that risk than beating yourself up forever about what you could’ve done, take the risk and succeed or take the risk and learn from your mistakes. Either way is a step forward. Read more>>

Levi Ray | Musician & Talent Buyer/Booking Agent with Baby Boy Booking and Digital Lead with Thirst & Co

I view risk with healthy skepticism combined with a go for it attitude. There’s financial risk and there’s personal/emotional risk. Do what you can and a little more financially and don’t not do something because of fear if you believe in yourself and the people around you. As a musician both these kinds of risk occur all the time from taking a gig at a new venue and traveling and possibly playing for less money than you might normally take and buying things like merch and printing cds, albums, cassettes, and posters and paying for artwork and sponsored posts and trying to do things the right way without overspending. Read more>>

Femi Ayinde | Servant Leader

When it comes to the word “risk”, I simply view it as taking a chance. If you never take risk in life, you will never have the opportunity to know if the impossible is possible. Life will always involve taking risk and sometimes you need to risk it all for a dream only you can see. I truly believe that if God is calling you to do something in life, then the reward of what He is calling you to, will outweigh any risk. Taking risks has played a significant role in my life and will continue to do so. Read more>>

Rabia Waqas | Entrepreneur

I believe the only constant in life is change itself. If you are not evolving every day and growing, it’s very easy to become complacent without realizing it and soon you unintentionally condition yourself to be okay with whatever conditions you are in instead of taking the risk, making the change and evolving from your every day monotonous routine. Read more>>

Anthony Vidal | Movement Artist

Risk is an assured passenger along the road to all of life’s great adventures. In our collective excursions, it often has shown up at the edge of curiosity resting upon the strength of our convictions, sharply delineating the line between “what if” and “what is”. We are often told about risk and reward as polar ends of a dichotomy, especially along the way of entrepreneurial pursuits, but the truth of the matter seems to be found in the plurality of relativity. Read more>>