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.

Taylor Lane | Braid stylist, Professional braider

Incorporating the unique attributes of a business can always be a bit of a challenge. At times, I would catch myself steering away from my own likelihood, in order to emphasize the trends of today’s era. After incorporating what seemed to be the most popular choice of presentation, I started to realize the distinctive qualities that made my hairstyles an eye-catcher to others. The love that is incorporated within my hair business is displayed abundantly. Read more>>

Bruno Bornsztein | Software developer and entrepreneur

I consider myself pretty risk-averse, but to most people starting your own business seems incredibly risky. I guess it really depends how you frame your priorities. For me, having control over my time (when/how I work) was always a very important priority. So becoming an entrepreneur actually felt like a *less* risky alternative than a traditional career path (lower risk that I’d get stuck behind a desk all day). Read more>>

Stanilla Joseph | Master Coach, Creative Art Director & Photographer

It’s been in my heart for a while now to begin my brand and Digital media Company. However, at the time, it seemed very unusual for me to pause and evaluate what that would look like for my future. We all have moments when we put our passions or visions on hold for another given day & time. Yes, I was elated to cultivate my brand, but I didn’t take that faith step because of fear of the unknown and past traumatic relational episodes. Read more>>

Aaron Foreman | Hauling and Junk Removal Specalist

I love and embrace taking risks. I’ve learned to enjoy being vulnerable when it comes to growing my business. The biggest thing I’ve learned about risks is hearing the word “No”. Once I channel that and reverse that word into my definition of good, I’ve become unstoppable in my mind. When you have nothing to lose, you have everything to give inside of you to make your business work. Read more>>

Ethan Lartey | Founder & Creative Director of GODSENT

Risk taking has played an abundant role in my journey thus far. I love to take risks because I look at risks like lessons, if you win, you win. If you lose, you learn, which is a win. There’s no bad outcome. It’s all how you look at the lesson being shown to you in that time. Read more>>

Javonna White | I go by Cree8 and I’m a videographer/photograp

Risk is like a gamble that’s how I look at it you either take it or you don’t go for it or don’t. I’ve never really been a big risk take until now maybe because I’m definitely just putting myself out there more now. I remember getting a job and on like day two I’m calling off,no call no show because I’m trying to be on set with Ashanti with a videographer who I’ve been following and been inspired by for awhile now. Without risk I’d be nowhere and I’m trying to be everywhere. Everywhere you look marks CREE8! Read more>>

Stephy Sunny Divakaran | Founder & Spoken Word Artist

I have to admit that I wasn’t always ok with taking risks. It is something that I’ve had to cultivate in myself because it is an important quality to have as a leader. If you never take risks you’ll never know what could have been. Starting a nonprofit along with my husband, Dalton was risky because it required sacrifice, Read more>>

Udele Pandya | Bakery Owner & Passionate Cake Artist

I would say that I approach risk with caution, however, when an opportunity presents itself I think long and hard about it and then I go for it. This is actually how I met my husband. He worked for an Insurance Company in New York and I worked for an Insurance Agency in Dallas. Through our business relationship we became friends. Read more>>