Are you a risk taker? Do you think you have a stronger appetite for risk relative to your friends and family? We asked some folks from the community about their approaches to risk and have shared their thoughts below.

Samantha Erin | Musician, Singer-Songwriter

Taking risks has been the main reason I have been able to work as a full time musician. I believe that it’s worth taking a risk for something you work hard for and if things don’t work out the first time, at least you were brave enough to go for it! Read more>>

Tom Mackie | Professional landscape photographer

Upon graduating from a technical college with a degree in commercial photography I moved from the Midwest to embark on a career as a commercial photographer in Los Angeles. After assisting a few commercial/fashion photographers, I worked as a photographer for a defence contract company. Read more>>

George Higby | The Antique Nomad content creator on YouTube

For someone who considers myself “risk-averse”, the reality of my business life has been to take on risk and thrive in it whenever it appears! I was groomed in college to be a stockbroker, only for the market to tank right when I graduated. Read more>>

Maggie Sackmann | Oil Painter

One of my biggest fears is looking back and regretting playing it safe. From my choice of major in college, to a stint writing music in Nashville, to moving to Colorado having never visited, I think I have a bit of flair for drama. Risk is essential to success, at least the sort of success I seek. Read more>>

Candace Kade | Novelist

The Chinese character for crisis, 危机, is one that has helped me in how I think about risk taking. The first character 危 or wei, means “dangerous.” The second part, 機 or ji, is the character for “opportunity.” It showcases how a crisis can be both dangerous and an opportunity depending on how you look at it. Read more>>

Keddjra Gallagher | Musician

The ultimate risk has always been showing so much vulnerability in my art. It’s not easy to share the most intimate parts of yourself with the world. This is a risk I take every time I perform, write, or release music. Read more>>

Genevieve Peek | Lead Singer of The UNSOLVED

Until fairly recently, I would have considered myself to be risk-averse. I no longer think that’s the case, but I would say that I’m discerning of the risks I choose to take. A series of extremely practical and safe decisions led me to a life I didn’t want, working an unfulfilling job that drained my creativity. Read more>>

Courtney Ryan | Money Coach & Founder of Thrive at Money

Risk is a very personal thing that we often forget is personal. We can get swept up in the collective groupthink, taking on what others believe is risky or not risky and then measuring our lives and actions against other people’s risk tolerances. This is not a fair comparison or a recipe for success in our own lives. Read more>>

Paula Hendrickson | Senior Vice President, NFP Retirement

I am been called a risk taker and I really never thought as myself like that but looking back over my career I have taken many risks. In getting my first job in retirement, I took a risk telling the hiring manager that I could slow pitch on her softball team. Read more>>

Lisa Driscoll | Mental health counselor (therapist)

Growing up in an immigrant household, I was raised to be risk averse. It was always implied in my family and immigrant community that my parents took the ultimate risk of immigrating to the United States; therefore, my sister and I had the privilege of living a life avoidant of risk. Read more>>