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.

Kelly Sinnk | Designer, Diabetic, Mom, and Artist

I would imagine when most people think about risk, they think about high-risk and adrenaline seeking activities. That’s not what comes to mind when I think about risk. Although I did ride a Vespa from Brooklyn to Manhattan every day for about 10 years! I think risk is relative to what scares you. The 1st thing I thought of when posed this question was that I used to be terrified to fly. Read more>>

Whitney Nye | Visual Artist

I take risks with my work because I like the feeling of unfamiliarity. I approach each new body of work with a new perspective, knowing I will learn something new, whether in technique or medium. The process does not become rote, but keeps me interested, and keeps me guessing. I don’t have a particular style but there are common threads in my work. Read more>>

Kimberly Ries | Manual Therapist and FRC Mobility Specialist

As a good friend taught me, ‘You gotta risk it for the biscuit!’. There’s never going to be as big of a reward, if you don’t take the risk. I believe that risk is necessary, not only as an entrepreneur, but in a lot of areas of life if you’re dedicated to growth. Starting my own business directly out of massage school, and leaving my comfy e-commerce salaried and benefited job was the first big risk I took to get my business where it is today-but there was never any other option in my mind. Read more>>

Dr. Rachael Meir | Founder and CEO of Defy Relationship Conformity Coaching

When I initially think about risk taking, my mind jumps to “adrenaline junkies” and thrill seekers who cage dive with sharks or base jump. Or those people who engage in risky behaviors like drugs and alcohol, unsafe sexual behaviors, gambling and rule breaking. Growing up, I was the “goody two-shoes” girl who wanted to do everything right and followed the rules to a “T.” Read more>>

Dusti Reimer | Public Relations Professional and Avid Runner

Risk is everything when it comes to starting anything in life, especially a business. You have to be willing to step out. I would rather live my life knowing I tried and failed than have the regret my whole of life of never trying. We started our nonprofit, Experience Education Foundation, on the risk of hosting the Initiate Conference. Read more>>

Tiana Jacobson | Licensed Real Estate Agent and Advisor

There’s a quote that I have on my white board in my mudroom, it reads: If you do what is hard life is easy, If you do what is easy life is hard. This is how I feel about risk. It’s hard to step outside of the box, breaks chains or go against the grain, but that’s where all the growth is. I have always been somewhat of a risk taker, but my risks have become more calculated as I’ve gotten older. Read more>>

Justin Grimm | Producer/Dj/Artist

With risk taking i have taken jumps to switch my genre of music i produce and preform. I didn’t know i was going to be able to do it but i nailed it! I keep growing and getting better as an artist. Another risk i have taken is to drop everything quite my “9 to 5” and focused on my music full time. It has slowly paid off and I keep my strive to make it. Read more>>

Roxanne Rathbun | The RathCo // Manager

We believe risk is a huge part of success! If you don’t roll the dice every once in awhile, you will never know what you are truly capable of. A huge part of our career has been taking chances. Some play out and others don’t , but your greatest opportunities are right outside your comfort zone. Read more>>

Miranda Vavrosky | Artist

I feel that the saying “high risk, High reward” is one that is constantly in the back of my mind. I was born a creative, my mind has always been full of ideas and seeking patterns or day dreaming. However, I became an artist when I decided to change my career path in college. I was on the deans list and taking all my premed classes to get into a physical therapy course. Read more>>