By far, the topic that comes up most in our conversations with entrepreneurs and creatives is risk.  We’ve had conversations about risks that worked out and risks that did not. We’ve seen eyes light eye sharing about career-trajectory changing risks as well as folks sigh about the risks they wish they had taken.  Below, we’ve selected and shared some of those thoughtful conversations.

Curt Bear | Founder, LoCo Think Tank

I have a somewhat fascinating relationship with risk, starting with life as a farmer’s son, and including a 15-year career as a small business banker. A banker is basically a risk analyst – we make loans that have risk, otherwise we couldn’t charge for it. Read more>>

Rebecca Lefebvre | Writer, Coach, Nurse, Social Worker

Great question. I think I should start with a story. It will give you a better sense of the central importance of “risk-taking” in my life. Growing up, my father was in the military. Usually before I finish that sentence I receive nods of acknowledgment, as if the other person already knows what I’m about to say. Read more>>

Sarah Rowan | Infectious Diseases Specialist, Amateur Artist

We all view risk so differently depending on our personalities, skills, circumstances, and experiences. I didn’t feel like I was taking a big risk seeing patients when COVID-19 started because I’m in good health and knew I had good, reliable PPE. Read more>>

Imani Allen | Spirit Advisor & Meditation Coach

Risk taking is the catalyst to transformation and I view it as an extension of facing your fears. One of my favorite risk taking modalities has been relocating to different cities because it activated different parts of myself that were lying dormant. Moving symbolizes a fresh start and gives you the opportunity to write a fresh chapter to your life story. Read more>>

Patrick Mueller | Artistic Director & Immersive Designer

Taking risks is easy. Taking meaningful risks in a way that’s well set up to have meaningful outcomes is much harder. For me, meaningful risk puts something real on the line, but rarely puts everything on the line. If everything is a variable or a risk. Read more>>

Natalie Johnson | Executive Director

Risk taking is such a funny term. By Colorado standards, I am not a risk taker. I am afraid of heights, don’t like rock climbing, and am terrible on a bike–so mountain biking is a disaster. My definition of danger and risk taking involves being decisive, comfort with public failure, and a laissez-faire attitude around financial security. Read more>>

Jessica Dory | Founder & CEO of FoCo Organics

Be brave. Be present. Be all in. Without risk, without courage to face the unknown we will never get to experience our fullest potential as a being here, and for me, not taking a risk, not seeing what could be is the greatest risk of all. Read more>>

Viviane Le Courtois | Artist and Co-Founder of Processus, the Institute for Art and Life.

I am always willing to try new things, to submit ideas for something new that I envision, even if I don’t know what the result might be. I have taken many risks in my life and in my art. At 17, I applied to art schools, not knowing what my future would be. At 19, I almost died from Malaria after traveling to Senegal. Read more>>

Tonya Blessing | Co-Found & Director Strong Cross Ministries, Author, National and International Speaker

Taking risks is like riding a roller coaster; standing in line impatiently, listening to the instructions about safety procedures, the tummy tickles when the ride begins, the white knuckle gripping, the extreme ups and downs; catching your breath between bouts of excitement, and when the ride ends wanting to start all over again. Read more>>

Whitney Way | Jill of All Trades at City Star Brewing

I haven’t gotten to this point in my life without taking risks. Smart, calculated risk taking is integral to growth and decision making. Amid the pandemic this year my partner and I made quick, pivotal decisions. We promised our staff continued employment without guaranteed income and later in spring we purchased a canning line. Read more>>

Emily Van Fleet Nathan Jones | Co-creators and Hosts of “Twice As Less Not Perfect,The Messy Marriage Podcast”

I associate risk taking with vulnerability. There is no risk without it. And vulnerability is hard. Most of us avoid it like the (eh-em) plague. But ALL inspiring success stories involve some degree of risk; whether it’s the risk of failure, of being judged by your peers, or confronting your own limiting beliefs. Read more>>

Lindsay McKenzie | Content Creator & Author

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about risk is the common expression “no risk, no reward”. I deeply believe that risk is almost always involved in order to experience success. Sometimes the risk is higher than other times, but there’s always a level of risk you have to take in order to achieve your dreams. Read more>>