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.

Sam Speir | Arts Production Specialist

Risks have been an unavoidable and acceptable part of my professional career. The best I can ever do is put in the work towards mitigating the chance of failure as best as possible! This usually is equated to keeping in contact with people who may know certain processes better than myself, or have information that could be invaluable to success. Read more>>

Katie Maguire | Doctoral Candidate and Mental Health Practice Owner

Risk-taking has played such a significant role in my life, especially as a young woman and single mom. Risk taking has been a core foundation to how I have found success in many areas of my life. Read more>>

Rosalie Baseman | Jewelry Designer & Movement Instructor

I believe that where there is great risk, there is potential for great reward — but not necessarily monetarily or materially. Most of the time, the greatest reward for me that comes from risk-taking is internal, a sort of boost of spiritual confidence necessary to grow and expand in life — to really “level-up” at a more accelerated rate than I would otherwise, not having done anything differently at all. Read more>>

Ruby Compton | Chief Exploration Officer, Ruby Outdoors and REI Experiences Guide

When I first left my full-time job to run my business, I had so many people tell me how brave I was to make the leap into self-employment. I always found myself responding to them, “Yep, brave or stupid. Not sure which one. It is a fine line between them.” Read more>>

amanda blackwood | Author, Artist, Speaker, Survivor

There’s a huge amount of risk in what I do. Not only do I talk openly about human trafficking and educate others on what it actually looks like (and it’s not what you think it is either), but I’m a survivor of trafficking and the man who abused me is still free in the world today. Read more>>

Jill Carstens | Writer & Accidental Activist

I evolved into taking risks slowly as a young adult. I was shy as a child in public, but at home I was quite boisterous, leading my younger brother around, performing impromptu plays for our parents. People label each other as introverts or extroverts but I truly believe you can be a bit of both. Read more>> 

Eric Newton | Writer | Comedian | Hufflepuff

As an artist, taking risks has naturally been a character trait of mine, however, as I got older I did notice I had begun to stop taking risks on the things that previously brought me joy in life. Instead I started placing a high priority on things I thought would bring me safety and security in life. Read more>>

Sam & Elliot Archuleta | Something More Human

I’m inspired by the phrase “growth happens at the edges of your comfort zone.” Simply moving to the edges of your comfort zone, let alone doing it regularly, can feel like a risk. Read more>>

Stevie Gunter | Tattoo Artist & Musician

Risk is a revelatory tool, compelling us to consider what pleasures are muffled by our skin – like a palm over our mouths. Its a risk to listen deeply and unbury the secrets we keep from ourselves. We might find something we cannot refuse, we might open pandora’s box. Read more>>

Alex Navarro Salgado | Soccer player & computer specialist

Risks, what are they? Are they a simple choice of do I want this or that? Or, if I do this, this will happen? No, risks are a choice to sacrifice the thing you love most for an opportunity that is not determined. Read more>>

Buntu Hlotywa | CEO

Risk taking is an integral element of life, with every decision you either land hard or land soft. The decision you make afterwards is the defining factor that contributes towards development in life and in business and I’ve come to understand that without calculated risks there could be little room for growth, Read more>>

Devan Worrell | Artist & Entrepreneur

I’ve always been a risk-taker whether it was on the football field, joining the Navy or starting new hobbies like music. I realized early on in life that taking risks and pushing boundaries is the only way I’ll get to where I want to be. Read more>>

Tami Canaday | Playwright

Risk is inherent in playwriting because like in any art form, it’s totally subjective to how audiences and critics respond to one’s play when it becomes a theatrical performance. But, for me, the biggest and most exhilarating risk of playwriting is that it’s a collaboration between other artists like actors, directors, and designers.  Read more>>