Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Aaron & Emily Cummins & Duke | Co-founders

There is no crossing into the entrepreneurial world without coming face-to-face with risk. We knew from the moment we began this journey that if we could shift risk to a more analytical perspective, better known as taking calculated risks, we would have a better shot at success. Not only did we take a risk in betting on ourselves and our vision, but we also took a huge risk in choosing to build our company slowly and with intentionality. We knew that in order to find the level of success we were seeking, we needed to be in it for the long haul. Rather than selling out for quick cheap growth, we took years to thoughtfully create every aspect of the company and best position ourselves for long-term success. In an industry that’s traditionally all about the numbers and quick growth, our approach was a huge risk that, if successful, we knew would be worth the reward. Read more>>

Candice Dennis | Hairstylist/Bridal hair specialist

Most things worth doing or having involve some sort of risk in my opinion. I have never considered myself a huge risk taker but as I look back on my life so far, I realize everything that is fulfilling for me in my life has come to me because of a risk I took, whether that risk was a calculated one or just a spur of the moment decision that just felt right. Taking risks has not always panned out for me but I don’t regret any of them, some of those failed risks taught me more about myself then the ones that worked out. I think everyone can have a tendency to become complacent at times because risk and the unknown are scary, but I try to make sure I’m constantly evolving and changing within myself and my career. Read more>>

Matt Lenagh | Videographer, Photographer, & Digital Marketer

I think risk has a relationship with consequence. Risk is the likelihood that a negative consequence will come from an action. Alex Honold talks about this when asked about his free solo endeavors. He says, that through preparation and effort you will continually reduce the risk that a negative consequence will happen. I think all risk can be reduced to almost zero, through this relationship of preparation and effort. Sometimes it takes a week and sometimes it takes a decade. Read more>>

Alicia Bruce | Brand Photographer + Illustrator

I’ve never quite thought of myself as a risk taker – I’m not an adrenaline junkie, I don’t combine medications without calling a pharmacist first, and I always wear my helmet when skateboarding, even when cruising on flat ground. But then again, maybe I am a risk taker. In 2010 I left my stable career in meteorology to start my own photography business from scratch. After 8 years of shooting weddings, I revamped my entire business and switched to shooting only brand and product photography. And when I broke my shoulder during the pandemic forcing me out of work for 7 months, I turned my lifetime art hobby into an illustration side hustle. Read more>>

Felicia Anzaldúa | Publisher + Editor in Chief

For better or worse, I’m a risk taker by nature. I’ve survived some unfortunate circumstances and instead of telling myself that I never want to go back, I’ve rationalized that I could survive again. So I often take risks. Some as rational as going off to college with only the love and moral support of my loved ones. Others as irrational as purchasing a wedding publication without an exhaustive background in publishing or the wedding industry. My risks pay off because I know when I’m taking them and I’ve been abundantly blessed with people who believe in me. This…anxiety-inducing…outlook has given me the gift of realizing that the rules aren’t real. We get to define success or failure for ourselves and it’s okay if a risk doesn’t pay off the way we hoped. I’ve never learned any lesson worth passing on in my comfort zone. Read more>>

Ethan Funk-Breay | Filmmaker & Illustrator

I think “risk” is taken as much scarier thing than it actually is. Especially when talking about a career, a risk is often something to avoid and is usually seen as a negative. I guess the way of thinking is “why would you want to put something so significant as your career in a state of uncertainty?” That’s the problem with how “risk” is perceived; it’s always seen as “what if I fail?” Read more>>