We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Debjit Das | Frontman of Shae District

I think taking risks is an important thing to do at early stages of a career. Especially in the beginning when you’re kind of shooting in the dark. You’re putting your best foot forward because you think this is the way to move forward and succeed, but in reality you don’t know how to yet succeed. Otherwise, you already would have accomplished what you’ve set out to achieve. So personally, I like to take risks. Read more>>

Angel Peterson | Owner of Backstory Ink

I often joke that I gambled and won, even posting on Instagram about winning the lottery and what I did next. This play on words reflects my genuine belief that taking risks is essential for growth—calculated risks, that is. Read more>>

Mio (Artemio) Sison III | Photographer & Former Scientist

I think of risk as a necessary evil. In order to succeed as a small business, owners need to constantly be taking risk. Is it worth hiring this person? Will this person really take more off my plate? Should I have even launched this business on my own in the first place? I’ve taken so many risks throughout my career, starting even as early as my academic career in college. As the oldest child of first generation parents who were both born in the Philippines, almost everything I did was risky. There was no prior knowledge or my experience my parents could draw from when guiding me through the college recruitment process, let alone college athletics. Starting my Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, was also a huge bet on myself. Read more>>

Carter Joseph | Vocalist and musician

Taking risks has been the biggest contributor to my success. Some of the biggest stages I’ve had the privilege of performing on I didn’t think I would be invited to. Gaining the courage to put yourself out there is hard but it’s what has gotten me noticed. It’s true that you’ll never know if you don’t try. Read more>>

Michael Trujillo | Music Producer & DJ

All of putting yourself out there as a creative is a risk on its own. You never know who you might meet or what might come with all the art you put out but staying true to self and risking your ideas will catch some eyes. But it all is worth it in the long run. Definitely had to risk some sleep, relationships, and free time to get here but I don’t regret it. Read more>>

Averina Singh | Dj, Curator, Marketing Director

Taking risks has allowed me to constantly stay challenged and evolving. Doing something that you’ve never done before and where the result is maybe unknown keeps you curious and able to create trends rather than follow them. Read more>>

MisterAde

Pursuing anything in the entertainment industry is considered high-risk in the eyes of many. Initially, I was a student at Howard University located in Washington, DC. There I was studying Elementary Education with the full intention of becoming a 2nd grade teacher. Before the pandemic, I was often in the classroom working with kids assisting them on how to read and write. Funnily enough, pursuing music did not lead to me leaving my education. I had physical and mental health problems that were escalating and needed to be addressed. Even though I look able-bodied, I am disabled. I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), fibromyalgia, early on-set arthritis and other unique conditions for my age group. There were years of doctors, misdiagnosis and treatments. Additionally, many failed “practical” career attempts because it’s hard on my body working a normal 40 hour work week. Read more>>

Alyssa Fournier | Hair and Makeup artist

I feel as though risk is in everyday life. There is risk in trying something new, opening a business, creating new relationships, etc. However, there is even more risk in not trying anything new at all. It is less risky to try something and fail then it is to never do it and always wonder. Read more>>

Lynda Drake | Author, Speaker & Life Coach

Risk in my life has been like diving off a diving board into an unknown pool. A pool that taught me to step forward in faith, trusting that I would learn what I needed to know and be led on the right path. That path hasn’t always been easy or felt successful. It has led me to where I am today, which feels amazing! Read more>>

Jones

Life is essentially about taking risks. A person takes risks -whether big or small- every day. Risk-taking in my career has allowed me to learn very valuable lessons on my journey to success. I don’t always end up on the perceived “winning” side of risk-taking, but there truly is no way to lose. Even without the desired outcome, there is an opportunity to learn from the things that didn’t go as planned. Read more>>