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.

Brandon

I think about risk through the lens of decision quality over outcome, a concept I learned from “Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke. In my career, especially in business ventures, I’ve used her framework to separate luck from skill and make more rational decisions under uncertainty. Taking calculated risks has opened up key opportunities, and by treating each decision like a bet, I focus on long-term thinking and probabilities, not just short-term wins. Read More>>

Lia McGuire

I see risk as opportunity to grow stronger. I started my nail business terrified! I knew I had to make the risk and see if it was worth it and if I was meant to do it. You truly don’t know until you try and sometimes that’s risky. Do it scared though, if it scares you that means it’s worth something and those things are always worth trying. Read More>>

Sheli Gilman

Risk taking has been very prevalent in the decisions I have made. I don’t believe that anyone can do anything in life without risk. I am quite an action oriented person, and tend to make decisions or have opinions very quickly, so risk goes hand in hand with that sort of thing. I love taking risks in life, it feels very motivating and powerful to make a decision based on my intuition. I tend to trust my gut, so that has guided the risks I have taken in my life/career. Calculated risks are probably the best way to describe how I move about life/ in my career. Read More>>

Shannon Altner

Risk is an inherent part of both the entertainment industry and entrepreneurship as a whole. I’ve always believed in the mindset of “no risk, no reward.” That said, embracing creative risk can be especially challenging—at times it doesn’t lead to financial gain or recognition. To move through that, I try to reframe the idea of reward: it’s not just about the outcome, but about the process itself. The act of taking a leap, trusting yourself, and committing to the next bold move—that’s the real reward. Read More>> 

Ana Marina Sanchez

Risk taking isn’t just a trait, it’s a defining characteristic woven into the fabric of who I am. From a young age, I’ve embraced risk as a necessary catalyst for achieving my goals and dreams. Whether it was leaving my home country of Mexico to forge a new path in the U.S. or building a full time creative business from the ground up, I see risk as the spark that ignites the force leading us toward something greater. Read More>>

Daniel Hoffelmeyer

I think risk taking is a must as a small business owner. I definitely analyze each risk before taking it, but if I passed on every one, I wouldn’t have my business today. I’ve taken risks my entire life. Changing careers, leaving secure jobs to pursue dreams, taking out loans. You just have to trust your confidence and believe in yourself. Read More>>

Lydia Kerr

Honestly, I love risks— within reason. Most of my favorite experiences in life are a product of taking a risk. I lived on an 88′ sailboat in the Caribbean with 18 strangers for a semester in college, and it was one of the most transformative, magical experiences of my life. My husband and I moved to Iceland for a job on a whim in 2023, and while the job didn’t work out, we met lifelong friends and made a home abroad. I traveled solo to Greece for a painting retreat last year and learned that I was horrible at painting but still had a blast. I signed up for a 5k when I couldn’t even run a mile, got addicted, and am now signing up for my first full marathon. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without risk. Read More>>

Marisa Farrah

Betting on yourself is always a risk. Life doesn’t pause in order for you to get your business up and running, or take your business idea from a concept and put it into practice. I still had to earn an income and take care of my family, walk the dog, make dinner, pay the bills, all while building up the courage to take a leap of faith and start Marisa Moves Pilates. The meat and potatoes of the business I knew well. I was already training clients in private and group settings full time, but the business aspect was a bit scary at first.  Read More>>

Bianca Jaquez

If there is one thing you can do in this world, it is to take that risk. Everything, and I mean absolutely everything you can think of, you can achieve. If you truly see yourself there, you will get there! If there is a risk to take, take it. Better to live with you knowing you tried, rather than looking back with regret. The world is a playground, we can play a little! Read More>>