Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Kayla Sanchez

I see risk as an essential catalyst for growth. Only through taking risks, have I learned that every meaningful achievement in life and career involves stepping into the unknown, embracing uncertainty, and being willing to fail forward.
For me, taking risks has meant choosing opportunity over comfort—whether that’s starting something new, changing direction, or investing in myself when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed. Risk-taking has opened doors I didn’t even know existed and has taught me resilience, adaptability, and trust in my own decision-making. Read More>> 

Jen Roby

I have come a long way since the adventurous girl living in New York City. Upon moving to Denver I was able to take more trips to the outdoors and quickly realized I was actually now experiencing true nature. I began my small art business the day I returned from my first summit of a Colorado 14er mountain. I had little experience in altitudes this high, and wanted to be prepared when going up Mount Elbert. I downloaded all the routes and apps that would help me get there, and immediately found my new addiction upon summiting. The air was so clean, and with it, my mind & spirit. Read More>>

Kristin Bryce

Last year, I took a Core Strengths assessment that ranks people across 26 traits. My number one strength? Risk taking. I wasn’t surprised. Looking back, I realize that my version of seeking purpose and meaning has always looked like diving headfirst into unfamiliar territory. That could mean switching industries, challenging old systems, or building something from scratch. Read More>>

Torie Kroeze

Throughout my life and career, I’ve viewed risk not as something to avoid but as an opportunity for growth and innovation. In college, I recognized a significant gap in the market: small businesses desperately needed quality marketing support but couldn’t afford the high prices of large agencies. Rather than following the conventional path into corporate America with its stability and predictable advancement, I chose to tackle this challenge head-on. Read More>>

Melissa Campbell

The main thought behind risk – it is a part of life. You can either chose to embrace it and see where the journey takes you, or you can fight it and stay stale. A lot of people in Colorado will say that one of their biggest risks was moving here, but was it? Yes, I took a chance on something- picked up my life and moved it 1600 miles away. The role that played; it put me in a different location, with different opportunities to choose from. Read More>>

Roy Perez

Risk is an obstacle that can hold you back from doing something or making decisions. It’s uncertain, you can’t predict whether the outcome will be good or bad. It’s like walking blindfolded without knowing what lies ahead.

But to me, risk is also a test of faith, and since I consider myself a person of faith, I’m not afraid of taking risks. I enjoy stepping into the unknown, and risk has never been something that stops me. I don’t dwell on future consequences; instead, I trust the path God has put me in. This is where the 2C57 in our logo comes from, it’s a Bible scripture, 2 Corinthians 5:7 Read More>>

Blaze Contreras

Risk, by definition, is a situation involving exposure to danger. I’ve never really seen business as dangerous; rather, I see it as a door to endless possibilities. Danger can certainly be one of those possibilities, depending on the nature of the business. When I reflect on risk and how it has played a role in my life and career, I recognize it as an integral piece of the puzzle. Read More>>

Bryan Bonner

Taking risks is how I’ve crash-landed into some of my best experiences—personally and professionally. It’s the only way to sneak past the status quo and find out what’s hiding behind the door. That’s where the stories come from. Read More>>