In our experience, most folks, including ourselves don’t have enough of an understanding of risk and the role it plays in our lives and careers and so we have made a concerted effort as a team to have conversations about risk with our interviewees. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Colleen Dream Weaver

I take risks ALL THE TIME. There is a lot of pressure to “succeed” in our capitalist society, and to succeed on the first try. But I have benefited more from my failures than my successes. Taking risks and making mistakes is how I’ve learned the hard lessons in art-making and in life, and by learning those lessons I have developed amazing artistry skills, built up my confidence and have even become more efficient in my art-making processes because I know what to avoid and what works best for me. Some call it trial and error or R&D, I call it FAFO. Read More>> 

Joanne Chang

The ability to take risks is paramount to who I am today. At 32 years old I found myself in a total rut: unhappy marriage, lucrative but unfulfilling career, burnt out/stressed out, and exhausted by my seemingly safe yet suffocating choices. I was trapped in layers upon layers of safety net, and I was incredibly, undeniably unhappy. Read More>>

Michelle Christiance

For me, risk has always been closely tied to intuition and a deep belief in following the stories and people that move me. After graduating from college, I visited a friend in Denver on a road trip and ended up never leaving. That spontaneous decision set the foundation for my professional and creative life.

In the early days of building my portfolio, I often took trips that stretched me financially and personally. One of the most pivotal moments was when I traveled to Pakistan in my early 20s. I had just enough money to buy a plane ticket and only $50 left in my pocket for what ended up being a 4–5 week stay. Read More>>

Taylor Lewis

To start off I am the ultimate risk taker!! You have to take risk in life especially if the opportunity is presented to you. I don’t believe in coincidence. Everything presented to you has something to do with your life’s purpose! These opportunities are only presented to you is the mindset I dare to keep. If I don’t do it how will it be done for the world! Besides you never know what impact you will make by taking that risk! The Most High God doesn’t make any mistakes and he doesn’t give you things he knows you can’t handle. Do it! Read More>>

Beth Hay

The way I think about risk is that if your dreams don’t scare you, then they are not big enough. I’m a dreamer, and I DREAM BIG!

I’ve carried this motto throughout my whole life. From going to college for an art degree instead of the “safe” choice, to living on the road for two years doing “vanlife”, to leaving a job with a steady paycheck to follow my passion of being a full time Metalsmith and Mama. Read More>>

 Dray Bullard

I have been an avid rock climber for about 30 years now. This risk involved there is relatively high. I have taken a few risks in the past several years now professionally, such as deciding to be a tattoo artist at the age of 39 and opening my own tattoo studio in a down economy. Being in many life or death situations over the years as a climber, makes me look at professional risks in a different light than maybe I would’ve without that skewed perspective on risk. Read More>>

Peter Loyd-Vuolo

I think that in most careers we are required to take risks. Especially when it comes to changing careers or starting a business. I look at risk taking as a necessary part of my professional career and I try to approach it with a decent amount of forethought and planning. However, sometimes I’ve just had to take a “leap of faith”. Read More>>

Marlene Bedoya

Taking risks has been the heartbeat of my career. I’ve come to understand that nothing truly meaningful happens without a leap of faith. Right now, I’m the founder of Agave Republic, a PR firm that brings visibility to brands, people, and movements—especially those often overlooked.

I started this journey because I saw that not everyone dares to nurture what others won’t even touch. Most people reach for roses, not realizing the strength and beauty in something like a spiny agave. But I’ve always seen resilience and potential where others see risk or discomfort. My gift is telling the stories no one else dares to tell—and making people feel seen, dignified, and powerful in the process. Read More>> 

Kate Pucci

I truly believe that risk-taking creates opportunities for growth and ultimately, if we’re open to it, has the ability to propel us forward. For me, moving out to Colorado from New York almost 6 years ago now prompted me to step outside my comfort zone in so many ways, all of which I am eternally grateful. Both personally and professionally, I have found that risks often end up being very rewarding and provide a grounding reminder to slow down and appreciate my work and effort instead of feeling the constant need to pursue the next big thing. Read More>>

Elizabeth Weiler

Risk has played a huge factor in my life and my career. There is a quote from a poem called The Invitation and it says, “It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.” These are words I live by. Risk has taken me far and deciding to leave my journalism career behind and pursue Massage Therapy was a big risk, but an even bigger reward. Sometimes risk is connotated with impulsivity but I think about risk as being okay with the unknown and having faith in myself and the universe that everything will fall into place as it’s meant to. Read More>>

Levi Kastner

I think risk is essential if you want to do anything that matters creatively. Playing it safe might keep you comfortable, but it won’t push you forward. For us, risk has shown up in everything from deciding to get on stage the first time, to putting original songs out into the world, to investing in gear and gigs not knowing if they’d pay off. Read More>>