There is a wealth of academic research that suggests that differences in risk appetite are at the heart of differences in career and business trajectories. We wanted to go beyond the theory and ask real people from the community about their perspectives and experiences with risk and risk taking.

Luke Wynn | Writer, Artist, Producer, CEO

I believe that risks are the necessary bridges to reach the ultimate goal of winning in every facet of life. 70% of start-up businesses fail within the first 10 years. 50% of marriages end in divorce. With every endeavor and venture we take, we expose ourselves to the possibility of epic failure. Read more>>

Katie Dobies | Make It Until You Make It

There is much more to be gained by taking risks than playing it safe. In fact, the biggest risk is to be ourselves in a world of conformity. My mantra is ‘make it until you make it’. Failure is not in my vocabulary. Even if a venture does not seemingly pay off, it leads us to the next one with new knowledge and practical experience. If you’re doing it, you’re doing it! That is success in my book. Read more>>

Kalvin Peary | Concert Promoter

When I started Peary Entertainment Group, it was all risk. I had no money. I’d max out my credit cards and use the money to book a show. If it went well, I’d pay the cards down. If not, I’d work odd-jobs to make money and pay down the balance until it was low enough for me to pull more cash out and do another show. Read more>>

Sylivia Love | Travel Enthusiast

Taking risks has played a major role in my life by giving me confidence to be the person that I am today! When I first started college I tried to play it safe and I felt empty inside because to me playing it safe when you don’t have to didn’t bring me any fulfillment. I started to question myself and why I was playing it safe. Read more>>

Christine Dargon | Small business owner with two locations – it is part retail and part a unique studio where I teach yoga, trapeze, aerial, acro etc and have a team of other practitioners and teachers.

I was never a risk taker. I decided when I was 12 that I would get a doctoral degree and become a psychologist. I did just that until, after over two decades of working in the mental health system (in private practice), I was disgusted with the system for many reasons which I will save if you should want more details. Read more>>

Bill Briles | Bill Briles and Wife Aleta Doroudian Filmmakers and artists

I drove race cars for several years and used to do high altitude mountain climbing. My wife competed in gymnastics at the national level and has always been an athlete. Art is in the same vein. You have to put yourself ‘out there’, which always involves risks (rejection, ridicule, etc.) but the reward of feeling very much alive is worth it. Read more>>

Adam Swords | YouTube content creator and Brand Ambassador

Risk often precedes reward, so I think it’s hugely important to take risks. That said, it’s imperative that you’re calculating those risks first, rather than just winging it each time. Throughout my life and career I’ve always been happy to take risks and push myself out of my comfort zone. That’s where the most growth happens and in my personal experience, it’s how I’ve ‘levelled up’ in life. Read more>>

Shari Lyon | Encaustic Artist

Without taking risks you never have anything different than what you do daily. If you don’t do a few scary things in life you will miss out on those “what if” wins. I have had many different careers and worn many different hats, but the one thing in common has been that each new situation required a leap of faith moment. Read more>>

Irving Reyes | Barber & Owner of Visionz Barbershop

I believe taking risks are necessary to move forward in life, but it’s important to make sure those risks are calculated and thought out. Most barbershops are opened by a team of barbers but in my case I decided to go at it alone. I had to make sure I had enough clientele to pay my bills while I found other barbers to join my shop. Read more>>

Laura Austin | Esthetician | Wax Specialist

My immediate feeling associated with taking risks is fear. Where there is risk, there is an exposure to danger, so of course fear is at play in some regard. When I first decided to work independently I was scared out of my mind, but I stayed positive and channeled that fear into being my biggest motivator. Read more>>

Phil Herbert | Photographer and Filmmaker

My first love is skiing, and when you spend a lot of time in the mountains, in the winter, you are constantly exposed to some level of risk. From injuries, or avalanches, or the cold. You’re constantly evaluating risks, and adjusting to them. Over the years in in these situations, though, you realize that the biggest risks in the mountains are you and your team. Read more>>