By far, the topic that comes up most in our conversations with entrepreneurs and creatives is risk. We’ve had conversations about risks that worked out and risks that did not. We’ve seen eyes light eye sharing about career-trajectory changing risks as well as folks sigh about the risks they wish they had taken. Below, we’ve selected and shared some of those thoughtful conversations.

Alexis Peralta | Creative Mind & Entrepreneur

I’ve always been naturally risk-averse. I don’t like gambling, taking chances, or the feeling of losing. That was just who I was—until life showed me a different path. In college, my best friend and I decided to start a crafting business together. We were both artists and loved spending time making crafts, so it felt like the perfect fit. I got the idea from someone I knew at the time who was thriving by selling her crafts on Etsy. I thought, “I love art, and I’ve always said it would be my career!” Read more>>

Bri Polanco | Founder, Contract Manager, & Chief Operations Officer

To me, taking risks is about tapping into faith, grit, and passion. It’s that moment when you step forward into something without fully knowing how it will turn out. I’ve learned through my journey that no matter how much planning or preparation you do, there’s always an element of the unknown. When I made the decision to venture out and establish my own business, ContractQueenBri, it wasn’t just about a leap into entrepreneurship—it was a commitment to trust myself and embrace the challenges ahead. Risk is a core part of both my career and my life path. Each step, from drafting my first contract to helping others build their businesses, involved taking risks that forced me to grow. Read more>>

Sarah Turney | Founder of Voices for Justice Media

My entire life and career have been built on taking risks. I was a high school dropout from West Phoenix, and I poured every resource I had into graduating with honors from ASU, buying a home, or creating a stable life. In March 2020, I took the leap to transition from marketing and events to make media production my full-time job, and I was terrified. My passion pushed me and kept me going, though, and now, I realize that it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Read more>>

Judith Aram | Visual Artist/chocolate maker

Risk is a constant fact in my daily life. The risk of loosing my sanity is on top of my list. The risk of becoming homeless due to insufficient funds, to meet end-meets, and the most terrifying risk for me is, to miss opportunities to grow as an artist and running my business. Why I said this, because I’m a single mother, and as a single independent mother your responsibilities become your burden, like a double load of stones in your backpack.
I have to manage my time, effort and finances to my first choice, my family, and then whatever is left, stretched those components for my personal self and my career. In short sentence, either I put food on the table or purchase those canvas. Read more>>