We asked some brilliant folks from the community to talk to us about how they think about risk and the role risk has played in their lives and careers.

Randy Lindsay | Author

Taking a risk had a major, life-altering affect on my life. Although, I didn’t realize at the time that I was taking a risk. Four years ago, I took a DNA test as part of my family history research. When the results came back, I found out that my dad wasn’t my biological father. My bio-dad lived across the country in New Jersey. It was a shocking experience. Once I came to terms with the fact that I had two different families, I made a trip out to see the family I didn’t know. It was a great event in my life. I eventually wrote a book about it, The Milkman’s Son. I wanted to share my story with people who were in a similar situation, hoping that it might help them deal with the emotional trauma that this revelation brings. Read more>>

Danielle Garcia | Founder of Soultree City

I’ve spent most of my life fearing the “what ifs.” I realized that those fears stopped me from living a full life. Most things worth having are not without risk- the risk of failure, the risk of losing something we love, and the risk of leaving our comfort zone and having to really show up and live our life. I found myself at times too comfortable with living in a bubble where it meant I didn’t have to challenge my routine or what felt like a secure life. That doesn’t bring me true happiness though. Eventually, I decided that if something takes me out of my comfort zone, I’m going to do it. I’ve found my most potential outside of my box, doing things I never thought that I could because I never challenged myself to do them. Read more>>

Cyndy Carstens | Professional Artist & Gallery Owner

Risk is really about possibilities. Without taking chances our lives tend to stalemate and we become less than our dreams. Playing it safe all the time, our dreams simply fade away into a reality that is unrewarding and dull. One must find a balance between uncertainty and security. For instance, I am not going to gamble my life on unsafe driving habits or invest my hard-earned moneys into an unknown enterprise/entity who makes promises they cannot possibly keep. Also, I find those who risk their lives for the thrill of a moment incredibly stupid or lacking in self-appreciation. I like the word possibilities. It gives my own dreams wings. I knew from a young age I wanted to be a full-time professional artist but I had no idea what that would look like; which roads I would need to travel; or even the slightest clue how to get there. Read more>>

Suzanne Lasky | Interior Designer-Residential and Small Commercial

I quit a well paying job were I was in mid-high management to go back to school to acquire my Interior Design degree. Interior Design is my second career (coming up on 20 years!) . My first was as a marketing manager in both the consumer products and telecommunications fields (14 years). I took the risk to pursue my Interior Design degree and then start my own design business, which at the time I did so essentially took away two-thirds of our household income and health benefits from my household, I was g confident ( at times not so much….) with the conviction that this was the path I was meant to follow I could still be a corporate America worker……who knows??? Read more>>

Brian Willis | Kiln-formed Glass Artist

I am fortunate to have had parents that taught me that taking risk was a valuable part of life. At a young age they showed me that taking risk garnered bigger payoffs and that failure was nothing more than a missed opportunity. Whether it was my work or or creative life I understood that associating risk with preparation and effort also increased the satisfaction of having done a good job. Read more>>