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.

Rachel Kaplan | Author

I took the risk of becoming an author and have published 5 children’s books. People doubted that I could succeed or tell my story. I proved everyone wrong by pursuing my dream and was not influenced by what other people thought. I decided that I wanted to make the world a better place. Read more>>

Rodolfo Reyes | Executive Chef, Owner

Risk is essential for growth! You can’t expect things to just happen because you dreamed them up, there has to be some skin in the game. That something that steals some sleep and keeps you crossing your t’s and dotting your I’s. When you go over the plan for the thousandth time to make sure your project is going to be a success and you think of what it would mean to fail… what’s at risk is what makes you go over the plan once more. Read more>>

Ryan Kielma | Digital Marketer & Photographer

Risk has changed my life for the better. A few years ago, I was living on the east coast working as a design engineer but I felt like I was in the wrong career. I was left with two options: stay stagnant or push myself to create a fulfilling life. Needless to say, I packed my whole life into the back of my car, quit my job, and moved across the country by myself. Read more>>

Maximilian de Melo and Patrick Niederdrenk | Owner/Managing Partner

No risk, no reward. That might sound cliche, but without constantly taking risks, whether calculated or not, there is no opportunity for long term growth and success. You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable and challenge yourself and your business consistently. You just have to have faith that the big risks you take will pay off in one way or another. Read more>>

Dr. Carrie Graham | Adult Learning Consultant & Instructional Design Strategist

As a shy child taking risks was not part of my experience. However, my college experience definitely helped because I had impressive career goals but not a personal or academic network to support achieving my goals. I decided that if I wanted to career of my dreams, I had to take some risks. Read more>>

Denise Rodriguez | Owner of Concierge Cleaning Services, LLC

I am a risk taker, I feel in order to become successful you have to take risks. I left a career after 10 years to start my own business and it has been the most fulfilling risk and decision I have ever made. Read more>>

Hailey Starr | Enamel Jewelry Artist and CEO of Fun

Who gets a six-year-old a dirt bike? My parents did. This is when I started developing a long and intimate relationship with risk. From wakeboarding to backcountry snowboarding to mountain biking to solo adventuring, I love testing my limits. The best lessons learned about risk and how to manage fear (risk’s older brother) have come from my biggest infatuation – mountain biking. Read more>> 

Carina Dominguez | National Correspondent & Producer for ICT

It’s important to take calculated risks. For as long as I can remember I’ve been cautious but I’ve learned that taking risks is necessary sometimes. It can be hard because it’s scary, there’s a lot of unknowns, a lot of doubts and that can cause fear. But don’t let fear into your your heart, don’t let it take over. Read more>>

Laura Johanna | Yoga Instructor, Massage therapist, Connectin with Nature

For me taking risks means a huge opportunity to grow and learn about myself. It feels scary to step outside the comfort box, but after doing so the development is inevitable. When I had my first yoga course for seven weeks, I remember being nervous teaching my first course class. in the end of the course I felt so peace and the teachings were giving me so much that I never expected that. And also it gave me lot of self confidence, if I was able to lead a course, then what else would I be able to do? Read more>>

Anastasia Baker | Event Designer and Florist

I love risk. My life is one big calculated risk. I studied film during a recession. I opened my first retail store during a pandemic. I believe fear is the biggest barrier for any human being to accomplish anything. When we are able to test ourselves in the face of our own fears, organize these fears into steps and create a plan protecting yourself from these fears with actionable items — you’re set. Read more>>

Deanna Lamoreaux | Feed Store Owner

I’m not a big risk taker! I typically follow the path of safe and secure decisions! Luckily I’m married to a man who sees the bigger picture and is willing to take risks that have the possibility to really pay off! Together we are a great balance and this has served us well. Read more>>

DJ Hill | Author, Artist, Poet, Photographer

Risk taking is where it’s at! In my younger years, playing it safe was my motto. Yes, I learned to play piano, figure skate, write, sing, create, but never challenged myself to see what would happen if I went ‘all in.’ As I grew older, I became much more influenced by my peers, including artists who’ve come before me and pushed the boundaries of both their gender and work. Workshop leaders, professors, mentors, my spouse, friends and fellow creatives saw something in my capabilities that might be worth pursuing and challenged me to explore those possibilities. Read more>>