Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Latoya Skinner | Founder, Lola Earl

Taking risks is a way of betting on yourself. It is moving through fear and deciding to live your life in complete joy and do what makes you happy. For me, taking risks has been an important part of doing the things that make me happy and enjoying life through each experience. Two years ago, my role at my corporate job was eliminated, and I was laid off. I took time to revisit the things I wanted to do in my life. I decided to bet on myself and turn Lola Earl from a hobby to a career. This was exciting but also terrifying- wondering if this would even work. The road has not been easy, and it has been one of my best decisions. Read more>>

Mike Rothmiller | Former Detective, TV reporter, ESPN host, adventurer, Corporate President, and Bestselling author

I learned at an early age that everyday life presents risks. Some risks are minor, and others life-threatening, but all provide a valuable life lesson. Confronting risks strengthens you, hopefully makes you wiser, and alters who you are.
As a child, I took many risks, but at the time, I didn’t understand the danger involved. I’d catch tarantulas and all varieties of snakes by hand. I quickly learned there was an associated risk of a snake biting or the tarantula embedding its fangs into my hand. It only took one painful incident, and I quickly learned to handle them safely. Read more>>

Suzi Freeman | Mental Performance & Mindset Coach for Teens and College Athletes

Risk, great question. Risk is my word for 2024. I decided 2024 would include some big moves in my business and personal life. Some choices have been extremely out of my comfort zone and required a huge risk (like selling large assets and going all in kind of risk); even though the payoff has yet to happen, we are getting very close. The rewarding side to taking these big risks is that my kids are watching how I navigate these risks and adventures, and they are learning that there is always time to go all in on a dream. I just turned 50 this year! Read more>>