Shoot your shot? Take a chance? Society bombards us with messages, phrases, examples and stories of how taking risk is the key to success, but is anything ever that simple? We asked some of the brightest folks we know to tell us about how they think about risk. We’ve shared their responses below.

Ellen Rich | Fine Art Artist

Risk-taking has always been a part of my life. I was Valedictorian of my high school class and also voted “most likely to succeed”. I was an exchange student to Norway for the year after high school. I was “supposed to” go to college, but once there, it just seemed like a game I was not willingly to play!  Read more>>

Robert McEachern | Artist

I decided to answer this question from the list of options because it is certainly foremost in the mind of anyone who aspires to sell their artwork. This becomes strikingly apparent at an art show or craft fair. It only takes a few moments of conversation with any of the vendors to see that they have all taken the risk. They have all courageously brought their wares out into public to be measured by the unforgivingly brutal judge, money. Read more>>

Ilyse Kusch | Interior Designer with IK Interiors LLC

I believe in taking a risk. If it weren’t for me taking a risk to starting my company in 2008 I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ve worked hard at building my client base with referrals and taking on the hospitality world of design. Not only do I design residential I took the risk most recently and have taken on hospitality design. Read more>>

Chelsea Lucas | Owner, Session Yoga

I have always been a nothing to lose type of person. I actually thrive when I’m starting a new business or taking risks in that way. I have this idea that everything will always work out for me and even when it appears to not be working out I find that life is still happening for me rather than to me. I have been very blessed to have successful yoga studios for 18 years in tucson. Read more>>

Nicole Trainor | Artist & Picture Framer

The old saying, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ comes to mind. In order to start a framing business and build a brand, I first had to risk the fear of failure by putting myself & my product out into the world. Sure, I’ve made mistakes along the way but without action, I could not grow a business. Taking risks are essential to achieve any goal you may set for yourself/career and allows you to grow as an individual. Read more>>

Judith Lindbergh | Novelist, Entrepreneur, Creative Writing Mentor

Everything I have ever done professionally has been a risk. I started my career as a dancer—not only the lowest paid profession according to US employment statistics, but among the shortest lived. After several years of dancing, mostly in Off-Off-Broadway and touring shows, I got tired of being in the background and shifted my attention to acting. But a dancer’s resume doesn’t earn a lot of respect when you’re auditioning for Shakespeare. Read more>>