Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Gustavo A. Santana | Painter

For my take risk is a must do, because I don’t like to remain on the “what if?”. It definitely had positive situations because I get to exercise the profession and career path I chose: the art Read more>>

Dwayne Allen | Chief Bubblemaker

One man’s risk is another man’s adventure! I’m not a risk-taker. I don’t gamble or give much thought to a competitive nature. I like to say that I move when inspired. Sometimes, this inspiration may be a wacky idea to some, running deep down a cavernous rabbit hole and taking three times as long to complete. Take the idea of starting a carbonated beverage company, for example. It didn’t begin with any desire for a company, which would certainly be risky, but rather as an idea to make a better ginger beer. I’ve been obsessed with this spicy, bubbly beverage since my early days as a boy in Jamaica. Read more>>

Zz Coleman | Fashion Designer/stylist & Photographer

Risks are very much needed with anything you choose to do in life. Like the saying says, “No risk, no reward”. Taking risks can be very scary though, not knowing what the outcome may be. I struggled with taking risks in the beginning of my business journey and in my personal life as well. I would often find my mind trying to be rational and succumbing to those around me about my “unrealistic” goals and dreams, but my heart would always run in the other direction. I had to choose to follow my heart and disregard what others thought I should do with my life and my decision. I know some people may just want the best for you, but at the end of the day there is no right and wrong way of how a “successful” life and career is supposed look like so pursue and live it how you want to. Read more>>

Skyla Sweeney | REALTOR ®

I think that going into being a business owner, risk is such a huge factor of it. Taking risks is literally everything that I did for my business. I am a teen mom and I had just graduated high school with the choice of going to a University or becoming a realtor. I risked everything that I had and jumped into real estate and I couldn’t have been more happy with my decision. But the real message I want to get across is that risk is a big factor and there needs to be risks in this kind of business. It might be scary but the end result is always worth it if you work hard enough for it, and that’s what I had to do. Read more>>

Marina Fini | Artist, Creator of Dreamscapes, Interior Design & Color Therapy

I think about risk being the jumping point to your vision and doing the necessary steps or falls to gain knowledge to know how to acquire your dream. I think taking risks is vital for up leveling your life so you can better understand how to reach what you want. I have taken many risks throughout my career that have led me to where I am now, and if I never took those potentially scary jumps I wouldn’t be where I am today. in order to live a life that you want to live you have to jump in the deep end, You have to take risks and go into the abyss of the unknown. You have to understand that the risk is where your old life ends and your new one begins. Read more>>