How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Susan Paige | Artist, Art Curator and Best Selling Author

After graduating with a BA, Art Northern Illinois University I moved to Arizona in 1979. I had no contacts here, but I was determined to start my art career by getting a gallery assistant job in Scottsdale in the top contemporary art gallery., which I did. I networked and learned all I could in the art scene. A year latter I was approached to start up an avant garde gallery in downtown Phoenix. In the early 80’s young emerging artists in Arizona had difficulty getting representation in the Scottsdale galleries. So I took a leap and took the job as gallery manager of the John Douglas Cline Gallery on Central in Phoenix. There were no other art businesses on Central ave except for The Phoenix Museum. Read more>>

Sharvari Vaidya | Small Business Owner

I have always been creative by nature and started my small business journey during peak Covid . I had just given birth to my youngest and was working full time from home. Having the flexibility to work from home gave me a chance to explore what else I could do to channelize my creative side. Thats how NVDSIGNZ was created . Initially it was just to supplement my current job and to see how I would fare as a small business owner, But as everyone in the world was stuck indoors due to covid restrictions my business started booming. It started with engraved nightlights that would play song from your phone which took the Etsy world by a storm and soon enough I was working overnights fulfilling orders. Read more>>

Andrea Christelle | Philosopher, Researcher, Entrepreneur

Taking a risk is the essence of being entrepreneurial. Sedona Philosophy was risky because we were doing something new with philosophy and something new with tourism. Every person has philosophical questions about finding meaning in life, value in work, and happiness in relationships. So we wanted introduce philosophy in a way that was relevant and relatable to everyone. Also, we know that Sedona is a very special place where people visit when they are curious about philosophical questions. So even though we were doing something philosophers don’t usually do, and offering a unique kind of tour, there was no way to try it out without the risk. Basically, if you have a new idea you pretty much have to take a risk. Read more>>

Gianluca Lattuada | Visual artist

Risk is a part of art and the artist’s everyday work, not just in terms of the uncertainty they face throughout their career. The biggest risk, in fact, concerns the creative aspect. Every artist tries hard to push beyond their comfort zone, delving into the deepest parts of themselves. They must constantly innovate, finding a unique language that can be understood and appreciated beyond market trends. I personally strive to achieve all these goals through a classic medium – painting on canvas or a wall. This means confronting myself with a two-dimensional surface of finite dimensions that many colleagues consider limiting. I believe that practicing contemporary art with painting is risky but also stimulating. Read more>>

Evelyn Goslin | Crochet creator and mother of 2

The last few years for me have been nothing but risk taking and trusting I have what it takes. I took a huge risk when coming out as gay and leaving an almost 10 year marriage. I took a huge risk moving out on my own with me and my kids, even though I had hardly any experience outside of being a housewife. I am taking a huge risk starting this business and working hard to make money doing what I love. Risks are vital to becoming the person you are meant to be. It takes a lot of work, and can be terrifying, but sometimes you have to be scared and do it anyway. When you finally succeed after taking that risk, the pride and joy it brings is greater than you could ever imagine! Read more>>