We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Ethan Brisby | Vision Bearer

Coming from where I am from and considering where I am now, risk was a great part of my journey. I have taken many, many risks along the way. Some for better, others for worse. When I went back to college in 2008, my parents dropped me off in Atlanta with a 1996 Nissan Altima and $250 to my name. I heroically turned that into multiple paid internships, $50,000 + in scholarships, a college degree, and my first book, “5 Proven Strategies on How to Pay for College.” Read more>>

Lindsey Leigh Hohlt | Founder & Creative Director at Lindsey Leigh Jewelry

One of my favorite quotes is “The biggest risk in life is not Risking” by Sara Blakely of Spanx. When I tossed around the idea of starting Lindsey Leigh Jewelry, I was tossing around putting my pride and livelihood on the line for everyone to judge! For the first few months I was in a dark place wondering if this risk was worth it, until one day it was! Had I not taken that risk to go off on my own I would be stuck in the same cycle I was for years that I resented. That risk allowed me to better the jewelry industry in Houston and the ability to better provide for my customers! People always think because you have your own company that you have a flexible schedule, which is incorrect if you are wanting to grow it and better it daily! You have to give it your everything. So many choices I make for LLJ are a risk, but being a small business means that there will be a lot of “trial and error” until we figure out what works! Risks, courage, and grit are what got LLJ off the ground! Read more>>

Dolly Lace | Burlesque Troupe Manager

I believe that if you don’t take the risk than you might never see the reward. If you try and fail at least you can say you tried. This is the mentality I had when I decided to start my business and this is the mentality I have now. I knew nothing about running a business but I knew if I didn’t take the chance then I could never see what could be. Even if a risk leads to a mistake that mistake could be turned into a learning lesson. Read more>>

Alexus Rendon | Freelance visual artist

When it comes to taking risks, I believe it is unavoidable in life. Every choice and decision we make on a day to day basis have a degree of risk to them, and oftentimes than not, the bigger the risk the bigger the payoff. I took a risk by leaving my steady job as an Art framer to focus on forging my own path in art. I took an even bigger risk by doing so as a single mother. For me, taking risks have been fundamental in shaping my life into what it is now. Read more>>