By far, the topic that comes up most in our conversations with entrepreneurs and creatives is risk. We’ve had conversations about risks that worked out and risks that did not. We’ve seen eyes light eye sharing about career-trajectory changing risks as well as folks sigh about the risks they wish they had taken. Below, we’ve selected and shared some of those thoughtful conversations.

Teddy Axel | Music and Film entertainer

Everything is a risk in life I feel. I’m at the point where I dont want to be around anyone who’s not taking a legitimate risk to better there family life. There slack and indecisive behavior may effect my train of thought. Read more>>

Aylissa Suarez | Hairstylist

Risk is something we all come across everyday in life, sometimes there may be bigger risk than others. Risk played a huge role in my career. I was in my prior career for 10years when I turned 28 I took the risk to change careers when I no longer felt full filled in my prior career. I was in the medical field with a 9-5 Mondays-Friday position and health benefits but no space to grow without getting a better degree. I chose to leave to become a Hairstylist with a more demanding schedule no benefits but an endless path for growth.  Read more>>

Veronica Cisneros | Artist, Singer, Songwriter

As an artist, I take a risk any time I decide to share my work. Whether it’s privately sharing my work with a friend or sharing my work online with the general public, I’m taking a risk. To share my work is to expose my truest essence and open myself up to judgment and criticism. But in order to shine my light & share my joy, I must take that risk. Honestly, I don’t really like taking that risk all the time; it’s extremely uncomfortable, and it does feel kind of dangerous.  Read more>>

Alejandro Salinas | Actor & Filmmaker

To me, there’s two kinds of risk – calculated risk and dumb risk, and both have been instrumental in my growth as a man and an artist in the face of a challenge. Risk has always been an indicator that I’m chasing my own ambition through uncharted waters and I might fail beyond redemption… but there’s also a good chance I will succeed. I won’t know until I step up to the plate and swing for the fences. Read more>>

Tony Lam | photographer

i feel Risk is always in the cards in doing anything, seeing that I try my best to come prepared and ready for anything. I won’t charge for work unless I’m confident in the work I bring to the table. it’s always good to be prepared! Read more>>

Lauren Channell | Licensed Esthetician

There’s something beautiful about taking risks. The word risk has such a negative undertone, and I believe it fears people into staying stagnant or delaying the process of getting started. As an entrepreneur, the thought of losing something after putting so much in, whether it’s your lifestyle, your reputation, or even your business, can make deciding to move towards things that are not guaranteed to bring you success very scary. When you don’t know how something will turn out, and you go for it anyway, it is courageous. That’s what the definition of risk should be. The courageous act of faith. Read more>>

Derrick “premo” Riddick Jr | Professional Songwriter, Mix Engineer, Entrepreneur

Risk-taking has always been a key part of my journey, especially as an independent audio engineer and artist. I believe calculated risks are essential for growth—whether it’s investing in my own studio, Bricc By Bricc, or stepping out of my comfort zone to collaborate with other creatives. My decision to pursue music full-time after serving in the Navy and attending The Recording Conservatory of Austin was a huge leap, but it shaped me into the professional I am today. Every risk I’ve taken has been a step toward defining my own path, and it’s that boldness that fuels my creativity and ambition. Read more>>

Ashlee Young | iHeartRadio Executive & National On-Air Personality

I like many women, had to trust God, move away from everyone I knew to a small Texas country town, and go for my dream. There were many times, I had to go for broke and make decisions most other people wouldn’t find logical, but I knew the opportunity was on the other side of adversity. Read more>>