Are you a risk taker? Do you think you have a stronger appetite for risk relative to your friends and family? We asked some folks from the community about their approaches to risk and have shared their thoughts below.

Kelsey McMillan | Theatre Director & Teacher

I think the most considerable risk a person with something to say or something to show can take is never to take any risks at all. Anyone who has accomplished something special has an elephant graveyard of failures behind them and still some up ahead. I’ve had successes, but I’ve also failed many times, and I wouldn’t do anything differently. For me, risk-taking has become less about making myself vulnerable to the whims of the universe and more about betting on myself. I know now that even when I take a chance and things don’t go the way I hoped or planned, it is still within me to find a way to make every experience I have one that moves me closer to my goals and values. When we bet on ourselves and do scary or uncertain things, we open the door for greatness to happen, even through failure. Read more>>

Gabriella Gallardo | Sales Coordinator

Taking a risk is definitely scary to think about due to not knowing the outcome. However, I will say In 2018 I took a big risk leaving from one state to another without any family. Little did I know I would get a job with a company who has invested in me and helped me become a success adult. I am grateful that I took that big risk even though I was unsure where it would take me. Read more>>

Joshua Clark | Artist & Creative

I personally believe that risks are very important. Taking a risk requires so much energy and courage. If you really think about it, you are stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something that you obviously have not done before. Whatever the reason may be, you are making a very personal and important decision to do something that you honestly have no clue what the outcome will be. You either succeed or you fail, but what is most important is how you move forward from there. You take a risk and then succeed, but what is next? How do you move forward from there? You take a risk and then fail, but again what is next? Again, how are you moving forward? Read more>>

Elizabeth York | Operations Director

Risk taking is at the heart of every entrepreneurial endeavor. By definition an entrepreneur is someone who takes greater than normal risk to operate a business. Taking risks is an almost daily event for a small business owner but you quickly learn what works and what doesn’t and how to maximize what works and minimize unnecessary risks. When Lone Wolf was created it was with a desire to produce a high quality, durable, Made in the USA leash and provide a great alternative to the typical round braid rope leash. Read more>>

Diana Zeineddine | Actress | Content Creator | Dancer

I believe taking risks is vital in succeeding, just like failure is important for progressing. One of the most recent risks I’ve taken is my move to LA. I quit my day job of 3 years, moved out of my parents house for the first time and am now fully committing to doing what I love, content creating and acting. Read more>>

Oprah Stephens | Professional Portrait Photographer

They say no risk no reward and it’s true but also hella hard for me. I am a perfectionist which means that I usually like this thought all the way through with contingency plans in place before embarking on something. That mentally though can leave me feeling unaccomplished and unable to just start. So I am working on pushing fear aside and focusing on the lessons I can learn through failure rather than the fear of failing. So far risk-taking is scary but completely worth it. Read more>>

Jazmine Limbrick | Design Consultant | Tastemaker | Curator

Design is all about risk taking and getting the most bang for the clients buck. Everyday is unpredictable considering I never know what is going to be asked, or what design opportunity will come my way, for me this is the best part of my career! Deciding to work in the Tile and Stone industry is the best risk I’ve taken thus far. I always knew I wanted to do residential or commercial design, however I was never sure exactly if I would land in a large firm or Freelance design? Working in the lane I chose I was granted the access to see all sides or design, home building, and architecture from the comfort of one desk. Everyday I worked with the leading trades on their projects making selections closely with their homeowners. Read more>>

JoJuan Cranson | Entrepreneur

In order to get more out of life and opportunities, risk is apart of the process of achieving the required goal. Risk is something that you manage not avoid. Risk also helps you identify who you are or think you are to yourself by identifying your strengths & weaknesses. Read more>>

Marisa Garza | Entrepreneur

Risk-taking sounds scary, that’s why it is so hard at first to commit to something new but you definitely won’t regret it. Taking risks comes with many factors, such as self-discipline, consistency, and staying motivated even on the days you’re not feeling it..etc. Also staying accountable for your goals is important, you have to do the work to see results in anything you do, other than that what’s the point of risking valuable time. Life is full is opportunities and the thing about taking a chance is that it can never be harmful or a waste of time. Even if something doesn’t work out in your favor learning a lesson is still progress. Read more>>

Kevin Blodgett | Mission Driven Entrepreneur / Owner of Legends Boxing Memorial and We Rock the Spectrum – Houston/Memorial

I think risk taking is incredibly important in the world of business – no risk, no reward. The concept of risk taking is in the definition of entrepreneurship and is at the heart of history’s biggest business success stories. In the pursuit of value creation and solving unique problems that can improve people’s lives, one will invariably confront financial risks, competitive risks, reputational risks and so on. In my experience, success comes when you focus on your “why”, make the best decision you can based on the information you have, and then pivot if new information is presented. You can’t be afraid to make a mistake. You just want to learn from your mistakes and not make the same mistakes going forward. Read more>>

Ericka Babygirl De Leon | Curator, Entrepreneur, Community Leader

Every step of my life has been felt like I’ve been pushed into a corner so with every move or goal I have decided to accomplish has been taking risk, this has been pivotal to every aspect of my journey from my career to creating opportunities for the community and development of programs & events. Alot of times if you feel fear in what your doing your probably going in the right direction. Its about stepping out on faith and intrusting yourself that you can accomplish all you set out to do now that comes with trial & error it might not happen right away but you try again if you really want to reach higher. Read more>>

Robin DeRosa | Candle Making Comedian

I don’t know if my definition of risk is the same as other. I was diagnosed with autism at age 29 and I’m barely starting to connect the dots that led me to the person I am today. As far as risk goes, in the textbook sense I’ve always taken them. As soon as I turned 18 I left my hometown and move to Washington state to live with my half brother that I barely even knew. I was always a nomadic spirit. I didn’t care if our sibling-ship would develop or if we would mesh. We did and my big bro became one of my best friends. Read more>>

Tenequa Williams | Owner

Risks are important for growth. We take many risks on a daily basis without realizing it, and in reality, we should take bigger positive risks for ourselves. If we don’t, we’ll never understand our limitless boundaries. Risks come in many forms and I’ve taken many risks. For example, just commuting to and from any destination, love/life decisions, and business ventures all require us to take risks. Starting my boutique back in 2018 was a time and monetary risk. I didn’t know how Nequa’s Corner would do in profits or returns of my investments, but because I was ready to be an entrepreneur I had to take that risk. Without taking risks, Nequa’s Corner wouldn’t be in business today. You must believe that any positive risk you take will work out in your best interest. Read more>>

Vincent Powell | Director & Producer

I’m a firm believer that just because you take a risk, doesn’t mean you have to be reckless. I’m always surrounding myself with people that are smarter than me who can offer great advice. I get their insight on any risks I’m taking and make sure I have support throughout the risk-taking process. Read more>>

Whitney Glasscock | Owner and Founder Topped Off Co.

I think risk is one of the most rewarding things you can take for yourself. Without risk, you will never fully know what you’re capable of. My largest goal in life is to make sure I am constantly striving to be better and to live up to my highest self. To always challenge my potential, and to always try to live as an example of showing others what is possible (including myself). I have taken a lot of risk in my life and my career paths. I always new entrepreneurship was something I wanted for myself. It’s never a straight path. Half of the time you have no idea what you are doing, or how quickly things will happen. But it is worth every single second! Read more>>