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 up 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.

Arthur Patton | Dance Team Director/Choreographer, Aquatics Supervisor & Realtor

Risk-taking is a very important part of life, by taking actions which might have unpleasant or undesirable results. For me every day life can be a risk as a black men, the act or fact of doing something that involves danger or risk in order to achieve a goal. The seen & unseen dangers of day to day or life goals can be hard but the sweet victory of reaching the top of the hill is so sweet!!! Read more>>

Darrance Tezino | Managed Services | Audio Visual | DAS (Distribute Antenna System) | I.T Proffesional

Growth is impossible without some level of risk. Any time I have advanced, I’ve had to put myself out there and risk being told no, losing money or both. Timing is important, but it will never be perfect. The key is to calculate the risk, weigh the best and worst outcome, apply as much practicality as possible and then trust that your experience is leading the decisions. You’ll land on your feet. Read more>>

Lisa Nigro | Artist

I’ve always been a risk taker, especially with the project proposals I’ve created over the years. I have risked making the art no matter how small the grant. Granting entities usually offer less than I request, so in accepting their offer I know it’s a gamble, one I most certainly was always willing to take. I also risked working alongside people I had never worked with before. Made both friend and foe along my journey of being an artist. It’s definitely been an interesting ride with the good, the bad, and the ugly all rolled into one, with a final outcome of “YuP! We did it!” Read more>>

Johnathan Herzberg | Abstract Artist

When confronted with this question about risk I thought that it would be fairly straightforward in terms of explanation but as I started to really dig into it, I realized that risk is very complex because it is such a personal thing. What I view as a risky choice at any given time or under any influence may be an easy decision for someone else. It can be incredibly subjective. How do you value what is being gained or lost? Just like everyone else I have gained and lost from taking risks. Anything from launching off ramps on my mountain bike to putting my artwork out there for the world to judge. Read more>>