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.

Sally Olivas | Entrepreneur

I’m probably the biggest risk taker I know. As of right now my motto has been “I’m old enough to know better and young enough to start over”. The young part isn’t so true any more but with every venture whether I have succeeded or failed there has most definitely been some learning that will benefit MY NEXT BIG DEAL.. Before I start any venture I always look at it from every possible angle and I ask myself 3 questions. How much money will this business generate, How much money & time will this venture take to make it happen and I plan an exit strategy in case it does not work. If it’s not worth the risk, I don’t take it. The role risk has played in my life overall is that I truly don’t believe that anything lasts forever therefore you have to be ok with moving on and possibly reinventing yourself and start over. Life is good and it’s short. I choose to work only in ventures that I’m passionate about and that I wake up and look forward to my day. Read more>>

Victor A. Flores | Real Estate

I love the anxiety that comes with risk taking. Stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something that can only launch you forward is something I encourage everyone to practice on a daily basis. There is no losing with risk taking. Either you get ahead or learn not to take this path again. Take the yoga class you been eyeing, go to the coffee shop and order that weird pink drink, call the clients that you want to have not the ones you already have! Personally if I didn’t take risk in my life or career I would still be working at some 5-9 hating my situation. My whole career is based on risk taking and more important, learning from it. Read more>>

Tatiana Boone | Baker

Risk taking is believing in yourself and what your capable of. There were times when I would be down to my last and I had to tell myself, Do you not trust in abilities? What makes you think you aren’t going to make your money back? Or going to places you have never been hoping someone will be interested in buying your product. Read more>>

Denise Hazen | Founder & Creative Director

I have always been a risk taker! One thing that is important to know about me is that I am not afraid of failure. I feel that if you can learn from your mistake, it makes you a better person, personally and in business. I have had my share of ups and downs since I started Aspire Accessories but I try to use the challenges to improve the program. There were times when I almost gave up, but I was determined to provide a meaningful program not only for my son, but for others with autism and similar special needs. There were many times that I felt I was hitting my head against the wall, but my stubbornness and passion just wouldn’t let me give up. The pandemic has created many challenges for us. As a small nonprofit that relies on the sale of our products, my team and I have had to completely pivot to try to figure out how to keep our artisans engaged, how to improve our website sales and how to be relevant in this new world. I once again am relying on my risk taking and perseverance to help me navigate. Read more>>

Nena Metcalf | Owner & President

Risk taking is an important part of being a business owner. I am not someone who sticks with the status quo. Being able to take risks and look fear dead in the face has proved to be an effective method in growing my business and leading my team. Read more>>

Dr. Brittany Barreto | Executive Director & FemTech Expert

When it comes to taking risks, I’m always calculated, and I thank my background in science for this thought process. The Scientific Method is the lens I use when taking a risk – I make an observation, ask the right questions, form a hypothesis, or testable explanation, then make a prediction based on the hypothesis. The test is the first step in the risk taking process, I test my predictions like someone who may dip a toe in the pool to check the temperature, once I feel it out, then I use the results to help me take a deep dive into my next venture. Read more>>