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.

Julien Malaguarnera Nolan | Director of Lifestyle & Real Estate Agent

My biggest rewards were the result of my biggest risks.I began snowboarding in the French Alps at the age of 12 and I was hooked. I was driven to be the best my body would allow and after many years on the slopes, I decided to snowboard professionally and was chosen to be on the French National Team. What a dream come true to compete with the best athletes around the world. In 2001, a career ending injury. A stunt in the air landed my right into a tree. I broke my left leg in two separate areas at the age of 20. I look back on that part of my life with fond memories. The risks were worth the memories. Read more>>

L’Nayah Cole | Mini Salon & Boutique Owner

I think Risks are necessary because they challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. I’ve taken risks in every step in my career and I feel like when you take a risk you put yourself in a space to learn and grow! Read more>>

Audia Abalo | Natural Hair Stylist

The previous me would never take a leap of faith towards opening a business. Each day I learn that life is all about taking risks and not regretting what did not work out the way I wanted. Sometimes, I wonder how much courage is required to move forward with a decision even if it does not make sense, but my inner voice tells me to do it even if there is no scientific way to estimate a return on investment. Read more>>

Rhett Martinez | Writer, Actor, Director

I have a different relationship with risk now that I’m older. When I was a younger man, I idealized the concept of risk a bit too much. Back then, I often blurred the lines between artistic risk and real life risk, which was, shall we say, not always healthy. I came of age with a group of fellow actors, writers, directors, and artists of all kinds who embraced risk in the hopes that it would somehow infuse our work with some element of danger, or somehow charge it with electricity and excitement. And sometimes it worked. Read more>>