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.

Alison Palacios | Founder of Houston Tequila Club & Beverage Production Content Creator

Taking risks was not always the path I have wanted to take in my life. I found my passion for hospitality and beverage education at University of Houston’s Hilton College. While in college, I took a course called The Spirits of Mexico and it was then that the seed of tequila education was planted. I knew I would eventually pursue my passion for tequila and tequila education, however, I had to risk a major pay cut in order to make a career change. Before I graduated in 2018, I decided to take the first risk I was willing to take for a chance at pursuing my dreams. I left the company I had worked at for over ten years, with a decent salary, in order to pursue my passion for hotels and beverages as a barista for $10 an hour. Read more>>

Jennifer Gonzalez | Content Creator

I’m gonna be honest, im the worst at taking risks. I’m a socially awkward person who is always afraid of getting out of my comfort zone but since about two years ago, i decided ‘what the heck’ and started posting on my socials about makeup products i would buy and try out and if i liked them or not. A lot of times it was just friends listening to me, i always posted of my instagram stories only because i only had about 80 followers at the time and didn’t feel as embarrassed with people i knew. Read more>>

Tolu Adelaja | Small Business Owner

I feel that fear is what stops a lot of us from taking risks, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of the opinions of others, however, a lot of great opportunities come from simply taking a risk. A lot of success stories all started with one person taking a risk or a leap of faith. For me, I’ve operated from fear and complacency the majority of my life, and because of that I felt I was not living the life I had envisioned for myself, I was miserable going to work and even by the time I clocked out I was still so unhappy to know that I would have to wake up and do it all over again, Read more>>

Erick Trejo | Influencer and spokesperson

Taking risk and seeking out new opportunities definitely makes you think about the unknown, humans only hold each other back and restrict themselves out of fear of the unknown. Taking chance will drive you to always push forward until you have reached your goal, allowing you to push even further until you reach the end. For me I have fought for awareness of people to who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community and have always supported and believed that everyone has the right to express themselves regardless of orientation, religion and beliefs, I have risk my own dreams and stand for other people who have fear to be their true self, Read more>>