Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Jason White | Jay White – First name, Last name

I’m a BIG risk taker, I feel people that take risk, are willing to learn from that risk if it doesn’t pay off they way it was intended. Because of thought process, I have understood that phrase without risk there is no reward! Read more>>

Chelsea Ingram | Actress, Writer and Filmmaker

I recently shot feature film The Drift directed by Brendan Pike – it was my first thriller film. I play a female drug lord and had to go into an extremely dark place to understand this character, while on set I stayed extremely focused and almost in character as it was hard to continue to recreate such a brutal woman. The violence and stunts in this film was also a huge stepping stone and risk for me – I normally stay about from such parts however when I was presented with the script – it told such a unique and powerful story, I had to jump on board. Read more>>

Jennifer Cain | Psychotherapist

Risk taking and my personal values are what inspired me to begin my private therapeutic practice. I was at a low point in my career when working for a company that disregarded work/life balance and professional ethics to make a profit. I advocated for what was professional and ethical during a crisis event which was not accepted by that company. I then was without a job and honestly questioned my worth. I spoke with a friend that told me that I needed to open my own practice because the integrity I was seeking professionally wouldn’t be found where I was seeking employment . Read more>>

Nigeria Johnson | Owner and CEO of STORY, LLC

I believe that life presents you with challenges and risk along the way and that taking risks shows courage, strength, and the ability to survive. Taking risks has been a pivotal point in every plot twist in my story. From losing my mom in a very traumatic way and deciding to join the Air Force at 18, to finding love and getting married and having two beautiful children. I have always basked in my ability to take calculated-risks. I found myself uprooting my entire life in my early thirties and moving to Iraq as a civilian for 3 years to work along with the military. Read more>>

Dominique Bailey | Natural Hair & Microlink Extension Stylist

Becoming an entrepreneur has definitely encouraged me to become comfortable with taking risks. I have been known to be afraid to try new things. This journey is still new for me but as time goes on I realize taking a chance on yourself can bring great rewards. Read more>>

Mayra Perez | Licensed Cosmetologist

I think of risk as being that one friend that’s not afraid to give you a nudge when you need it the most. That friend that’s a bit pushy but has the best intentions at heart. In my life I learned what was expected of me at an early age being first generation American my parents and elders perspective on the world grew into being my daily beliefs from my early to teen years. Being an adult is becoming your own person having your own outlook on life through trial and tribulations, something that I wasn’t prepared for and it became clear very quickly that it would require taking a risk to go outside of my limited outlook on the world to go against my parents beliefs and expectations and create my own perception of life. Read more>>

Benjamin Medina | Fashion Designer & Tattoo artist

Risk taking is one of the biggest contributors to success. From my experience I found that my growth is parallel to my ability to explore outside of my comfort zone & every time I do that, I make sure it’s a risk worthy of a creative or learning experience. Read more>>