Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

Chrisanthia Allen | Branding & Digital Marketing Guru

Thanks for having me here today, it’s nice to be here.

In approaching risk, I firmly believe in the mantra “no risk, no reward.”

Being born and raised in Jamaica to a large family with a police officer mom and a successful businessman father, I’ve seen my parents take many risk to achieve their goals and also just to be a provider for me and my siblings. Read more>>

Anthony Johns | Content Producer & Creative Technologist

I’ve always tried to approach risk as opportunity, not something to fear. I think there are times to be iterative and build more slowly, but then there are times where we have to sort of embrace the unknown out there and take some shots. One of the things I like about the freelance world so much is that I often get to settle into a project for several weeks or months and that’s where it’s usually head down with laser focus, but it’s the time in-between projects that really feels exploratory. That’s when I feel free to travel, dive into new hobbies, and pursue new business. For me, it always goes back to asking the question of if I’m thinking about an opportunity in the short term or long term and trying to ideally get those two different worlds to meet and that means considering different levels of risk aversion at different time scales. I’m a big believer in my white board. I put goals and todo’s that are both short term and long term oriented and it’s always amazing to see how what seem like distant foggy long term goals come into focus over time. They become real, actionable. These days, I’d say I’m trying to approach things more from the place that overall in life we have everything to gain. Read more>>

Yesenia Ramirez | Owner and Director of Alpha Academy #3

As an introvert, I am very much risk-averse. This means in order to take a risk, I either need a partner, a motivator, or an expert I can reach out to. In my case, I had a partner that helped me start my childcare business. She had experience with opening 2 other childcare centers in Houston and had been open for about 12 years when we partnered up to open Alpha Academy #3. My Bachelor degree in Business Administration and my Masters in Education Administration plus my 10 years of teaching in public schools all contributed to my skill set that I brought into this new venture. After about a year of on-the-job training, I was ready to be on my own. I bought her out of her half and owned Alpha Academy #3 on my own. I then searched for other experts so I could draw from their expertise because childcare is full of rules and regulations that must be followed. I am one of those people who likes to do everything right and by the book. I am always learning. Read more>>

Gercell James | Business Owner | Interior Decorator+ Professional Organizer

I embarked on the journey of entrepreneurship with the launch of Sashes & Garments T-shirt and Apparel Company in 2017, aiming to empower women through simple and empowering sayings on small articles. The motto ‘Own your Journey, Wear Your Truth’ encapsulates our mission. Recently, I ventured into Interior Design and Professional Organizing, driven by the desire to assist busy individuals in harmonizing their lives for seamless functionality, without disrupting their hectic schedules. Read more>>

Iman Eli | Founder of The Eli Group Marketing Agency

The Eli Group was born from my desire to be my own boss. Passionate about curating social media feeds and creating effective content, I identified a need to offer social media marketing and management, content creation, live event coverage, and brand partnerships . Since my graduation in 2016, I’ve navigated challenges, eschewing a corporate job to master my craft. My mission is to scale my business, while delivering a quality service, and providing a positive experience. Additionally, I aspire to support small businesses by offering discounted services through grants and available resources. Read more>>

Brittany Keller | Owner Of Styles By Brittany & Queen B Essentials

The first thing that came to mind was can I really do this?? Before I graduated high school my dream was to become a labor and delivery nurse. While coming up I loved babies and it has always been my passion to become a hair stylist. After graduating high school and being accepted into The University Of Texas At San Antonio I suddenly decided that I wasn’t going to take that route. Instead I decide to enroll into “Chi Lonestar Cosmetology School” as a fulltime student. At the time I had my doubts because, I absolutely didn’t think I could do it. Little did I know I could. One year later in 2014 I finally graduated and received my Cosmetology License. Starting out as a new stylist was hard everywhere I applied wanted you to have experience. I thought no one would ever give me a chance at this. I continued to pray and ask God to Guide me in the right direction. The one thing I said I would never do as a stylist was braid hair. I had no knowledge on braiding it just wasn’t my thing. God had other plans. I stayed up late at night practicing on myself and my mannequin head until I finally got it. I received my first house call for braids and since then that is the majority of my appointments. Braids Braids Braids Everybody want’s braids. Before I knew it my clientele started to grow. In 2019, everything was going well then suddenly, I was Involved in a bad car accident that disabled one of my hands for two years. I just knew my cosmetology career was over. While out from doing hair I Prayed and asked God what am I supposed to do now? That’s when I came up with the idea Of “Queen B Essentials”. I Continued to be obedient and let GOD lead me. After 4 surgeries and a number of times going to physical therapy. I was back and better than ever. In 2022 I got my own salon suite and started back accepting appointments, Sometimes God may slow you down but, I am here to say he will always bring you back to bigger and better things than before. I’m back and I’m better Thanking God for allowing me to Get Back Up and To Never Give Up!! It’s Not My Timing But God’s Timing!! Read more>>

Ade // Olumide Oye | Chief Creative Director & Engineer // Chief Ambassador & Sales

We both worked a combined 24+ years in separate industries, Ade in the Technology and Olumide in the CPG space, leading large companies and start up brands to success. Throughout our careers, we grew interest in taking our experience and knowledge learned along the way, often joking around with the idea of doing something together, in hopes to create our own brand one day. Read more>>

Tierra Ledet | Founder & Consultant

I started my own business after recognizing trends and gaps in mental health. While working or in the community, I would encounter people who had a lot of questions about mental health, neurodegenerative disease, or the brain. It made me realize there were clear gaps between the community and the healthcare system that wasn’t adequately serving people or people just did not have access to high quality care that they deserve. Read more>>

Jannet Evangelista | Wedding Floral Designer

I have always enjoyed working in the customer service industry and after running Floristry Houston for over two years I noticed how people appreciated my work (talent). Read more>>

Ebony Brown | Self-Love Enthusiast and Serial Entrepreneur

When I decided to start Inner Gleaux Beauty I wanted to find a way to assist women like me who are often overwhelmed and juggling multiple tasks find a way to pour back into themselves and relieve some of their day-to-day stress. I feel that self-love is the key to pivoting your life in the right direction. When you love yourself, you teach others how to love and treat you as well and you do not tolerate things that disrupt that peace and serenity that you have taken the time to build and establish within. It is common knowledge that most women only get time alone when they are showering or bathing, so I wanted to amplify that with products that not only help you relax but also uplift you. Each product is designed to make you not only smell good but feel good physically as well. They all have their own positive words of affirmation to uplift each customer as well as boost their confidence or give them a gentle reminder that all things will work out in their favor especially in those moments when life has gotten overwhelming, or they are over stimulated. I am a huge advocate for mental health and emotional awareness. You must remember that in order for you to be a good vessel for those around you, you first have to be good for and to yourself. Do not pour so much out of you for those around you that you lose yourself and have nothing left for yourself at the end of the day. Take it upon yourself to set healthy boundaries where you are not fully depleted and incorporate people and things in your life that reciprocate some of the energy that you pour out into this world. Lastly, if you feel you have exalted all the options you can think of, know, and understand that it is okay to seek professional help and talk to someone to help get you where you need to be. Most times people do not need therapy for the answers but just to get it out and talk it through with someone that they feel will not judge them. Find you a safe place to lay your burdens down so that your bag is not too heavy for you to carry. Read more>>

Reina Mora | Event Planner

My thought process behind starting my own business mainly stemmed from wanting to have a creative outlet. I worked a normal 9-5 office job, and although I enjoyed it, it doesn’t give me the ability to be creative. I started Lush Events because I know that I love to create memories for people. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and I love to create cute moments and setups, I have always been that way. This business gives me full creative reign and I love that. Read more>>

Kelvin McKnight | Paralegal & Vice President of Recruiting of Para Paralegal Inc.

My thought process and goal were to become an affordable resource to smaller law firms. My legal background as a paralegal is my value add to understanding the exact type of candidates our clients are seeking. We specialize in the placement of legal professionals – essentially, anyone who works in a law firm or the legal department of a corporation. Read more>>

Mary Jane Segura | Radio DJ, songwriter, marketing. Influencer. Entrepreneur,

During Covid many of our music artists, songwriters, and personnel were dying. Many families reached out to see if I could help locate information on royalties,digital platforms, and questions on their rights. I saw that there was a lack of knowledge in our industry. Many artists who were songwriters, weren’t registered as songwriters. This was alarming and I felt that I could provide education and help our music industry protect their works. Read more>>

Martha Beaudry | Realtor & Rescue Foster Mom

Being a Realtor is really having one’s own business. There were 10 years when I had my own Real Estate company and then I decided I no longer wanted to be on my own, so I joined an established Real Estate Firm. However, I joined a firm that completely aligned with my values: Boulevard Realty supports me as I endeavor to be a value to my clients and provides resources to improve my value on a continuing basis. Read more>>