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.

Brooke Westbrooks | Mother, Entrepreneur, Influencer

Risk taking is very important to me , I’ve learned my biggest set back is not going forward and just taking that risk , we will never know how far we can go if we don’t apply ourselves and try that all starts with taking risk , Betting on yourself , Believing in yourself , no matter how many times I’ve failed at things I’ll always succeed because over and over I’ll never stop trying & that starts by “TAKING RISK”. Read more>>

Elondria Gilford | Teacher & Real Estate Investor

I view everything as a risk. Simply getting up in the morning is a risk, driving is a risk, choosing a career is a risk, parenting is risky. Risks are inevitable and you never truly know what the future holds. Therefore, I have learned to not be afraid of risks. I now get a little excited when I take risks. When it comes to my life and career, I take what I call “wise risks” and allow God to handle the rest. A wise risk is not an easy risk or a risk that is not foolish to some, but it is a risk taken with the wisdom that God has given me. There are some things that I do that people may think is absolutely crazy, but it is the risk that I am willing to take for my life and career. I have not always the best decisions, nor will I ever always make the best choices, but I am not afraid to take a risk and fail. If failure comes from taking a risk, at least I took the risk and experienced the outcome. With any failure, there is always lesson attached. I would rather take my lesson and apply to the next step in my life than to not learn the lesson at all. Read more>>

Ona Linton | Makeup Artist

I believe that taking risks are absolutely essential if you want to run your own business. Successful people don’t get to where they are by playing it safe. Sometimes I don’t even tell myself that I’m about to take a risk. I look at risks as investments. I always think to myself- If I invest my time, money, or energy into this how will I profit? Most people may see that as taking a risk, but I see it as taking necessary actions in order to grow. Read more>>

Zion Brown | Music Artist

Risk is a big part of success sometimes you have to take that chance when everybody around you might think your crazy, that one thing can change your whole life. Read more>>

Leighanne Herr | Studio Owner & Photographer

To some degree, every move we make in life is a risk because we can never really know how it’s going to play out. Obviously some things have a higher associated risk than others but to accomplish anything I believe we have to be willing to put everything on the table. I have never been shy of taking risks, and I am forever grateful to God that the times I have been willing to risk the most and take a leap of faith he has always seen me through. Read more>>

Stephanie Joplin | Social Media Marketing Strategist and Influencer

In 2020, my decade and a half career in corporate hospitality came to a grinding halt. I’ve used social media as my side hustle since 2012, first as a sports journalist and slowly crept towards more of an “influencer” role. I have always wanted to find a way to touch people’s lives in a positive way, to share my journey as organically and honestly as I can. With a leap of faith and the support of my family, I decided to invest time and capital into my own brand, Stephanie Joplin LLC. It has been the most frightening, yet rewarding time of my life. Every day there are new battles, new obstacles, and one by one I will conquer them all until I break down all the walls and find the success and joy I have so desperately searched for all these years. Read more>>

Sheleah Monéa | Singer-Songwriter, Vocal Producer & Entertainer

I am split on my decisions with taking risks. I am a worrier by nature. I overthink and have multiple different scenarios play in my head. However, I have taken risks regarding my career path more so because of the fact that I truly believe I was given this gift of music from the time I was a baby, it is my purpose to bring my music and my stories to the forefront, even if that means sacrificing & taking risks. Calculated or non calculated. Oh a whim, I decided I was going to move to NYC to “make it” and I didn’t have any savings, I was very young. I didn’t even have a place to live. My family is from the east coast so I was able to stay in NJ or visit my birth state of Massachusetts, but for a month I crashed on my friends couch! I found a job and an apartment made it’s way open for me through people I was acquainted with during my years growing up in Boston. I worry and sometimes I can “psyche” myself out but when I am determined, I always find a way to make things happen. Unfortunately I didn’t stay in NYC but for a “New York Minute” financially I was unable to keep up and came back to Houston. Read more>>

Carter Peeler | Music Producer & Rapper

“Risk!” A delicate yet bold word! Risk is necessary for me. As a human being, when I risk not taking any risk, I pay the price of complacency, procrastination, laziness, and other forms of lethargy. Nothing comes out of those things as we all probably know. Today I make the point to take smart risks and making risk an integral and regular part of my life. I incorporate risk into my music production philosophy and how I share myself and my voice through music. Some questions I ask myself are… What do I risk in making electronic hip hop about Jesus Christ? I risk being laughed at! Some people, not all, think this subject should only be met with scoff! What do I risk when my target audience is those not familiar with Jesus? I risk misleading or misinforming people about a delicate and serious message of the undeniable love of God! Keeping my music “J” rated or “Jesus” rated isn’t simple. I fall short! I’m human! I feel tugs all the time to consider the stereotypes of modern music avenues. Read more>>

Derrick Lawson | Entertainment Marketing & PR

Risk-taking has played an essential role in my life and career. I have also believed that without risks there are no rewards. Doors will not open if you don’t take the first step to either knock or open it. Fear of failure used to prevent me from taking risks. Then one day I woke up and realized that I was constantly failing because I never stepped out of faith and took the risk. You will never move forward if you don’t take the risk and make the first move. Read more>>

Kayla Moultrie | Social Work Career Coach

While taking risks can be extremely scary, it’s needed to grow. There’s a saying to “Do Things Scared” because if you remain comfortable and complacent, you hinder yourself from growth. Taking risks have played a huge part in my life and career. Stepping out on faith has given me the confidence I always needed but never knew I had at one point in time. Read more>>