How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Tyler Donatelli | Houston Ballet Soloist

I think risk taking is necessary! If you don’t push yourself to your limits you will never know how far you can actually go. The reward from a risk is usually far greater than you could have imagined, you feel limitless. Going onstage and performing a ballet I’ve only covered and pushing myself to my limit in front of thousands are only a few examples of how risk plays a factor in my career. Read more>>

Jennifer Counter | Business Founder and Owner

I think that all great success involves risk. There is that moment where you have to decide to do it afraid. To do it even though you might not feel ready. To do it without all the knowledge or resources you may need. Your faith and willingness to take risks, has to outweigh all that. Read more>>

Michael Carvajal | Founder & President of Miel Construction

My whole life I grew up around entrepreneurs. Because of that I am slightly more comfortable taking risks than the average person, Opening your own business is certainly a risk. In my opinion, the things that you really want in life will only come if you are willing to risk something. That is what sets most entrepreneurs apart from other people. When you take those types of risk, you put yourself in a position where the only acceptable outcome is success. Read more>>

Bree Ahern | Cellist

For me, taking risks is all about continuously and deliberately stepping out of my comfort zone so I can grow as an artist and a human being. It’s about saying yes to opportunities that scare me and creating opportunities that will push me. Discomfort is key to growth, and as a musician, I’m uncomfortable more than I am comfortable! In fact, it’s a major red flag for me when I sense that I’m getting too comfortable because I know I need to mix things up. Read more>>

Camille Trammell | Braider & Actress/Writer

Risk taking has played every role in my life. I swear by it. I truly believe nothing worth having comes from a place of comfortability and that you must take risks in order to elevate. Read more>>

Farrari Guillory | Photographer

In my opinion, risk is necessary and goes hand in hand with faith. Let me be clear when I say risk; I’m talking in the context of chasing dreams and passions, career changes, things that make you happy, etc. The worst thing that can happen when taking a risk is that you fail. Failure isn’t necessarily bad; it allows you to see where you messed up and create a new action plan. I pray, trust God, make a plan, and go. Taking a risk allowed me to move forward with Her Eyes Her Lens. Read more>>

Nikki Cantu | Jewelry Designer

We face risks everyday in life, its wrapped up in every decision we make. You just have to ask yourself, is the risk worth taking? If you think about it, there is no reward without some type of risk. I’d definitely say I’m a moderate risk taker. When I face decisions I always ask myself is it worth it? I’m a business and finance professional by trade and risk is something we naturally try to mitigate as much as possible BUT that’s not how I necessarily live my life. I definitely took a risk by starting my own business, I risk failure but my passion and perseverance for what I do far exceeds my fear of failure. I’ve always been one to go against the grain personally and thrive in challenging situations. Read more>>

Meg Ellis | Phoenix 8 CEO + Coach

Risk taking is essential for the mindset of entrepreneurs — a huge part of being “entrepreneurial-minded” is overcoming the fear of risk in order to achieve your desire. When I contemplating quitting my 9-5 job to pursue the life I wanted, I read Tim Ferriss’ “The Four-Hour Work Week. Tim breaks down how to go after what you want — basically, imagine the life you want – the absolute best-case scenario – and rank it out of 10. (For me, my “Something Better Life” was ranked as a 10.) Read more>>