There is a wealth of academic research that suggests that differences in risk appetite are at the heart of differences in career and business trajectories. We wanted to go beyond the theory and ask real people from the community about their perspectives and experiences with risk and risk taking.

Charlie Walkrich | Ukrainian-American entrepreneur, owner of multiple companies, business consultant, pianist, drummer, composer, DJ and music producer

Don’t be afraid to take risks when it’s necessary. The biggest risk I’ve taken was moving my businesses from Ukraine to the United States. I had no idea if it was going to work as I would have to start my marketing from scratch. Even though I had the experience and I knew what to do, it took me several months to start getting clients. In the meantime, I had to work other jobs to support myself. Once my marketing efforts started to pay off, my income went up substantially and I used that profit to start new businesses.  Read more>>

Scott Harkey | Founder & CEO

I’m a big fan of history. If you look back at some of the world’s biggest brands, they hit big and capitalize on their exceptional growth by finding the exact moment that they have a high percentage of succeeding, and they make big moves. I like poker for that reason – it’s all about calculating the percentage of the hand you have and being able to read other people. You should know when to hold, but if you have a fantastic hand, go all in. Be willing to lose, and go all in again. You won’t necessarily win every time, but when you do it’s a game changer. With that said though: Read more>>

Heather Ambrose

Risk-taking has been a cornerstone of my career, shaping both my personal and professional growth. My decision to pursue a professional snowboarding career in Lake Tahoe was a pivotal moment. It forced me to step outside of my comfort zone and chase my passion, ultimately unlocking potential I never knew I had. This experience taught me that calculated risks can lead to extraordinary rewards. Read more>>