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.

Roux Shankle

im always gonna take the risk. i think you can hear it my in music. it doesn’t sound like anyone else’s in the scene and im really proud of that. im a naturally intuitive person so it comes off as easy but there is alot of vulnerability in every creative choice i make. i try to intentionally take the risk, if that makes sense Read More>> 

Vazmine Valencia

I’ve built my career by saying yes to opportunities that others might have thought were out of reach. I never waited for permission or the perfect résumé. Whether it was booking talent, launching campaigns, or starting my own agency, I’ve always believed that preparation matters, but so does having the courage to take the leap. Read More>>

Denise Rudy

I’ve learned that growth requires a willingness to take thoughtful risks. I don’t see risk as being reckless; I see it as stepping into the unknown when something is important to me. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was retiring after more than 23 years as a college professor and program director to pursue my art full-time. Read More>>

Stephanie Issa

I’ve learned that risk isn’t a one-time event. It’s a skill that gets stronger with practice. When I opened The Lullabar, I was stepping into something I had never done before. I wasn’t just opening a coffee shop or a nail salon. I was building a completely new concept that combined childcare, self-care, food and beverage, classes, and community under one roof Read More>> 

Gabrielle Hawkinson

Risk has become second nature to me. It is the lens through which I understand myself and the world. Every meaningful evolution in my life and career has required a willingness to step into uncertainty trusting that growth lives on the other side of comfort. Read More>>