Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads.  The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever.  But risks are inherently…risky.  How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career?  Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Dana Lagomarsino | The OG chillzilla

Risk-taking. Even just the words can evoke that visceral guttural feeling within, and I know that’s when I’m doing something right. Once I understood that fear-producing guttural jabs are just our body’s natural hormonal reaction to risk-taking, I discovered that using tools of introspection, movement, and touch helped me manage these feelings. With each risk I’ve taken, including going through the experience of marrying the love of my life myself, I’ve learned that behind that feeling of fear is my truth. It’s my gut telling me: “hell yasss”. Read more>>

Megan Johnson McCullough | Master Trainer, Doctoral candidate, & published author

I have to think of myself as a girl boss building my empire. With great risk can come great outcomes. Opening my fitness studio Every BODY’s Fit and then publishing my first book “Biceps and Butterflies: Addiction Transformed” required confidence, being receptive to possible roadblocks, and the acceptance of the notion that what I am doing may or may not succeed. Read more>>

Michael Bear | President of Ocean Sanctuaries

Well, being a diver, there are certain inherent risks involved in the sport itself, just by being underwater, but those can be mitigated by proper training and common sense. In terms of the setting up of our non-profit, Ocean Sanctuaries, there is a always risk in that as well, because you never know how it will be received by the public, how you’re going to run it properly [it was our first time running a non-profit] and how you will fund raise. Read more>>

Joseph DiAnna | Graphic Designer & Illustrator

Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I feel lucky to have learned the value of taking risks early on. My grandfather on my father’s side, Dominic James DiAnna, taught all of his sons and grandchildren the value of owning your own business. In the 1970s, my Grandpa bought property in Normal Heights San Diego to help my Dad and his brothers start their own restaurant, Dimille’s is the restaurant they established, which is still open today! Since then my father Joe DiAnna Sr. has built 3 companies, the most recent of which, Primate Pool Tools, I had the privilege of branding. Read more>>