By far, the topic that comes up most in our conversations with entrepreneurs and creatives is risk. We’ve had conversations about risks that worked out and risks that did not. We’ve seen eyes light eye sharing about career-trajectory changing risks as well as folks sigh about the risks they wish they had taken. Below, we’ve selected and shared some of those thoughtful conversations.

Daniela Perez-Reyes | Chef Owner

Risk is the common factor in my whole life equation. If there is a word that I can use to describe the fact I get to work in what I love and thrive on it, its “risk” because I did took them all to get to where I wanted to be as woman in my career. Im a chef and I have a catering, I get to work for amazing people and big companies, I love cooking and creating contemporary recipes with amazing ingredients . I can say that my whole life I’ve been presented with different opportunities/risks and I always went for the wildest rides. Read more>>

Logan Avant | Entrepreneur & Ventrue Capitalist

“If you don’t have tragedy in your life son, you’re probably not doing anything” said my grandfather who helped raise me. This was his typical explanation for my shenanigans when I would come home with a black eye, busted lip, or broken bone from a normal day at school or cruising the streets on my bike or skateboard. My grandfather’s perspective has been the foundation for my approach to risk factors in life and business for as long as I can remember. Risk and tragedy are elements of an equation that are certain in life and business, and the consequences of taking risks can go many directions. Read more>>

Jenn Tandarich | Freelance Hairstylist

I have always told myself … Be wise with your decisions. Make an effort to be conscious with the decisions you are making prior to making them. If you don’t take a risk, you will never fail. If you never fail, you will never learn. If you never learn, you will never succeed. Taking risks has given me an opportunity to stand out on my own. It has enabled me to build a camaraderie with my fellow co-workers, clientele, and community beyond my wildest dreams. In life, I have learned, you can be a leader or a follower. Read more>>

Ashley Hay, BSN, RN | Oncology Nurse to Freelance Writer & Business Owner

I guess I’ve always been a bit of a risk taker when it comes to building my ideal personal life – dropping out of college initially (only to later find a school more suited to my career needs), moving across the country on a whim, and cutting things out of life that no longer align with my ever changing goals. It seems my risk-taking nature translated to owning my business. I took a huge leap of faith when I left behind my career (and engrained identity) as a bedside oncology nurse to start a career as a freelance medical writer, after chronic health issues would no longer permit such physically demanding work. Read more>>

Renee LaVallee McKenna | Therapist, Shamanic Healer & Public Artist

“Do the scary thing,” is my motto. I don’t like to play it safe. I’m a joy and fulfillment junkie. What’s really fulfilling for me is personal progress. The acquisition of money, sex, power and material good is fun, but it’s not really fulfilling. Taking risks is the quickest way to progress, to grow and evolve. I’m a therapist and Shamanic healer. My work is to help people grow. I can’t bring anyone anyplace I’m not willing to go myself. That motivates me. I’m acutely aware of the culture of fear we are living in right now. It is a tough choice to shelter at home to flatten the curve, but I think we’ve passed the flattening part and just moved into fear, fear, fear. We are trading our freedom for safety. Read more>>