We asked some of the most interesting folks in the community to open up about how they think about taking chances and the role risk has played in their lives and careers. Risk is by far the topic folks talk to us most about and we hope the responses below will help shed light on many different perspectives.

Marta Czajkowska | Life & Relationship Coach

Every single one of us has only one life. As a teenager I was fortunate to awake to the notion that if I don’t create my own life the way I want it, I will never have it. For as long as we listen to what others have to say about what’s good or bad for us, we are limiting our life to other peoples fears. Too many of us live like this. Read more>>

Donna Capitle | Licensed Esthetician

To me, taking risks just means that you’re open to opportunity. Whether that’s being open to learning from failure or mistakes, or being open to the possibility of success. It takes a lot of courage and trust in yourself and in your work when taking risks in your business. Read more>>

Paula Boggs | Musician, Public Speaker and Writer

Risk for me is an old friend. We met when I was six year old, the only Black girl in my first grade class, attending the only integrated school in an otherwise segregated city. At the time the word “risk” was not in my vocabulary but the emotions often associated with risk — Read more>>

David and Connor Willing | Chef and Owner Dog Willing Pizza

David; I’ve always loved change and new adventure and after meeting my now husband while traveling in Oaxaca we have moved our pizza pop up from my comfortable existence in the Bay Area where I owned a restaurant for 9 years (the Bull Valley Roadhouse in Port Costa, CA) Read more>>

Jaime Haas | Soul Surgeon

Taking risks my be another way of saying being true to yourself and honoring what you believe in. From that perspective I believe taking risks to honor your truth are crucial. I have taken many risks and continue to do so. It is a big part or who I am and what my business is. My business is built on a risk I took to go another direction and seek out and find the solution to the fact that after all the work I had done, Read more>>

Sonia and Kamal Warda | Owners of Sabor Mexican Grill

Risk taking is essential in starting your own business. In the restaurant world, succeeding is never guaranteed, you just have to take that chance. If you never take that chance, then you will never know if you can succeed! We risked a lot with Sabor Mexican Grill but at the end it was worth it, our restaurant has been a Lemon Grove gem for 17 years and we have also established a very successful catering business. Read more>>

Solomon Lewis III | Independent Photographer

I believe that risk is a constant thing to be considered in both your life and career; whether you’re out on an adventure or growing your business, there are various levels of risk to be examined. It is important to try and always consider the risk involved in each thing, but not to limit yourself because of it. I think about risk as a key component of success, Read more>>

Ryan Cho | Filmmaker & Actor

I think risk is great when the calculating and thinking ahead about it beforehand is done right and used well once it’s executed. If there’s enough things to be able to take a risk (enough financial savings, won’t affect living situation, etc.), it’s worthwhile if the right opportunity and experience will propel your life and career forward. Read more>>

Richard Trumbull | Painter

“I was a practicing clinical psychologist when I was drawn to painting. It felt like a perfect counter balance to my “day job”. Although an essential part of doing psychotherapy is being present, I found that there was a wonderful difference in the kind of ‘being present’ I experienced while standing in front of a painting, working. Read more>>

Nicholas Salazar | Dj and Business manger.

Really good question. I feel like risk taking has brought me to where I am today, If I didn’t take the risk’s that I have taken I would not be where I’m at as a person and individual, taking risks has brought me to where I’m running business’s while trying to figure myself as a person and as a musical artist. Read more>>

Alicia Hayes | Independent Hairstylist

Taking risks has always been counterintuitive to me, I’m someone who loves security and consistency. However, not taking risks often results in me feeling stagnant or uninspired. In my career and life I’ve learned to embrace thoughtful risks in order to grow. Thoughtful meaning considering any risk and the best case scenario, worst case scenario, Read more>>