Risk is the most common topic that comes up in our conversations with entrepreneurs and so each week we ask entrepreneurs to talk to us on the record about how they think about risk.

COOPER WESTERMAN | Photography

Taking risks is the best thing I have ever done in my personal and professional life. I took my biggest career risk in March of 2021. I quit my job in rural Iowa and decided to start a photography business here in Southern California. It was absolutely terrifying. However, after the initial stress and fear wore off there was sense of excitement for the journey that was ahead of me. I knew what was on the line and there was no turning back. It was that sense of “do or die” that motivated and excited me every day to succeed. Read more>>

PJ Sweeney | Drummer

I believe that taking risks is part of the business! You gotta play venues that are quality and not be afraid to walk in, meet the booking agent, shake their hand and tell them why they need you to play. I, myself, moved acrothe country to elevate my music career. You cannot be afraid and you cannot count yourself out. Take the risk, shake hands, book the show and show them who you are. Read more>>

Michael Brown | DJ/Investor

I believe that some calculated risk is a must if you are going to move ahead in most businesses or any endeavor. I always thought that I had to be very careful so as not to make mistakes that could cause serious damage to myself in the future. This way of thinking was shaped by growing up poor in a housing project on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC. However; the upside of this life in NYC was the availability of almost anything. Culture, diversity of racial and socioeconomic groups and all the other things too lengthy to mention that come with a unique place like NYC. Living in such close proximity to very the poor and the very wealthy you can see lifestyles, strategies and belief systems play out right before your eyes so; this is very valuable and you can see success and failure in real time. It’s amazing. To sum up this whole idea; I took the approach of always having a more than 1 iron in the fire. I felt more comfortable with this strategy. Read more>>

Lorens Attisha | CEO Soapy Joe’s Car Wash

​Risk-taking is all part of being an entrepreneur. Having a high-tolerance is important, especially when you’re trying to be innovative and disruptive in your space. Being innovative and creative is what motivated me to get into business in the first place, so for me “risk” was part of the draw to start my own business. Read more>>