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.

Ray Dunford | international student & photographer

My last couple of years in high school I had some serious struggles with mental health. In the midst of overcoming these obstacles, I committed to myself that I would never make a decision based on fear. If fear was the motivator of the decision, I would figure out why I was feeling so fearful and often change my decision to face the fear head-on. Since then, I have discovered that this resolution changed my mindset on taking risks. Now, when I come upon situations or opportunities that push me out of my comfort zone, I go out of my way to pursue them. I go out of my way to risk my comfort and temporary success for long term growth and success. I have done this in my education, photography business, travels, and personal life. I firmly believe if one is passionate about something, yet they are weary of the risks, they should pursue their goals regardless of the fear they may feel. Granted- they need to go in as prepared as they can, but after a certain point ripping the band-aid off is necessary. Read more>>

Jess Davis | Mom, Grad Student & Baker

Risks are a necessity in life. You will always be stuck in neutral if you are not willing to take chances because everything we do has an inherent risk attached to it and we don’t even realize or think about it. This is why I find the challenges associated with risks keep me motivated and engaged. Risks have played a large part in my life and career over the years. My husband and I wouldn’t have moved 3,000 miles away if I didn’t convince him it was worth the risk for his new job and that was 10 plus years ago. I could never have started my business if I didn’t take the plunge and take the risk of it failing. It’s a necessary evil taking risks because yes sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t but how will you know if you don’t try? Read more>>

Simone Henriques | Corporate Gifting

Taking risk has been part of my life since I moved to America, while in my young years, bringing along with me just a small luggage, no English, and few dollars in my pocket. I look at taking risk as an opportunity to grow and better oneself. I think people forget that we are constantly taken risks, whether from small tasks to a more complex matter. Being afraid of taking risks will only hold you back and leave you with the thoughts “what if I had taken the chance?” The fear of failure never goes away, not even for those who have already succeeded. There is always tough decisions to be made and risks to take. Ray Dalio once said, ” Never rule out a goal because you think it’s unattainable. Be audacious.” And I would say…be persistent and share the support to others along the way. Read more>>

Jennifer Eve Thorn | Executive Artistic Director

When MOXIE was founded in 2004 there were zero theatre companies in San Diego and very few in the country focused on producing work by women. People told us we would be “too niche” and asked us silly questions like “Are women even writing that many plays? Maybe they aren’t getting produced because there aren’t that many!” And people said things like “I don’t know if I want to see ‘women’s issue’ plays” even when we explained to them that women write about a wide variety of topics (like men) and not just “women’s issues” (whatever those are). But we ignored the doubters and haters. Read more>>