How do you think about risk? What role has taking risks played in your life/career? Check out responses from hidden gems from our community below.

Kung Pik Liu | Graphic Design & Entrepreneur

Back in 2010, I felt stuck and unfulfilled in my job, yearning for something more. I took a risk and decided to start my own design business, despite having no prior business knowledge or connections. It was a daunting task, but I knew it was the only way to achieve my dream. The first few years were a struggle, filled with challenges and setbacks. However, I was determined to make it work and spent countless hours reading books on business and marketing. Finally, I landed a promising client, and with that, one lead to another. Read more>>

Stella Chung | Host, Producer, Esports Commentator, Games Journalist

My life has kind of always been about taking risks. I was severely burnt out from college and I took a break and started streaming casually. That night that I streamed for the first time in 2014, I remember chatting with one or two people who found my stream and wanted to talk about the game I was playing, Telltale’s The Walking dead, and I was so enamored by this aspect of content creation, I literally went out the next day to Best Buy to grab a Snowball mic and started streaming nonstop. Read more>>

Mario Realegeno | Professional Skateboarder/Artist/Entrepreneur

It’s always a risk to live out your dreams. I see the risk being half the battle. The next would be the action to live out the risk. I believe we all have some true power with in whether we realize it or not. I know we are all capable of living the life we want. If I did not risk my body, relationships, jobs and everything else life can throw at you I would not be here saying this. Read more>>

Meera Ramanathan | Art Educator

Taking risks has played a major role in my life and career! I left India and moved to the United States in 2004 – it was a huge change moving to a new country and experiencing the life and culture here in San Diego. I took solace in art, learning pottery and stained glass at the UCSD Crafts center and enrolling in child development courses. Read more>>