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.

Neeko David | Brand Designer & Business Owner

Risk has been a transformative force throughout my life, shaping me from an adventurous child into a calculated risk-taker in my professional life.
As a child, I was a natural daredevil – climbing, jumping, and exploring without fear. This led to two significant injuries that temporarily changed my relationship with risk. At age two, I suffered a head fracture in a bicycle accident, and later, while channeling my inner Tom Cruise attempting to climb stairs from behind, I split my chin open and damaged my bottom teeth. These experiences made me more cautious through my adolescent years. Read more>>

Sabrina Harb | Creator of moodysolace

Risk isn’t something I consciously consider when making decisions, especially regarding my career. Once I have an idea or set my mind to something, I feel compelled to execute it. I don’t dwell on the possibility of failure or whether the risks outweigh the rewards. To me, NOT acting on an idea feels riskier—it feels as though I’m denying myself access to pursuing my dreams and the opportunity to be genuinely fulfilled. Read more>>

Jasmine Tinio | Certified Massage Therapist/Asian Bodywork

“Risk” means something completely different to me now as an adult than it did when I was younger. Back then, I was cautious, overly calculated, and honestly, kind of fearful. And with that fear came an inability to take action. So, the decisions I made as a young adult weren’t really my decisions—they were decisions made for me. Deep down, I knew I wanted a different life, but the fear of being “wrong” or hearing the dreaded “I told you so” held me back. Following the path that others thought was “right” for me only ended up putting me in tough spots, both mentally and physically. Read more>>

Tanya Stoll | Owner & Operator of The Camp Miramar and San Diego

Tanya: In terms of risk taking, I was taught by my parents to go with the path that will ensure a secure future. When I decided to quit my job with the government and move across the country to California to pursue fitness, I didn’t have their support. They thought I was crazy to move without having anything lined up in my career, and didn’t seem very confident in my decision. I knew I was taking a pretty big risk moving to a new state without having certainty in what I was to do to financially support myself. Within a week of moving to San Diego, I was hired to work at The Camp Chula Vista, and from there I was given opportunities to grow within the business to then franchise with my best friend and business partner, Shea, to now owning two locations.Read more>>  

Jazzlene East Coast | Drag Queen Entertainer

I definitely feel like risks define my life . Without risks who are we? I took a big risk when I left Home (New Jersey) to move to San Diego at 23 years old with only 200$ in my pocket. I also took a risk when I decided that I wasn’t going to go to college anymore and pursue my dreams in drag entertainment. I also knew that deciding to be a drag entertainer was going to put my relationships at risk because a lot of people don’t understand the art of being a drag queen or how to be with someone like me. As a queer individual I take a risk every single day I leave my home, because even though things are getting better you can’t never feel too safe . The point is I would not be where I am today without taking those risks. I’m at a place now where I’ve made a name for myself and earned respect from the San Diego community and I’m super proud of that. Read more>>