Risk-taking is at the heart of making a difference, but often we’ve been conditioned to avoid risk as much as possible. So, we asked some successful risk-takers to talk to us about how they developed their comfort with taking risk.
Emily Griminger
For the first 29 years of my life, I wouldn’t say I was naturally “good” at taking risks. My ability to take risks was something that slowly grew overtime by following little nudges that didn’t necessary fit on the ‘path’ I had chalked up for myself but my gut was pushing me that direction. After college, I moved to NYC, swore I would never leave. Read More>>
Erica Rose
I didn’t always see myself as a risk-taker. Early in my career, I focused on doing the job at hand as well as possible, rarely adding my own creativity or perspective. My confidence in taking risks developed gradually, starting with small decisions—like running for a position on a local Board of Directors to share my expertise in cooperative membership and fundraising. Read More>>
Christopher Matthew Spencer
My willingness to take risk comes in part from leaving an abusive home at sixteen and becoming homeless with nothing. I had no safety net. I had to fight, first, not to become a statistic and not to slip into a victim mindset. I needed food. I needed shelter. I needed to get my life together. There was no luxury of overthinking consequences. Read More>>
Katherine Parada
I believe it started with my mom. She has always been my role model, and she showed me that persistence and taking risks—especially when facing the unknown—can open incredible opportunities. Despite living with an illness, she never let it stop her from taking bold steps to make our lives better. Read More>>
Daniela Medina
Honestly, I think the biggest leap I ever took was saying yes to a completely different kind of life. Leaving behind the comfort of Miami — our routines, our people, everything we’d built — wasn’t a decision made overnight. Read More>>
Cami SanRomani
I started Cami’s Cake Co. as a mix of passion and necessity. I loved creating and developing my skills, but I had to find a way to make a living in a very tough business. I took a huge risk leaving my full time job and going all in on Cami’s Cake Co., but at the time we didn’t have much to risk. Read More>>
Alexander Heredia
I started playing pickleball in July of 2022, and from the moment I picked up a paddle, I was completely hooked. What began as a casual hobby quickly turned into a daily routine, I was out on the courts every single day, pushing myself to improve, compete, and connect with others in the community. After gaining confidence in my skills, I began entering tournaments. Read More>>
Michelle Matthews
My ability to take risks did not come easily. As a naturally reserved person, I often had to push myself beyond my comfort zone to avoid being perceived as shy. I was determined to stand out and create meaningful opportunities for myself. Read More>>
Celli Villarreal
“I go to seek a great perhaps” is a quote I read in the book “Looking for Alaska” written by John Green back when I was in high school It is a quote that has stuck with me ever since. Ever since I was a young child I always sought adventure and was curious in nature. Read More>>
Patricia Cardona
By finding the things I wanted to learn and using my time, money and energy to explore them and here are some examples! I have traveled extensively to learn new skills! Read More>>
Deyna Olivera
Have you ever heard of the idea of taking risks out of creative chaos? That’s exactly how Ebanoda was born, from that mix of vision, intuition, and a little “let’s just try it and see what happens.” When I started Ebanoda, there wasn’t a rulebook. It all happened during one of the most chaotic moments in history, and somehow, that chaos sparked clarity in me. Read More>>
Alex Ortiz
Over the past few years, I’ve developed a strong ability to take calculated risks in the pickle business, and it didn’t happen overnight. It came from constantly pushing myself, trusting my instincts, and learning by doing. When I started Three Dogs Pickles, I didn’t have a manual or a roadmap — I built everything from scratch, and every step required some level of risk. Read More>>
