Taking risk is natural for some, but in our experience most successful risk takers gradually developed their ability to leave comfort zones and take risk and we’ve asked them to share their experiences and advice below.
Zully Schultz
Well, I’m still working on it! It’s been tough and it’s been a process. I’ve been taking a lot more risks this past year in the professional sense. My business partners and I decided to expand our practice December of last year and it’s been a lot of sweat and tears. But having each other has made the process easier. Read more>>
Sara Cripe
Risk is a funny thing. Mostly, people will talk about risk in a financial aspect. Will they be able to quit their full-time job and supplement their income with their “entrepreneurial dream job” income? This boils down to having a service or product that consumers want and need. So will you have the financial stability to pay yourself along with the cash to market to find these clients? Don’t get me wrong, the financial risk is hella huge when starting a business, but that wasn’t the number one risk I was worried about. Read more>>
Mark Allvey
Throughout my 55-year journey across diverse cultures and continents—I was lucky enough to live in Singapore, India, Indonesia, Canada, and London—I’ve not only experienced the richness of different cultures but have also, always enjoyed taking the ‘leap of faith’ I always ask myself ‘if I do this what’s the worst case scenario’ and if I’m ok with it then I take the risk. Read more>>
Rick Shepherd
Taking risks is obviously a big player in the game of pursuing your dreams, especially in the entertainment industry. I never wanted to live a nine to five life. I never wanted to have a routine day in and day out. I knew that if I wanted to succeed in acting and filmmaking I would need to think outside of the box and execute the ideas that would come to my mind. Read more>>
Valeen Bhat
As the child of two immigrants who also happen to be artists and small business owners, I’ve always seen risk taking as part of a creative life. I always dreamed of having a brick and mortar Art Studio (and filled countless sketchbooks with ideas while studying at Pratt Institute). I also spent one summer as a kid designing my own summer camp, complete with brochures, schedules and promotional flyers. Clearly I was always meant to be a business owner! Read more>>
David Dick
Risk vs. Reward is the name of the game in my career. As a Financial Advisor everyday we come to work we have risk and stress involved. We handle life earnings for Individuals, Professionals, and Families. To begin a career with zero income and zero clients it took a ton of risk to do so with the average dropout rate in the financial industry between 80-90%. I just jumped in with both feet and had to learn and figure it out on the fly. but the difference is calculated risk. I studied not only for the licensees but also the calculation of what it would take to make it in this industry. Education and knowledge on the topic you are most concerned with is the greatest way to handle risk in my opinion. Read more>>
Tatiyana Elias
Embracing risk became my pathway to the extraordinary life and profound success I envisioned since youth. When pursuing ambitious goals, daring to think beyond conventional norms and taking unconventional actions becomes not just essential but liberating. Challenging the status quo, despite the perceived risks, is the only way to fortify the resilience needed to navigate the journey of taking risks and achieving greatness. Read more>>
Stephie Red
Growing up, my father played a pivotal role in shaping my ability to take risks. His constant push for me to exceed my perceived limits, while simultaneously making me feel I wasn’t good enough, paradoxically fueled my determination. Instead of succumbing to self-doubt, I turned it into a personal challenge. I realized that unless I tried, I would never truly know my capabilities. It became clear that staying in my comfort zone would only keep me where I was. So, I embraced the unknown, took risks, and discovered the incredible growth that lies on the other side of fear. Read more>>
Minoti Vaishnav
My whole life has been about taking risks. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 19 years old. I didn’t know a soul here but I wanted to start a new life here, so I did it. Risk. I wanted to be a film and television writer, knowing full well that most people who walk this path do not make it. I chose this road anyway. Risk. Read more>>
Katherine Hillis
I still work at this everyday. However, I have come really far. I used to be so shy as a child. So much so, that I would cry when people would talk to me. It was awful. Having dreams and goals are great, but making them happen is where the magic is. In order for them to happen you have to take a risk. My mom and dad were pretty open to me trying new things. When I wanted to go to NYC and try modeling they encouraged it, right along with acting. Read more>>
Natasha Teresa
My ability to take risks came from a place rooted in becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Growing up amidst constant instability within my family and environment, circumstances beyond my control repeatedly deprived me of the safety net a family should provide. Adapting to ever-changing surroundings due to my parents’ choices fostered a childhood marked by a perpetual fight-or-flight response. Read more>>
Tamara Cook
We ALL take risks daily. My ability to take a risk is knowing that I have something to prove. I live in Atlanta, which is the Black Hollywood of The South. People use to venture and migrate to New York OR Hollywood. Now, it’s the ATL. From Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) to the everyday HUSTLE. Read more>>
