Are you a risk taker? Do you think you have a stronger appetite for risk relative to your friends and family? We asked some folks from the community about their approaches to risk and have shared their thoughts below.

Randy Hicks Sr | Social Organization and photographer

I took a risk and left a small town in Virginia back in 1994 and moved to Columbus Ohio. I haven’t looked back and it changed my life for the better Read more>>

Kerri Mollard | Founder and CEO

When someone asks my advice about starting a business or working as a consultant, I often say that you must have 1) a high tolerance for risk and 2) be comfortable with ambiguity. A tolerance for risk is an essential aspect of entrepreneurial life. Even after 20 years in business, I cannot predict what our client mix will be six months from now. I have weathered the ups and downs of business growth and have learned that a deep belief in our ability to meet client needs is the lens needed to manage not knowing exactly who we will be working with or what scopes of work will be in demand. This uncertainly is why I believe being comfortable with ambiguity is as essential as risk tolerance. Read more>>

Cameron Lee | Creative Director & Designer

My thoughts on Risk taking in my opinion are crucial to success (and failure for that matter). You must be willing to take risk, place yourself in spaces and situations that you don’t normally, exploring new forms of expression or hobby, stepping out of your comfort zone or even taking a different route to your job or place that you frequent if you TRULY want to succeed at any level. Those who take more risk create more opportunity which equates to more chances for success. On the flip side sometimes it goes terribly wrong and when/if it does… you use that a lesson learned which becomes a stepping stone toward your success. Trust me I’ve “failed” many many times from taking risk of all magnitudes but I’ve turned those “failures” into life lesson that have made me a better man and business owner and creative! Read more>>

Celeste Malvar-Stewart | Fashion & Fibre Artist

Being an Artist is all about taking risks! As far back as I can remember, I’ve taken risks that have spanned over the “daring” to the “calculated”, and it is something that I continue to practice mindfully in life and in my career. I think about risk as one of my conduits to creativity and progress, and it has and continues to give me the thrill and excitement of the unknown from which I thrive and evolve. I also believe that “taking the leap” towards aspects of life that call me is a responsibility that I have to myself and to others; it’s an integral part of my spiritual journey, creative mission, and service to others. Read more>>

Swooty Mac | Hip-hop artist

You can’t win without taking risk. Being a rapper, playing it safe has never really been my approach to anything. Thats not the kind of comfort I want. Especially when I’m in the creative process. Read more>>

Clifton Canterbury | Touring Bus Driver & Logistics Coordinator

Most of the early part of my life I dealt with depression in a way that was really unhealthy. Due to this I never really took to much risk. I remained complacent with how things were, and I was ok living in mediocrity. My life seemed to not be getting any better so around 33 I decided something had to change. I realized that only by risking everything comfortable that I knew would I ever see improvement. there is nothing wrong with playing it safe for this works for a lot of people. For me personally taking risks is the only way to achieve greatness depending on how you define that word. Throwing myself into the unknown knowing that I will give it everything I have seems to be paying off big time. Read more>>

Morgan Mead | Entrepreneur/Polymath

I’ve never been afraid of taking risks because I believe it’s part of the game. One of the quotes I live by is “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for” by John A. Shedd Read more>>

Erika NJ Allen | Artist/Educator

As an artist, my journey has been defined by a willingness to embrace risk—a journey marked by both financial and emotional challenges. The pivotal decision to pursue my passion for art later in life involved deliberate risks, starting with the commitment to return to school. Obtaining a BFA and later an MFA required a significant relocation, compelling me to move out of state for two years. This move meant leaving behind not just my family, friends, and job, but also the tight-knit art community I had come to rely on. A crucial moment in this narrative unfolded during my senior year of my BFA when I underwent a life-altering hysterectomy. The aftermath of this deeply personal medical procedure triggered a profound shift in my perspective, sparking a conscious decision to explore new territories in my artistic work. Read more>>