Taking Risk is essential, but how much, when and why? Taking risks effectively is as much of an art as it is a science and we’ve asked some of the brightest folks in the community to tell us about how they think about risk taking.

Chauntina Clark | Podcast host and motivational speaker

I would like to describe myself as the ultimate risk taker. My life is summarized by taking risk. I believe you’ll never reach your full potential, or see what life has for you if you never take a risk. Many of my closest relatives and friends can tell you, if it’s something I want I’m most likely going to get it or go after it aggressively. About 3 years ago I heard God so audibly speak and tell me to start my talk series #TalksWithTina, within 6 months I stepped out of faith and reached out to one of my role models in the field that I’m currently in and landed an interview with them! Taking a risk on what others would think is crazy, has lead me to living a life I once only dreamed of. Read more>>

Kemoy Callaghan | Illustrator

I consider risks as simple stepping stones; when a chance taken works out in my favor its small reminder to trust my gut and skill to keep going and if a different chance doesn’t pan I take my time to reflect and adjust my pacing and expectations. In my earlier years I’d kept the ‘no risk, no reward’ mantra personally as it helped me to be clear on a great deal of my goals and aspirations. Read more>>

Amanda Chay | Author and Entrepreneur

I consider myself quite a brave person, but my husband takes it to a whole new level, so it kind of evens things out. I’m all about pushing my boundaries and not sticking to the usual rules. Take “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Lupus” book that I wrote – I never sought guidance on the process of writing a book. My concern was that this would alter my writing pattern and style. I was willing to risk doing it my way and, thankfully, it turned out. Read more>>

Amanda Brite | Singer/Songwriter

Taking risks is very important. Something I’ve always believed is that you have to have faith. Sometimes I see the potential of something more clearly than the current situation. For example, I saw myself doing better at an entertainment career than I saw myself doing at school or work. Even to this day, sometimes I’ll skip out on making money for the day to record or have a meeting about music. It might look like a risk to the naked eye, but to me it’s a greater risk not to do it. It would be putting myself in a situation where I’m less likely to succeed. So technically, the way I see it, my risks are caution, and my faith is realistic. Read more>>

Maureen Scullin | Fine Artist

I believe this about risk: If the potential reward is truly what you want to achieve, and if you can live with the the worst consequences that might happen, then I say “go for it”! I’ve always felt that if you don’t embrace risk you might not ever achieve your life’s goals. I’ve taken many risks. Some have worked out in my favor and some have not. But, the ones that worked for me make it all worth the ones that didn’t. In addition, when you gamble and take a risk, and it doesn’t work, there can be incredible life lessons that you can learn from and apply in the future. Read more>>