Legend holds that Cornelius Vanderbilt had built a massive fortune in the steamboat shipping industry, but then realized the railroads were the way of the future and invested almost his entire net worth into railroads. The gamble paid off and made Vanderbilt one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs ever. But risks are inherently…risky. How do you think about risk and how has it affected your life and career? Some of our community favorites share their perspective below.

Demetria Dresser | Designer, Photographer & Innovator

Risk-taking is a crucial part of self-development, I certainly wouldn’t be who I am now without the risks I took to get here. When I first got to Michigan as a freshman, I decided for myself that my college experience would involve me pushing my boundaries, both academically and personally. Taking risks allows us to try new things and ultimately understand who we are at the core and who we want to be. Pushing myself beyond my comfort zone has allowed me to grow exponentially during my time at Michigan and has become a habit in my life. By putting myself in new environments and working towards goals that might have once felt impossible to reach, I have continued to learn more about myself and met inspiring people along the way. Read more>>

Pinkie Jets | Beautician,Entrepreneur,Model & Hostess

Honestly, I’m so grateful for the risks! The risks are the reasons why I’m so unapologetic, fearless and most importantly CONFIDENT! Before I started event promoting, hosting & special guesting… I showed up to bars and clubs alone. Makeup Artistry had been a passion of mine for years before I took the leap and enrolled in esthetic’s. I spend summer’s on end with box braids, practicing my slick ponytails and wig installation, not knowing nothing about hair once I moved here I was enrolled within two months! Lastly my business “Pinkie’s Playhousee Collection” was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken and the best one! Starting off as a sole proprietorship, investing so much of my personal money and time. Making products,labeling and more while enrolled in school. Read more>>

Trina Tran | Foodie and Adventurer

Taking risks is something I’ve been learning to embrace over the past couple of years. I used to fear taking risks because felt like I had to stick to “normal” and I couldn’t predict the outcome or I didn’t think I could handle whatever was to come. I now embrace taking risks and am working towards taking more leaps of faith. I’ve adapted the mindset of “whatever happens, happens but I know I can handle it”. Plus, you never know what will happen if you don’t try – which is what I say all the time when someone tells me their afraid to try something new. Taking risks has played out pretty well in my life so far. I have met some wonderful people, been introduced to different perspectives on life, and have been able to learn more about myself along the way. I’m looking forward to where the next “risk” will take me next! Read more>>

Emma Coffman | Agriculture Advocate & Beef Industry Professional

Embracing risks is crucial not just for personal character development but also for advancing one’s career and shaping his/her future. Remaining in your comfort zone hinders progress, as there’s a notion that stagnancy leads to decay. Similarly, in life, continuous learning, acquiring new skills, and venturing beyond comfort zones are essential for societal progress, preventing us from becoming like stagnant water. Stagnancy is a fear that I have always had, I always wanted to learn more, to see new things, meet more people, gain new experiences. While not every opportunity or honestly person(s) was the correct path to take, I think we learn more from our failures that we do our success. I graduated college amongst the COVID chaos, the career path I had chosen (moving to Australia to gain experience in their beef industry) dissolved instantly, like sugar in warm water. Read more>>

Stef Muir | Fashion Designer & Events Content Creator

At just 23 years old, I quit my job in Michigan to book a one-way flight to Los Angeles without a job lined up or a long-term place to live. I see now what a huge risk I took. But at the time, I was just following my heart and the voice in my head that said to go. Those first few months were filled with a mixed bag of emotions. It was scary but exciting. Intimidating but motivating. Even a little paralyzing at times, but always inspiring. I quickly realized I had only two choices — fail or succeed. And now, 7 years and 2 business later, I’m so grateful for the risk I took and how rewarding it’s been. Everything I know now, I learned from my experience living in Los Angeles and from the people who mentored me and inspired me along the way. I look at taking career risks so differently now — the rewards far outweigh the fear. Read more>>