Risk

I believe that taking risks is a good thing. Of course, I should specify calculated risks. I’ve taken many different risks throughout my life involving many different things. I think I got this instinct from my parents. However, it’s funny looking back comparing my own risks to those of my parents. When my parents were 25 and 32 they were taking risks that I’m not sure I would have the guts to take now or in 10 years.
When my mom was 25 she and my dad decided to build and open a restaurant in south Nashua, NH. Both my dad and mom had a background in the restaurant business, working in them and managing them for many years. My parents made good money at what they did. However, to continue their dream of opening their own restaurant they had to be willing to give up everything to finance their project.

In 1984 my mom’s father and grandfather both died unexpectedly within a month of each other; she had a pre-mature baby (my older sister) and lived in an apartment with my dad and his two sons,with frequent visits from my grandmother and my great grandmother. Her and my dad had one car between them. As my dad would say, “They didn’t have two sticks to rub together.” They financed the opening of the restaurant and were almost at their breaking point when they opened the doors. However, it was their dream and a risk they knew they wanted and had to take at that point.

The restaurant was a huge success. My parents went on to build their own home, have their second child (me), stay in business 18 years, (Before selling to Hooter's) and help put four kids through college. There were definitely years at the restaurant that were better than others, but my parents always kept working hard and persevered until better times and continued to take calculated risks.

After my parents sold the restaurant they went on to find careers as a realtor and a mortgage broker. Both of their salaries are based entirely on commission and they are doing just fine. There is something about risk that I think keeps flowing through your blood. Once you take your first big risk and succeed it's like you're no longer scared to fail. You're ready for the next one, the next one, and the next one. The combination of not being scared to fail and being a hard worker are deadly, unstoppable.

I think at the end of the day if we really want to do something worth doing, it’s probably going to take some significant risk. If you look at some of the most successful people or the people who brought some of the most significant technology to the world; they all took significant risks. How would YOU like to stand outside with a kite and a metal key in your hand during a thunder and lightning storm? I'm glad someone did.

We all have passions we will want to pursue and struggles we will face trying to pursue them. We will all have risks we’ll have to decide to take throughout the process. At the end of the day, you’ll most likely regret not going after the things you dream about. Don’t be scared to not have “Two sticks to rub together,” for a while; It’s a common part of a great risk.