Except the author is missing the point that taking bigger, braver risks (in a global sense) isn't so risky (in a local sense) when your circumstances provide a

Except the author is missing the point that taking bigger, braver risks (in a global sense) isn't so risky (in a local sense) when your circumstances provide a much deeper cushion. Bill Gates had a $1mm trust fund in case Microsoft didn't work out. Warren Buffett already had millions under management before he purchased GEICO. Richard Branson's grandfather was the English equivalent of a high-ranking Circuit Court Justice. In other words, all 3 had very soft landings to fall to in the event of a total meltdown of their "risky" endeavors.