Ciara at the GeekWire Summit: Entertainer and entrepreneur on music, business and having impact

In talking about the decision to “Level Up,” both in moving outside of her comfort zone and in striking out to self-release a single by that name, Ciara said sometimes “you have to take a risk, you’ve got to do things that are uncomfortable.”

The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, entertainer and entrepreneur looked anything but uncomfortable this week during an appearance at the GeekWire Summit where she shared some of her experiences and insights around creating music, businesses and more — some on her own and some alongside her husband, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

At times, in front of a tech and innovation-focused audience, she sounded like a startup founder plucked from their ranks.

“You’ve got to appreciate the failures in life because they build your integrity, they give you wisdom,” Ciara said. “I wouldn’t have known how to run a company if I hadn’t failed.”

As someone who has clearly harnessed the “why not you” attitude — a mantra and charitable foundation in her and her husband’s life — Ciara has sold over 23 million records and 22 million singles worldwide. She’s the founder and CEO of Beauty Marks Entertainment, a company at the vanguard of the fast-changing music industry which is positioned to tap into her passions in film, fashion, philanthropy, and technology. She also sits on the board of Seattle startup Amperity, heading up corporate social responsibility efforts and serving as an advocate and advisor on Amperity’s community initiatives.

“All it takes is one person to believe in your dream and that one person is you,” Ciara said. “The moment you believe is when opportunity begins.”

Keep reading for more quotable moments from Ciara’s appearance: