YOUNGSTOWN — Pressure? Tennis legend Venus Williams thrives on it.

Her accomplishments in tennis, business and philanthropy are her receipts and she’s happy to share the positivity she’s experienced.

“I always felt more comfortable when I’d take a risk,” Williams said Wednesday evening at Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center.

Williams, whose tennis accomplishments include 23 Grand Slam titles, five Wimbledon championships and four Olympic gold medals, was guest speaker for the YSU Thomas Colloquium on Free Enterprise.

Williams’ tennis ascension began 30 years ago when she and sister Serena rose to competitive dominance.

Along the way, she didn’t play it safe.

“I realized that I had to go out and take it, but I’d have to take some risks,” she said. “And if I lost taking that risk, I could live with that.

“No one gives it to you — you have to go for it, grab it, you take it.”

A health and beauty entrepreneur, Williams recently released her second book: “Strive – 8 Steps to Find Your Awesome.”

Her first book, “Come to Win,” reached No. 5 on the New York Times Best Sellers list in 2011.

During Williams’ one-hour speaking engagement, she was questioned by YSU faculty member Joanna Forbes, softball player Kennedy Dean and a handful of students.

Her message — find positives and build on them.

“The best part of it was when I heard her say to be your own best friend … and create your own luck,” said Sharon Nwankwo of Youngstown. “And don’t be afraid to take a risk.

“I didn’t expect her to be so down to Earth, so human, where she had to think about the answers.”

Nwankwo and her husband, Anthony, had floor seats near the stage. Their tickets were a birthday gift from their son, Anthony.

Williams’ accomplishments — on and off the court — attracted Sharon Nwankwo.

“She’s successful, she’s worked hard,” she said. “It’s good to see a black female athlete [so accomplished].”

Gianna Schroder of Youngstown, a student at ETI in Niles, was thrilled to see someone famous.

“It was really nice,” she said of Williams’ engagement which she watched from the sideline seats. “I’ve never seen a celebrity in person.”

Schroeder said she appreciated “good advice from her, like life advice that I didn’t know [but] need.

“I came out feeling refreshed.”

The Williams sisters emerged as tennis sensations in the ’90s. Their careers included memorable championship matches against each other plus 14 Grand Slam doubles titles.

They are the first female African Americans to own part of an NFL team — the Miami Dolphins.

Venus excelled in other areas. Her mother, Oracene Price, encouraged her to explore her creative skills.

After enrolling in fashion school, Williams created two successful design ventures: V Starr and Credo Beauty. She is also Chief Brand Officer to Asutra and creator of the plant-based protein company, Happy Viking.

She met plenty of challenges.

“Fear is the anticipation of what might happen,” Williams said. “It’s a thought in our head … kind of an electrical response in our head, not necessarily real.

“So we are what we tell ourselves.”

She said football and track and field are her favorites sports not involving a net, ball and racquet

“Huge football fan, I just love seeing those guys out on the field,” she said.

When she suggested that their skills make her feel “I’m not an athlete at all,” no one bought that explanation.

She encouraged students to participate in athletics.

“I love sports,” she said. “Sports is such a big, big teacher — you’re confident, you’re strong.

“And that’s so important,” she said of young girls. “Sports was my way to live my dream.”

One of her teachers was Serena, who’s a year younger.

“Without saying a word, I watched her and I learned,” Williams said of her sister as they blossomed into tennis champs. “She’s fearless.”

Williams’ philosophy is built around not being afraid to take chances.

“If you take your opportunities, more will come,” she said.