Doing things differently often leads to outsized results and so we connected with some of the most inspiring leaders and trailblazers we know and asked them to go into detail about what they do differently relative to others in their industry.

Josh Vogel

I think two things we do differently are organizing our instruction with an eye for long term student development and treating bjj school ownership as a hospitality business. Organizing instruction is more common than it was before, in the sense of schools having curriculums, but I don’t think it is common yet for schools to design their curriculums with long term student development in mind.  This means that we teach our students from day 1 in a way that gives them a high ceiling to grow into when they reach advanced levels by instilling good mental and technical training habits, good team work habits, and specific technique selection in our fundamentals program that makes learning advanced skills way easier down the road.  Read more>>

Frances Ledgewood

At Ledgewood Fine Stationery, we pride ourselves on standing apart in the industry through a perfect blend of artistry, etiquette, and personalized service. With over two decades of design experience, we bring an unparalleled passion for weddings and fine paper to every project, ensuring each piece is a work of art. Our expertise in etiquette ensures your stationery not only looks stunning but also conveys the perfect message with grace and precision. At Ledgewood Fine Stationery, we believe in creating more than paper goods—we craft timeless keepsakes that reflect your story, values, and celebrations, elevating moments into lasting memories. Read more>>

Justin D’angelo

One of the ways Printera sets itself apart is by leveraging 3D printing over traditional casting methods. Casting has long been the industry standard, but it’s a cumbersome process involving heavy molds, lengthy setup times, and significant material waste. In contrast, 3D printing allows us to achieve intricate designs with precision, minimal waste, and greater flexibility. A perfect example of this is our project at 25 Water Street in Manhattan. We were tasked with creating a 60-foot-long lobby planter that wasn’t just decorative but functional—it incorporated built-in benches, separated the stairs from the ADA ramp, and added greenery to the space. On the rooftop, we designed custom benches to complement the stunning views. Read more>>

Lindsey Scott

I’m a full-time mom by day and Financial Coach by night. While this may not be the anticipated response to the “so, what do you do?” question at parties, I know there are many rockstar mamas out there raising their kiddos while building a business, like I am. Running a business outside of traditional business hours has been a complete flip from what I was used to when I previously worked in higher education. However, it’s afforded me the ability to cater to the needs of my clients in some really unique ways. The obvious being scheduling client appointments, in some cases as late as 9pm. It’s also allowed me to expand my impact since I connect with the majority of my clients virtually. I never would have thought I’d have a global reach with my coaching practice, but just this past fall I was able to work with some amazing individuals outside of the U.S.  Read more>>

Jeanie Egolf

Yes, I think so. Perpetual Light Publishing is all about partnering with Catholic authors and illustrators who want to stay in control of their rights (and royalties!) throughout the publishing process. Just like traditional Catholic publishing houses, we want to get excellent, enjoyable family-friendly literature into the hands of readers, especially those who feel like it is sometimes a very daunting task to find books that truly reflect Catholic culture. Many of our authors (myself included!) have had books published via traditional publishing houses. While that is not a bad thing, there are situations where other options may be preferable and the rigors of self-publishing are “too much work” or just something you don’t want to have to worry about. Read more>>

Selena Stamm

At Tampa Lifestyle Management Co., we stand apart from industry norms by prioritizing personalization and relationships over a one-size-fits-all approach. In the typical industry model, families often receive a house manager or service provider based solely on availability or generalized qualifications. But we know that a household is a deeply personal space, and success comes from more than just completing tasks—it’s about creating trust, harmony, and a true partnership. Our process is tailored to each client. We don’t just assign someone; we take the time to understand the unique dynamics of a household, from daily routines to personal values, and match families with a house manager who complements their lifestyle. This isn’t just about skills—it’s about personality, approach, and the ability to integrate seamlessly into the home. Read more>>

Mark Lederman

In many ways, Independent companies like TRW Entertainment have the unique advantage of flexibility and a personal touch that’s larger corporations often lack. One distinct way in which many Independent companies diverge from the industry standard is through their commitment to authenticity and community engagement. For instance, instead of purely focusing on profit margins, you might prioritize collaboration with local artists or highlight underrepresented genres that larger companies often overlook. This approach not only helps in cultivating a loyal fan base but also contributes to a more diverse and inclusive music landscape. Read more>>

Pavel Shmelov & Elijah Nichols Floyd

Our approach goes beyond traditional OnlyFans management by focusing on holistic brand development for our models. We specialize in creating and executing personalized social media growth strategies that establish our clients as influential personalities beyond the platform. By leveraging targeted content creation, audience engagement techniques, and strategic partnerships, we ensure our models don’t just gain subscribers but also build sustainable personal brands that open up long-term opportunities. This blend of business acumen and creative innovation truly sets us apart in the industry Read more>>

Rénald Dubarry

We are different from the chip industry because we do not have the same expectations for our customers. Indeed we sought to make the best chips in the world, this is the starting point of our company, then we wanted it to be profitable. So we talked about the product first and then we talked about money. We wanted a large chip cooked in extra virgin olive oil. So how can we ensure that our customer can have this product that is not broken? We opted for the effective metal can to protect our chips but also effective for conservation and use because we can close and open the can several times in a simple way and close it again with the same simplicity. Read more>>

Claudia Matles

I am an independent yoga & Pilates teacher who prides myself on delivering a fully customized approach to my clients’ wellness journeys. Unlike corporate teaching programs that rely on standardized methods, I design each and every session to align with the unique needs and abilities of the individual. My focus is on creating movements that benefit the client’s body and lifestyle while fostering a sense of connection and engagement. By tailoring every aspect of the experience, I ensure my clients not only see results but also stay motivated and invested in their practice, making each session truly transformative and meaningful. Read more>>

Nate Blum

Sorghum United is unique in the industry of food systems development and the promotion of alternative grains. Notably, most organizations working in these spaces are governmental, academic, or taxpayer-funded in one way or another. In contrast, Sorghum United is self-funded. We believe strongly in private sector solutions to private sector problems. This is not to say that we do not work in public-private partnership arrangements. We most certainly do. However, being self-funded as an NGO allows us to flexibly serve our thousands of members around the world.  Read more>>

Charise Sowells

At Unabashed Productions the motto is, “Don’t just think outside the box, live there.” It was inspired by my own experiences of not fitting within the mainstream confines of society. Because of that, my art typically does not either. And when people experience my creations in the form of film, theater, music, or otherwise – my hope is that it in turn encourages others to live outside of the box in some capacity too. Read more>>

Kirill Safin/emily Perkins

I think the mindset we took when taking on this project went a bit against industry standard in the sense that for us, building trust and community was more important than profit. Starting out as a new business, it’s a bit of a leap of faith to deprioritize profit while you’re pouring your personal savings into getting things going, but it also felt like the natural choice to make since we started this whole endeavor just wanting to make and share cool things.The approach led to a few of our favorite parts of the project – our personalized letters, lenticular trading cards, and City Sounds vinyl record. Read more>>

Rory Link

Unlike the corporate approach to surf gear, SoCal Surf Rackz is deeply rooted in the local surf community and shaped by firsthand experience. What sets our business apart is that we not only craft handmade, custom surfboard and wetsuit racks—we actively use them ourselves. The very first rack we built is still in our shop, a testament to its durability and functionality. We’re surfer-owned and operated, building every rack locally in California with high-quality materials designed for longevity and aesthetic appeal. But the key difference is our constant feedback loop: we surf with many of our customers at the local breaks across San Diego. These informal “product meetings” in the lineup allow us to hear direct feedback from those who rely on our racks. This insight shapes our designs, ensuring that each rack perfectly serves the needs of real surfers. Read more>>

Laura Malagon

As an actress and performer overall who was born and raised in Colombia I believe that with that said many people in the industry will typecast me into the most common stereotypes for Latinos, but I think we’re way more beyond the hot friend, the loud wife, the drug-dealer, the dance teacher, etc.. We come from a background on which we experiment so many things; tragedy, love, and happiness just as everybody else and I would love to go beyond roles that are only for latinos. I have worked since a very young age to not only have good skills for performing but also to get better at other accents in English for example, or other accents in Spanish, on learning more languages to have way more opportunities as I know this industry is also becoming more and more globalized and cultures go beyond typecasting. I hope one day Latino actors can be considered to play roles in period movies both in Spanish and English because I am sure that we have great capabilities even to change our voice to play them, where projects can be a hybrid of contemporary and latin dancing performances that go along with deep movies and that the magical realism that we have so present in our lives can be seen in the big screen as well. Read more>>

Rhode Malivert

K12 Preparatory Academy goes beyond industry standards by offering innovative programs and personalized support to ensure every student excels. Our offerings include flexible, accredited K-12 courses, NCAA full-time programs for student-athletes, AP courses for college preparation, and credit recovery options for those needing to catch up. We stand out with cutting-edge tools like virtual reality and Smallab Learning technology, creating engaging, hands-on educational experiences. Our bilingual LMS, fully available in Spanish, uniquely supports immigrant and bilingual families, setting us apart from competitors. Recognized as a top online school in the U.S. on Niche.com and boasting a 99% graduation rate, we provide unmatched quality and flexibility to help students achieve their academic and career goals. Read more>>