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.

Lauren (Lo) Cohen

The traditional wedding industry often prioritizes elaborate venues, rigid timelines, and over-the-top productions, but that has never been what draws me in. All those weddings are beautiful, and so much fun—I’m not here for the ballroom receptions or the cookie-cutter timelines—I’m here for the couples who crave something different. The ones who would rather exchange vows on the edge of a cliff at sunrise than in a banquet hall under fluorescent lights. The ones who value experience over extravagance, who care more about the feeling of the moment than the perfection of the details. Read more>>

Leigh Soucy

Most businesses in the vintage and reselling space follow one of two models: consignment or flat resale. From the start, I knew I wanted to do things differently—both to create a sustainable business for myself and to better serve the community I cater to (fat folks). That’s why I do neither.

Consignment, while effective for some business owners, felt like a complicated system to learn and manage, especially since it relies heavily on what people bring in. Flat resale, on the other hand, can be a big financial gamble—sourcing costs pile up quickly, no matter how frugal you are. If your personal taste doesn’t align with what customers want to buy, you end up sitting on unsold inventory. Meanwhile, clothing waste continues to build up in landfills, corporate thrift store overflow, and even on beaches in the Global South. Read more>>

Jaye Harmon

In the music and entertainment industry, much of the corporate world caters to artist that have already experienced a major level of success. However, there are several talented artists who never achieve success due to lack of opportunity. The goal of JPE is to give talented artists and musicians the opportunity to develop. This is done by educating and equipping them with the knowledge needed to be successful in the industry, and producing a quality product that will be viable in the market place. Read more>>

Makayla Boyd

It’s no secret that Hollywood is currently stuck in a cycle of reboots and revivals. Every time you turn around, there’s another remake of a movie or TV show that’s already been seen by you or your parents or even grandparents. And when new content does emerge, it often lacks full minority casts or even significant representation of minority main characters. Read more>>

Karen Nethers

I pride myself on standing out from the rest. Coming from a farm family, I have a deep connection to agricultural communities, and those clients truly have my heart. I understand the lifestyle, the hard work, and the special moments that deserve to be captured.

But I don’t stop there—I’ll go just about anywhere to get the perfect shot. Whether it’s chasing golden-hour light in a field, wading through a creek, or setting up in a show barn, I go the extra mile to make every session unforgettable. Read more>>

Cardine Jean-Philippe

In culinary school, you are taught that your prime seasoning base is salt and pepper, But as I started to build my catering menus I not only saw, but felt the effects that heavily salted and pre processed ingredients had on my own health and well- being. Once I was able to reset and rebuild my flavor profiles I saw a change and I wanted that for my clients as well. I think a lot of chefs in my industry love to follow trends and focus on “pretty” or “social media” worthy dishes without thinking about the benefits of the ingredients that they use. For example, I believe that salt is an addition and not a necessity in the culinary arts. Read more>>

Chloée O’Hayon-Crosby

Traditionally, costume rentals have been centered around established costume houses, which provide invaluable resources to the industry. However, access to these resources can sometimes be limited by business hours, geographic location, or availability.

The Collectivist complements and expands these existing industry options by offering a digital, peer-to-peer marketplace where costume designers, stylists, PR showrooms, and even costume houses themselves can list and rent out inventory in a more flexible, on-demand way. Read more>>

Lana Petrovich

What sets my business apart from other small businesses is that I operate it based on my own unique understanding, experiences, and processes that I have developed through personal trial and error. Rather than following industry norms or mirroring similar businesses, I rely on my intuition and knowledge to shape how my business functions. This approach allows me to adapt and innovate in ways that align with my vision, ensuring that every decision reflects what I believe will work best. By trusting my own processes, I create a business model that is authentic, flexible, and tailored to meet the specific needs of my customers. Read more>>

Isobel Griffin

A lot of marketing is all about ‘conversions’ and doing everything possible to sell. People will throw out big promises, pressure their audience, and do whatever it takes to get an inquiry. But that’s not my focus.

I’m all about writing feel-good copy that gets people genuinely excited to work with you. Of course, the goal is to sell, but not to everyone. We want to speak to the people who share your values, like your vibe, and need or want what you’re offering. Instead of using pushy tactics that make people panic-buy, I lean into actual sales psychology—like storytelling, humour, loss aversion, and understanding how people make decisions—to make your messaging land in a way that feels good for you and your clients. Read more>>