Deviating from industry norms is one of the most common characteristics we’ve seen among highly successful brands and professionals and so we’ve asked some brilliant folks to give us real life examples of how they do things differently from the industry standard.

Mackenzie Labine

The inspiration behind founding Sacred Heart Hair came from my years as a hair educator, traveling to salons all over the world.
Through that experience, I noticed what was missing in the hair industry — especially when it came to hair extensions.
At Sacred Heart Hair, we invest an incredible amount of time into training, educating, and practicing with our team until they are truly ready to deliver exceptional results for our clients.  Read more>>

Ricky Willis

I don’t know if it’s exactly the ‘industry standard,’ but digital photography is definitely the norm these days. When you book a digital session, you’re probably looking at hundreds of photos from just an hour-long shoot. It’s fast, it’s easy, but it’s not exactly personal. With tintype photography, it’s a completely different vibe. It’s slow, intentional, and every plate takes about 15-20 minutes to create. You might only walk away with 3 photos, but those photos are special. They’re heirlooms, real, tangible pieces of art that are built to last. It’s about quality over quantity, and that’s something I really stand by. Those photos will be around for years, passed down, and remembered. That’s why it matters to me. Read more>>

Cassidy Lujan

Oh, absolutely—we love taking the scenic route away from industry norms. At The Plant Mill, we’re not your typical plant shop or co-op. We host over 30 local partner vendors, NOT just wholesalers. We work with these businesses to grow together and use our resources for a BIG small business impact. Read more>>

Mercedes Barker

The “industry standard” for divorce is each spouse gets their own attorney and they duke it out that way. This process results in 10’s of thousands of dollars, quite often a bitter end, a family that has now been fractured, and a less than optimum settlement agreement. What’s mssing in this process is a financial expert, one who is knowledgeable and who has the credentials in all aspects of the division of assets and liabilities, someone who can custom-design a settlement agreement to meet the goals and needs of each spouse and family not just for now, but for life post-divorce. Read more>>

Huey Bradbury-Ngo

One of the biggest ways I diverge from the industry standard is by keeping everything personal and hands-on. I run a boutique studio, which means I’m involved in every single part of the process—from the first sketch to the final sample. That’s not something often seen in traditional production settings, where things are highly commercialized and communication can get lost in the process. Read more>>

Anne Adolphson

In today’s photography world, the most common “product” sold is a digital image. Which makes sense because most photographers are using digital cameras, Because of this, the industry is flooded with what’s referred to as “All Inclusive Photographers”. While one often thinks of a dreamy beach vacation resort when the phrase “all inclusive” is used, in this regard, it is referencing the photography business strategy of having ONE fee for a photography session. This session would include a gallery of digital images along with a print release (which allows the client the freedom to print their own products for their own personal use). Read more>>

Caitlin Blomstrom

I approach the artist’s practice with the understanding that they are essentially running a one-person business – they are responsible for creating, marketing, and advancing their own career. However, many artists don’t have the time, resources, or expertise to manage administrative tasks, goal setting, and project management all while creating their own work. That’s where I come in. Read more>>

Sandhya

Saroya Natural is built on the premise that true skincare is learning to decode the language of your skin to transform from within. This approach is very different from conventional skincare, which is mainly about applying topical products. While topical products are certainly valuable, we believe they are only part of the solution. Read more>>

Eva Baker

I do things a little differently than the standard “shoot and burn” photography model most of us are used to. I run a luxury photography studio that offers a full-service experience from start to finish. I take the time to really get to know my clients through a pre-session consultation, include professional hair & makeup the day of their session, provide an extensive wardrobe for my maternity and newborn clients, and wrap it all up with a design and ordering appointment where I help create custom albums and gallery walls for my clients’ homes. Most of my clients are busy families, so my goal is to make the process easy, enjoyable, and stress-free while delivering beautiful, timeless artwork for their homes. Read more>>

Dominic Magnifico

We started House of Giants as a direct response to the shortcomings we saw in our 10+ years at various agencies.

Traditional web design and development agencies follow the antiquated leadership structure of ad agencies in the 60’s (though they’re veiled now with catchy terms and silly titles). The leadership at the top of the chain got there by building processes and standards many, many years prior. And those folks in leadership are now grasping at straws to stay relevant in their field, after being out of the production loop for so long. When a new idea or process comes along, it’s generally met with friction, rather than collaboration. Read more>>

Karen Jacobs, PA-C/MS

My goal was to open a family medicine office that incorporates standard medicine and functional medicine. Generally speaking, these are separated due to insurance coverage and the standard medical world which tends to dismiss functional/integrative medicine. I have always felt that people should be able to use their medical insurance to get good care. And my definition of good care is combining both standard approaches as well as holistic approaches. Usually, these are seen as two separate options: You go to your “standard” doctor and spend 5-10 minutes with them (this is sadly a result of insurance payments, etc). If labs are ordered, they are rarely reviewed and the time is mostly spent prescribing medication or discussing guidelines like colonoscopies, vaccines, etc. Read more>>

Colin Ridge

Absolutely—and it’s something we’re really proud of at Ridge Ln. We’ve intentionally built our business to be different from the traditional agency model. While large firms can feel transactional and rely on impersonal processes, we focus on being agile, selective, and relationship-first. Read more>>

Suzanne Mathis McQueen

Off the top of my head, there are two things I do differently from the self-publishing industry standard, and there are two things I do differently from the “hormones and wellness” industry standard. With my work, the two industries are intertwined in a way that creates a unique problem. Yet, that unique problem has led me to the unique-for-both-industries business model solution I’m currently creating. Read more>>

Sasha Cohen

One of the things I love most about owning my small business is the accessible marketing I provide and the deep connections I build with every brand I work with. I spend 45 minutes a week with every single client, something I’m sure most in this space don’t do. I want to understand the why behind each business. Read more>>

Charlotte Lilley

The Ski Retreat sets itself apart from the traditional ski industry by creating an experience that is thoughtfully designed for women, prioritizing community, confidence-building, and adventure without the hassle of planning. Some ski/board trips often feel intimidating or male-dominated, The Ski Retreat fosters a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where women encourage each other both on and off the mountain. One guest shared this feedback with us after a trip, “It’s scary to learn how to ski as an adult. But this group was so compassionate and helped me challenge myself in ways that wouldn’t be possible if I didn’t come on this trip.” Read more>>

Kyle Ann Robertson

I was tired of the writing community telling me how hard it is to write a book. How few people get their writing published traditionally and that you might as well quit before you begin. (At least that’s the message I got repeatedly from conference to conference.) Publishing traditionally IS difficult but writing doesn’t have to be a victim of the industry, in fact writing should always be encouraged and there’s many ways to publish depending on your personal goals. After publishing two novels with small publishers, I set out to help want-to-be-writers fall into “the starving artist” victimhood scheme. Read more>>

Luigi Ventura

In todays lightning fast changing world you have to stay on your toes as a creative / business person. Specially with how rapid technology and software is evolving. What I do differently is offer my clients competitive pricing and multi media services. Essentially I am a one stop shop Photographer (Creative). I can go from staffing a short film to Independent narratives, music videos, interviews, vertical dramas, social media campaigns all the way to shooting your headshots, corporate work and fashion catalogues. I don’t just offer one kind of photography or style. Read more>>

Lindsey Dorfman

Actually, yes—at the Glenview Public Library, we do approach service a bit differently than what you might see at other libraries. Our focus is really on building relationships. We lead with kindness and empathy because we want every person who walks through our doors to feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for. Read more>>

Alix Dubuisson

I market myself as an artist that only does beats, which is unlike any other producer I know. It has yielded different results for sure. Read more>>

Eden Holt

At The Connection Effect, we intentionally break away from the traditional coaching industry by prioritizing connection over transactions, accessibility over exclusivity, and transformation over quick fixes. Unlike many coaching organizations that maintain a strictly advisory role, we take a hands-on, walk-the-walk approach. This means we don’t just guide our clients from a distance; we actively stand beside them as they navigate their challenges and growth. Read more>>

Alicia Galo

Absolutely. At Athoz, we break the mold by putting people, not software, at the center of everything. While other corporate platforms can be costly, rigid, or overly complex, Athoz is born from real kitchen experience and adapts to the fast-paced rhythm of your restaurant—not the other way around. Young supervisors, digital natives, and team members with no prior tech background master it intuitively and now manage their operations with full confidence—and all from a single platform: forget about switching from app to app. Read more>>

Doğu Özorhan

As a young filmmaker, I believe cinema lost the ‘magic’ in it. I think the magic in cinema was a result of the films leaving the audience confused, surprised, or wondering. With the development of technology the industry gave up on practices such as practical illusions, surrealism, and creating a work of art that is a creation of multiple disciplines. Read more>>