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.

Amy

We offer a line of hand poured 100% soy wax candles. We only use high end clean phthalate free fragrance oils, natural wooden wicks and we never add any dyes. Our candles are toxin free, pollutant free and paraffin free. This makes them safe for you, your home, your family and your pets. Read More>>

Rosa María Zamarrón

In a field where photographers are often trained to remain observers, I’ve chosen a different path—one rooted in relationship, collaboration, and reciprocity. My documentary work isn’t just about capturing a moment; it’s about building trust and telling stories with people, not just about them. Read More>>

Sara Broussard

One way that we differ from a typical museum is that we’re privately owned and operated. When most people think of a museum they’re picturing the huge history or art museums they have visited. These museums are usually run by a non-profit and have a board and wealthy donors, etc. While we love those museums, and we sometimes wish we had the same resources they have to create these incredible displays and facilities, it’s important to us that we are the ones making the decisions. Read More>>

Alicia Aragon

At Nexus SLO, we’ve built something that intentionally strays from the traditional dance studio mold. In most studios, the focus is on perfection, performance, and competition. But at Nexus, we’re not here to create champions—we’re here to create connection. Our mission is to use dance as a vehicle for belonging, joy, and human interaction, and that means our classes and socials are designed to be welcoming, low-pressure, and community-first. Read More>>

Shelley Cottton

We’re not trying to be the biggest — we’re focused on being the most personal, inclusive, and creatively supportive space we can be. Unlike some studios that prioritize volume and scale, we’ve built our studio around intentionally small class sizes and client rosters. This lets us give every person the time, attention, and care they deserve. Read More>>

Dr. Sheniqua Johnson

What sets me apart—and in turn, my brand—is the way I blend real-world experience, deep empathy, and transformational strategy to create change that actually sticks. In a world where many facilitators deliver cookie-cutter presentations, I bring soul and strategy to every room I enter. Read More>>

Abbie Guthier

Here at Studio O, we are proud to do things a little differently, and intentionally so. While many venues simply offer a space and a rental agreement, we believe in making events at Studio O MORE. One of the things that sets us apart is our approach to full event design. Read More>>

Wesley Desrosier

There are actually quite a few things we do differently at BAR Physical Therapy and intentionally so.

First and foremost, we pride ourselves on providing true one-on-one care. When someone comes to our clinic, they work directly with a Doctor of Physical Therapy for the entire session. Not a tech, not an aide, and definitely not someone without clinical education. That’s unfortunately become the norm at a lot of large corporate clinics, where patients are passed between multiple providers or spend most of their time with unlicensed staff. We’re the opposite of that. Read More>>

Sean Barrett

That’s a great question, and it really gets to the heart of how I try to stand out in a pretty crowded field. While everyone’s striving for good photos, there are a few things I genuinely feel I do differently from the “industry standard”: Read More>>

Ed Hafizov

When most creatives hear “CRM,” their eyes glaze over. Five years ago, I was one of them. To me, CRMs were for cold-callers in suits, not for offbeat photographers chasing waterfalls or filming Mitzvahs on the dance floor. But as my business grew, I realized that spreadsheets, sticky notes, and even platforms like ShootQ , Tave, HoneyBook, 17Hats were holding me back. Read More>>