Doing things your way is one of the best parts of being your own boss and when done right seems to be highly correlated with outsized success. So, we wanted to gather real-world examples to shed more light on how the best artists, entrepreneurs and leaders differentiate themselves from others in their respective industries.

Andrea Nucete-Elliott

I create a space where with one product (Tie it yourself Hair ties) every person with long hair feels empowered and ready to take on any challenge that life might throw at them. Read more>>

Casey Higgins & Sarah Lefebvre

When we worked at local marketing agencies, the goal was to bring on as many customers as possible – even if they weren’t qualified or didn’t fit our ICP (ideal customer profile.) At The Bloom, our screening process for potential customers is extremely thorough because we believe that marketing is a partnership. We know that we bring the most value to small business owners who are ready to hire a team and grow. And when someone applies to work with us, we take great care in discussing goals and budget to ensure we’re a good fit. Read more>>

McKenzy Windham

I specialize in hand tweezed eyebrows. The assumed methods for eyebrow shaping are waxing or threading, many aren’t even aware that hand tweezing is an option. I choose this approach because it allows for precision while maintaining the integrity of the skin. I can control the direction in which the hair is removed so that when hairs grows back, they aren’t shooting in all directions from being manipulated incorrectly (which causes more maintenance and effects fullness over time) I maintain full, elongated, natural looking brows that compliment each persons facial structure and hold that structure over time and through different phases. Read more>>

Zay Lewis

I think a number of my practices, as both a creative and a business person, deviate from industry standards. Some of the more interesting ones stem from my approach to marketing and merch sales. By way of example, in 2021 I began implementing a merch concept that allows me to achieve CD era unit sales on single releases without printing a single T-Shirt, CD or poster. The product is called a Zay Zip. Read more>>

Maggie Bradshaw Says

As a photographer from the Southern Louisiana, I believe it is natural to flow into photographing larger weddings. That became the industry standard. To capture as many big and beautiful weddings as you could. I stepped away from this standard and began to specialize in elopements. Specifically elopements for Southern couples looking to break tradition to create a wedding day experience that feels genuine to them. Now I look at the wedding industry as a whole, even outside of the South, and I see elopements slowly becoming more popular. Read more>>

Erin Eifler

As a true creative, I believe there are no rules or limits when in comes to design. Thinking outside the box and creating unique innovative spaces pushes against the status quo. At Native Habitat we live by this mindset that creativity has no boundaries. I encourage my team to curate spaces that compliments its architectural elements as well as the neighborhood in which it resides. Each home we step into is different from the next and has its own story to tell. I believe it’s our job to bring spaces to life. Read more>>

Lynn Dowdell

At Vin Collective you receive, partake and are immersed into an experience. The Vin Collective Experience. Our creativity, passion and excitement for the world of wine has the freedom to take you to debts that are simply marvelous. We don’t just set up. serve and talk to you. We create, present, embrace and involve you into The Vin Collective Experience, hence it becomes your experience and the experience of those you choose to share it with. Read more>>

Andrew Cheng

We do not take on a massive amount of agents, because we value the quality amount of a broker than the quantity. Our team of agents are all well versed on the Medicare system and represent multiple plans through out the Greater City of Houston. Read more>>

Katie Szymanski

First, I want to clarify that I’m certainly not the only one in the industry who does this, nor am I the most vocal (for no real reason other than I’m still more in the “sit back and learn” phase). I’m a body positive/body-neutral personal trainer and I don’t emphasize or prioritize weight loss. Read more>>

Olga Dolynina

I believe SWEAT LAB is different from the fitness industry standard. At SWEAT LAB we focus on personalized fitness programs for individuals with long term fitness and health goals. Our programs are unique and include a variety of disciplines like Strength training, mat Pilates, Yoga and Meditation. We focus on longevity by adding yoga dnd Pilates to regular workout routines. We believe in mindful approach when it comes to fitness and make sure to incorporate meditation into our clients’ routines for mental health enhancement. Read more>>

Priscilla Saynay

When you think about a plant shop, you would think of outdoor, hot and lots of rows of plants. In my shop, I do it very different from what you normally see in a plant shop. It is an indoor space where your visit will turn into an experience. I filled my space with terrariums, plants and plant arts. It is an experience! It’ll awoken all of your senses. You’ll will be transported to a different space. Read more>>

Diahn Ott

One of the things I see often in the arts is the idea that an artist should drill down into a particular niche or medium. – that somehow a Jack-of-all-trades artist is a bad artist. I disagree strongly with this idea. The work I do in two-dimensional spaces – painting, collage, sketchbook – informs the work I do in three-dimensional spaces. The functional pottery I create informs and influences the sculptural ceramic work I make. These different media do not dilute the concepts and themes of my art, but rather serve to strengthen and enhance them. Read more>>

Rico Coar Fernandez

I help people relax and enhance the appearance of the skin not only on the face but in the private areas that are typically covered until undressed like the back, butt, chest and the pubic area. Read more>>

Nick Ahn

With the improvement of photographic technology over the past few decades, nearly all photography is created with digital cameras these days. Between the iPhone’s artificial intelligence, digitally enhanced images straight out of camera, and mirrorless cameras capable of taking over 20 shots in a second, there is no doubt that photography has become easier and more accessible than ever before. Read more>>

Joyce and Mike Nuzzolese

“The People’s Choice” Mike and Joyce of CorneliusPontoonRentals.com is a member of The Lake Norman Chamber Of Commerce, and is a 5 STAR RATED company. We service the residence of Cornelius, and friendly neighbors and visitors of the Carolinas. We are people of detail and always strive to make clients boating experience the very best POSSIBLE. Read more>>

Donna Wise

The shipping industry is hot right now, with costs skyrocketing, labor shortages and supply chain delays. People are looking for answers, transparency and partners they can trust. Unfortunately, demand outstrips supply so there are some in the industry that either feel they don’t need to take their time with smaller opportunities or they steer customers towards the options that are most lucrative for them. As a #shippingconcierge, I differentiate on taking an educational approach to helping those who don’t have the resources to help themselves. Read more>>

Karoline Povil

As time goes on, where the latest and greatest technology is in such high demand, I do see the crave people have in just a good hands on facial. No machines, no fancy lights. Just a good manual technique where you can still see results, but actually appreciate the power of a good facial massage. Read more>>

Ariyon Allen

This is a great question. Yes, our candles are made with skin safe products. They are not made with any dyes, lead or chemicals. The wax is custom made to give a clean burn and can also be used as a fragrant massage oil. Read more>>

Shalanda Hearne

I create and my own path. At the start of my career as a life coach, I wanted to adopt methodologies of the most successful coaches around. I figured, “if it worked for them, it has to work for me”. What I soon realized is that it worked but it wasn’t me. I was unfulfilled and uninspired. Motivation to be successful is not enough for me. I need fulfillment and to be driven by passion and purpose. Read more>>

Leonardo Martins

I always believe that we can go beyond the parameters established by the industry. I think that the words that involve these years in my career are: dedication, resilience and interaction. I have always been 100% dedicated to excelling in everything the industry brought in innovation and goals. Working with vinyl record curation often takes me to places of dreams and client achievements. I need to dedicate myself a lot to choose the best one for the collector. Read more>>

Mark Charles

I create an atmosphere of elegance and panache with my tablescape and decor. I believe that a dinner experience with Mark Charles Your Personal Chef is an experience never to forget. Read more>>