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.
Stephanie De Pena
As consumers in the fashion industry, we often focus on the outfits we purchase online, without considering the environmental impact of the fashion companies we buy from. it was a big concern for me and that’s why, at Denvy we not only strive to create amazing clothing and designs, but also prioritize sustainability in all aspects of our business, including our packaging. Read more>>
Holly Michelle Eroh
When I observe the art community and what it takes to be noticed and gain a following, I’m constantly reminded that my approach is not mainstream. Read more>>
Jen Cylinder
The fashion industry is huge and seemingly ever-evolving, yet I still found it difficult to simply go shopping with a group of friends and all be able to walk out of a store with something that we love and fits our varying body types. The average size of a woman in the US is a size 18, and though more brands than ever before are providing larger sizes, many companies continue to have flawed approaches. Read more>>
Aaron Cordovez
Normally in this industry the focus is on competitors and about low reviews or low competition. Read more>>
Channa Brouk
Without a doubt I am surrounded by some of the most inspiring and creative photographers in the industry. You can then see why brides may have a tough decision to choose a photographer for their wedding day. Recognizing this as a business owner challenges myself to want to be able to deliver something unique to brides that connect with my style. Read more>>
Pamela Sanders
I start everything from scratch. It seems everything today comes in a package that says “just add water” from potatoes to alfredo sauce. I start with the actual potato. Cooking from whole natural ingredients allows me to be creative and nutritious as well as produce better tasting food. I also create menus and recipes for clients to suit their needs. I respond to all company emails and personally attend all my events. Read more>>
Christeen Studemeyer
My goal for my Real Estate business has always been to never forget what it felt like BEFORE I was a realtor. When my husband and I went through the home-buying process for our first home, we were never educated on the process by an agent (I Googled everything!), we spoke with several pushy salespeople, and worked with an agent briefly who was not communicative at all and seemed to not care. Read more>>
Aquaila Barnes
We treat tax preparation as a year-round service. Over the years we began working with more small businesses and families who had a need for tax planning outside of the typical tax season. Some were newly formed business owners who wanted to know the tax implications of forming an LLC or S Corp. Others wanted advice on how to file their taxes as a newly married couple or how and when to make estimated tax payments. Read more>>
Hope Smith
There are nonprofits aplenty serving autistic children, but few – if any – that uplift the voice of autistic adults. That gap led me to create Ausome Abilities, a breakthrough, grassroots organization informed and inspired by 10 years of supporting Autumn, my grade-school daughter who will soon enough become an adult. It’s only the rarest organization that acknowledges how autistic children mature. They do not stay frozen in time; they grow up like everyone else. Read more>>
Brittany Garner
Under my brand Lead Creatively Digital, one of our primary focuses when working with our web design clients is a strong emphasis on website education and ongoing website support. Read more>>
Nadia Alonso
The apparel industry is very saturated especially for T-shirts and T-shirt designs. Read more>>
Rebecca Leder
Something I do differently than the industry standard is help individuals and employers break down silos and reach across discipline, team, role, and industry boundaries to unlock success. Read more>>
Holly Baker
Pet Grooming can be misunderstood as just giving a pet haircut. Many Pet Groomers will give a pet a bath and haircut; however, our business has taken grooming to the next level. We are truly a holistic groomer in the way that we believe pet grooming is essential to preventive care for pets and can provide a higher quality of life. Read more>>
Corey Brown
I definitely like to disrupt traditional thinking and ways of doing things. In my photography business, I have challenged the standard business headshot and photo session for women entrepreneurs. I have turned this into a brand development experience! My clients don’t come to a studio, sit on a stool in front of a grey backdrop and stare into bright lights. Read more>>
Emma Barrera
One of the things I love most about the brand we’ve created here at Right Hand Glam is that it’s truly unapologetic. We’re loud, we’re bold, we swear like sailors…and people eat it up. Read more>>
Lesa Edwards
For one thing, I am still a 1:1 coach – so many coaching programs these days are in a group format. While that is the direction my business is heading due to the cap on revenue possible with a 1:1 model, I do see the value and benefit of having a 1:1 coach (as I do for my own coaching needs with my coach). Read more>>
Jessica Rose Moreno
Yes! My business is values-driven, over profit-driven. I see it as an ever-evolving project, one that allows for constant evaluation and experimentation, in order for our practices to be the most kind towards those I collaborate with and the planet. Every decision taken, we aim for it to be the most conscientious decision possible, even if pain-staking at times– well, we have to get uncomfortable to challenge the industry standard that has brought great harm to our environment, the workers and the consumer mindset. Read more>>
Rochell Malay
Beauty and fashion go hand in hand they both tell a story and they tell the story together and thats the industry I am in. I dont just sell or create fashion looks i create an experience a lifestyle a feeling. what makes me different is I give the world my raw authentic self and don’t mind the criticism. I stay true to myself whether it ruffle some feathers or not. I can not give what i don’t feel. i give 100 percent every creative project and fashion. If The world don’t get what I’m doing at that time they soon will come around and understand later. I still go for it! Read more>>
Patrice Shumate
As it turns out, I am trying to do ALL the things differently from the industry standard, but that wasn’t what I set out to do. When I decided to start a nonprofit support business focused on grant writing, I wanted to make it accessible with equity built into the foundation…little did I know that would open my eyes to how things REALLY work in both philanthropy and for-profit businesses. Read more>>
NaTasha Cameron
The biggest difference between Thomas Williams Management™ and other companies in my industry is that we educate our clients, because an educated community is an undivided community. When our clients know and understand what our responsibilities are versus what their responsibilities are it makes everything run smoothly. Read more>>
Janine Kwoh
I try to make greeting cards for people and occasions that we don’t usually see represented in the traditional card aisle. For example, Mother’s Day is a huge holiday for greeting cards, but most of the traditional Mother’s Day cards you see out there say things like “For the Best Mom,” which is great if you have a healthy and close relationship with your mom, but what about the rest of us who have complicated or estranged relationships, or have lost their moms, or were parented by many different people? Read more>>
Mikey J De Guzman
I believe that in the current popular media landscape, there’s roughly two ways companies and brands go about their media presence: they either follow whatever’s trending, whether its a soundbite, a new way to edit, or a transition; or they rely on influencers and personalities to generate buzz. Read more>>
Alesia Galati
You’ll find much information about starting a podcast “messy” or launching it in two weeks. I strongly believe that you should put more effort and upfront research into podcasting. That’s why even though there are over 5 million podcasts available today, only about 400 thousand are coming out with new content. Read more>>
Phillip Ortiz
As a business owner and creative, I work to combine beauty and solutions for my clients. We all know the world travels at such a fast pace. That pressure and space can quickly erode into cheap, quick and disposable solutions. We have somehow bought into the the belief that it has to run that way. I have found much success in going slower, taking deep dives into story, relational depth and solutions that reach deeper than just a quick exchange. Read more>>
Heather Royal
The word ‘sustainable’ has become a fairly empty buzzword across industries, but from the start my aim has been to be as close to zero-waste as possible. I minimize my footprint by being as conservative with designs and materials as I can, purchasing from small-run, end-of-run or discontinued fabrics, shopping from low-inventory vintage suppliers and repurposing materials clients bring to me. Read more>>
Alicia Hylton-Daniel
Just about everything about me does not meet the “industry standards”: I am a black woman interior designer that became a general contractor. I honestly don’t know of another interior designer that is a general contractor. I certainly hope there are more out there as I’d love some company. Read more>>
Taylor Parker
From the beginning of my career, I have valued uniqueness, innovation and individuality. And although back then I hadn’t truly come into my style at the time, I knew that I treasured my ability to do things just a little bit differently than my peers. Read more>>
Erin Wells
I cook and create with humor, the world can be a dark place so I enjoy bringing humor to social media and my clients. you will leave my page or my table happy from food and a good time! Read more>>
Katie Brandow
Teachers are a profession deserving of a supportive work environment and we provide that at School of Enrichment. We support teachers first through low ratio programs, paid time off, perks, higher pay and logistical support. Read more>>