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.

Jessica Johnston

Our main focus is skin health with the bonus of a glowing tan. Our service provides a skin consultation, first and foremost. We strive to ensure each client has a luxury experience by customizing colors based on the client’s individual skin type and tone. Read more>>

Suzanne Smith

Fifteen years ago, I started Social Impact Architects with one disruptive goal: to reimagine nonprofit consulting. As every social entrepreneur does, I started with the problem. Read more>>

John O’Hearn

I have spent my whole career waffling between running my own consultancy and building digital marketing divisions for larger agencies. Read more>>

Alexa Slaymaker

I started doing balloons in 2021. That’s right, a skill I learned during the pandemic and turned into a full fletched business! When I started, I had no idea about the journey this industry would take me on. Read more>>

Rafael Rios

In a time where everything is digital, I’m focused on creating tangible objects capable of encapsulating moments and memories—pieces that can transcend generations and that won’t depend on a screen to be appreciated. Read more>>

Reagan Hatch

The traditional marketing agency model puts all the power in the hands of the agency, forcing the clients to work on obscure timelines, never-ending budget revisions and requiring companies to dedicate employees to a never ending project. Read more>>

Theresa Cecka Parks

Minneapolis Meat Collective differs from regular butchery or cooking classes in a few key ways. First, we are hyper-local and are committed to sourcing our meat from local farmers of MN and the classes are taught right in the heart of Minneapolis and nearby St. Paul. Read more>>

Sara Cole

Aesthetic medicine is a ‘for profit’ specialty of medicine. Insurance does not cover the elective procedures that we perform. For this reason, providers may offer services that will not improve the patient’s quality of life or help the patient aesthetically, but rather make the provider more money. Read more>>

Sarah Walling

At Splash & Dash we do things a little different than other pet groomers around. Our groomers and employees are paid on an hourly rate as opposed to “paid per dog”. Read more>>

Shawna Norton

We are the first and only women’s specific CrossFit company. I started being a competitive athlete in 2017 and while I was very strong I was lacking in my gymnastics. Read more>>

Dr. Uzoma F. Obidike

My approach to career transition coaching goes beyond the traditional methods of resume polishing and online job applications. I prioritize professional networking as the foundation of making a career transition, emphasizing ongoing relationship-building and personal branding. Read more>>

Alicia Lowry

At the core of my photography practice is a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of each client. This isn’t just about taking photos; it’s about uncovering the underlying stories and motivations that bring clients to seek out photography services. Read more>>

George Davis

With every brand I’ve started or have been a part of the focus has been, “How will I solve a problem?” That’s really what makes your idea come together. Read more>>

Lindsey McClafferty

One major think that sets Aera apart is our uniqueness on our lash boxes. We focus on creating unique lash boxes that can represent different types of women and showcase how it is okay to be your own unique self while still being a united women front. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Hoy

Tampa Bay Clay is truly a small-batch earring design company. Everything I make is in small quantities, for two main reasons: I don’t want a ton of in-stock inventory, being that I am a one-maker (aka me!) team, and I want to make designs that are as unique as the people who choose to wear them. Read more>>

Tanya Vucetic

The industry standard is that there are automated systems in place for everything in the sales cycle *except* filling out paperwork. Read more>>

Lindley Ashline

Innovation in photography isn’t always about using a cutting-edge lens or reinventing the art form. Sometimes photographic innovation is simply about finding people worthy of the lens in ways that other photographers don’t. Read more>>

Jelena Yowell

European Ballet and Piano School is family oriented school that mainly focuses on students brain development throughout music or dance. Read more>>