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.

Carrie Osgood

The creative communications industry tends to emphasize traditional silos, structures, and the cookie-cutter approach to follow pre-existing formulas and templates. My work diverges from that standard in that I specialize in customizing comprehensive solutions that cross-pollinate and integrate the often divided fields of visual, verbal and strategic communications. Through a collaborative and personalized approach, I focus on solving the unique challenges and priorities of every client. Read more>>

Charlie Hunts

There are more than 2,800 brick-and-mortar bookstores in the country, and last year we became the 8th LGBTQ bookstore and the only one on the West Coast. “Third spaces” like this are so critical at a time when we’re seeing organized attempts to eradicate queerness from public life. The American Library Association is tracking record book bans and nearly half of the 4,240 books targeted were queer. This year more than 500 bills were introduced in states across the U.S., shadowing a prior record. Our little bookstore aims to provide community connection and the chance to see yourself represented on the page. Read more>>

Kennedy Rivers

Many wedding videos today are more journalistic in a sense. Minimal camera movement, natural lighting, no modifiers, a lot of gimbal work. I like to bring as many techniques from cinema to each wedding I film. I like to use things like motivated lighting, handheld camera movements, back lighting, and dramatic color grades to make a video that feels more like film. This requires a large amount of on the go planning and adaptability. It also requires a large amount of gear and resources but I think the end result is worth it. Read more>>

Dionna Hayden

With my graphic design company, Pink Elephant Graphic Design, I provide creative services aimed at crafting beautiful design projects by infusing art with design. My specialties include brand identity, logo design, and publication design layout. My process for project success involves forging personable connections with my clients, which allows me to fully immerse myself in their brand and mission. This approach enables me to deliver what I like to call “home-cooked” design. Additionally, I employ a strategic and thorough approach, ensuring my clients are involved and educated at every step of the project to guarantee that every objective is met with excellence. Read more>>

Sequoyah Branham

In the publishing industry, novels are the norm. Smaller projects such as novella’s aren’t popular and definitely not as the leader of a series. My debut work, In the Company of Cows, is a novella. The story continues in a full length novel, In Between Pastures. While talking with my mentors we discussed that this isn’t something you see in the publishing industry—like ever—and the repercussions that could happen. Thankfully, this is a freedom that as an indie author I have—to explore new models. I see it as offering my readers a bite-sized introduction to a world that grows as you move through the series. At this point the second book is only available for pre-order, but fans are PUMPED!  Read more>>