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 Noon

Yes, I offer personal tarot and astrology readings but really my specialty is reading for groups and parties. I have read for all sorts of different groups from Halloween parties, to book clubs, private birthday parties and themed events. Read more>>

Valerie Hammer

I view getting older as a privilege and truly see the beauty in aging. But, the beauty industry and social media standards (over the last several years) have put emphasis on reversing the aging process, “fixing” wrinkles and naturally changing faces and have made people feel like looking older is somehow negative. I started offering customized makeup lessons for everyday people with an emphasis on making people feel good about the face that they have now. I wanted mature clients to know that they have a place in the beauty space. I truly believe that people are beautiful just as they are, and teach techniques that celebrate their features, rather than hide them. I don’t believe in changing people, and place a lot of importance on a positive, judgement free zone where every client feels their best. Read more>>

Cesar Medina

What I do different from other agents in the industry, is the offering of more to the client than what I receive. Let me explain what I mean. Agents are required by law to do what is called “fiduciary duties”. which are Loyalty, Confidentiality, Disclosure, Obedience, Reasonable care and diligence , and Accounting. If an agent completes this standard they have done their job. I go the extra mile, by giving my clients, investment opportunities, constant free knowledge, availability that truly meets their schedule, and so much more. M y belief is that, as agents, we must be servants to our clients. Without them, we are truly nothing in this field. These people trust me with sometimes they whole life funds, I must give up my pride and ego, to serve them fully. A difference like this matters simply for the sake of trust. Every transaction in the history of economy, whether it be monetary or not, has been established on trust. Going the extra mile for clients, is further showing through actions, that I as an agent, am always looking to build deeper and intimate levels of trust. Read more>>

Jay Blaze & Vanessa Braun

With our brand, Mr & Mrs Global, we aim to create content that resonates internationally, connecting with audiences worldwide. While Los Angeles is our home base, we’ve streamlined our personal lives to stay ready for travel or relocation whenever an exciting opportunity arises. This setup allows us to dedicate ourselves fully to our business and stay agile in today’s fast-paced world. Take our podcast, for example. It’s entirely mobile, and we can perfect the sound and lighting with AI technology no matter where we’re filming. This means we can shoot episodes from virtually anywhere or even travel to meet our podcast guests instead of asking them to come to us. We’ve also become pros at travel hacking—using points and travel programs to our advantage. Recently, we got Frontier Airlines flight passes that allow us unlimited travel across the U.S., Mexico, Jamaica, and more, with only tax fees to cover. This flexibility is not just about seeing new places; it’s part of our commitment to bring Mr & Mrs Global to life by creating content wherever inspiration takes us. Read more>>

Mark Stonehill

At Full Circus Farm we use draft horses– 2 stocky and very blond Haflinger ponies– to plow and prepare the soil for planting. Before tractors, horses, oxen, and people did most of the hard pulling work on a farm. That’s the reason we still measure the output of engines with the unit “Horsepower.” We choose to use horses rather than tractors as our method of cultivation because it’s more fun for us. To us, horses smell better than tractors. Horses can look at you and respond– they show us things and teach us lessons. One day they actually alerted us to a small fire in our field that we were unaware of. And, of course, there’s room for attachment. They you look at you with longing eyes and say “feed me” just like your beloved dog or cat. We ‘re not Amish, Mennonite, or operating a “living history” farm museum where everyone’s wearing period clothing. We’re just small-scale farmers that see the beauty and utility of draft horses, and we value the relationship one can make with another species when there’s real interdependence: our business wouldn’t work without Sandy and Sunshine. Read more>>

Susanna Reay

As a business coach, working solely online with amazing fellow solopreneurs and small business owners, my focus is on helping create signature solutions, which are offers that encapsulate the essence of their values, beliefs and serving clients in a very flexible manner. We lean into their passions, prowess and personality to ensure everything is aligned. Rather than creating boring business plans, we create a business manifesto that combines values with productive behaviours to move the needle every day and get people through the tough moments. Design is an integral element with all the offers, as expertise is visualised into unique frameworks that their clients can instantly follow, so they achieve the results they are looking for.  Read more>>

Brigitte Andrade

I found a unique and fun way to market tourism in the City of Miami Beach. I am celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Adventures of Bibi & Friends comic books. I collaborated with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Miami Beach, local businesses, and brands to highlight our world-class destination through the creative blend of comics and reality. The Adventures of Bibi & Friends is the story of a fictional character, Bibi, a PR, marketing, and branding specialist, with a vibrant social agenda. Her unique talent lies in incorporating her clients and their businesses into her aspirational fictional lifestyle. The illustrated books provide a look behind the scenes where you see the actual places and real citizens. The Adventures of Bibi & Friends comic books have turned out to be a living documented history of Miami Beach, from its blooming renaissance in the 1990’s through today. Marketing efforts through advertising and sponsorship generate revenue for local businesses and provide niche marketing by sharing information, humor, and education through real places and people. The individuals featured inspire and, as comic characters, actively participate in marketing to further expand the audience for the comic books. Read more>>

Nora Minassian

The reason I started my blog/online shop was to help older women (over 40 and up) to find new ways to dress and style outfits. I also wanted to supply them with wearable, practical, comfy yet chic pieces and show them how to put it all together. I believe that a lot of more mature women do not get represented well in the fashion industry and are not catered to as much as younger women are. There is a false belief in high end fashion that women over 40 do not care about what they wear as much as they did when they were younger. This was more prevalent when I started my business over 10 years ago. So my niche is very specific and it has helped me grow my business and make it very personal where I communicate with my customers and help them along the way to find their personal style. Read more>>

Isaac & Emilie Navarro

Our landscape designs differ from the industry standard because we prioritize working with nature, rather than creating landscapes that require tedious maintenance. We ensure that at least 80% of the plants in our designs serve an edible or medicinal purpose, while also including plants that help sustain local wildlife. We don’t just create beautiful spaces; we create self-sustaining ecosystems that reflect how nature functions within its climate. Just as forests thrive without human intervention, our designs integrate plants that support each other, reducing the need for external inputs like fertilizers or excessive watering. We also factor in a range of considerations, such as sun trajectory, sound reduction, wind passification, defensibility, foot traffic, and utilizing slopes for passive rainwater harvesting. Nature has been the oldest, most persistent system long before human civilization. By working with these proven systems, rather than against them, we achieve the truest concept of ‘sustainability.’ This allows us to create landscapes that are resilient, low-maintenance, and contribute to both personal security and the health of the local environment. Read more>>

Cleve Willis

We have not done much different in 22 years ( new floors ) just Bikram Yoga. And I think that is where we stand out and apart. Doing what works traditionally. I can tell you what folks tell me that come from other yoga studios that end up at still hot yoga. This was a a quote from a student just last week visiting our studio, “Your teachers are the real deal, experienced and dialogue based, and know how to actually teach and with compassion and strength.” What this says is that STILL HOT YOGA is authentic and that means the world to us. Read more>>

Cassie Wilson

I strive to let everyone know about my faith, even in my business. I only have this business because of God, and I’m proud to share that. I also am veteran-owned! Read more>>

Sean Lewis

I built a process that offers the best career track for me and my team. I wanted to build a business that specialized in one popular and profitable section of the interior design industry. I found that kitchens were the most expensive investment that homeowners make and that cabinetry sales can be stable extra profit if you are focusing on the right kind of jobs. With a passion for big design and a background in architecture, I wanted to create a business that was more exciting than your typical kitchen + bath dealership. To me, that meant taking on complicated architectural projects where I could learn a lot on the job. So the question became ‘How do I create a process that ensures we get clients who want more than your typical kitchen and are willing to pay for our superb design services? Read more>>

Rachael Bornhop

We are an ECommerce site that sells unique, high-quality components for your porch, deck or outdoor living space. Being a small business, we are able to differentiate ourselves easily from our much larger competitors. One of the main differences is that most often people have to purchase high quality products like ours through a distributor. They have to go to a lumberyard, or find a contractor that has a connection to a lumberyard or is a dealer of a particular brand, etc. The homeowner won’t know what anything costs or how accessible those items are, unless they go through those proper channels. Our website lists all of our products and the prices of each product right there–plain as day. And ANYONE whether you are a custom home builder, architect, designer, or a homeowner with no experience, can add those items to your cart and place an order. There aren’t so many hoops to jump through. Read more>>