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.

Erin Brown

I mean let’s be honest, I’m pretty sure anyone you ask has heard of 1-800-flowers. A company that is most people’s go to when they think of ordering flowers. About 6 years ago I was selling bouquets out of my kitchen, the only clientele being my close friends and family that wanted to support me. Now looking back they were really out here ordering my “cringe worthy” arrangement’s. Fast forward to now we do pretty well on our online site for local flower delivery. Most of my clients are local, loyal people that have been coming to me for years for custom florals. There’s such a large gap between a small business owner with a unique product that’s hard to get the word out about against the easy-to-buy options that dominate the market. Read more>>

Vanessa Waters

What sets me apart from the industry standard as a wedding officiant is the level of personalization and care I put into every ceremony. While my packages may be more expensive than some other officiants in the area, what I offer is a truly customized experience. I don’t use generic scripts or cookie cutter ceremonies… each script is crafted specifically for the couple, reflecting their love story, values, and personalities. No two ceremonies are ever the same. Read more>>

Matt Berry

At Ember Coffee, we’re dedicated to creating an experience that goes far beyond just serving coffee. Using an air roasting method instead of traditional drum roasting, we rely on hot air to roast beans evenly and with precision. This unique process brings out the full, rich flavors of the beans, without the bitterness, for a remarkably smooth taste. Read more>>

Kaela Moore

At Treasured Brides, we bridge the gap in the bridal gown market by offering affordable designer wedding gowns. Our beautiful selection ranges from $399-$699, compared to the typical $1,000-$3,500 retail price. What sets us apart is our unique approach; we host exclusive Pop-Up shops in hotel ballrooms quarterly in Charlotte, NC, with plans to expand across North Carolina. Read more>>

Madalyn Jones

My name is Madalyn Jones. I have been in business for 4 years. I own a small business. My small business is a woman’s clothing store. Women love to shop, that is no lie, however providing them with quality customer service and a place to feel comfortable being themselves is what we do best at Can’t Hide Pretty. Read more>>

Chris

Content creators are a dime a dozen these days, and the vast majority of them have the exact same goal: create something that will be catchy, interesting, or flashy enough to get you as many followers as possible. There’s nothing explicitly wrong with that; I will openly admit I had that same mentality for a long time. Recently, however, I’ve had a bit of a change of heart. Read more>>

Crystal Bakker

Bridgeman’s Ice Cream has been in the hearts of Minnesotan’s since 1936. Many customers share their special Bridgeman’s stories about their memories enjoying our ice cream. When we decided to open an old fashioned ice cream parlor, we spent a lot of time discussing why our brand was so special to so many people. It was important to recreate that magic to keep the brand moving forward. Eventually, we decided to do something different than most ice cream shops. We created a model built around dining in. We have booths, tables and counter stools. You can order a malt with a tin or a glass tulip sundae. Read more>>

Brock DuPont

One of the biggest ways my business diverges from the industry standard is through flexibility. Many photographers have a set style, package, or price point, but I take a different approach—I come alongside businesses of all sizes with one goal: to help them succeed. That means being adaptable, whether in style, pricing, or the services I offer. Read more>>

Shardaira Jones

Rev luxury juice bar is a new and innovative juice bar in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan Shardaira Jones our CEO had her start when she launched her first very own health and wellness business in 2021 called MAKEQUEEN Shardaira went on to open a Fitness studio and later rebranded to Rev luxury juice bar. She then opened her first location downtown. One of the things we offer that sets us apart from other juice bars is our Anti-lush sober nights where we invite in the sober and sober curious community to have a really great time we offer various handcrafted Mocktails, and the vibes so this night is 100% free of alcohol and 1000% vibes! Read more>>

Stephanie Leaver

One thing I take pride in is standing apart from the industry standard by creating raw, authentic, and purist imagery. More often than not, photographers heavily edit their work or rely on AI-assisted programs to perfect the final image. But to me, this takes away from the true essence of photography—capturing a moment in time with light. Read more>>

Khadija Bazzi-Hamdar

Success on the Spectrum stands out amongst other ABA centers! We are the only center that has cameras located throughout the entire space with a Parent Viewing Room to allow parents the option to come in and watch their child receive therapy. This level of transparency is unlike any other ABA center; it gives parents the peace of mind, especially amongst non-verbal children, to view how therapy is conducted and how their child is doing! Furthermore, Success on the Spectrum is big on community outreach and involvement! We are required to host a community outreach program every quarter, which include workshops, sensory friendly programs, and even Autism Prom and festivals. Read more>>

Michael Haltman

Hallmark Abstract Service is in what many consider to be the commodity business of providing title insurance for commercial and residential real estate transactions in New York…We couldn’t disagree more!

We’ve compiled a list of 10 ways Hallmark Abstract Service differentiates itself from much of the competition. Below that, I will provide a link to a short video I made providing an example.

10 Significant Ways That Hallmark Abstract Service Differentiates Itself
From Many New York Title Insurance Providers! Read more>>

Jesi Hooper

Becoming a content creator wasn’t something I set out to do— it’s something I kind of bloomed into.

This all started as a short-term rental for travelers, a way to support small businesses. I’ve always had a LOVE for exploring, real food, hidden gems, & unique events. Over time, that passion evolved into Nerdy Retreat– Atlanta’s go-to guide for exploring ATL like a local. Read more>>