We love contrarians. We love hearing unique view points and so one of our favorite things to ask folks is for them to tell us something they believe that most people in their industry disagree with. Check out some of those responses below.
Diego Ornelas-Tapia
To follow your heart rather than your mind, no matter the cost. It’s cheesy, I know. Heck, I bet at least half of you just rolled your eyes right about now. Nevertheless, it’s a decision I must stand by not just as a fictional author but as a human being because, otherwise, I’d descend into a dark internal road. I started following my heart with a clear and confident spirit from the spring of 2019 to the fall of 2022. During that time, I did what made me happy and granted me a sense of purpose: working on my fictional books. I put a pause on my books sometime in November. Read more>>
Joseph Donofrio
“DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR” Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing Promoters have no honor, integrity nor respect for the sport, the fighters, managers of those and a total disregards for the giving the spectators a well balance, night of entertainment. Many in this industry are only promoting events to claim a profit and divert that claim to pay taxes who are really in the Marijuana industry. They do not care about presenting a good quality, evenly matches bouts. Read more>>
Courtney Bryson
“I love the photos, but there is no way my dog could do this!” That statement is the number one thing most people believe about having their dog photographed. It seems that everyone thinks their dogs need to be perfect before hiring a photographer. Perfectly trained with perfect off leash manners… Perfectly groomed & bathed with not a fur out of place… And while, I love my dogs freshly bathed and being perfectly behaved (you know, when they’re sleeping)—don’t get me wrong … … but, in fact, MOST times my dogs are dogs. Read more>>
Justin B. Long
When I came on board with my wife’s veterinary clinic in 2015, I had a LOT to learn about how everything works, including people. One of the big things I’ve learned about growing a successful business is how important culture is, and how critical good staffing is. Our vet clinic had mediocre culture at best, and low-performing staff across the board. The staff was also making $10 an hour, and the office manager was making $11, with no benefits. As it turns out, those three things are directly connected. You can’t have a great culture and a staff of high performers and pay them low wages. People who are amazing and know their worth won’t even apply. I’ve spent a lot of time learning how to interview for character, and we raised our starting wage to $17 an hour for techs and receptionists. Read more>>
S.J. Tilly
The romance genre as a whole has mostly been shunned and shamed by society. It’s called trash, people like to brush it off as not really reading, and has really just been misunderstood. And those of in the industry, understand that. Romance is the largest selling genre worldwide, twice over. It’s a multi-billion dollar a year industry and still, people don’t take it seriously. But that’s because they don’t understand it, and they don’t understand the patriarchal desire to keep it repressed. Sure some will say it’s “bad” because it depicts sex. But when was the last time you watched a Bond movie, or any other action film, that didn’t have sex in it? They almost all do. But the different in that Romance (broadly but not exclusively) focuses on female pleasure. Its empowering. Exploratory. Shows all sorts of interpersonal relationships. Lets people live out and discover fantasies. And offers a safe space to watch these stories unfold because we know it will end in a Happily Ever After. Read more>>
Jasmin Johnson
When you’re a business owner, there’s this impending fear of failing that seems to linger in the background. Will this be taken the wrong way? Am I wasting my time? Is this a profitable move? When it comes to customers, everyone has this “gotta catch ‘em all” mentality” In reality, everybody isn’t meant to be your customer. Of course, you’ll have your target demographic. But even in that demographic, they’re all not meant to patronize your business. We’ve generalized people and, in turn, put the profitability in our own business in a box. I don’t want my business to be transactional. I want to build relationships with those that align with me. I trust that the money will come because I’m walking in my truth and I move with integrity and love. It’s not about a quick dollar. Read more>>
Lizzie Langston
Oh this is fun :) What I believe that is unconventional and a little woo-woo is: We have over-clinicalized postpartum depression (and depression in general. While I do recognize that there are severe and intense cases of a diagnosis of depression that definitely need supervision and medical support, I believe that depression, specifically postpartum depression among new or veteran moms, is something that is often situational and spiritual, and not as much medical. Read more>>
Sin Kennedy
As a small business owner in the health and wellness industry we are taught not to give away free services. For me I do just that. I believe in the power of community! I would have no business if it wasn’t for the people that believe in me, to offer and trust me to do what I do. If there is one thing that I value most it is time. The biggest impacts in my life have always been free. It doesn’t have to been limited to a product or service but the act of listening and educating the community in what you are passionate about can bring awareness and self discovery. Giving away my services and teaching others about health and wellness through alternative medicine is a door for so many opportunities and knowledge. Read more>>
Gryphon Beyerle
People tend to view the arts as either a hobby or a profitable career with no gray area in between. Concerned parents or teachers warn children that art won’t pay the bills. There’s merit to this of course— the job market can be ruthless, money dictates so much of quality of life, and often creative fields have volatile returns, especially for those just starting out. The folly is believing that you either chase your dream or put it on hold. That you need art school to be an artist. That you have to be great before you can be good. Read more>>