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.

House Of Threads Vintage Justin & Kat

Most if not all in the vintage community disagree with fast fashion. We would all rather pay for a good quality garment that is sustainable, than a fast fashion item that may end up in the landfills within 6-12 months. Read more>>

Andrea Schumacher

At Andrea Schumacher Interiors, we believe that the concept of “less is more” in design often overlooks the emotional and personal aspects that make a space truly unique and inviting. While minimalism is a popular trend that many in the industry advocate for, we hold that a well-curated, layered space filled with meaningful objects, vibrant colors, and personal touches can create a more authentic and warm environment. Read more>>

Paul Kobylensky

Marketing writers (copywriters, content/blog writers, technical writers, etc.) are the most important people in marketing. They’re also the most overlooked. Think about it. The people writing a company’s website, press releases, blog content, email marketing, video scripts, and social media posts are the brand’s voice. No one else in the company has such a direct, tangible connection to their audience.  Now, think about a large, super-successful retailer or manufacturer with a top-notch sales staff and an e-commerce platform. The words a single writer puts on a product page will always move more of that product than even the best salesperson. And they’ll do it over and over across the product’s entire life. Read more>>

Ho Ting-an

As a brand designer, I often get approached by companies looking to build their brand identity. Depending on the brand’s style, I like to experiment with all sorts of quirky design methods and processes, tailoring them to the brand’s unique vibe. Many of my fellow designers stick to traditional routines—especially graphic designers. They tend to follow the same old steps: first the logo, then the typeface, and finally the packaging. Their quotes are locked into these fixed processes, with no room for tweaking, and they even set rigid limits on how many revisions a client can request. Sure, that might work in some areas of design, but in my experience, you won’t get any fun or interesting brands with that approach. Read more>>

Kim Fischer

Most public speaking coaches start by asking, “What’s your offer?” or “What’s your signature story?” because their primary goal is to help you make money. They focus on your external voice—your call to action, what you’re selling from the stage, and the story you’re telling. While these elements are important, I believe they shouldn’t be the starting point. If you don’t have internal confidence, trust in yourself, or the ability to connect emotionally with your audience, it doesn’t matter how polished your story or sales pitch is. The foundation of impactful public speaking begins with your internal voice. Read more>>

Gorman Bentley

I believe the essence of being a Fine Art artist is born, not acquired. If one is born as an individual who sees their world more clearly, and differently, the skills and techniques can easily be developed to display the vision of the artist. As a visual artist, I see many who have worked decades in developing skills and techniques that create works that are quite beautiful. But that is Decorative Art, and valid as such. Fine Art does not have to be beautiful, but it does have to be interesting. Fine art communicates to the viewer and it has something to say in order to engage the viewer. Yes, anyone can become an artist, yet the vast majority of artists I see out there create works that are popularly decorative, commercial and mirror current trends. However, the essence of what it means to be human is eternal, and the fine art artist creates art that comes from the soul of a uniquely constituted individual. I hope I am that artist. Read more>>

Marisa Ripepi

Something I believe in with having your own business and being a wardrobe stylist, especially with my main clientele being athletes is you have to be working 24/7. There’s no off days, late at night while you’re trying to go to sleep, and a Client text you… You can’t just wait until the morning. This is something I stand by and all my clients know that they can message me at any time and ask to get anything done and I’m able to do it. With my clients being on different time zones and working all day as well, there are various times where a lot of my clients are mainly texting me around 11 PM my time. I know a lot of people in the industry where they only have certain times that they work and if you message them anytime after 7 PM, for example they’ll just wait and respond to you in the morning. If I had that process, I would lose a lot of my clients and not get a lot of work, presented to me. Read more>>

Ashley Rigby

One belief I hold, which is contrary to traditional wisdom, is that retirement isn’t the end—it’s a beginning. Most people think retirement is when you stop working, kick back, and coast into a life of endless leisure. But through my work as a retirement coach, I’ve seen how outdated this view is. As a millennial, I approach retirement differently. It’s not just about leaving behind a career; it’s about reimagining what’s next with clarity and confidence. I challenge three common myths. First, that retirement means you’re done—that your contributions are behind you. I believe the opposite: the next chapter can be the most fulfilling yet, where you find new ways to express your talents and values. Read more>>

Deb Feder

The one thing that I disagree with from common industry practice is having lawyers and professionals anchor their business development strategy with an elevator speech. Elevator pitches (or speeches) are far too often over-practiced, rigid statements that fail to connect with clients. Hoping to cram in everything there is to know about you, the speech comes off devoid of personality. Instead, I believe in a powerful “hello” that serves as a conversation starter, paying attention to small talk, and knowing how to progress a conversation to build trust and a strong network. Read more>>