Doing things your way is one of the best parts of being your own boss and when done right seems to be highly correlated with outsized success. So, we wanted to gather real-world examples to shed more light on how the best artists, entrepreneurs and leaders differentiate themselves from others in their respective industries.

Jordan Petefish Smith

The biggest challenge in my industry is finding a way to stand out. Each artist can offer something different or the same. I would say, I stand out because of my experience in this field.I have seen it time and time again, other artists are to stiff and give off this “I’m a professional so act like it” mind set and it stops them from being relatable. I want you to feel comfortable and happy with your experience. We will get hyped if you need it, We will chill if you need it. I offer a full service. What you get from me is just that, an experience. You will experience not only a great look, but also leave knowing you want to come back. Read more>>

Marco Olano

We are a Private Personal training facility located in central Phoenix. We separate ourselves from other gyms because we keep a healthy positive environment focusing on the clients specific goals and health longevity. The best way to describe my gym is a Fitness Studio focusing on the clients goals. Read more>>

Meredith Kasheta

It’s a way for businesses to maintain control and force a client to stay with them long-term, but it’s damaging to the relationship in the long run. At The MMC Agency, we’re the complete opposite. We know that we might benefit in the short term by locking clients into contracts or maintaining control, but we want our clients to stay with us because they like working with us! Read more>>

Dakota Murphy

Here at Cactus Computers we strive to exceed every customer’s expectations when it comes to computer retail and repair. When we opened just over two years ago, we set out to disrupt the computer service industry by creating and finding ways to say yes, versus getting stuck on policies stopping us from accomplishing what the client set out to achieve. Our competitors tend to stick to traditional repair styles that are cookie-cutter and create hurdles, whereas we ensure we find a way to fix a device, in an affordable way and with quick turn around. Read more>>

Olivia Moore

I have a very narrow niche, something my industry avoids. Both as an officiant and coordinator, I choose to be available to the minorities, the off beats, the little guys. (Which is not where the financial success can be found.) As a proudly pagan officiant, I only attract couples who are looking to have pagan ceremonies. While the country we live in is largely (politically and socially) Judeo-Christian, this is an air that permeates weddings, wedding planning, wedding ceremonies and traditions alike for couples who practice an entirely different faith. Read more>>

Jennifer Hunt

Dogwood Hill creates beautifully designed products featuring art we commission from our collective of artists. Every pattern created, every font selected and every card designed has been thoughtfully curated through a multi-level review and revision process, so that what lands on our website for our customers to purchase is the best version of that work. My original idea of providing high-end, custom-looking cards at an affordable price with a quick turnaround meant that I needed to simplify the process for customers. Read more>>

Joey Ward

Since opening we have remained dedicated to providing a sustainable work life for our employees. The measures that we have taken are groundbreaking for the Atlanta market and we believe mark a new direction in the world of hospitality. We have a service inclusive model of compensation (no tipping) which allows us to pay a livable wage to all employees; This includes paying all staff $10/hour base hourly wages plus a share of the service charge. Read more>>

Andy Gutman

I like to think that I am a different kind of leader and defy definition. I have the honor of being the President of Farbman Group, one of most respected commercial real estate companies in the country, with a Midwest Expertise and a Global Reach. I also am a creative, writing children’s books and songs. By combining the business/ financial mind with the creative, I am tirelessly looking at how we can improve the assets of our clients. Read more>>

Vicdaly Williams

Chocolates Dalila is a craft chocolate making company where the end to end process is monitored and controlled for quality, offering a variety of high cacao content chocolates; sourcing fine flavored cacao beans that have been grown for quality instead of quantity, so the flavor is so much better compared to chocolate that uses commodity beans where the focus is low price and high quantity resulting in very poor quality beans. Read more>>

Krystle Robinson-Hershey

I create all of my products from a place of love My products are very colorful and consumers to look at my products out of curiosity. As an advocate for self-care practices, I intentionally create all of my products for the well being and aesthetics of my consumers. My products are plant based and are designed to create a relaxing experienced as well as leaving you moisturized Read more>>

Amy Day

One of the most common things we see other agencies doing that we do not is encouraging clients to keep websites on agency servers or accounts. In so doing, the client often unknowingly is signing away their ability to easy control their most important business asset – their website. The agency now holds all the cards when it should be the other way around. Read more>>

Demetrius & Ebony P Campbell

Being a luxury brand, we’ve separated ourselves by going above and beyond the standard. We will always find a way to give you more than what you’ve paid for. We believe that more is better leaving an experience of wow, that was awesome they provided a luxurious swag bag on our rides or additional decor or service added on the design end. Read more>>

Hamilton Pevec

Yes, i am blowing up the functional mushroom scene by offering full transparency and the best possible quality and the lowest possible price.we are experiencing a mushroom revolution! The have always been in our food but fungi are finding their way into our clothes, building materials, skin products, drinks, energy bars, gummies and of course supplements. Read more>>

Meghann Bezdikian Brigette Fuscia

We’d say that there are two things off that we do differently in the promo product industry: (1) We saw a need for a more thought out process when it came to promo products and knew we could hit the ground running with our idea. So at Boxed Sourcing, we take a boutique approach with our clients. Meaning that normally people have to go to a variety of websites to find what products work for their budget, project, etc. We, however, do all of that searching putting a curated selection of already mocked up promo items into an interactive product link. Read more>>

Isaiah Ruffin

One major aspect of our operation is tipping, or the lack thereof. We believe firmly that the employer should pay a living wage and not rely on the charity of customers to subsidize the wages of our team. For that reason, we do not accept tips. This has actually been a problem for some of the customers. So far to the point, some have questioned whether some members of the team are paid well enough during service. Read more>>

Sarona Samaroo

I think all leaders who want their companies to rise above their procrastination and competition and exceed the edges of their greatest capabilities should strive to develop their people, processes and technology to always be different from the industry standard because that difference is what will make you and your company an outstanding success story. Read more>>

Leonor & Sergio Olivares

Here at Dale Tamale we offer our very own unique approach to one of the most well known dishes in Mexican culture. We bring our love and appreciation of street art and dishes from places we love, and infuse it into every one of our tamale’s giving each one a signature style of its own. This now allows our customers to customize their own tamale when requested ahead of time. Our vision of merging two worlds together to create a culinary experience that can only be found here at Dale Tamale comes alive one customer at a time. All that we do, is for our two children, as we hope that this dream may fuel them to pursue dreams of their own. Read more>>

Ric bka Mystro Holcomb Jr

I like doing photoshoots for people but lately I’ve been drawn more to nature and architecture. As far as shooting people I prefer abstract work these days. More challenging photoshoots and themes. Read more>>

Jakira Usry

Designer Diamonds is a jewelry company that serves a different purpose than our competitors by having a profound need to help the community and a passion in changing the lives of its customers. Our style of jewelry has previously only been known to be available for people of a rich background. Before our company, real diamonds and fine jewelry were not previously accessible to citizens of a middle/lower class. Read more>>

Carlo / Paola Salilican

Unlike other bubble tea shops or cafes, we at Boss Tea hosts different events to include k-pop, anime and cosplay, car meets, and more. We don’t have the luxury of being in a centralized location anchored by a big chain retail or other businesses so we have to do more to market and bring customers in. Read more>>

Cherish Mullins

I, the founder and CEO, have worked in the animal healthcare field for over six years as a Veterinary Nurse. I believe my background and natural connection with animals separate myself and my business from other grooming and boarding facilities. In addition to, professional training to medically tend to your pet and have obtained knowledge and experience that other pet caregivers may not otherwise have. Read more>>

Lia Biscardi

So if you look at my title, you may be confused by the words “photo marketing strategist.” If I introduced myself as a photographer, people assume I take family photos. However, I am a product photographer who helps clients create a photography strategy to market themselves on social media. Read more>>

Miri Choi

In the lash extension industry, it is common for salons to keep the information of their technicians undisclosed to customers. However, I believe that it is important for customers to know who they are getting serviced by and their level of skill. As a business owner, I understand the fear of losing customer loyalty to the technician rather than the salon, but I believe that transparency and trust are key in building a strong customer base. Read more>>

Nicole Strychaz

I love to work with Conscious Entrepreneurs because they often get stuck in “analysis paralysis” when it comes to trying to grow their businesses. I write Content and Copy for them in such a way that it is meant to connect to their soulmate audience and create loyalty and engagement instead of just numbers. Read more>>