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.

Marcus Martin

We believe we stand out from our competitors with honesty. We make it very clear what repairs are absolutely necessary and never try to upsell. There are many situations where we will lose a sale based on information we provide to the customer. We’re a business and here to make money but also operate with high integrity. Read more>>

Ema Fulga

Today’s marketing campaigns typically fall into two categories: those that are very clean and politically correct, and those that aim to shock—and they usually shock with outlandish designs and imagery. (Coupled with a bit of bit but the weight of today’s edgy campaigns falls on images). However, if we zoom in and focus on the specific slice of marketing that is branding, and then zoom in even further on copywriting, we find that very few consumer brands use shock tactics with words. Why? Because it’s harder to take back words than it is to apologize for an asset that missed the mark.A well-defined brand with a distinct tone of voice is careful about what messages it sends out because they are forever. Because of social media, even if you can delete something, chances are, that people will have already noticed it and will have called you out on it. Read more>>

Jeremy Bishop

One thing that I started doing 7 years ago was posting most of my photography to free stock websites for anyone to use and download for free. Most people think that is crazy and even some of you reading this are wondering why I would ever do that a professional photographer trying to make money from my work. Before I was a photographer I was a graphic designer and I found it hard to find great images to work with and design with for free. Then the company Unsplash.com came out with their business model of releasing 10 free high quality images for free every week. I soon began uploading my own outdoor photography to the website because there was none of that, and I knew I had better images I could bring to the table. Over the years, my images have begun to gain traction and views because of the worldwide audience this website had. I learned quickly that unconventional way of showcasing my photography work could act a marketing tool for my business. Over the past 7 years, I have received countless jobs and commercial work through this avenue. Read more>>

Heather Morrisroe-sutton

Its funny because I just came from a business training workshop in Miami and I was met with alot of shock and even resistance when I mentioned the amount of things we give our customers for free. STANDARD seems to be the standard. Personally, I prefer making our product high value without making it high price. We have focused on delivering an all-inclusive packing that doesnt break the bank. As a brand, our policy is always to give the customers more than expected, more than necessary, and more than anyone else offers. We feel its the secret to sustaining satisfied, loyal customers. Read more>>

Cristina Lozoya

One of the key differentiators of my business is the meticulous attention to detail and personalized care that each of my clients receives. In an industry where many providers often follow a one-size-fits-all approach, I ensure that every client who enters my studio is given a unique, tailored experience. This starts with personalized consultations, where I assess the client’s needs, preferences, and natural features to offer them the best possible service—whether it’s lash extensions, semi-permanent henna for brows, lash lifts, or brow laminations. Read more>>

Shannon Flowers

Oh my, so many things I hope! There are a few significant differences that I think really differentiate Stratalysts from your standard “organizational development” firm. The first things that come to mind are redefining what a strategic plan really is, getting organizations to be strategic (not just plan that way), and equipping them with the tools they need to actually transform their organizations.  Read more>>

Ty Martin

Commercial Real Estate has a history of being a “tough love” industry, especially for new recruits. While I completely agree that there should be a level of someone coming in to sink or swim, I thoroughly believe in training new hires so that they are put in the best position to win. Our team takes pride in pairing our new hires with brokers who help them to understand the industry, while also having a library of over 100 hours of training for anyone new who joins our team. This is unheard of in the commercial real estate business. Read more>>

Jose Antonio Calderon

When we decided to open the restaurant, we had the idea offering the most traditional food, coming from family recipes, and have a modern twist to it without loosing it essence. Cielito is a concept of a Mexican Modern Cuisine Restaurant for authentic food and drinks. It is based on traditional Mexican ingredients and dishes, with a modern expression of a combination of flavor and personality. The idea came out some years ago of having a new concept of a Mexican Restaurant when Julieta and Antonio Calderon, along with Julieta ́s husband, Omar Rodriguez, dreamed of having a place where people can eat and drink and feel fascinated about the flavors and presentation of the dishes. Read more>>

Lynn Whitbeck

Let’s debunk some sales myths the MythBusters way, sprinkled with the truth, a dash of humor, and of course, that client-centric mindset we know works. Here’s a fresh look at some classic sales misconceptions. Sales is about so much more than just numbers on a page. It’s about making a lasting impact—not only on your client’s business but their life, their clients, and the communities that surround you both. But to make that impact, you’ve got to get the myths out of the way first. Let’s tackle these sales myths one by one, MythBusters style. Read more>>

Katie Lunde

In the fitness industry, there are so many options to choose from, ranging from different workout programs to different diets to the always popular, quick fix. While I tell people it is never a one size fits all situation, every person’s body is different, and we are all leading different lives, many approaches are made so that people change their lives to fit the program or the diet. At Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping, FXB Anthem for short, we look at it as a way of life, not just something you do for the short-term, and something that you work into your pre-existing life without changing too much. Our workouts are designed to fit into your schedule, they are only 45-minutes and are led by an instructor so all you have to do is show-up. There is literally no guesswork or fumbling through machines trying to figure out how the heck to use them. Likewise, our nutrition program is individually customized to each member. Read more>>

Kiernan Rome

I know a lot of people think the best wedding photographers are those who live and breathe weddings, shooting them exclusively. But honestly, I see things a little differently. My background isn’t just in weddings—it’s also in branding and lifestyle photography, which has given me a totally different perspective. I don’t just capture the day; I aim to create individual pieces of art that tell a couple’s story in a unique way. Read more>>

Annie Wagner

Being a ‘young’ dealer/retailer of Manufactured Homes one of the BIGGEST things we do differently than industry standards is in house construction. We are one stop shop for all of our customers needs/wants. Having the ability to be all in house allows us to beat construction timeline standards for site built homes and also allows our customer to be confident in purchasing there customized manufactured home without having to go through several third parties to complete there home process. Read more>>

Hilary Heninger

I think it’s fascinating that the standard response of advice that people receive when going through a divorce is to hire a lawyer. Without any additional context or understanding of why, when it’s appropriate, the potential downside of hiring the wrong lawyer, how exactly the find on or how that fits with their overall intention to navigate their divorce and pay for the divorce itself. I think that the o distrust standard is this messaging is not serving the reality of what divorce does to many people Read more>>

Alex Lazaris

I run a branding and design studio named Lazaris. The industry we operate in, is packed with studios and agencies all claiming to be more innovative and creative than the other. While I do think our studio offers a unique perspective and generates novel and compelling solutions for our clients, this is hardly a differentiator in our industry. What we have been working toward over the last several years is moving our studio into a co-op structure. Traditionally agencies are either owned by large holding groups, or privately held by a small group, or individuals. The agency model tends to be very hierarchical and draw in talented creatives who’s passion is tapped in order to extract all their energy and ideas. These creatives are underpaid, work long hours, long weeks and create billable hours that only serve to line the pockets of the executives and owners of these agencies. I believe that this creates an unsustainable industry that is rife with burnout, exclusive and inequitable. Read more>>

Lexi Petersen

One thing that really sets Ink Oil apart is how we bring a fun and approachable vibe to the often bold and intimidating world of tattoo aftercare. Our brand story is pretty unique—a conservative mom (KP) and her shy daughter jumping into an industry that’s traditionally seen as rough and edgy. It took us a while to find our place in this space, and in many ways, we’re still figuring it out. But that’s what makes us stand out—we don’t fit into one specific mold, and we’re totally okay with that. Read more>>

Sheryl Grace Malaguit

Throughout my career, I have always had a passion for working with kids and I have been told that I am great with kids and all their various personalities. Being a piercer and growing a business has really allowed me to find my true passion in both my creative element as well as building amazing networks in my community. With rising awareness to the less than ideal practices of piercing guns, many parents are reluctant to take their children to tattoo shops that come off as intimidating, although they provide the higher standard for piercing practices. I saw this as the opportunity to offer something unique in my community that offered not only the safest piercing practices but also a comfortable and welcoming experience especially for young children who would like to get their ears pierced– the right way! Read more>>

Lori Stephens

The story of how our brand is different starts long before our brand was even created. I had started selling travel for diaper and grocery money when I was expecting my fifth and final child. I had four other children (11, 5, 2, and 1 year olds) and I was able to sell travel from home. It was a part time “hustle”. Really, I was just playing around in the business. Then, the unthinkable happened. A year after my youngest was born, I became a single mom to five young children. In the first few years after my divorce, I battled depression, anxiety, grief, and extreme loneliness. Somehow, looking back now, I realize how blessed I truly was. I had my travel business, though it was far from booming. We were extremely low income, and I moved into a small 1000 sq ft, 3-bedroom apartment with all five kids. I had no idea how I would survive for 6 months…much less make it day-to-day with five kids at home.  Read more>>

Karrie & Luis Prado

In the suit industry, we take a unique approach. Instead of operating a traditional brick-and-mortar store, we rent out a suite to offer a more personalized experience. It’s a tailored way of doing business. By stepping away from the conventional retail space, we create a setting that allows us to focus more on our clients’ individual needs and preferences. Unlike traditional suit shops, we don’t carry ready-made inventory. Instead, we have a showroom with our fabric books. By having fabric books instead of inventory, we can offer a much larger selection of unique, high-quality, and luxurious fabrics at a lower cost than your average custom suit shop. Read more>>

Matthew Paneitz

From 2008 to 2024 we have been transforming rubbish into the marvel that is the Hero School campus located into San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala. Photos are available here: https://www.lwhomegreen.org/projects/hero-school-campus Constructing a campus using the rubbish we found in the streets, the landfill, and the rivers inspired us to improve the quality of education provided by the Ministry of Education of Guatemala. Most teachers in Guatemala do not prepare lesson plans. At Hero School we spend as much time preparing our lesson plans as we do delivering them. Additionally, We are integrating the practice of democracy into our lesson plans. People are expected to be involved in their community’s needs but are not formally instructed on how their Democracy functions nor are they taught to engage their Democracy from a young age. We start teaching how to engage Democracy in the 1st grade and follow through until the end of high school, Read more>>

Claire Crawford

Our professional organizing services cater to a wide range of needs, including home organization, holiday decor, real estate staging, moving assistance, downsizing, and selective hoarding. We specialize in creating personalized solutions that not only transform spaces but also empower clients to maintain order long-term. Our team of skilled professionals is carefully selected for their diverse strengths and abilities. This allows us to pair each client with an organizer who truly understands their unique needs and can provide tailored solutions. We’re particularly proud of our expertise in working with neurodivergent clients, who often find it challenging to maintain the organized spaces created by other companies. Read more>>

Joshua Bassan

Alternative loan products. Just about every mortgage company offers Conventional, FHA, and VA loans. Many also offer USDA loans for houses in small towns or rural areas. But not many will use alternative income documentation such as bank statements in lieu of tax returns, or offer down payment assistance, or lend to someone with a low credit score, etc. Part of the reason I started my own brokerage, and have signed up with so many lenders, was to help people denied elsewhere. Read more>>

Nathalie Lacombe

Providing insightful and meaningful workplace wellness experiences is definitely enhanced by my 20+ years working in the fitness industry. Many in workplace wellness focus on either only inspiration or fear-mongering towards better well-being. My background in exercise psychology affords me the perspective of breaking down health-related behavior change into actionable steps that are both relevant and accessible to the audience. The “best” wellness tip will always be the one that fits simply into your life; once you do it consistently, it builds self-confidence and momentum toward the next step. Read more>>

Maggie Hunt

Every body has a story to share. A very profound, and rich one. Allowing the body to reveal the mystery within is what makes my approach unique. Providing a sacred and safe container for deep listening. I use mindfulness and meditation to invite the trauma that’s ready to be transformed, and experience the magic vitality of this golden elixir we all hold within. I use Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® unique movement methodology to educate and re-educate the stagnation of energy in every breathing body’s unique system. I create and design each session with empowering tools for one to use, and explore in their healing journey. Then, we co-create a personal enrichment journey and a toolbox to share with friends, and family that are ready to experience their optimal health in the mystery of their breath as their dance and express one heart beat at a time, the most profound heart space this world is ready to receive. Read more>>

Rebecca Bahmani

At Prelove You, we diverge from the industry standard by focusing exclusively on circular fashion for children’s clothing through a membership-based model. Unlike traditional retailers, we don’t sell products. Instead, we encourage families to exchange their children’s outgrown or unused clothes, awarding credits based on quality and condition. These credits allow families to shop for “new-to-them” clothing without spending extra money, creating a continuous, sustainable cycle that reduces waste. Read more>>

Ronald Hernandez

What truly sets us apart from the industry standard is the personal journey behind our product. From day one, I’ve had the privilege of building our product from scratch, driven by a deep passion for design and architecture. Being an architect has given me a unique perspective—one that blends creativity, precision, and a deep understanding of how design impacts the way people experience a space or product. Every element of what we do reflects that careful balance of form and function. This isn’t just about creating something that works; it’s about crafting something meaningful, something that speaks to people. The ability to infuse that vision into the very DNA of our product is what makes it truly stand out. Read more>>

Trey Guess

One thing I do differently — that has turned out to be a massive success — is utilizing your personality and putting that at the forefront. I do this by making creative content that not only promotes my business, but also me as the agent. Being likable takes you very far, especially if you’re just getting started as a new agent. Read more>>

Davieon Armstrong

As the founder of HairbyStJames, one of the key things that sets us apart from the industry standard is our deep focus on personalized care and holistic wellness. Unlike many in the beauty industry who focus solely on outward appearance, we believe that healthy hair starts from within. We don’t just offer services or products, we craft an experience that prioritizes both mental and physical well-being, ensuring our clients leave feeling renewed inside and out. Read more>>

Paula Heckenast

I love this question because it’s at the core of what makes small businesses so special! At City Lights Beauty Agency, we’re all about breaking the mold and going beyond the typical beauty service. We’ve taken everything the beauty industry does and thought, “How can we do it better, with heart, and leave our clients feeling like a million bucks?” For starters, we don’t nickel-and-dime for things like lashes or proper skin prep. We include all of that in every service because, honestly, why should flawless results be considered an upgrade? We make sure you get the red-carpet treatment—free of hidden fees, full of luxury. Read more>>

Alina Kolman

Our mission is to offer our customers truly artisanal baked goods made with premium ingredients, that is why we make every element of our products in house, from the naturally leavened breads to custom cakes and various pastries, every single item that comes out of our bakery is unique. Another aspect that differentiate us from other bakeries is that we change our menu every week, alternating our products based on seasonality and demand and also introducing new items in the weekly menu so that our customers always have something to look forward to trying. Since our products do not come out of a production line and they take time to make, the waiting for the weekly menu becomes part of the experience and the desserts and pastries are received by our customers as a special treat. Read more>>