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.

Amanda Buhrman

Sweetly Baked has taken a slow, calculated, grassroots way of growing. When I entered the industry three years ago, I was a home baker that found a love for baking over the pandemic and turned it into a business. Because I am self taught and have never owned my own business I knew from the beginning I wanted to approach starting and growing the business very thoughtfully and slowly, embracing learning as I grow. At first I struggled with imposter syndrome and over time learned to embrace my ability to learn difficult baking techniques and playing with flavor in order to create unique desserts. Read more>>

Travis York

First off, thank you so much for asking me to do this and I’m sorry about the long, long delay in responding! The older I get, the harder a time I have talking about myself, because our rabid online existence has made me feel like Melville’s Bartleby, in that “I would prefer not to.” It makes me feel bad, so I don’t engage. (I will now try to answer your question. What was your question?) Read more>>

Renato Ortega

At Tumi Spirits, we wanted to bring something different to the hard seltzer world, so we created Sina, the first-ever pisco-based hard seltzer. After making our mark in South America as one of the top choices for seltzer lovers, we’re excited to share our unique take with the U.S market. Let’s face it, most seltzers stick to the basics—malt liquor, vodka, or tequila. Sina breaks that routine by using premium pisco, giving it a smooth, fresh taste and an aroma that really stands out. When you crack open a can, you’ll immediately notice the difference. This isn’t your average hard seltzer—it’s a whole new experience that’s all about flavor, refreshment, and doing things a little differently. Read more>>

Onifade R E Colbert Iii

At Onifade’s Bakery and Cookie Co., we take pride in diverging from the industry standard by embracing a strong community-centered approach to everything we do. One way we do this is through our “Cook Around and Find Out” events, where we invite customers into the kitchen to learn, experiment, and experience the baking process hands-on. Unlike many bakeries that keep their recipes and techniques behind closed doors, we believe in sharing our knowledge with the community to build lasting connections and inspire creativity. Read more>>

Melina Kane

What sets my approach apart from the organizing industry standard is that I go beyond the aesthetics of “pretty baskets and labels.” While these can certainly help make a space look cohesive, they’re not a real solution to the problem of clutter. I believe that lasting organization comes from understanding the deeper causes of why clutter builds up in the first place. It’s about creating systems that are not just beautiful, but also sustainable and customized to the unique rhythms of a household. Read more>>

Dani Griffiths

As a free-lance photographer, I get to include so much diverse creativity into my work and change areas I see fit or learn new creative techniques. It’s exciting to hold so much artistic ability because that is what I see my photography as; a form of art! There are so many other free-lance photographers as well, but my creative eye is different from theirs and has my own personal touches to my work. I try new creative trends and like to expand my expertise, but I don’t try to follow or copy other’s work and I think that’s what makes my work different is it is very personal to me. That also includes how I run my business, because it is just me running it, so it is very personal to me and my preferences! Read more>>

Jonathan Marin

At Wanderlust Candle, our mission is to redefine the concept of luxury candles by prioritizing both well-being and environmental responsibility. We take a unique approach, crafting non-toxic, clean-burning, and natural candles using coconut-apricot wax and clean scent. ingredients, which provides a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional options. Our fragrance collection is inspired by destinations from around the world. We ensure that every candle is cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and entirely free of harmful chemicals.” Read more>>

Marlene Franco

One of the things that truly sets my brand apart in the design industry is my commitment to creating authentic, purpose-driven brands. I believe that branding and strategy are inseparable. Without a strong strategic foundation, a brand can easily lose its way or fail to resonate with its audience. By integrating these two aspects, I ensure that every brand I create is deeply connected to its purpose and mission, not just visually compelling but also true to its core. Another defining element of my approach is the one concept method. This allows me to distill a brand’s essence into a singular, powerful concept that guides all design decisions. It’s about simplifying the process and ensuring every design choice contributes to a cohesive, authentic story. This clarity not only empowers my clients but also helps them stand out by staying true to who they are, rather than getting lost in trends or industry pressures. Read more>>

Austin Wallace

When I decided I wanted to pursue Photography, I wanted to set my own standard. I knew my visions and ability to capture things from various angles would be the driver to my success. I always strived to develop images and art that nobody else has seen or tried before. Part of this mindset was ensuring that I developed my own way of learning/failing. I taught myself everything I know, based on life experiences, visuals, and fruitful conversations with other creatives. I never wanted to follow a trend or be programmed. I didn’t have to attach myself to something popular to be popular. I love the idea of structure and being led. I also think it important to be the structure and the leader, even it’s just you are following yourself. Read more>>

Robyn Buyskes

Boudoir photography has long been known to cater to the “female” body. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community I wanted to change that standard. My studio welcomes all genders and identities and I strive to make the studio a safe space for all. I truly believe that everyone deserves to feel amazing about themselves, regardless of gender. Read more>>

Tami Copeland

I offer 100% customization of items. Growing up, I never found anything with my name spelled the way I did. When I began this journey of Four Little Bubbles, I didn’t want to be a cookie cutter sign maker with standard sizes or generic phrases or sayings. I began the journey by seeing an item in a magazine and a co worker asked if I could make it. I did and then word spread. I decided to take the plunge with this full time and I have been doing this now for 17 or more years. Read more>>

Laura Clark

For my baked goods I used organic ingredients as well as natural food coloring. I never use artificial ingredients, and I think quality of my ingredients speak for themselves when people try my baked goods. I also live at high altitude, around 8,600ft, and I share my baking tips since it can be challenging baking at high altitude! I also share some of my recipes on my website that are already calculated for high altitude, as well as the sea level version of the recipe. I have also created a cookbook that has baking tips, frosting recipes, and my cake recipes that are calculated for altitudes from sea level to 10,000ft which is available on my website or Amazon. Read more>>

Lisa Digiulio

As a beauty artist, I take a different approach by focusing on niche treatments rather than trying to offer every trend that comes my way. While it’s tempting to jump on every new service seen on social media, I believe that true quality service comes from specialization. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills in just two specific treatments, which has significantly enhanced both my knowledge and the quality of service I provide. I do keep an eye on emerging treatments and trends, but I take the time to research and evaluate their effectiveness before deciding to incorporate them into my offerings. This ensures that I only provide services that truly benefit my clients. Read more>>

Alex Hensley

Yes, my coaching program, the Strategy Studio, is unique in that it focuses on progressive advocacy, a community centered-model. and well-being. I don’t see a lot of coaches that train and provide strategy for changemakers working to advance social, economic, and environmental/climate justice. There are plenty of coaches and consultants that focus on inclusivity in corporate spaces, but few that I know of that are geared towards equipping grassroots leaders in communities. This is a powerful space to create because it’s not going to be corporations that shift our world towards justice–it’s going to be people with lived experience and those that are most proximate to the issues. Read more>>

Sebastian Isaac

As a faith-based photographer, one of the things that sets me apart from the industry standard is my commitment to capturing not just images, but the essence of God’s creation through creativity and artistry. I believe every photograph can reflect the beauty and glory of God, and I strive to infuse my work with a sense of purpose and spirituality. A unique aspect of my approach is the use of textography in my images, where I incorporate scripture that resonates with the themes of the photos. This combination allows me to visually and verbally convey messages of hope, love, and faith, creating a powerful storytelling experience. Read more>>