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.

Eugenia Uvarov

One of the things that sets me apart from the industry standard is my belief that photography should tell the real, unfiltered story of your life. I’m not interested in stiff poses or picture-perfect smiles that don’t reflect who you really are. My goal is to capture the raw, honest, beautifully imperfect moments that make your story yours. Read more>>

Melissa Bauknight

At The Nova, we reject the notion that professional networks should be purely transactional. Instead, we cultivate a community where safety and genuine connection are the foundation of everything. In fact, we are a movement for ambitious soul-led women to show up authentically and rewrite the rules!! This approach is not just about creating comfortable spaces; it’s about fostering environments where members feel secure enough to be vulnerable. In our community, safety is the cornerstone. It’s more than physical—it’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual. When our members feel safe, they can express themselves fully, take risks in sharing their dreams, and engage genuinely without fear of judgment or reprisal.Read more>>

Aemilia Kemp

The wedding industry often gravitates toward a traditional and familiar aesthetic—a style that many planners follow to create what is considered a “classic” wedding. While every wedding has elements that are unique to the couple, the underlying blueprint remains consistent: soft white flowers, delicate details, and an abundance of light, airy design choices. Cursive script place cards, pastel tones, and ethereal décor have become synonymous with the idea of a wedding. Read more>>

Danielle Lopez

One of the ways POParazzi Parties stands out from the industry standard is by providing free decor mockups, even before clients book with us. Most people are visual, and being able to see a customized design before committing makes all the difference. Read more>>

Brianna Erickson

At Framed Reverie, I’m bringing the sense of community back to opticianry. The optical industry has been turned into a machine by big corporations, and many practices believe the only way to compete is to follow that model. I don’t believe that’s true. People are craving connection—they want to work with someone who knows them, meets them where they are, and genuinely cares. Convenience and personalization aren’t just perks; they’re the future. Read more>>

Steffenie Jenkins

SteffsSimplicities is way different from the usual corporate stuff, and I’m super proud of that. When you buy one of my candles, you’re not just getting a product; you’re bringing a little bit of calm and warmth into your life. Think about it: a mass-produced candle from any store is just a thing, but my candles are made with love and care. You can feel the warmth and tranquility in both the scent and the atmosphere. So, my candles are totally different from the mass-produced ones. Read more>>

Traci Byrne

Too many boutique fitness studios only have “an ideal body” teaching their classes. Sure – a person should be fit, if they’re an “expert” in the field, but people need to be able to “relate” to someone they’re asking for advice or help from. It can be very intimidating walking into a fitness studio and trying to do some things that you have maybe never done before. Also, you may be in a very vulnerable state of mind to begin with if you’ve been told by a doctor or someone else that you need to lose weight or get healthier. It can make everything a bit easier if the people working or instructing you look more like you, whether that means genetically or body type. We’ve tried very hard to encourage an environment where everyone is supportive and feels more on an even-playing field. Read more>>

Nina Sacco

Unlike larger agencies that prioritize established acts, ALA works closely with artists at the ground floor, even if they’re not yet widely recognized. What matters to me is the sound and the message and the people behind both. First, I work to strategize their branding and bookings to connect them with audiences who will support their music and live shows. My one-on-one approach ensures they feel prioritized and supported, matching their effort and energy to amplify their impact. We’re also thinking a lot about the kinds of venues and events the bands are involved with and what kind of image it projects. It’s easy for artists to get pigeonholed especially if they are a bit outside of the norm and the industry doesn’t know what to do with them. They might get put in a box that becomes increasingly difficult to bust out of. To me, the trail of where the band has played should be telling a story, leading the audience along on the band’s journey. Read more>>

Tory Morrison

My biggest inspiration for starting my own business was my deep value for freedom—both in how I live and how I work. The traditional workforce often feels rigid and unsustainable, especially for women, and I found myself constantly frustrated by its constraints. I couldn’t understand why more people weren’t pushing back against a system that leaves so little room for a balanced, healthy life.  Read more>>

Wendy Day

What sets us apart in the music industry is our strategic, fan-centered approach. Instead of following the traditional route of releasing albums or EPs prematurely—before there’s a real demand for a full body of work—we focus on building that demand while supplying consistent, high-quality music every other week, consistently. Read more>>

Brynne O’connor

I’ve been doing music photography as a hobby for almost a decade, but didn’t start shooting with a publication until early last year (shoutout Next Wave Magazine!). I think it’s really important to have a solid understanding of your industry, your personal tool kit, and your strengths and weaknesses relative to your craft before fully immersing yourself professionally. I see a lot of people eager to get into photographing live music (which is awesome!), but are hesitant to dedicate time to learning, and honing, the skill set that comes with it. Read more>>

Kenna Provence

One of the best things about running my own business is that I don’t have to follow a cookie-cutter approach—I get to craft an experience that feels immersive, intentional, and deeply personal for my couples and clients. For my wedding work, that means blending high-end editorial with raw, unscripted moments. I love the polished, fashion-forward look of flash photography, but I also believe the magic of a wedding is in the in-between moments—the way a dad wipes a tear during speeches, the way hands find each other in a quiet moment before the ceremony. So I prioritize both: luxury and authenticity, documentary and editorial, because a wedding day deserves both cinematic beauty and emotional honesty. Read more>>

Mary Morelion

SheDid is a digital beauty brand that offers web design, makeup artistry, and beauty chemistry services. What makes SheDid unique is its use of digital software to help clients visualize their makeup looks before application. The process involves three steps: taking a photo of the client, applying digital makeup to that photo, and then replicating the look in real life. SheDid also offers custom cosmetics, where foundations are tailored to a client’s specific skin tone and type. Clients can observe the creation of their personalized foundation during a 2-3 hour appointment with the Digital Beauty Alchemist. Read more>>

Deandre Steward

What makes us different from the rest of the corporate and industry standard is we do a lot of collaborations and partnerships it’s not only us, but to grow the community around us. We believe that the more you help others, the more your business can grow. we partner with different organizations and companies like (N.A.S.M) for fitness trainers to gain real world experience at our facility to potentially get hired at another gym, or having an internship program and partnering with local schools to give them work experience an help build their skills in a fitness facility. we provide services/resources to help people in the community, or local fitness businesses grow. Read more>>

Takia Hansley

I teach manifestation, but not with strategies and tactics. In my space, manifestation is not something you can accomplish on your own. That would be basic cause and effect.

To manifest means 1, to make evident; 2. to accept an act of God. Your truest thoughts and beliefs are made evident (manifested) in the experience of your daily life. For example, someone who truly believes life is hard will struggle every day in the same situation as someone who believes differently will experience a life of ease in alignment with their beliefs. Read more>>

Parker Orms

We pride ourselves in being the intersection of tradition and innovation, being third generation hat shapers gives us the history and knowledge to be able to change the standard. The hat industry is a well gate-kept craft where it can be tricky to get a leg in and where tradition runs deep. There are certain ways to shape hats, that have always been the way to shape hats and we like to push that limit to see what else is possible. Read more>>

Catherine Okubo

The biggest difference is that we operate as an alternative to traditional health insurance by promoting health plans based on the HealthSharing model, where it’s all designed to empower the member to take control of their own health. The company and the member both benefit by being healthy which is a very different philosophy from the traditional insurance model. Read more>>