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.

Vadi Efe

I went on to build and scale digital media companies, selling two of them to both local and international media groups. These acquisitions were more than just milestones in my entrepreneurial journey—they played a role in shaping Turkey’s digital landscape at a time when the ecosystem was still in its infancy. Leading Dekatlon, a pioneering social media company, opened doors for me to collaborate with Altavia Group, an international marketing powerhouse. My role involved steering digital transformation and brand-building initiatives across Europe, working alongside a team of 2,500 people in 40 offices worldwide. Read more>>

Alejandro Castillo

That is an excellent question. Well the largest issue I see with travel photographers and the content creation field is the lack of support provided after the content is made. See the landscape of content creatives has significantly changed. Back in 2018-2019, Instagram was developing a new category of profiles. Creatives and photographers that began using the platform more as a professional display. Because of this, many companies took notice of this and started to either employ the services of these creatives, or start to create branded posts. Influencers really started to take storm. The early 2020’s was riding out this wave of wanton expenditure on influencers living lavish lifestyles. Just for a company’s product to be seen maybe once? Or twice? Read more>>

John Martinez

I work all over the world – and in my own backyard as well and I do feel that you have to treat every client , every show wether is here or in CHiNA , with the same respect , efforts to make the standards of my industry feel different and special. Read more>>

Amy

Definitely. One of the biggest reasons I started My Lotus Candles was because I wanted to create something unique from what was out there. I have worked in the music industry for over a decade, and when COVID hit and everything shut down, it gave me time to slow down and reconnect with my creativity in a different way. That’s when the idea for candles came to me. I’ve always loved them, but once I started researching what was actually in most candles, I was shocked — paraffin wax, phthalates, synthetic dyes, even benzene, which is a known carcinogen. I didn’t want that in my space, and I definitely didn’t want to be part of selling it to others. Read more>>

Martine Cousineau Pouliot

In our industry, it’s common for system specialist to simply take a client’s existing process, plug it directly into the CRM, and call it a day. But that approach literally makes me want to bang my head against the wall!

What sets me apart is my absolute focus on the client experience strategy. I don’t just implement your processes — I refine them. Read more>>

Kathryn Schmidt

Fit Mommy Charleston is a community where moms can find genuine support, encouragement, and friendships. Motherhood can sometimes feel isolating, but here, women have a space to connect with others who truly understand their journey. Our supportive environment encourages moms to lean on each other, share experiences, and form lasting friendships. This sense of community and camaraderie sets Fit Mommy apart, as we’re not just a place to work out—we’re a place to grow together, lift each other up, and build lasting connections. Read more>>

Savannah Aubinoe

Moss was started with an idea that often in urban environments coffee shops and co-working spaces are not conducive to optimal productivity or decompression. So, as we crawled out of the pandemic Los Angeles needed a pulse again. What does that look like, what does that feel like, what is the scent, texture and shape? Read more>>

Matt Brice

Our entire restaurant brand is based around obsessed hospitality. We want to give every guest who walks in to one of our restaurants a one and a half hour vacation from whatever is stressing them. From valet to the front door to your table, we want you to feel like you’re in a neighborhood spot where you’re known and loved. Read more>>