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.

DANA DENNING

Absolutely. Nourished Nest was created as a quiet rebellion against the traditional design world. In conventional interior design, the focus is often on how a space looks. But for families raising complex kids, it’s not about the look – it’s about the feel. It’s about whether your child can move from one room to the next without melting down. Whether you feel calm in your kitchen or completely overstimulated by it. Whether your home supports your nervous system, or constantly sends it into overdrive. Read more>>

Motez Robinson Jr

Yes, we serve adult beginner tennis players who have been hesitant about going to a tennis club or resort to learn how to play for fear of being judged or feeling out of place. We meet them where they feel comfortable: on the public tennis courts near their homes—which is where I learned to play this wonderful game. We encourage an atmosphere of cooperation and camaraderie. Moreover, during our on-court lessons, we used the Orange Dot decompressed tennis balls that are used for 10 and under children. The decompressed tennis ball is a modified tennis that contains only 50 percent of the air of the standard yellow/green tennis ball. Read more>>

Mark Comon

Our business is 100% dedicated to serving the Photo Enthusiast community and building a thriving Creative Community. Yes, we need to be aware of sales, costs and maintaining a healthy business but that is not our focus. Read more>>

Loren Haar

I am pretty niche in that I use a documentary style with all my client work whether it be families, weddings, events, newborns. My intent is always to capture real moments and interactions instead of posed or stylized shots. That’s why I especially love photographing births — they are so raw and true. I consider all family and newborn sessions and weddings unique so a cookie-cutter approach is just not of interest to me. I try to remain true to each individual, so I never go in with a plan about what I will be photographing; instead, I look for organic, honest moments and I do not interfere with the environment at all. Read more>>

Marty Williams

In a world of sameness, I create tangible products that are noticeably different. Compared to product landscapes that contain minor iterative competitive differences, my objective is to create designs that perform the function in ways that are simpler and new. Read more>>

Knikki Murrell

Most jewelry brands follow a familiar path—mass production, predictable designs, and materials that often come at an environmental cost. But I’ve never been one to follow the standard route.

I like blending the old with the new, honoring traditional jewelry-making techniques and materials while adding my refreshing artistic vision. I see potential where others see scraps—repurposed textiles, paper, and wood become vibrant, one-of-a-kind, or limited edition pieces in my hands. Precious and semi-precious metals and gemstones become an artistic statement of wearable art. Each piece is crafted with intention, ensuring that once a color combination is gone. Read more>>

Adeline Din

For years, the haircare industry has treated kinky hair as a problem to be fixed rather than a beauty to be nurtured. We’ve seen it in the formulas—products overloaded with heavy butters that sit on our strands without truly penetrating. We’ve seen it in the messaging—”tame,” “manage,” “control”—language that subtly tells us our hair is unruly, difficult, too much. And we’ve seen it in the lack of representation, where even in the “natural hair” space, our textures are often pushed to the margins in favor of looser curls. Read more>>

Jerry Tsagamilis

SkateYou is the only app that lets skaters discover spots, connect with each other, and compete—all in one place. Our online contests are a game-changer. Skaters from anywhere in the world can upload their clips, win cash, gear, and get noticed by brands. It’s not just about watching—it’s about participating. We’re creating real opportunities for skaters to showcase their talent globally. Read more>>

Rod Gesten

I have a background in architecture. When I got serious about wanting to grow vegetables in Northern New Mexico, I had to first consider all of the obstacles of doing just that. There were many, such as strong winds, poor clay or sandy soil with major rocks, dry weather, intense sunlight, burrowing and above ground critters. All of these factors work against having a successful in-ground garden in many areas of the southwest, as well. The obvious solution was to look online and in stores for what was available in addressing these problems. Read more>>

Leslie Jespersen

We do things differently when it comes to speaking and media. A common misconception is that you can just “wing it” on stage or in media opportunities, but the truth is, to stand out, you need training. The best of the best in any field are highly skilled because they’ve invested in their craft, and speaking is no different. Read more>>

Emmi Paez

At Emmiknit Handmade we believe that small businesses can serve niches that big business do not. We are there to serve folks who care about how their items are made, that they are made by people paid fair wages, with materials that are sustainable and earth friendly. Our line is slow fashion made the way fashion was made generations ago by seamstresses with decades of experience with very high end finishes. We are a line where details matter. Read more>>

Jen Watkins

A key aspect of being a small business is the unique ability to connect one-on-one with people through the initial point of contact, as well as through the product or service that is being purchased. As we continue to grow, it’s important for us to keep that small business hospitality. We want our clients to feel that not only did they receive the attention-to-detail from the beginning with regard to personalizing their photo booth experience, but also that the attendant for their event was warm, accommodating, and helpful to our clients’ guests. A bonus is that they get to leave an event not only feeling good about the overall experience, but also receiving a beautiful printed (and digital) takeaway that they can look back on to reflect on the memories from the event.  Read more>>

William Mwanyika

What sets me apart in the industry is my commitment to delivering beyond client expectations. I don’t just fulfill orders—I offer professional suggestions that enhance the final product. I also maintain fair pricing to encourage long-term partnerships and provide credit terms under clear agreements, which helps clients manage their budgets without compromising quality. This customer-focused and flexible approach is what makes my service stand out. Read more>>

Leonardo Neira

Everything! At Miami Convertibles, we lean into the vibe, not the rulebook. Most car rental companies follow a rigid, corporate playbook: same cars, same contracts, boring counters, long lines and good luck getting a real human on the phone. We flipped the script. We’re not just handing over keys; we’re curating a Miami moment. Read more>>

Wade Terwilliger

At Palm Beach Modern Auctions, my partner Rico Baca and I have built a business on an almost old-fashioned idea: put people first—clients, bidders, and staff—and profits take care of themselves. That philosophy pushes us to diverge from prevailing industry shortcuts in three big ways: Read more>>

Kayleigh Denner

Kaydot Studio was born from a DIY spirit. I didn’t come up through a boundaried agency or design school—I figured it out as I went, sparked by late-night passion projects and a love for creative expression. That heart-first energy still runs through everything I do today. Instead of handing my clients something off the shelf—I want to co-create something with them that’s full of color, character, and intention. Read more>>

Yena Kwon

Absolutely! One of the core practices I prioritize in branding is a human-centered approach that goes beyond raw data to truly understand the consumer journey. While many strategies rely heavily on analytics alone, I believe in blending quantitative insights with creative design thinking to craft brand experiences that resonate emotionally with people. My process begins with deep consumer research, translating insights into immersive brand touchpoints that reflect their values and lifestyle. Read more>>

Caitlin Grenier

One thing we do differently is prioritize building genuine relationships with our subscribers. Unlike typical industry practices where communication is often automated and impersonal, we actively engage with our subscribers through personalized interactions and direct feedback channels. For example, when we noticed a subscriber struggling with product selection, we arranged one-on-one coaching sessions to help refine their strategy. This personal approach not only transformed their business results but reinforced the importance and effectiveness of authentic, human-centered engagement in a highly digital industry. Read more>>

Philomena Polizzi

In a world where ” the bottom line” dictates how much love and effort goes into the art of photography I choose to never put business before the art. Many times I see photographers choosing to not take specific photos or not spend an extra hour on their edits because “The client didn’t pay for it”. Yes I need to earn an income and I do everything I can to deserve every penny of it but at the end of the day your memories are more important to me than my business plan. It’s a gamble but I do believe this will make me more successful long term.  Read more>>

Roger Martins

Absolutely. At Chef Roger’s Kitchen, what sets us apart is the level of personalization and care we bring to every event. Unlike many in the industry who offer standard packages or fixed menus, we invest significant time in sitting down with our clients, truly listening to their desires, their vision, and even the smallest details they dream of bringing to life. Read more>>

Christiane Lang

Absolutely. One of the things that sets me apart from the industry standard is the unique path that led me into marketing. As a former professional snowboarder from Germany, I spent years immersed in the world of extreme sports—an environment that thrives on creativity, resilience, and constantly pushing boundaries. During that time, I saw firsthand how powerful authentic, well-executed marketing can be in building a personal brand and connecting with an audience. Read more>>

Meagan Yip

Over the last few years, pet parents are becoming increasingly more interested in what they are feeding their pets and more willing to spend at a premium to make sure their furry friends are getting the best of the best – including myself. However big pet industries are still prioritizing profits over quality, while the daily consumer wants better options. Read more>>

Inga From

At Hippie Dog, we take a fundamentally different approach to dog behavior and training than what you’ll find in most of the industry. While many trainers still focus on obedience, control, and “fixing” problem behaviors, we approach every dog as an individual—one with emotional needs, a breed-specific history, and a real-world environment that shapes how they behave. Read more>>