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.

Kendall And Jalen Ogletree

One thing we’re proud of at Happy It’s Ours is that we’re not your typical daiquiri shop — and that’s on purpose.

We don’t do the daiquiri wall or use those premade, overly sweet or powdery mixes you’ll find at most places. Everything we serve is made-to-order, and most of our drinks have real fruit in them. You can actually taste the difference — it’s fresher, smoother, and honestly just feels better going down. Read More>>

Alexander Shaak

My movies aren’t Hollywood. I love some Hollywood movies and I love that mine can stray from that. I love movies that are raw in the best way and I like making things that wouldn’t necessarily get greenlit by studios, but that art still needs to be made. I think audiences are starving for new material like that, and that’s what I offer. Read More>>

Terry Moorehead

One of the most exciting things about Sonic Scout is that we’ve flipped the traditional industry model on its head. Most radio platforms—even the ones that claim to support emerging artists—still operate through gatekeeping, algorithms, or industry pay-to-play schemes where the artist often has little transparency or creative control. Read More>>

Alex Rodriguez

One of the ways I diverge from the industry standard as a wax specialist is through the way I create and present my work through content. While most waxing professionals focus on educational or promotional content that emphasizes technical skill or results, I take a different approach by combining waxing services with ASMR-style videos. My goal is to transform what many people view as a stressful or painful experience into something calming, satisfying, and even enjoyable to watch. Read More>>

Melody Courtney

At Desert Blaze Fitness, we equalize the importance of both physical and mental well-being. We recognize and highlight the importance that fitness plays in our mental health as well as our physical health. Lifting weights and exercising helps reduce stress, it boosts moods, boosts confidence, and improves physical conditions as well. A strong body equals a clear mind. Read More>>

Alisa Townsel

Everyone throws the term self-care around so often that it has become a cliché. Although it is more acceptable to take care of oneself, the problem remains the time to do . This is especially true with busy working women. Our goal is to bring a “mini spa”experience directly to our customers in the comfort of their home. We bring the spa experience to our customers so all they have to do is relax! In addition, our online store sells athletic leisure wear, products and accessories aligned to self-care as well. Read More>>

James Kuntz

Redefining the Standard: How Tarrytown Roofing Does It Differently

At Tarrytown Roofing, we pride ourselves on not following the crowd. In an industry where it’s easy to cut corners, prioritize speed over substance, and treat people as transactions—we choose a different path. One built on intentionality, long-term thinking, and a relentless focus on doing the little things right. Read More>>

Karsten River

We diverge from traditional creative practices by blending sustainability, innovation, and artistry. Our work uniquely transforms post-consumer waste into striking, high-performance sculptural and design pieces through advanced AI-driven robotic 3D printing. Read More>>

Adrian Lewandowski

As a small business, we know the importance of working harder and staying ahead of the competition. I’m passionate about technology and always on the lookout for smarter ways to improve processes and provide my clients with solutions that truly work — better than what others offer. It’s all about delivering value that makes a real difference. Read More>>

Ron Vanvoorhis

As a professional photographer, I have created something that no one in the industry has done yet! Publish a book with images from around the world all shot on my cell phone! I also give professional insights on most of the images in my book on how I took that and what I used to Edit that image! Unlike a professional camera, with a cell phone, what you see is what you get and I love sharing my knowledge with others! Read More>>

Eve Gurbazar

Absolutely. One of the biggest shifts in the nail industry over the last decade is the way people now seek more personalized and intentional experiences. At Eve’s Space, we’ve leaned into that shift by creating a luxury, speakeasy-style nail studio tucked inside a historic building in downtown Los Angeles. Instead of the traditional walk-in, high-traffic salon, we offer a quiet, private, one-on-one experience — something many clients deeply value in today’s fast-paced world. Read More>>

Kendra

At Movement In Science, we do things differently because I believe healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. I’ve built this practice around fascia-focused, science-driven care that evolves with each person’s body and story. We don’t just stretch or massage—we listen to the nervous system, educate through movement, and use hands-on therapy in a way that honors the whole person. Read More>>

Kate Buckles

As a mother myself, I deeply understand how meaningful it is to have beautiful, lasting photos of your children—without making the process feel out of reach. Many traditional photographers stick to industry standards by offering limited digital files and pushing print-only packages. But I’ve chosen a different path because I believe families deserve both. Read More>>

Meredith Conroy

Our motto is “Your Best Yoga”. If you only go one layer deep, this could be interpreted as a generic catch phrase. For me, it goes deeper. The literal translation of yoga from Sanskrit to English is to yoke, or unite, When applied here, the motto is “your best union”. As I intend it, that’s your optimal union with yourself. In connecting with ourselves through the practices that underpin the physical asanas (the poses taught in sequence in a hot yoga class), we are connecting with the wisdom and compassion available to every person. Read More>>

Shelby White

The whole concept of Poppy’s is reimagining the flower industry. Retail floristry has not grown and evolved with societal changes – many stores are “stuck” in the past. Poppy’s brings a fresh, modern take on the floral industry allowing customers to be a part of the design process while enjoying a cocktail or mocktail. Poppy’s also provides ample opportunity for community, offering weekly workshops, vendor pop ups and event rentals. Read More>>

Bekah Worster

Many parents bring their wild and energetic children to me. They are usually very nervous because past photoshoots went horribly wrong. They apologize a lot the first time because of their children running around. I embrace it and have the kids play games and involve parents in ways the children forget they are taking photos. The end product is an amazing gallery that captures their childrens’ true personalities, the essence of the family, and genuine smiles and laughter. Read More>>

Juleah Everglade

I’ve had the unique experience of teaching Paint and Sip classes for nearly a decade—seven years with a franchise and nearly three with my own mobile business, Southern Misfit Studios. This dual perspective has given me a deep understanding of industry standards and how to break away from them in meaningful, impactful ways. Read More>>

Trung Tran

At Salus Health, we diverge from the standard healthcare approach by broadening the scope of cardiac care beyond conventional diagnostics and treatments. Typically, heart patients undergo standard tests—stress tests, echocardiograms, Holter monitors—and when these come back “normal,” they’re often told they’re fine and just prescribed medications, despite ongoing symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, fatigue, and anxiety. Read More>>

Peter Berkey

The landscape industry is a very saturated market. A typical home in Santa Barbara county has a weekly landscape/gardener service. Home owners have come to understand these services as “mow and blow”. This means the general idea of a “gardening service” is misunderstood. Read More>>

Domenic Paneno

When searching for a dog or cat caretaker, there’s no shortage of gig workers eager for the job. But as you narrow your search to experienced professionals capable of managing complex behavioral or medical issues, your options quickly diminish. That’s where Maestro Pet Care truly stands apart.Read More>>

Cristiane Taylor

We differ from other companies on a way we prioritize quality over cost. We always manufacture our protein bars with the highest quality ingredients and to have the most delicious natural flavor without affecting the price we charge to our customers. Read More>>

Kimberly Arnold

I teach high-pressure, quick-response teams how to pivot from reactive to strategic in minutes. Even under pressure, they learn to apply simple techniques to transform distress, reactivity and conflict into clear-headed, composed collaboration. Three things that set this approach apart: Read More>>