Doing things differently often leads to outsized results and so we connected with some of the most inspiring leaders and trailblazers we know and asked them to go into detail about what they do differently relative to others in their industry.

Michelle Williams

I started making jewelry because everything I found at the store was way to big, I have tiny wrists. So I went to the local craft store and got the items I needed to make my own. I wore my designs and days later I started getting custom orders. When I would drop off the orders, I would see someone’s face light up because I got it just right. Read more>>

Vince aka. Big V/ Dave aka db Riha / Burzanko

We approach music production as connoisseurs and fans. Having come up in the music industry as it were, we witnessed a lot of short sighted, distasteful practices. These practices only benefited the businesses and not the artists, whose life and soul was in the work. Read more>>

Mysi

Many photographers in the wedding industry have a very particular style (light and airy, dark and moody, true color, etc). But I’m a pretty random person at my core, and my photography is similarly varied from event to event. Read more>>

Lamont Renzo Bracy

As the founder of PMB (ProMediaBank), I understand the art of entertainment in a different realm than most conglomorates. I understand that the cookie cutter formula of how a celebrity is made, isn’t what is going to last. The entertainment industry as we know it is a Foogazi, (a make belief world that is built on clout and click bait). Read more>>

Emily Paulsen

After 14 years working in corporate brand and marketing, I became pretty familiar with the flaws. Now that I run my own branding business, I completely understand how that broken system was born. High-quality branding and web design that connects with customers and tells a legacy-worthy story is typically reserved for big companies. Read more>>

Brendan Campagna

In the youth soccer industry, there are two products offered: recreational teams and competitive teams. Recreational teams are a great start for young athletes; however, as they grow up, many will transition to a competitive team around the age of 10 or 11. Read more>>

Froy Cervantes

This gym is a bit different than the rest as in we offer a less intimidating environment from which anyone can comfortably learn the art of boxing. We’ll show you the ropes and how to stay off them but it’s all at your own pace. We’re not competing for tournaments here, we just want to learn and enjoy the sport. Read more>>

Jim Kerr

We “co-create customized solutions” with our clients — emphasis on co-create and custom. After all, our clients are the experts in what they do. So, why would we pretend, like some consulting firms do, to know more about their business than they do? Read more>>

Cici Andersen

I moved to Hollywood to become a monster-making, special effects makeup artist. I’ve spent the last 15 years learning and working on sets both in Hollywood and across the world. It never ceases to amaze me the incredible talent that’s out there, and it’s such a gift to work amongst such artists. Some dedicate their entire lives to perfecting their craft. Read more>>

David LaRosa

I believe one distinctive aspect of Verso compared to other design or creative shops is our focus on product and application design. In addition to crafting brand identities, we specialize in developing web and mobile applications for major organizations. This hands-on involvement provides us with a profound understanding of our clients’ businesses, their customers, and the challenges they encounter. Read more>>

Christine Ball

In the roasting industry, almost every roaster I’ve talked to or researched has the idea that they know what is best for the customer. They will decide what roast level to roast beans to, and the customers will buy it and like it. The beauty of specialty grade coffee is that there are so many more flavors available, and we, as individuals, are a diverse group. Read more>>

Brandi Denslow

In the photography industry it has become pretty standard to label yourself as either a documentary or editorial photographer, especially in the wedding world. For me, labels have never really served to explain what type of art I create. It is a mixture of many different styles, a collaboration with my clients, and a focus on telling their story in a unique and creative way. Read more>>

Drew Root

With being a paranormal enthusiast and investigator. When going into a building with a large group of strangers the very first questions are, “hello?” “who’s here”? “How old are you”? The standard questions are great, but if you step back and think is this how I talk to strangers?? No. Read more>>

Joshua Gordon, JD, MA

At the Sports Conflict Institute, we stand apart by treating conflict management not just as a necessary element of sports administration but as a competitive advantage. This philosophy is embedded in our approach, where we see conflict resolution skills as key drivers of success in sports organizations. Read more>>

Dani Leggett

As a yoga teacher, I want people to go inward, allowing themselves to just be, as they are. Yoga has become so westernized and almost stereotypical. When I say picture a yoga class, you most likely have a picture in your head of flexible people in yoga pants on pretty yoga mats. And those classes are wonderful and hold value, but a lot of people stay away because they are afraid. Read more>>

Katie Carbery

Creating charcuterie and cheese boards around travel is different compared to others in the industry. I’m not saying it hasn’t been done (or that others don’t do it), but it isn’t common. It’s actually how I came up with the idea of my business. I noticed most of my competition looked the same, and I wanted to separate myself from the crowd. Read more>>

Valentina Acosta

Luna Luxe Aesthetics takes a unique approach in the industry by prioritizing a personalized experience. Instead of following the standard one-size-fits-all model, we understand that individual skincare needs vary. Our focus on tailored solutions ensures each client receives customized care, setting us apart from the more generic practices common in the industry. Read more>>

Bethany Chatten

Within the western/cowboy world, there are a lot of traditions and when I began making my Wild Rags, I wanted to stand out from those traditional patterns with something unique, that not only were directed at those in the western/cowboy lifestyle, but also to those who just wanted a nice neck scarf for their own lifestyles outside of the western/cowboy world. Read more>>

Chloe Sheridan

I’m not only a professional organizer and cleaner, I am an emotional support coach who provides trauma informed care and specializes in working with people who are neurodivergent. Taking care of your space ties right into mental health and when you’re struggling, the daily tasks become overwhelming and pile up to the point where a regular maid services would not take you on as a client, for example I’ll wash the moldy dishes, do the pee covered laundry, break down your recycling of boxes that have piled up high or sit with you as we go through your deceased loved ones items and make really hard decisions. Read more>>

Alan Hess

A working knowledge about the history of architecture is one of the most valuable tools an architect can have, as important as structural engineering. Yet it is not treated as such by the profession in general. Building on (though not necessarily repeating) a city’s historical legacy creates a remarkably rich, varied, and livable environment — the kind of city most people want to live in. Read more>>

Emily Wigglesworth

A lot of graphic design is done completely digitally these days and it often comes along with clean vector illustration. It looks nice but it all starts to look the same after a while. As a designer and illustrator that caters to small businesses, I have developed a skill set that can help give more of a personal touch. Chalk boards, hand made signs, and custom illustrations are not as common anymore, but they still have a place. Read more>>

Jo Ann Pilston

When someone decides to “try pottery”, the prevailing thought is that they have to go to a pottery studio, or appropriately-equipped community/art center to try their hand at hand building or using a potters wheel. When my ceramics hobby became a business, I decided to make the creative side more accessible to interested people.  Read more>>

Cassandra Rios

I have an Latina owned small business. I am holistic intuitive esthetician so I work with all natural organic clinical products that are made in small batches from a female cosmetic chemist who is also an esthetician. I work with energy healing like Reiki to add in-depth healing because beauty is more than just our skin. Read more>>