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.

Vaughn Ara

All of the products I produce from Tattoo Salve, to skincare and cosmetics, as well as fragrances are formulated to deliver on performance while using minimal and clean ingredients that are appropriate for even the most sensitive skin. Read more>>

Sophie Wettstein

Absolutely! The flower industry is shockingly toxic, wasteful and harmful. Most of the flowers sold in the U.S. are imported from other countries with no regulations on chemicals used. Read more>>

Sami Artus

I began making natural cosmetics 15 years ago when I discovered three things about the beauty industry: 1) the amount of toxic chemicals present in cosmetics, unregulated by the FDA; Read more>>

Luna Vernetti

At Nostalgics Vintage & Retro we are very dedicated to inclusivity. We are not your usual vintage clothing shop that has a variety of size 2, 4, and 6. We carry a wide range of sizes to fit all body types. Read more>>

Jana Sims

My yoga brand is Issa Yoga Flow and our first offering is a monthly event called Backyard Flow & Chill. Standard yoga classes are held in a studio where participants typically arrive, take class, roll up their mats, and leave. Read more>>

Emily Werner

The wellness industry intends to provide healing and optimal experiences to individuals seeking a healthier and longer life. Read more>>

Laurel Smith

When we decided to pivot to planners from jewelry in 2022, the planner industry and online product sales industry in general was pretty “buttoned up” and serious and not super approachable. Read more>>

Vicki Sanders

The Hug Box was created for many reasons. Of course the first reason was to send a hug! The Hug Box tagline is “A gift from the heart”, which was the vision for this gift box delivery service. Read more>>

Samantha Steele Hang

One thing the real estate industry pushes to grow agents’ business is to buy their leads, or essentially buy their clients. Read more>>

Danielle Lim

At Haven Collective, we don’t just talk about community, we built one. The WeWork and Regus models that get all the headlines often show beautiful spaces in high rises around the globe. Read more>>

William Burton

I try and keep things more home based so one could say I am more hands on with a lot of product. I like the fact that I am doing something like a garage business to one day expand into a single brick and mortar. Read more>>

Jamie Tobin

One thing I do differently is encourage couples to write their own rules. No more getting married at the same venue, with the same timeline, greeting the same guests who you (truly) have no clue who they are because your future MIL invited them. Read more>>

Julielle Sears

One thing I’ve noticed over the years, is that there is a big push for artists to grow a sizeable social media following to be relevant and marketable. Read more>>

Jen Alviar

I started Coastal Boards Charcuterie to provide a more affordable option for San Diego residents to enjoy charcuterie. There are so many wonderful charcuterie businesses that you could work with for your parties and events. Read more>>

Terri Rehkopf

We’d like to shed light on how our approach differs from the industry standard, emphasizing our role as hair healers. At our salon, we delve deep into addressing hair issues from within. Read more>>

Brandy McLain

Modern House Numbers distinguishes itself in the industry by redefining the standard for modern addressing products. Read more>>

Lindsay Williams

One of the key aspects that sets my approach and brand apart in the wedding industry is my unwavering belief in the power of wedding shows as a marketing tool. While many in the industry may overlook or undervalue wedding shows, I have made it a cornerstone of my strategy. Read more>>

Vanessa Hartsell

We believe that although a non-profit organization and fully run by volunteers, our call to excellence and internal structure doesn’t have to be second best. Read more>>

Heather Gordon

YES! We do just about everything with a different approach from industry standard. In an era where spa and wellness sanctuaries often mirror one another with their offerings and ambiance, Read more>>

Bayyinah S. Marbury

As a hairstylist for more than 3 decades now, I’ve seen a very common and consistent pattern and theme in the beauty industry with regard to how we are treating our guests. Read more>>

Kathleen Rooney

Rose Metal Press, the publishing company I co-founded with Abigail Beckel in 2006, diverges from the trade publishing industry in that we do not pay massive advances, which essentially gamble away huge sums on projects that might not earn it back. Read more>>

Paul Long

I created a website paultlong.com where I share how small businesses can purchase a business or real estate as well as other small business tips. I also do podcasts about SBA lending and partner with other industry partners for social media content. Read more>>

Jordan Spalding

One of the things you learn about video editing early on is that there’s an infinite depth to how much you can do with it. The other thing you learn quickly is that almost no one bothers to learn more than the basics. Read more>>

Dawn Sprong

From early in my career on, I made a decision to actually share the truth about myself no matter the audience. In other words, not to change just because I was at work, at home, with friends etc. Read more>>

Mackenzie Te’o

At Bag+Barre we pair high-intensity boxing rounds with low-impact barre series to create a dynamic and balanced fitness experience. Read more>>

Steve Taylor

I have a custom apparel business and the industry standard is still screen printing. That method has its strengths but in many ways it also has limitations too. Read more>>

Dean King

At Full Circle, we care about our team. That’s not just a ‘core value’ or something we say in interviews. It’s all about the actions we take each and every day. Read more>>

Alesha Gordon-Brown

I incorporate both musical exploration and spirituality into team-building, crowd engagement, and performance. Read more>>