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.

Svetlana Minasyan

Yes, people ask us all the time what sets us apart from other studios. The quality of service. We specialize in what’s known as Russian Manicure. This technique is used specifically to improve the health of nails by focusing on cuticle work, using high quality products, and implementing maximum sterilization. We can proudly say that our clients receive high quality services that they would not find in any other studio. For us, it’s quality over quantity. Read more>>

Dr. Judith Wright

At LiveWright, we don’t just follow industry standards—we transform them. While many coaching and training organizations focus primarily on achieving goals or improving performance, we take a much deeper approach: whole-person transformation. Our clients absolutely achieve their goals—whether they’re financial, career, relationship, or lifestyle-related—but what they come away with goes far beyond what they initially imagined. Read more>>

Justin Augustin

So, typically in the event space industry, most of the time is used for birthdays, grad parties, get-togethers, corporate meetings, baby showers, gender reveals, and meeting space. The difference we have in our event space is that it’s a multifunctional space that can be used for content creation and full media production, but also at the same time be used for the typical event space needs. Read more>>

Mj Guest

In today’s age having a pet is like having a child. It takes a lot of trust to release their care to a stranger for days on end. But what is it about someone that makes you want to trust someone? My approach differs from the industry standard because of its transparency and the unwavering drive. We become a part of the family with the connections we make during the time we spend with our clients pets. It’s personal. Read more>>

Alexandra Monopoli

At Monopoli Skin, we diverge from the industry standard by rejecting the idea that beauty and skincare need to fit into rigid, one-size-fits-all definitions. Instead, we embrace the idea that everyone is unique, by being their own “Monopoli,” where there is no competition, and no one else like them. This mindset encourages people to own their individuality and embrace the “Monopoli Confidence,” which is about feeling empowered in your own skin, without the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Read more>>

Orin Torati

To a certain extent, my background already puts me in a position that is divergent from corporate or industry standard. Due to my prior education and career in architecture and then shifting into the entertainment industry through my post-graduate degree I achieved at SCI-Arc’s Fiction & Entertainment, I can confidently say that I’m a unicum in this industry. Read more>>

Nishat Hamid

I started Cherry On Top Cake in 2013 as a passion project and a way to give myself a creative outlet when I started college. The business slowly grew and turned into a profitable side-hustle. I was creating birthday cakes, baby shower cakes, engagement cakes, and so much more! However, I was attending more family weddings and realized that there were not many flavors or desserts that represent South Asian culture in today’s cake shops. As a first-generation American with parents who were born in Bangladesh, I wanted to pay homage to my roots and have a piece of that identity in my work. This lead me to start experimenting and take my business to another level. Read more>>

Ryan Pound

Most sunglasses are made from plastic and recently we have discovered the problem of microplastics, microplastics are unfortunately everywhere. I love nature and love seeing design not only in nature but also from nature. So the idea of reducing plastics in the environment by creating and designing sunglass frames from sustainable bamboo wood was very appealing for me. At the same time, surfboarding has always been a huge part of my life. Its very rare in the surf industry to see surfers wear sunglasses while surfing. Yet the sun UV Rays are so damaging to a surfers eyes. So I have always been trying to invent goggles that would not come off my head while surfing. But, then I realized that designing sunglasses with the technology to float was a better solution to the problem of sunburned eyes. Read more>>

Katie Reiser

I am an author with a reader-first mindset. As someone with both dyslexia and aphantasia, I face unique challenges in my creative process. Those with aphantasia are unable to see images in their head; I do not dream or imagine visually—it’s like a completely dark slate. This means I have no preconceived notions about what my characters look like. That’s where my readers come in! Whenever I begin drafting a story, I turn to social media to create a model call for my characters’ appearances. Initially, I was skeptical about whether anyone would be interested, but I was pleasantly surprised. The response was overwhelming—I received over three hundred message requests on Instagram within the first two hours. I had the pleasure of chatting with as many as I could as the messages continued rolling in.  Read more>>

Michael Ajazi

At Ajazi Fitness, a family-oriented small business, we distinguish ourselves by offering a comprehensive range of services, including rehabilitation therapy, weight loss, strength and conditioning, flexibility improvement, and sport-specific training. Our highly personalized approach involves understanding each client’s unique goals and challenges to create customized, effective, and sustainable programs. We separate ourselves from others by providing flexibility with online, face-to-face, and on-location personal training services, ensuring that clients receive tailored support wherever they are. This dedication to personalized, adaptable service helps foster a lasting relationship and commitment to their fitness and wellness journey. Read more>>

Thera Snyder

Ohi:yo Pepper Co stands out in the hot pepper world by offering freeze-dried hot pepper powders, which preserve the peppers’ intense flavor and natural heat without the need for additives or preservatives. Unlike many competitors who use traditional drying methods, freeze-drying locks in freshness, enhancing the depth of flavor. This process also creates a finer, more consistent texture that’s easy to incorporate into recipes. Our approach results in a product that maintains its potency for a longer shelf life. By focusing on quality and innovation, we bring a fresh take to the world of spicy condiments. Read more>>

Phil Parker

The traditional standard for writers is to find an agent, who, in turn, obtains a publishing deal for you. This model is slowly changing. With the arrival of Kindle Direct Publishing and others like it, writers like me can circumvent that route. As self-published authors, we retain control of our content, how it is to be published and its marketing strategy. It does mean the writer needs to develop a ‘business head’. You will likely employ an editor and designer at the very least. You may look for others to provide mentorship and support. Getting your book “out there” is also a challenge. You need to find people who are able to help you promote your content. All this takes time. Read more>>

Angie Gallo

What we do differently from other bookkeeping firms is we truly set up our clients for success from the get go! Most bookkeeping firms set up an account and then you never hear from them again. We are in our clients books weekly and offer financial reporting each month. This gives our clients the ability to see their financials and make adjustments in real time.  We offer monthly consultations as part of what we do. What does that mean exactly? It means each month we are available to review your financials with you. We offer monthly consultations where we can give our clients options to make changes and bring them the biggest bang for their buck!  Read more>>