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.

Mariah Velasquez

I will leave the amazing/beautiful writing to you! Here are my raw thoughts: I love going against the status quo. Ever since I was little. I’ve always challenged conventional perspectives on what life could be because I deeply believe there’s more to it – even a mystery behind it. After graduating from college—something I never thought I would ever do—I felt like a new person. I am a Latina who struggled academically throughout my whole life, but college changed everything for me. It shaped me. Though I was excited about the future after graduating, I was also unsure on what I saw myself doing professionally. One thing I knew for sure was that I didn’t want to end up in a corporate job like my dad. (He came from nothing, climbed the corporate ladder without any formal education, and was extremely successful, even helping to launch the Apple Data Center in Reno, NV!) However, I saw how unhappy he was and knew I didn’t want that for myself. Read more>>

Blayde Becksted

Our business is different from the industry because we provide an option for sand and gravel placement with our stone slinger trucks. This truck i equipped with a 2 speed conveyor belt, remote control, a 24cy gravel box and the best part is that you can drive the truck with the remote control on the jobsites. The construction industry has been struggling with a labor shortage and that is where a company like Blayde Corporation can really help you! We reduce your labor costs by 40% when using our stone slinger trucks to haul and place your sand, gravel, pea gravel, decorative rock, road base, compost, topsoil and wood chips. Read more>>

Jennifer Wheeler

At Grass Fed Skin, we are intentional about every ingredient we source. This means carefully selecting suppliers with high standards, prioritizing local and U.S.-based businesses, and supporting small, regenerative farms whenever possible. Our main ingredient, beef tallow, comes from farms where we personally know the farmers, the butchers, and their methods. We’ve visited these farms and butcheries ourselves, ensuring a supply chain rooted in quality and transparency. By keeping our sourcing close to home, we’re not only supporting our local economy but also offering customers a product crafted with care—free from the mass-produced ingredients typical of big cosmetic companies. We know our customers appreciate these details. Read more>>

Jana Boyko

One thing that’s never sat well with me is how intimidating entrepreneurship can feel for people who don’t have business backgrounds. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard “I’m scared to start a business” from someone who would make the most incredible entrepreneur. This is partly because so much of the information out there is full of business jargon, leaving people feeling disconnected. But it’s also because we’ve been told that we have to abandon ourselves to be successful. Think of all the stories you hear about founders who give up everything—their relationships, their paychecks, their homes, and most devastatingly, their sense of who they are—to build a business. Read more>>

Rachel Jitsawat

I’m writing my first memoir, and instead of completing the manuscript for submission or pitching it to a publisher, I’ve been publishing it in pieces online as a serial on my Substack. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and homemaker since 2013, with the occasional side job here and there: home cleaning, administrative work, and even getting caught up in an MLM before I knew what an MLM was. Yes, these were the side hustles; my main job from the moment I quit my paid job was raising my children full-time. Read more>>

Lissy Alden

We work to make it easy to feel better, fast! Right now, there are so many mental health and wellness tools on the market, that it can be confusing, overwhelming, and downright frustrating to figure out what to use and when. So we’ve worked hard to bring together the best research in the world—from neuroscience, psychology (positive, performance, goal-setting), physiology (wellness, health, fitness), and beyond—into one daily Mental Fitness routine that helps you boost focus, energy, mood, and productivity in just 10 minutes a day. This increase in Mental Fitness makes it easier for you to do more with less time, ask for that raise, manage your emotions at work/home, and find the good in each day. Read more>>

Maria Pedone

Most people think of social media marketing as simply the content that gets posted to a brand’s account. And that is true — there’s a great deal of thought and effort that should go into planning and creating engaging Reels videos or scroll-worthy graphic carousels. But where my company differentiates itself is within the internal details and orchestrating how a team goes about strategizing and producing content; not just focused on the finished product itself. Read more>>

Liz Munn

Most estheticians purchase all of the “products” used in a facial treatment from other vendors. I grow herbs and process them into products that I use during treatments and for home care recommendations. Garden to face is a big part of my mission to provide the freshest and most accurate type of product for the result and concern. When I can’t grow or make a product I am very specific about what and from where I source things. I believe this attention to detail and direct care for clients is different than what most spas, and other skin therapists provide. Read more>>

Jc Norwood & Tony Hussey

We are a small business in the Central Plains that offer professional guided airboat tours on the Platte River. We are extremely passionate about our tours and the experience we can provide and are committed to delivering unparalleled airboat experience that you wouldn’t think the Midwest has to offer. From eagle nests to train bridges to erosion control spots, our skilled captains know all the places to see! Read more>>

Rachel Elizabeth

Practice marketing before I publish my first book. Most debut authors see publishing as the finish line, but it’s really just another step in the journey. If you don’t have a strong marketing plan going into your first publication, often your book won’t sell well. Not only could low sales mean not receiving another contract from that publisher, but it will also hurt your chances of getting in with a different publishing house. Read more>>

Christian Gibbs

Our tagline is “The Emotionally Available Movers.” Let’s face it – moving isn’t the sexiest most glamorous thing one has to do in their lifetime. No one actually looks forward to packing their beloved items and allowing a stranger (aka moving company) to take temporary possession and transport it and hope that it all arrives safely. Also the very nature of “moving” is sometimes not just a logistical situation, such as, finding a bigger apartment, or downscaling into a more affordable one. Read more>>

Sarah Mastriano

In general, I do think that every event professional has their own unique perspective on how they approach this fast paced, emotionally charged, sometimes wild industry. For me, that means remaining true to myself and relying on the tried and true systems I’ve found successful to keep my clients, myself and all of their vendors (sometimes 20+) on track for their big day. Read more>>

Mhardy-angel Moralita

Generally whenever someone thinks of exercising or getting healthier, the first thought is typically “how hard do I need to punish my body?” Or “how many calories do I need to cut to get smaller?” The fitness industry has done a poor job at highlighting this “all or nothing” or “pain is weakness leaving the body” approach. Read more>>

Savage The Dapper Barber

One of the key aspects that sets my brand apart from the industry standard is my willingness to break away from traditional schedules and practices. For example, while very few barbers work 7 days a week, I saw an opportunity and seized it. I’m a motorcycle enthusiast, and in the motorcycle world, shops and dealers are traditionally closed on Sundays and Mondays to honor track days, which stem from racing traditions. Barbering doesn’t have such a tradition, so I decided to capitalize on it. By staying open every day of the week, I positioned my shop as the go-to choice when others are closed, leading to rapid growth in clientele and brand recognition. Read more>>

Pedro Uchôa

At TAP, we passionately believe that the restaurant business is fundamentally a people business. This belief shapes everything we do, from our day-to-day operations to the way we engage with every customer and team member. Unlike the industry standard, which often focuses primarily on transactions, we strive to create a holistic experience. We bring the vibrant essence of Brazilian culture into every aspect, including the music, the ambiance, and even the decor with authentic graffiti and photos. Our approach is about making every detail count, embodying our motto: “Eat Well, Do Good, Live Better.” Read more>>

Severina Hernandez

One of the things that truly sets Bubbles & Blooms apart from others in the industry is our approach to community. We don’t simply place flowers in front of our guests and teach them how to assemble them. Instead, we encourage them to connect with the flowers on an intuitive level, selecting those they feel drawn to. This process allows for a deeper, more personal exploration of creativity, where the individual’s emotional and aesthetic preferences guide the creation of their arrangement. For instance, while I might be captivated by the vibrant allure of a red rose, someone else might find joy and fulfillment in the serene elegance of a white lily. Each choice is a reflection of personal resonance, making the experience uniquely fulfilling for everyone involved. Read more>>

Angel Griffin

Firestorm Talent stands apart in the industry by not only hiring the best Cirque du Soleil performers but also empowering them to bring their full creative genius to each project. Unlike traditional agencies that often focus solely on execution, we invite our performers to collaborate, innovate, and craft bespoke experiences tailored to our clients’ visions. This approach transforms every event into a unique, high-caliber spectacle that reflects the artistry, originality, and brilliance of world-class talent. By celebrating creative freedom and collaboration, Firestorm Talent redefines what it means to deliver unforgettable entertainment. Read more>>