One of the most important things we think the media can do is connect small business owners and creatives across industries and markets to give them an opportunity to learn form each other. The insights on trends in particular can be transformative if our communities were better connected and so we’ve tried to create a space where folks can share the trends they are seeing and read about trends other sharp entrepreneurs are seeing.

Lauren Ladouceur

One of the biggest trends in the wedding industry right now is the rise of wedding content creation. A few years ago, couples relied solely on traditional photography and videography to document their wedding days. Today, content creation has emerged as a new and necessary vendor category, providing couples with immediate, authentic, and highly shareable wedding memories. Read more>>

Grace Trexel

The wedding photography industry is full of trends, Pinterest boards, and endless ideas. In the past few years since COVID really, the wedding industry has changed in a lot of ways. As far as wedding photography styles go— film is everywhere, and everyone loves it. Many photographers have started incorporating digital videos and photographs from simple point-and-shoot cameras from the early 2000s. Flash is used more often, even in spaces that are well-lit or outdoors to just give the image a bright, clean, refined look. Motion blur still works, and so does grain, but editorial posing and creating interesting depths of field in photos with the subjects not simply standing next to each other has become very popular. Read more>>

Ami Burl

Absolutely! One of the most significant trends I’ve been noticing in the nonprofit, education, and creative sectors including publishing is the growing urgency around securing grant funding in a landscape where funding sources are tightening and competition is rising. At the same time, there’s a critical skills gap: many individuals and organizations don’t know how to effectively identify, apply for, and manage grants. This creates both a major challenge and a powerful opportunity. Read more>>

Ashley & Brian Guastella

When we first started this business, we expected that a majority of our clientele would stem from people who didn’t know how to travel, or had trouble putting the whole picture together. We were wrong. Most of our clients utilize our services because they are leading very busy lives and have trouble finding the time to devote to the trip planning process. Our clients rely on us to get to know them and what they’re looking for, do the research, and present a few options to select from in an effort to block out the “noise”. Read more>>

Niko Kritikos

The biggest trends I’m seeing are high search volume for tallow from consumers, RFK jr. and others pushing the MAHA agenda that includes using tallow for cooking in place of seed oils, and restaurants switching from seed oils to tallow as well. We hope to see more people cooking with tallow to lower inflammation and to enjoy the taste beef tallow brings to food. Read more>>

Taylromade Jay

Social media…Thats the trend…Short-form content on social media, like TikToks or Instagram Reels, has dramatically reshaped how audiences engage with music and visuals of artists. These bite-sized clips cater to increasingly shorter attention spans, offering instant gratification and a quick dopamine hit. They often highlight only the catchiest part of a song, which can lead to tracks going viral based on a single 15-second hook. While this boosts visibility for artists, it can also reduce appreciation for the full musical composition. Read more>>

Jessie Beverly

One of the most visible shifts right now is the embrace of bold, sculptural statement pieces—think oversized chain necklaces, dramatic geometric earrings, and sculpted cuff bracelets. I witnessed this firsthand at my Sip & Bead show when a client layered three different chain styles—each in a subtly different finish—and instantly turned heads. That moment underscored how consumers are craving jewelry that feels as confident as their outfit, elevating accessories from afterthoughts to focal points. Read more>>

Da’Neesha Mackerway

Top Braiding Trends that I see Right Now.

1. Knotless Box Braids

Lighter, more natural, and gentler on the scalp than traditional box braids.
Often styled with curly ends or beads for extra flair.

2. Boho Braids (Goddess Braids)

A mix of braids and loose curly strands.
Think ethereal, romantic, and effortless — perfect for festivals and summer looks. Read more>>

Beth

With the explosion of AI, there’s an urgent need to show up as a human in all of your content. It’s always a possibility that the image you see, the voice you hear, or the content you read could be AI-generated.
Along with this explosion is the growth of distrust of all things online, via email, and through telemarketing. People hesitate to make online connections or answer their phones because they don’t know what is legitimate. Read more>>

Mervat Haddad

As the owner of a bridal hair and makeup business right here in the DMV – serving beautiful brides across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and DC – we’ve really found our sweet spot with a style that resonates deeply with the majority of our brides: “effortless elegance” or “soft glam.” It’s become something of a signature vibe for us, and we absolutely love creating these looks! Read more>>

Ashley

COLOR IS BACK BABY! Over the past few years I’ve witnessed the color trend continue to gain momentum, impacting everything from the wedding industry to the fashion and interior design. In commercial photography, bright, electric hues are often seen paired with harsh light, funky patterns, and bold props. After years of white, grey, and beige everything, it’s fun to see color stealing the limelight back. Read more>>

Cassidy Handle

The trend I see amongst brands is adopting a more personal stance regarding their messaging, copywriting, and content creation. Once upon a time, you weren’t seeing the CEOs or marketing team in the brand’s content. I think as much as we’ve leaned into AI, we still crave that human connection. We’re all dying to relate and be a part of things that align with our values. So instead of surface-level, professional, and highly-curated, brands are diving deeper with their audiences–which is a good thing! Read more>>