We asked some of the brightest and most thoughtful entrepreneurs, artists and creatives in the community to tell us about something they believe that most people in their space disagree with and we’ve shared highlights below.

Alyssa Chamberlin

One controversial stance I take is that most “food” isn’t actually real food anymore. In the fitness industry, there are soo many different perspectives on food. What’s healthy, what isn’t, what labels and standards and guidelines to follow – or not. With so many options and ideas out there, I get it – it’s overwhelming and sometimes easier to just pick a certain diet or just count macros and be done with it. What I have found, though, is that the quality of food matters as much as the quantity and type of food. I believe that the only food that is real food is animal products and plant products in their most original form as possible. Read more>>

Richa Tenany

As a creator, most people say it’s important to have a specific niche to gain followers and stick to certain topics- but honestly, I think that can box people in. Sure, sticking to one niche might help you grow faster, but I’ve always loved mixing it up—whether I’m talking about food, fitness, lifestyle, or sharing city recommendations. Growing my audience has definitely been a slower journey, but I’ve noticed that my variety of content still does well and I think that’s because I’ve been into all these different things from the start! Read more>>

Courtney Reimer

There are certain “truisms” propagated by the podcast industry royalty that deserve to be challenged. I don’t think only deeply trained audio experts can make great podcasts, and I don’t think conversation podcasts can’t be thoughtful, and thought-provoking. I also don’t think celebrities can never make a good podcast (more on that below). While I myself have tended to appreciate, listen to, and revere the higher-end podcasts that were the hallmark of studios such as Gimlet (for which I served as interim GM after the spectacular Lydia Polgreen returned to The New York Times), I do think there is some level of gatekeeping involved in bestowing critical acclaim strictly on the “HBO of podcasts”-style shows. Read more>>

Trang Gardner

I am a user-generated content (UGC) creator who believes creators should be fairly compensated for promoting products. While some brands think offering a free product or $50 for a video is enough, creating quality content involves much more than just talking in front of a camera. It requires a well-written script, a strong hook within the first 3 seconds to grab attention, and a thoughtful execution plan. Producing an engaging and effective video takes time and effort, and creators deserve to be paid accordingly Read more>>

Andrew Maffettone

In the e-commerce industry, a lot of brands treat their marketplace business (like Amazon) and their website almost like completely different businesses. While there is an argument on why you would want to do that, I disagree with it. I believe that the customer journey is so fluid now that forcing a user into a specific direction provides a poor experience and can not only hurt your brand but also make it more difficult to track what might be affecting other areas. Read more>>

Elisha Smith

When it comes to the floral industry, I truly believe accessibility and the customer experience is key! There has been an enormous shift in consumer spending since Covid and in the years that have followed. As a small business owner, it can be difficult to navigate and predict sales trends for the future; however, one thing the next generation of customers seem to have in common is the need for the “experience,” and creating a custom immersion with the products sold may be the answer to carrying sales through what may be a shifting spending period, especially for brick and mortar shops. Read more>>