We asked some very talented folks to tell us about the most innovative thing they’ve done in their career.

Peter OSullivan

Companies have more software and data than ever. But these systems are frequently overwhelming managers and not supporting the expert decision-making they were hired to make.

Additionally, AI is becoming more and more important to all organizations in every market. But many companies are struggling to understand how to use and implement to drive efficiencies and profitability. Read more>>

Lauren Rogers

The biggest challenge is rising and fluctuating costs. All of the costs with running the business change each year. From utilities, rent, and not to mention the insane food cost increase. I purchased my business at the end of 2018. After a great year.. we all know what happend. Read more>>

Danielle Derois

I believe the very foundation of my paint and sip business is innovative. I created something from the ground up—a one-woman, small business that blends creativity, community, and entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Yasmin Jande

The most innovative thing I’ve done is build a minimalist hair care brand rooted in faith—JANDE Hair. I launched it with a single product, the Goodness Hydrating Repair Mask, and instead of going the traditional route of overloading customers with a full line, I focused on one highly effective formula that works across all hair types. I integrated scripture into the packaging, not just for branding, but to connect wellness and spirituality in a way that hasn’t been done in the hair space. That blend of simplicity, intention, and spiritual affirmation is what sets the brand apart. Read more>>

Bonita Holloway

My most significant innovation in my career as the founder and owner of my bath and body company has been perfecting the creation and versatile application of a plant-based, unscented ‘Soap Dough’. It’s more than just soap; it’s a medium that unlocks new possibilities in the handmade bath and body arena. I can make this vegan treat into any color I wish to have, whether to sell or for my own personal use. If your unused soap dough is stored properly, it can be malleable easily for a year and beyond. It allows the soap maker/creator to transform a standard bar of handmade soap into an exquisite, memorable gift for someone special. It serves as an elegant finishing touch, adding visual appeal and distinction to products like sugar scrubs. Read more>>

Josh Gross

I’ve always seen innovation as staying curious and adapting—not just chasing new tech or trends. Most of the time, it’s about small, consistent moves that help you grow over time. Tech has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember—it’s second nature and still shapes a lot of my work today. But if there’s one thing that’s really defined my career, it’s been a constant drive to learn and expand. Read more>>

Orly Zeewy

I would say I have reinvented myself several times. At my core, I’m an entrepreneur and that’s what entrepreneurs do. We are resilient and adaptive to change. Read more>>

Aaron Nosbisch

The creation of BRĒZ has been, by far, the most innovative milestone in my career. At a time when the beverage market was entrenched in traditional norms dominated by alcohol, I saw an urgent necessity for innovation. Recognizing that people deeply desire meaningful social experiences without the adverse side effects of traditional alcoholic beverages, I worked with a team to create a social tonic uniquely infused with THC, CBD, and functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane. Read more>>

Jennifer Gilcrease

One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced in the retail market is driving consistent foot traffic into the store. Our store is not visible from the main road. Our community limits signs so we have to get creative with spreading the word. We have community events, shopping days for assisted living residents, teacher shopping nights, story times for children, arts and crafts classes and informational seminars. Some efforts are more successful than other efforts but they all focus on bringing in more customers. We recognize word of mouth is our best way to reach people. Every customer interaction can improve our foot traffic by creating referrals. Read more>>

Janis Robinson Daly

Authors today, especially those publishing through small, independent presses or self-published, skate on thin ice to realize any significant profit. More likely, they write with a desire to tell stories rather than find the means to pay the electric bill. One of the biggest challenges comes from the multitude of expenses which arise even before a title is listed on Amazon or pitched to a bookstore. First, even if the writer aspires to finding an agent, they must invest in their product. Those expenses may include travel for research, hiring an editor—and not just “an” editor, but a slew of professionals to polish a manuscript: a developmental editor who will find plot holes and character flaws, a copy editor who will track continuity and serve as the grammar police, and a proof-reader with hawk eyes to track down stubborn typos which refuse to surface despite multiple read-throughs by multiple sets of eyes. Cover designs are another expense that writers may need to self-fund. Read more>>

Joel De La Garza

The music industry thrives on creativity and connection, but profitability has become increasingly challenging, especially for artists and musicians. Today’s biggest hurdle to profitability in the music industry is the shift in revenue streams, the disruption of how music is acquired and discovered, the lack of a trusted source or monoculture for music discovery, and the overall undervaluation of music in the digital age. Read more>>

Amy Kapolnek

Profitability in the my industries isn’t just about having a great product – it’s about navigating the growing tension between rising costs and shrinking resources. For my clients – self-funded indie businesses – that balance has become even harder to find. Read more>>

Melissa Lokos

Having a curated vintage boutique seems straight forward, right? Hunt down vintage clothing frrom 1950s for a fair price, and sell in your boutique for a fair price, so vintage will fly out the door and that gives you more money , allowing you to shop for more vintage. Read more>>

Rosey Lee

After many years of saying, “I’m going to write a novel one day”, I finally did it. My debut novel, The Gardins of Edin, was published in January 2024. I write using a pen name, so I like to say that my alter ego is a physician. Some people in my network see my writing as a big career pivot, but I don’t. I would call it an innovation in my approach to empower people with health information and help them feel more comfortable advocating for themselves and their loved ones. People don’t just learn about those things in a clinical setting or a community health program. If we want to make our country healthier, it’s important to meet people wherever they are. So, my commitment to prevention and public health shines through The Gardins of Edin, as it features health themes—physical health, mental health, and the connection between them—alongside other topics that are important to me, including fashion and good food. Read more>>

Matthew Deere

I started out as a visual artist as a kid, drawing then painting. I crafted my illustration style during my college years and afterward, and enjoyed career success as a designer for many years. Leading up to my position as a packaging designer at Mattel Toys, I was exposed to art direction of packaging photo shoots. Read more>>

Sarah Kolis

I design and alter bridal gowns! Bridal alterations are the bread and butter of the business. In most alterations shops, the process if very quick in uneventful. When starting my business, I really wanted to focus on growing the bridal alterations service even when others told me that was a very low-level service in comparison to designing and creating gowns from scratch, almost as if alterations work was not honorable. I saw the opportunity though, and I innovated new ways to make the bridal alterations experience so much more than just sewing. Read more>>

Deshea Shepard

As a brand developer specializing in luxury and high-impact business strategy, I’ve had to innovate constantly to help beauty and service-based entrepreneurs stand out in saturated markets. One of my most impactful innovations was developing a client alignment framework that transformed how beauty professionals attract high-value clientele. Read more>>

Tersea Bigelow

I’m pretty proud of Spiral5’s PR business incubator, which I hope to relaunch as a nonprofit soon. Public relations is a pretty learnable career skill, especially for people who are naturally good communicators, writers and/or who are passionate about current events and pop culture. A few years ago, I realized there was an opportunity to train women of all ages and backgrounds in the fundamentals of PR and then connect them to startups, small businesses and creators who were looking for more affordable PR support. Spiral5 became an incubator-agency hybrid where clients could choose to work with an apprentice for a lower fee. Read more>>

Hannah Oh

For me, taking risks has been essential to learning how to be innovative and it has consistently pushed me to grow as a designer. I never want to stop evolving, and sometimes that means stepping into the unknown at different points throughout my career. Read more>>

Stefanie Sillin

My career didn’t start in Interior Design, it actually started in marketing and ad/tech sales over 15 years ago. By the time I had decided to make a shift to Interior and Architectural Design I was burnt out and working at a large tech company. I knew that path was not serving me and it was time to make a change when my overall well-being was impacted by my day-to-day grind. I quit my cushy tech job, went back to school, and started from the bottom again. I wouldn’t trade that decision for anything. I worked long days, juggling a full-time school load, and hustled to quickly climb the ranks at my design job. Read more>>