Every industry has its myths—stories insiders repeat until they sound like truth. But behind the slogans and the spin are unspoken (and sometimes unnoticed) realities – we asked some of the wisest folks we know to share what lies they’ve noticed in their industries.
Barbara Schreihans
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that taxes are just a burden to be managed – instead of an opportunity to be leveraged. Another? That tax strategy is only for the ultra-wealthy. And that business owners just have to accept the system the way it is. Read more>>
Mansi
That scale equals impact. That if you’re not growing, you’re dying. That you need thousands of followers to make a difference. The creative and entrepreneurship world has bought into a dangerous myth: that the only work worth doing is work that reaches millions. We’ve confused visibility with value, audience size with meaningful connection. I live in Silicon Valley, where this lie is gospel. Read more>>
Kacie Walls
That travel advisor travel for free. We do not travel for free and put out thousands to tour resorts, make connections with hotels and suppliers. This comes out of our commission/pay. We are putting out thousands of dollars each paycheck that we never see again just to be able to give our clients a better experience. Read more>>
Sofija
One in particular I’ve been thinking a lot about is the idea of aging out of the industry. I think this concept is somewhat gendered, as it typically refers to women, and how we are only valuable when we are younger. Personally, I think this is an intentionally harmful mentality that historically has been used to keep us controlled and small. Read more>>
Daron Hope
For many years I struggled with skin that was easily irritated and break-out prone. And, like so many of us, I was bombarded with airbrushed images of perfect skin all throughout my adolescence. It was difficult at first to create a business around one of my deeper insecurities– my skin. Read more>>
Tiese Jordan
Running business is easy with good trustworthy employees to take your clients. Read more>>
Matt Custage
One of the biggest lies that is associated with a CPG item is that with enough money, any product can be successful. While it is very true that having a large budget can give you a big head start and offer staying power, I have found that ultimately poor products don’t survive in the long run. Read more>>
Emily Schickli
Most coaches say you have to know where you’re headed and why before you begin. But that often becomes a hiding strategy or a procrastination – perfectionism spiral in disguise that I see folks fall into again and again. The truth is that you only need ENOUGH clarity to begin. Read more>>
Genesis Billinger
One of the biggest lies in the makeup industry is that women need to “cover up” in order to feel beautiful. I love debunking that myth. You should absolutely feel beautiful in your raw, natural form, but for me, it goes deeper. Let’s be honest, we don’t always feel confident about how we look. Read more>>
Anastasia Dextrene
The idea that objectivity is possible is one of the industry’s greatest myths. Every story is filtered through human perspective—shaped by the journalist’s background, editorial preferences, and the power structures that decide which stories are and aren’t told. Even choices around language, images and headlines suggest values. I believe that the most responsible storytelling embraces transparency, acknowledges context, questions motive and strives for fairness. Read more>>
Chance Smith
The biggest lies my industry tells itself? That success is only measured in revenue or clicks. That efficiency means squeezing chefs until they break. That a marketplace can replace human connection. That the numbers are more important than care, craft, and experience. This is why there’s a lifeless franchised restaurant on every corner and our neighborhoods look like a dystopian Norman Rockwell nightmare. Read more>>
Kim Kendall-De Silva
One of the biggest lies is that a spouse should meet our every need. It sounds romantic — “he’s my everything” — but it’s unfair, unrealistic, and it sets us up for disappointment. No one person can be your whole village. If you’re faith-based, you know that only God can meet your every need. Read more>>
Chelsea Hickey
The biggest lie that I see photographers telling themselves is that there aren’t people out there who value what they do. They set low prices out of fear, and therefore they attract those who already undervalue them. Read more>>
Senaida Ng
In the art and music industries, success is often measured by exposure and metrics such as social media followers, likes, and clicks. However, my definition of success means being able to build sustainable models from my creative work—systems that allow both myself and my collaborators to thrive without compromising artistic integrity. Read more>>
Kylie Fagnano
Nutrition and fitness are prime for taking advantage of people and preying on insecurities. The programs, the supplements, the pills, the diets, the fads, the quick fixes. I tell people all the time, the long term success exists in between all the extremes that you’ve tried and failed at in the past. That’s why it feels harder. Read more>>
