What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?

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.

Genelle Holub

Where do I begin? 1. That expensive luxury lines are better for your skin. WRONG. It does take some money for high-end ingredients made from nature but it doesn’t need to cost $300! You end up paying a 500% markup with more expensive packing/bling when the consumer needs to buy product based on the quality of ingredients. A fantastic cream can cost around $50-$60. 2. Read more>>

Bri Burns

That perfection is the goal. Which is not only unrealistic but nearly impossible to achieve. Everyone’s idea of perfect is different, and there aren’t rules when it comes to art. One of the best things about it is it’s subjective. Be messy. Try something different. Mix it up! Perfection lies within the imperfect choices that lead you to your final outcome. Read more>>

Nathalie

One of the biggest lies within the service dog community is the idea that a service dog has to be perfect at all times. The community can be a powerful place to find connection, understanding, and people who truly relate to your experience, but perfection is often held as the standard. Read more>>

Pocahontas Music

One of the biggest lies the music industry tells itself is that sex appeal is required for success. Young girls are often oversexualized very early and told that this is the only way to be seen, heard, or profitable. The industry pushes the idea that sex sells, when in reality it sells access, control, and shock value, not longevity, talent, or substance. Read more>>

Zarya Rubin

I think the wellness industry has a lot to answer for these days. For many years, it encouraged women to pursue ‘self-care’ – like adding more rituals, supplements, procedures, massages, salon visits, etc would magically take away systemic and institutional dysfunction that leads to burnout, especially for women. Read more>>

Brandon Hill

One of the most damaging lies in the fitness industry is the belief that a diet or a workout plan is what gives you your body. That idea keeps people stuck in cycles of starting strong and falling off just as fast. Read more>>

Richard Tevlin

One of the biggest lies the industry tells itself is that craft beer’s struggles are someone else’s fault. I hear brewery owners and sales reps all the time blaming this or that, or even blaming the consumer for not drinking “craft” beer anymore. Beer is no different from any other consumer product. If people aren’t buying it, that’s on us. Read more>>

Nadja Cox

When it comes to not providing raw images, I completely understand why that rule exists—especially for certain niches like editorial, brand, product, or any work that represents a higher caliber of production. I also understand the idea that shooting in RAW is like presenting an unfinished painting. Read more>>

Deece Casillas

Industry, any industry, will encourage you to sellout and create for the algorithm (read: the masses, popularity, zeitgeist, etc.), when all that is just ephemeral fads, with no stability, gravity, and completely manufactured and disingenuous. Any reinforcement you receive from that will be hollow and fleeting Create what you love, create what you believe in, not what you think people will love. Read more>>

Chenoa Baker

My industry, because of the years of gatekeeping and wealth, has a stereotype of being inaccessible, valuing a traditional path of getting an advanced art history degree, taking on unpaid internships, and suddenly unlocking the key to writing about art and teaching. Instead, the non-traditional route is valid and makes you even more of a well-rounded individual. Read more>>

Andrea Michaelson

THe biggest misconception is about editorial content. I think most magazines are selling out to sell covers and have forgotten about representing themselves with a perspective. Young designers forget that as well, to be true to themselves and their design filter. Read more>>

Missy Bravo

I think the idea that a trainer has to be a walking, talking version of what society considers ‘perfect’ is really misguided. It’s not only unrealistic to expect all trainers to look a certain way—because strength, discipline, and health come in many shapes and sizes—but it also ignores the fact that we’re human too. Read more>>

Mysti Cozart Smith

Q: What are the biggest lies that the filmmaking industry tells itself — especially when viewed through your Christian moral lens and where faith-based content stands in today’s society? Read more>>

Zabrina Zablan-Duvauchelle

One of the biggest lies in the wedding and events industry is the idea that inclusivity isn’t possible or that it’s somehow “too hard” to do well. The truth is, it’s not only possible, it’s necessary. The industry often clings to the narrative that weddings must follow a rigid, traditional format handed down by straight, cisnormative frameworks. Read more>>

Kevin Perlmutter

Making the transformation from being a traditional brand strategist to one that is championing a behavioral science understanding approach, is the foundation of what I’m doing right now. It came out of the realization that most of my industry is operating with limited insight in the area that matters most – understanding customers and what make them tick. Read more>>

Grace Cottell

In my humble opinion, I think one of the biggest lies the beauty industry tells itself is that image and branding are everything. While those things will for sure help you get noticed, they don’t necessarily sustain a career long-term. What really matters at the end of the day is skill, integrity, and building meaningful, lasting relationships with clients, coworkers, or the community in general. Read more>>