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.

Jenny Bolhofner

I think one of the biggest lies in the art world is that you need to gatekeep any and all knowledge you have- what supplies you use, how to do certain techniques, how to market your work, how to make passive income, etc. Read more>>

Taylor Halstead

One of the biggest lies I think the small business industry tells itself as a whole is that success has to look a certain way or happen on a certain timeline. There’s a lot of comparison – seeing others, sometimes even in completely different niches, grow fast, hit big milestones, or reach goals you haven’t yet. Read more>>

Natasha Keel

I think there are so many that think there’s only one way to do things. To make a cake you must follow this recipe exactly, etc. I believed that when I started baking too. Yes, baking is a science that requires certain ingredients, but there’s so much room for your own spin and your own method. Read more>>

Dewey Rice

The biggest lie the influencer industry tells itself is that there’s a certain look, aesthetic, or profile that defines an influencer. I don’t agree. Influence exists in every space—within friend groups, families, and communities. You don’t have to try to be an influencer—sometimes, you just are. It’s not about what you wear, what you drive, or how much money you have. Read more>>

Sophie Unterhaslberger

Being a successful artist is not a competition is between you and someone else, but rather between you and you. There is always going to be someone “better” and “worse” than you. If your work is better than your last piece, even slightly, then you are developing a practice that will keep on emerging in beautiful ways. Read more>>