I am pleased to announce the March 2017 Indie Business Book Club pick: The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding, by Al Ries and Laura Ries. Thanks to our book club member, Rolande Sumner of Butter Angels in South Carolina for suggesting this book. If you’re not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you can…
As you may recall, in January and February, we read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey in the Indie Business Book Club. While some people think this book is just for those who are in business, that’s not the case. The 7 principles that form the basis of the book are…
Each week, I receive countless emails and phone calls from people who want to launch a business selling the products they make. I received an email recently from Jill in Tennessee who told me that: “I am really having a hard time finding what makes me unique. Therefore, I am having a hard time defining…
It’s hard to believe that I have been blogging here at Indie Business Blog for 15 years. Here is my first Indie Business Blog post. By the time I published that post, I had been blogging elsewhere for five years. I maintained a “journal” at IBN’s first website, before the term “blog” even existed. Afterward,…
It always saddens me to see a person struggle alone for an extended period of time, without asking for help. If you watch someone do this, you will see frustration written all over their face. You will often hear strings of curse words. There is lots of grumbling and frequently, there is also blaming someone…
I am pleased to announce that the Indie Business Network now offers a new lower price on product liability insurance for our members who make soap, candles, jewelry, perfume, and cosmetics! Product liability insurance prices now start at $275, instead of the higher price of $395. Now, you can secure the same product liability insurance…
Successful entrepreneurs crave connection. They thrive on it. They love being together virtually in Facebook groups and on social media sites, but they know that nothing can replace the energy, uplift and inspiration that comes with being physically together with like-minded people who “get” them. That’s where events like The Makers Summit come in. One…
This event has been canceled. Get entrepreneurial lessons learned from the last 2×4 Live event at this link. Do you ever feel isolated in your business? Like you know you’d benefit from the energy of a community of people to encourage you, but you don’t know where to find them? Do you feel like your…
I am pleased to announce the 2016 Artisan Entrepreneurs of the Year! Our winners were selected by vote from 14 finalists. The winners received the most votes in six categories. A total of 480 votes were submitted by the finalists customers, peers and friends. If you missed the overview of the Artisan Entrepreneur of the…