If you are reading this at the beginning of the New Year, it’s likely that you’ve set some goals for yourself and your business that you hope to achieve this year. Researchers call this “the fresh start effect.” Perhaps you’ve heard of it. At the start of a new year, we all look for opportunities…
If you’re anything like me, each new year begins feeling like it will be the best one yet. But as the weeks roll by, my excitement sometimes begins to fade. By the time I’m a quarter of the way through the year, I can feel like I’m falling short of the progress I’d hoped to…
As we transition from one year to the next, this moment offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on 365 days of growth and prepare to stride confidently into the new year. In this post, I take a closer look at how the Indie Business Network evolved during the previous year, putting our shared experiences into…
We are excited to introduce you to Pearl Harris of Beach Body Butter, our 1Q 2025 Robin’s Roses Entrepreneurial Scholarship Recipient. Pearl is a licensed clinical social worker at a hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Her Beach Body Butter is the elegant, essential daily moisturizer for people with active lives. Among the most popular scents are…
The new 2025 Indie Business Network Entrepreneur Member badges are here, and this year is extra special as we celebrate Indie Business Network’s 25th anniversary! 🎉 Let your customers, clients, members, and professional colleagues know that your Indie Business Network membership is current with our exclusive 2025 Entrepreneur Member badge. Display it proudly on your…
The Indie Business Network was founded 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We believe it is time to replace traditional notions of entrepreneurship with the increasingly obvious reality that entrepreneurship is for everyone, and can be defined in different ways by different people with uniquely different lifestyle goals. You do not…
As the founder of the Indie Business Network, I’m thrilled to share this carefully curated collection of artisan-made products to help make your holidays merry and bright. Our members have poured their hearts into creating unique, handcrafted treasures that are perfect for gifting to friends and loved ones this season. We hope these special creations…
The holiday season is upon us, and that means that the next several weeks provide an opportunity to connect with our audience members, loyal fans and buyers on a personal level in ways that do not present themselves during the rest of the year. It’s a compressed time frame, which means it’s more important than…
Protecting your trademark is essential. Many business owners hesitate to register their trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office due to uncertainty about the process, a lack of understanding of the benefits, or concerns about the costs involved. But the long-term expenses of not registering can far exceed the initial investment. Failing to…
We are excited to introduce you to Dayna Undersmith, our 4Q 2024 Robin’s Roses Entrepreneurial Scholarship Recipient. Dayna is a licensed clinical social worker at a hospital in Denver, Colorado, with a dream to turn her tasty nut meat recipe into a product that is available for people to enjoy in tacos, salads, casseroles and…
One of the important issues business owners face is how to select, secure, and protect their brand names. Of course, you want a brand name that makes you personally happy and satisfied. On the other hand, the fact that you like a certain name does not mean you can own, secure, and protect it as…
Pumpkin season is here, and it’s not just for spicing up your coffee or holiday pie. For those who cherish American-made artisan products, pumpkin brings a special touch to your seasonal self-care routine. This time of year, you’ll find limited-edition pumpkin-infused body scrubs, soaps, and more, adding a delightful, cozy twist to both your home…
I am thrilled to share that I have accepted an invitation to present at Handcrafted Live 2024 on September 6 – 8, 2024! The conference host, Indie Business Network member Zakia Ringgold of Live Soap School, has invited me to share on the topic Community is the New Economy. Those of you who are IBN…
The Indie Business Network was founded 20 years ago based on the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We believe it is time to replace traditional notions of entrepreneurship with the increasingly obvious reality that entrepreneurship is for everyone, and can be defined in different ways by different people with uniquely different lifestyle goals. You do not…
Last month’s theme here at the Indie Business Network was How to Thrive in Any Economy. I selected it because one of the things I hear most often today from clients, Indie Business Network members and other small business owners is that sales are down “due to the economy.” While it may be true that…
As you may know, August is one of the most popular vacation months of the year. That’s why our theme for this month is Rest and Rejuvenation, and our book is Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. In it, author Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, teaches us that it’s possible to overcome…
As you may know, August is one of the most popular vacation months of the year. That’s why our focus for this month is Rest and Rejuvenate, and our book is Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. In it, author Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, teaches us that it’s possible to overcome burnout and…
We are excited to introduce you to Savannah Reed, our 3Q 2024 Robin’s Roses Entrepreneurial Scholarship recipient. Savannah is the founder of Safe & Sound Soap Co. in Readyville, Tennessee, where she creates healthy and safe alternatives for your home and skin care needs. The mission os Savannah’s business is to make it easy for…
The Indie Business Network was founded 20 years ago based on the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We believe it is time to replace traditional notions of entrepreneurship with the increasingly obvious reality that entrepreneurship is for everyone, and can be defined in different ways by different people with uniquely different lifestyle goals. You do not…
With nearly 25 years of experience leading the Indie Business Network and coaching and consulting other entrepreneurs, I’ve had an intimate look into the workings of thousands of businesses. And here are some things I know for sure. Growing a business does not have to be hard. The truth is that many people think more…
Direction is the cornerstone of meaningful progress. If you want to visit a friend in Chicago, no matter how fast you go, you’ll never get there if you keep changing direction to visit friends in Louisville, Nashville, and Detroit. It’s the same in your business, if you set a goal to get to a certain…