Donna Maria is an entrepreneur mentor, the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, and the host of the Indie Business Podcast and the Indie Business Retreat. She has been recognized as one of the most trusted voices for Makers and Creative Entrepreneurs. Her coaching and consulting enterprise trains thousands of new and evolving entrepreneurs every day.
What is a product bundle? I’m so glad you asked. A product bundle is a curated collection of complementary products that allows you to enjoy a variety of a brand’s unique products at a great price. The great thing about artisan made bundles is that they are often times composed of limited edition products, and…
Your body parts work especially hard to help you live your best life every day. While they all do some serious heavy lifting, it’s possible that none of them work as hard as your hands and feet. Your hands are exposed to all of the elements as you move in and out of different life…
Here at Indie Business, we love nothing more than spotlighting the American Made products you love. Of course, the holiday season is no exception. I’m excited to share this Holiday Gift Guide featuring some of our members’s creative products that make your life better every day. This is your opportunity to support local creatives and…
A recent Gallup poll found that female business owners experience higher levels of daily stress than men (62% vs. 51%, respectively), and report higher levels of daily worry (60% vs. 47%). As I’ve said previously, when launching Indie Business Fit Club, the pursuit of entrepreneurial excellence is a noble thing, but it can take a…
Welcome to Episode 75 of the Indie Business™ Podcast! Today’s Indie Story is about Lisa Kennally of Wild Air Skincare, in Centerbrook, Connecticut. Lisa makes spa products with ingredients inspired by the beauty and seasons of New England. Her brand is partially inspired by the time as a child she spent with her mom making…
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that craft is cool. While craft has always been cool, its cooler than ever these days because everyone wants to express themselves by being associated with one-of-a-kind items that send a message that resonates with and defines them as human beings. One of the industries…
The skills and talents of a qualified professional photographer are irreplaceable. High quality equipment and years of practice allow them to take photos that make your products look fabulous in any setting. But there are times when a photographer is neither practical nor smart. That’s why our next class at Indie Business School teaches you…
For the October 2020 edition of the Indie Business™ Book Club, we read Supermaker by Jaime Schmidt. This book tells the story of how Jaime, a former Indie Business member, led her business from her kitchen to a 9-figure acquisition by Unilever in 2017. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it for all…
While some people see selfies as meaningless self-indulgences designed to artificially boost one’s ego, entrepreneurs know different. We know that a picture that captures a business owner’s confidence, style, and authenticity can mean the difference between a scroll and a sale. That’s why our first class at Indie Business School is Introduction to Selfie Photography.…
According to the Specialty Food Association, sales of specialty foods jumped 9.8 percent between 2016 and 2018, climbing to $148.7 billion in 2018. Many researchers thank millennials for the surge in interest in artisanal foods, as they tend to be more selective about the brands they support. However, I see the interest expanding far beyond…
I am pleased to announce the November 2020 Indie Business Book Club pick: 90 Days to CEO: A Guide To Avoid Business Pitfalls And Unlock The Secrets Of Entrepreneurship by Rochelle Graham-Campbell. This book was selected for many reasons, among them that Rochelle was once a member of the Indie Business Network. If you’re not…
The use of colorful hues from the earth to beautify the body was first recorded by the ancient Egyptians, whose tombs were filled with makeup canisters and kits to help the dead remain lovely in the afterlife. They made their lips red by using carmine powder, which was crafted from the ground-up bodies of red…
Due to COVID-19, this year, Halloween means taking extra precautions to ensure our safety and the safety of the people with whom we are celebrating. Among other things, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are admonished to avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters, bag treats individually, celebrate outdoors, wash hands before handling…
While you have surely heard of food and wine pairings, you may not be as familiar with the amazing benefits of food and bath pairings. This article will put you out of your misery. Dive in as I share some of our members’ most delectable concoctions. You’ll crave the delicious scent combinations that make a…
If you’ve already heard the news and are ready to take a class, register here! One of the best parts about leading the Indie Business Network is that I am surrounded by gifted people who use their creative skills and talents to make products that improve people’s lives. For many IBN members, life becomes richer…
Growing a business requires boatloads of energy and stamina, so I launched Indie Business Fit Club to encourage our Indie Business Network members to remain as physically fit as possible through regular movement and exercise. To that end, I’m excited to announce our 5K-A-Day October Steps Challenge! Makers are generally physically active while they are…
Marketing a business on Instagram is fun, but since also requires a hefty amount of focus and dedication, we formed Indie Pods to support our members as they grow their brands using Instagram. Our Indie Pod members are incredibly dedicated entrepreneurs who have strategically selected Instagram as a means of connecting with their target audiences.…
For the September 2020 edition of the Indie Business Book Club, we read The Membership Economy by Robbie Kellman Baxter. According to the dust jacket, the book is designed to “show you how to turn ordinary customers into members for life.” If you’re not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you can click here for more…
I am pleased to announce the October 2020 Indie Business Book Club pick: Supermaker by Jaime Schmidt. This book was selected for obvious reasons — it’s designed to inspire Makers like you and like all of my Indie Business Network members. Another reason I selected this book is because it is authored by former IBN…
The Indie Business Network offers a valuable and transformative entrepreneurial experience. As its leader, I recognize that not everyone has the resources to access IBN’s array of entrepreneurial mentoring, coaching, and training services, especially when they are first starting out. To help offset the challenge for as many as possible, each quarter, we offer a…
According to a recent report in Global Market Insights, a market research and strategy consulting firm, the United States pet care industry ballooned to $95.8 Billion in 2019. While most of the growth came from pet food products, a respectable portion of the increase was due to personal pet care and accessories. Indie Business Network members…