Father’s Day 2022 is on Sunday, June 19, meaning we’re just a few blinks away from dad’s big day. Instead of falling back on the same ball cap and necktie, this is the year to up your gift-giving game! Whether he’s an outdoorsman, foodie, dog dad, bearded bloke, or suave sophisticate, this gift guide is…
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…
Goodbye ostentatious, over-cluttered chaos: minimalist decor is the style du jour! If you love clean lines, ultra-functional pieces, and open spaces that burst with white light, this minimalist candle guide is for you! Minimalism is all about simple, streamlined spaces, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. We’ve rounded up nine handmade…
According to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “music is the universal language of mankind.” In celebration of the ubiquitous nature of song, we present for your enjoyment the first curated Indie Business Network Spotify Playlist composed of songs selected by our members for their motivational qualities. About the Motivate Playlist As entrepreneurs, our members have to maintain…
Our June 2022 Indie Business Book Club selection is Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur, by Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby. Like many American Maker Entrepreneurs, Derek did not start his business “on purpose.” Instead, doing something he loved (making music) led organically to a business opportunity, which led…
Summer is almost in full swing, inviting a new season of big sun hats, billowy dresses, and colorful patterns. As you shove the heavy coats and cable-knit sweaters to the back of the closet, make room on your vanity for a new season of perfumes and personal fragrances, too! That’s right: it’s time for flirty,…
The farmhouse and cottagecore aesthetics are all about escaping the hustle and bustle. The right pieces create a cozy, intimate, and secluded vibe focused on slow living. Vintage finds, soft lines, gentle hues, and warm, nature-inspired decor adds to the beauty of this charming style! Whether you’re sprucing up your decor for summer visitors or…
Around here, we love our moms and will scream it from the rooftops each and every day. But Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8th, and it’s her very special day! You need to do a little something extra to let her know how much you care. Whether she’s a stylish mom or a mama who…
For the March 2022 edition of the Indie Business Book Club, we read Get Different: Marketing That Can’t Be Ignored! by Mike Michalowicz. The book drives home the point that “different sells.” This article provides a summary of what we learned. If you’re not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you can click here for more…
Houseplants grew into a lively trend during the pandemic, filling 66% of homes with the greenery of dieffenbachias and umbrella trees. Just check out one of the nearly 50,000,000 Instagram posts hashtagged #plants to see some of the lush collections nurtured by proud plant moms and dads! Chances are, you have one of these passionate…
People often ask me what to do with a Facebook group that seems to have outlived its usefulness. The short answer is you should shut down everything (including a Facebook group) that is useless or filled with dusty cobwebs. IBN recently closed this Facebook group. This article shares a little of our thought process and…
The sun is pouring more gorgeous light into our days, and flowerbeds are alive with pops of bright-colored daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. It’s the perfect time to host a garden party, baby shower, or egg roll on the lawn—resplendent with sweets and treats, of course! But these aren’t your typical confections. They’re tempting takes on…
Our May 2022 Indie Business Book Club selection is The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It, by Michael Gerber. Originally published in 1995, this classic book continues to be relevant and practical for entrepreneurs. In it, the author explores the critical distinction between working on your business…
If you are considering fighting Etsy’s marketplace transaction fee increase, don’t waste your time. For those who don’t know, effective yesterday, Etsy has increased the fee it charges Etsy sellers to sell products on the platform from 5% to 6.5%. The increase in this “marketplace transaction fee” has caused some Etsy sellers to put their…
We love pine and pumpkin scents, but it’s officially time to turn over a new leaf! Spring is here, and we’re welcoming in a new season of sweet, floral, and lively candle scents to freshen up our living space. Add a new candle to your spring cleaning list—it’s an easy way to bring a gorgeous…
Entrepreneurs Reveal the Game-Changing Path to American Maker Success The American Maker Revolution is here, and you are invited to take your seat at the table at Maker Mastermind LIVE Intensive, June 24-25, 2022, in Charlotte, NC. Every day here at the Indie Business Network, we hear stories confirming the challenges of entrepreneurship. But here’s…
It’s officially spring! After climbing out of hibernation, we’re bound to take a fresh look at our surroundings. We start to look around our home and decide it’s high time we update our decor! To give you a helping hand, we’ve pulled together a list of unique candles you don’t see every day. They’ll wrap…
In response to my marketing advice about effective publishing strategies, a client once told me she refused to get bogged down with publishing email newsletters. Her logic made some sense. She told me that she did not go into business to become a publisher. As I listened, a feeling of complete dread overtook me. Even…
Introducing Stephanie Hendricks of Stephanie’s Scents in Gloucester Massachusetts. Stephanie is our 2Q 2022 Maker Scholarship recipient. Stephanie’s makes candles with soy wax and cotton wicks, and she sells them at her website and on Etsy. Current popular scents include Pineapple Sage, Tomato Leaf, and Peppermint Mocha Soy. Here is Stephanie with her husband and…
Some of our members are finalists in the 2022 FedEx Small Business Grant Contest, which awards 10 American businesses cash, email marketing and website auditing services, sustainable packaging consultations, FedEx print services credits, and more. The top 100 finalists out of 18,000 entries have been selected, and some of them are Indie Business Network members.…
Hello springtime! This sunny new season is the perfect time of year to tidy your space and brighten up your outlook. What’s on your spring cleaning list? ⬜ Clean out closets and pack up winter coats ⬜ Spruce up your beauty vanity with bright, bouncy spring colors ⬜ Cleanse and brighten your face with a…