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.
The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 79 featuring my interview with Dawn Fitch. As the founder and president of Pooka Pure and Simple, a handmade bath and body company, Dawn’s success story is truly exceptional. In this episode, she…
People are afraid of different things. In the end, sadly yet all too frequently, they are afraid of success. Afraid that their business will succeed beyond their wildest dreams and propel them skyward. They have a fear of flying. OOOPS!! PICTURE INTENTIONALLY DELETED How do you get over a fear of flying? By flying of…
More and more these days, there’s a business happening behind those doors. According to "Home Offices On The Internet," a study by International Data Group, nearly a third of US households includes an income-generating or corporate home office. If that’s true, you have a world of valuable, low-cost networking opportunities right outside your front door.…
If You Have A Talent, You Have A Business Rebecca Picard loves playing "Eye Spy With My Little Eye" with her 6-year old son. But when she aims her Nikon D2X at a subject from her Brattleboro, Vermont, home and photography studio, it’s more than just child’s play. Like so many…
A friend told me that she if she doesn’t pay her mortgage by the 16th of the month, a late fee is charged. Last week, she was running a little late and was not ready to mail her check until the 15th. So she called the mortgage company and asked if she could pay by…
I watched a little Joel Osteen last night. His message encouraged people to take time after work to adjust their attitudes so they did not bring workday stress into the home. Good advice. The problem is that for most people, the distinction between work and home is blurry at best. …
The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 78 featuring my interview with Lorraine Morris Cole and Pamela McBride. This episode is all about working it, and these ladies are dedicated to not only achieving professional success for themselves but also…
When it comes to money, I want to be like my mother when I grow up. But when my father passed away a few months ago, my life sort of stopped. And when that happened, I wrote three checks without first depositing money into the checking account. The bounced check fees totaled over $100. Ooops.…
This is a nice picture. But who cares? It’s not your picture. Stock photos can be used at a website to complement the products being sold. But while they can set the mood for the products, they can’t represent the products. People want to see what they are buying, not…
Alright already! So the 2007 Love To Be Indie Contest was great, but it was making people work too hard. That’s what I was told anyway. I was testing that theory with new simplified contest rules but that’s not working either so I’m bagging this contest and will return soon…
A life well lived. A passion well executed. Anita Roddick :: 1942 ~ 2007 Get Anita Roddick’s book, Business As Unusual, and be inspired to put your talents and passions…
We start out in business excited about the great stuff we’re going to do. But it’s easy to get carried away with all the enthusiasm, and forget how important it is to stick to the basics and keep things as simple as possible. My mom says it’s great to learn…
This morning, I saw a man tending to a neighbor’s lawn. I asked him for a business card just in case I ever need his services. He told me his rates, and then he said, "I mow, edge and blow — for dough." It reminded me of what we do…
Since October 2005, I have hosted over 200 episodes of Indie Business Radio, a weekly Internet talk show featuring my interviews with thought leaders and influencers offering practical strategies to help you achieve your goals. I originally launched the show because I was unable to respond to all of the requests from people who needed…
Yesterday, I watched Facing The Giants, a movie about how the coach of a losing high school football team motivated his players to the county championships. In the final scene, they were down 23 to 21, with 2 seconds left to play. To win, they had to kick a 52-yard field goal. The longest field…
Last week, I talked with a freind who has been very successful in business. Years of 80-hour work weeks, losing sleep, missing out on family time and delaying gratification on all fronts have resulted in her dreams becoming reality. Most of her colleagues are celebrating with her, but some of…
Since everyone wants a business that booms, not busts, I get emails regularly from people asking how to boom in the beauty business. A business is as distinct as a fingerprint, so one-on-one or group coaching is best to address individual details. Since I lead the Indie Beauty Network, many of…
My mother is a great money manager. Small investment accounts opened 50 years ago are today worth thousands. She takes care of her money and her money takes care of her. I plan to be like her when I grow up. But they want to ruin it for me. They…
Boot camps generally describe workshops that help you do things. Oprah's Boot Camp will help you lose weight like a rich person. Writers Boot Camp will help find the writer in you. Mushing Boot Camp will help you learn to mush. But if you don't have time to exercise, write…
It was Saturday morning. All I wanted was to do was scramble an egg and eat it all by myself, along with a biscuit and some fresh cantaloupe. Here’s what happened instead.
My daughter started kindergarden this morning. I teared up a little, but was mostly all smiles because I want to let her know that I whole heartedly encourage this first step toward independence and self sufficiency. That's why I am baffled as to why some parents and educators disagree with…
