Life, liberty and the pursuit of Indie! I love living in America because of the opportunity I have been given to pursue the kind of lifestyle that works best for me, my husband and my children. It’s not the easiest lifestyle, and it comes with lots of changes and a certain amount of unpredictability. But…
For many years, I subscribed to Victoria Magazine. I loved it because the photography was beautiful and the editorial staff took a special interest in woman Indie Business owners. Each month, they featured the story of a woman in business and at the end of the year, invited readers to vote for their favorite. The…
I recently confirmed that I will be speaking at the 2007 Conference of Mocha Moms, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia in August. Mocha Moms is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting mothers of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families. I serve…
Despite some advertisements and prominent headlines, you do not have to be drowning in profits to be a success in business. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for profit. Make money, yes. But Indie Business owners achieve success in part because they don’t buy into the lie that unless you are a millionaire several times…
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the World Health Organization reported that mental disorders comprise 4 of the top 5 sources of premature death and disability in 15 – 44 year olds in the Western world. Schizophrenia is one of the most devastating forms of mental illness. Of those who suffer, only a…
Parents Of 5 Stir Up Indie Business Success Welcome to Indie Business TV, where we empower you to enjoy your life, build your business and have your way! Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Nikki Rodriguez of Augisa Natural & Organic Beauty. Nikki is a member of the Indie Beauty Network and she…
Taken following my daughter’s pre-K graduation ceremony a few weeks ago (that’s her in the yellow dress), this photo captures the joy of life through the eyes and squeals of several 5-year old girls. Life can be difficult between this stage and adulthood. It can even have a way of stealing the kind of purity…
The feds don’t do much to help today’s family make ends meet and find that elusive thing called work-life balance. But how much do we expect them to do? In my opinion, what we need to be working on is embracing the work-life merger anyway. This morning, a Good Morning America segment reported that the…
I am celebrating today because my friend Jacci Thompson-Dodd’s new book, Whole: Women Healing Ourselves With Loving Energy: 12 Principles For Rebuilding Life After Breast Cancer, is finally available! Jacci is a wife, mother and health care professional whose career has focused on implementing programs to serve the African American community. She has been working…
40 is the new 20, which makes me 24. While I am The New 24, my eyes are painfully unaware of the latest sociological perspectives. So my dear friend and fellow Indie Business owner Kevin told me I needed some reading glasses. He had a pair with green frames, and they looked pretty hip so…
Chocolate is not just for eating. If you don't believe me, try Rendezvous' Chocolate Soap made with real chocolate. When it arrived in the mail, I had a hard time not biting into it. Rendezvous owners Erik and Karen Burgess are a husband and wife team who are raising two kids while making all kinds…
In 5 Reasons To Be Indie, I listed 5 reasons why being Indie is so great: Income, Newsworthy, Destiny, Independence, Equity. Being Newsworthy is all about creating a "buzz" about what you are selling as you simultaneously pursue your passions, help others and support yourself and your family. To create this buzz, you have to…
Swimming with my 5-year old daughter today reminded me of the similarities between Indies and children learning how to swim. When learning to swim, kids need to rely on inner tubes, inflatable arm bands and swimwear with personal flotation devices built in. These "safety nets" empower new swimmers and encourage them to gain confidence in…
Have you ever been caught at the airport with toiletries that are too big to make it through the security check point? I have, but not anymore with the airline tested von Natur Travel Pack. (I tested it.) Complete with shampoo, conditioner and lotion in a custom plastic container that fits all 3 perfectly, it’s…
The battle lines are being drawn in the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC's) move to stop Whole Foods Market from merging with Wild Oats. (See June 5 press release.) If you're an Indie business owner selling natural or organic products, you'll want a ring side seat for this one. Why? Because if the merger goes through,…
The Indie Business Radio Show will be back on June 25 with Jen Blackert, the Small Business Marketing & Success Coach. In the meantime, please visit the show Archives to enjoy downloads and streams of other great shows.
As a full fledged Indie business owner, these days, I don’t choose a coffee shop based on the food and beverages it serves. I choose it based on the following cirteria: 1. Do they offer free Wi-Fi for customers?2. Do they have enough electrical outlets in the walls so I can compete with everyone else…
I love banana bread but sometimes I have ripe bananas but no walnuts or flour to make bread. When this happens, I make facial mask! I found this picture from a few years ago when my daughter and I made Banana Rose Facial Mask so I thought I’d share the pic and the recipe with…
"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" ~ Lydia M. Child I knew it was coming, but it’s sneaking up on me like never before this year. Father’s Day is right around the corner, on June 17! Don’t settle for the tired old soap on a rope or a…
Yesterday’s post was about putting family first by keeping your heart in your home, even when it is not there physically. Yesterday while I was working at a local coffee shop (otherwise known as my office away from home), I talked with a mother of two small children who teaches 1st grade. She shared her…
Family First. Sounds good, but what does it mean? It’s tempting to define it according to the amount of time spent with your family compared to time spent leading your business. As Indies, there is always overlap, and since no two families or businesses are alike, there is no way to define for everyone what…