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…
Due to the sudden hospitalization of my father, today’s Indie Business Radio Show with Dr. Brad Swift has been postponed to a later date, to be announced. In the meantime, you can buy Dr. Swift’s book, "Life On Purpose" at Amazon. A special encore of my show with Jamila White, the "E-Commerce Diva," will air…
Vision is an essential element of any business. If you do not have a vision for what your business will become, you cannot wisely choose which steps to take to achieve anything. This short clip represents the first steps toward implementation of an expanded vision for Indie Business Media. That was the first show introduction…
When I’m not working on all things Indie, I can sometimes be found using stuff in our fridge to make natural cosmetics. My daughter and I whipped up Summer Facial Mask with ingredients we had on hand and some green clay from Indie Beauty Network member From Nature With Love. It’s best for oily skin,…
The dictionary defines enchantment as a magical spell, and that’s what Debbie and Bill Brink of Pure Enchantment in Rocky River, Ohio cast on me when I finally met them in person at the Conference of Handcrafted Soapmakers earlier this month. (See more conference photos here.) The couple launched Pure Enchantment in 2003 after discovering…
While I run my business almost entirely online, I am surprisingly awful with computers. I am particularly terrible at using traditional software programs like PhotoShop to edit and load clear, quality images to my websites and blog without pulling out all of my hair (or what’s left of it since I whacked it off earlier…
I am of two minds about celebrating Memorial Day because it is so difficult to see so many suffer for reasons that I do not personally embrace. Nevertheless, my Sweet Vanessa and I are having a fun afternoon at the neighborhood pool. God bless those who have served and are serving.
I have always liked my hair. It’s a little on the frizzy side in this picture, but it was taken while I was moving last week. My hair is soft, naturally curly, grows quickly and is long enough to throw up a French braid or pony tail and be out the door in no time.…
Here are some pictures from the Conference of Handcrafted Soap Makers held earlier this month. As you can see, I was like the paparazzi flitting around from one Indie to another meeting, greeting and photo-opping. Will post more photos later. L. dM and Brenda Sievers of Oak Court Creations. Brenda sells soap, candle and cosmetic…
As a former full-time attorney, I have several dysfunctions. Apparently, one of them is using 50 words when I only need 28. I was delighted when Marcia Yudkin (pictured) responded to my request for tips on brevity by describing my writing as "strong but repetitive". She then published "Shorter: Say It In Fewer Words," 40…
Please join me in welcoming several Indies to the ever-expanding Indie Beauty Network family. It never ceases to amaze me what a blessing it is to connect so many like-minded people from across the nation. Stop by their websites to pick up your favorite Indie beauty treats, and while you’re there, let them know you…
I love it when I see an Indie stretching to take full advantage of her God-given talents and gifts to have fun and make a living. When I think of all that my friend Jamila White is doing, I sometimes think she must be the first cloned human. Not only is she the "E-Commerce Diva"…
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The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 69 featuring my interview with Kelly Speewok. As an expert in designing and planning personal spaces, Kelly’s mission is to minimize the intrusion of business into our personal lives. With her impressive background…