Every Maker and Handmade Entrepreneur needs an email list. There is no doubt about that. If you want your products to sell, you need to spend at least as much time making them (maybe more, depending on the stage your business is in), as you do marketing them. The easiest and least expensive way to…
Have you ever received stellar customer service? Have you ever delivered it? If you have provided awesome service to any of your customers, you know what a huge difference it makes in terms of how they view you and your brand. Not only that, it makes a difference in terms of how they view their…
To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here. I am pleased to announce the August 2017 Indie Business Book Club pick: The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage, by Mel Robbins. If you’re not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you can click here for more…
The Indie Business Network has members from every corner of the country. From big cities to small towns, if you follow IBN members, you will be inspired to maximize your potential through small business ownership. You’ll be able to buy some pretty fabulous artisan made products while you’re at it. Whether they’re appearing on our…
Every business has slow periods. In the world of consumer lifestyle products like those made by most members of the Indie Business Network, the slowest periods are typically the summer months. Things pick up, sometimes to a frenzy, during holidays when people are celebrating and purchasing gifts for loved ones. In the meantime, things can…
To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here. For a recent edition of the Indie Business Book Club, we read Live Your Best Day Ever: Thirty-Five Strategies For Daily Success by Anne-Marie Faiola. The book is a rundown of 35 succinct strategies you can use to improve your life, or, as the author…
The Indie Business Network is composed of hundreds of very powerful creators, from all walks of life and representing all 50 states. Whether they’re enjoying a fun retail gift show, a well-deserved media feature, or hanging out together at a maker show, our members are always focused on making awesome products for their adoring fans.…
This post shares the story of how I started and grew the Indie Business Podcast … before the word “podcast” really existed. It also kicks off a a series of encore presentations of all of my podcasts from 2005 to 2010. Before “podcasting,” live or recorded online audio shows were known as “digital radio shows.”…
This giveaway event has ended. Read more blog posts here. As you may recall, the July 2017 edition of the Indie Business Book Club is reading Live Your Best Day Ever by our member, Anne-Marie Faiola. (If you are not a member of our free book club, you can join here.) In addition to leading…
There is no grass growing underneath the well manicured feet of the members of the Indie Business Network, and I bring you proof of that every week. No matter what part of the country you live in, you can be inspired by (and maybe even create some fun new collaborations with) members of the Indie…
Today, I’m pleased to announce a major upgrade to IBN’s member area. This post provides you with an overview of the exciting new changes. First, note that our new member area is now completely separate from this website. While we have a new website for our members, this website is still the place to come…
Welcome to Episode 8 of the Maker Mastermind Show. If you missed previous episodes, you can binge watch them here. Be sure to join the free Maker Mastermind group on Facebook so you can join us live for the next show, and be entered to win prizes and/or get discount codes on the artisan made…
Most of our Featured Member articles share the stories of our members who are moving and shaking, growing their Maker businesses, and using them to define success on their own terms. But once in a while, we celebrate a member’s decision to move on. Today, I have one such “moving on” story to share with…
If you are reading all of the bad news in the media about how retail is dying, you are probably missing out on the good news that handmade is the new American manufacturing. In case you don’t believe me, here is some proof. Last week, we highlighted products from our members in Indiana, New York,…
To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here. I am pleased to announce the July 2017 Indie Business Book Club pick: Live Your Best Day Ever, by Anne-Marie Faiola. In case you did not know, Anne-Marie Faiola is a member of the Indie Business Network through her Bramble Berry…
To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here. For the June 2017 edition of the Indie Business Book Club, we read The Introvert Entrepreneur by Beth Buelow, PCC. While the book is aimed at introverts, it is also a great book for any small business owner, solopreneurs in particular, who wants to improve…
The members of the Indie Business Network are like a sun that never sets. They shine their lights from all corners of the nation, offering amazing products and making sure you know that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Last week, we shared wins from members in Wisconsin, New York, and…
To register or request Maker Mastermind Live in your city, click here. Masker Mastermind Live: Boston was inspiring and amazing! Attendees from Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New York, Kansas, Maine and Rhode Island gathered for two days of Masterminding, goal setting, business planning, Maker shopping, and fun. For those who don’t know, I host Maker…
The good news just keeps coming from our Indie Business Network members. Last week, we shared wins from members in Florida, New Hampshire, and California. If you missed them, you can catch them here. This week, we bring you excitement from Wisconsin, New York, and Michigan. You will love being inspired by the smart moves…
I am thrilled to introduce the Indie Business Network Summer 2017 interns, my children: Vanessa Johnson and Brooks Johnson. Before I do so, let me first ask your indulgence because you will probably see this post about a million times over the next few days. As you know, I do not beat people over the…
Our members are always on the move. There is no grass growing under their feet. They are not sitting around wondering what effect Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods will have on their business because it doesn’t matter. They have a plan, and they are executing it, regardless of what any other companies (large or small)…