Other than incredible relationships, the things that have contributed most to the long-term success and sustainability of my business are the systems I use to manage it. Your success is in your systems, and this post is about helping you implement the systems you need to enjoy success as an entrepreneur. When I quit my…
On Wednesday evenings from 8 to 8:30pm ET, I host #MakerBizChat, an Instagram event to help Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation, increase your income, and use your business to create the life you love. Our topic tonight was HOW TO BUILD A STRONG COMMUNITY AROUND YOUR BRAND. I chose this topic…
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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 10 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this tenth episode of my Makers on Main Street series, you’ll meet La Shonda Tyree of Handmade Soap Coach in Paterson, New Jersey. Before La Shonda opened her soapmaking studio in Paterson, New Jersey, her business underwent multiple changes and growing pains. She…
In January 2015, I launched a training project called Blog Your Brand, exclusively for select Indie Business Network members. It was by application only, and one of the requirements was that you had to publish a new blog once a week or you would be removed from the group. Yes, that’s how serious I am…
Tomorrow is the last day to take advantage of the UBER Early Bird Rate for Connection Day 2015, which will take place September 13-14 in New York City! Here is the link to reserve your spot now. In addition to being a great excuse to spend a few days in New York City, Connection Day…
One of the things I learned early on in my entrepreneurial journey is that, while opportunities come to everyone, not everyone is ready for the opportunities that come to them. I made this short video tip to emphasize this point. After I posted this video to Instagram, one of our members, Carrie Seibert of Soap…
Last month, I wrote a post called 8 Ways to Add Value to Professional Facebook Groups. This companion post drills down a bit more to share a 5-step approach to promoting your business in Facebook groups without being “that smarmy, slimy, salesy person.” I have seen some otherwise healthy Facebook groups and forums in other…
As you may know, in January 2016, I will host the 6th Annual #IndieCruise Mastermind, a retreat for Makers and Creative Entrepreneurs. If you have not yet registered, you can grab one of the very few spaces left at this link. I am pleased to introduce you to Anne-Marie Faiola, one of the incredible speakers…
On Wednesday evenings from 8 to 8:30pm ET, I host #MakerBizChat, an Instagram event to help Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation, increase your income, and use your business to create the life you love. Our topic tonight was HOW TO REGAIN MOMENTUM AFTER YOU’VE LOST IT. I chose this topic because…
We are closing in on the end of Season 3 of the Indie Business Podcast. Our theme, Makers On Main Street, is one of the most fun topics I have covered since I began podcasting in 2005. It’s thrillling to draw out the stories of Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs who own and manage retail stores…
One of the greatest joys of leading the Indie Business Network is the fact that I have a front row seat to watch so many women from all across North America grow in wisdom and confidence as they lead their businesses into the future. I sat down recently and contemplated the character traits and habits…
If you have seen me recently, you have probably also seen my iPhone 6+. It’s a pretty big piece of equipment considering the 5.5″ screen, but I love it. It takes super clear and crisp photos and has lots of storage for the audio and video files I need to have at my fingertips so…
Twenty two days ago, dozens of Indie Business Network members and I began a journey called the Blog Your Brand 30-Day Challenge. The prize is a complimentary year of membership in the Indie Business Network for everyone who publishes a post, according to our rules, every day from June 14 to July 13, 2015. As…
Today is Independence Day, or “Indiependence” Day for all you Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs out there. It’s a day where I personally celebrate not only the birth of my home country, but also my own personal birth as an entrepreneur. In 2009, following an article I wrote about my Indie lifestyle, I received an email…
Is you spouse or partner a “nontrepreneur?” If you’ve never heard that term before, it’s because I made it up. A nontrepreneur is a person who is not an entrepreneur. I don’t use that term to refer to people in “real life,” but I thought it was a fun sort of tongue-in-cheek way to describe…
On Wednesday evenings from 8 to 8:30pm ET, I host #MakerBizChat, an Instagram event to help Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs build a solid business foundation, increase your income, and use your business to create the life you love. Our topic tonight was THE &+$# TRUTH ABOUT ONLINE MARKETING TODAY. I chose this topic because I…
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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 9 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this ninth episode of my Makers on Main Street series, you’ll meet Deb Jasien of Fields of Ambrosia in North Conway, New Hampshire. Deb, a former theatrical set designer, has owned her business since 2001, and her store in 2007. Deb also wholesales…
Handmade entrepreneurship requires massive amounts of time and energy, but simplifying things will help you conserve some of that precious time and energy. It will also help you simplify your life … always a good thing, right? Traditional entrepreneurship has usually meant that you sell the products, but you do not physically make them. When…
Iwonder if the title of this post reveals my age. After all, it takes many years of allowing yourself to become frustrated before you just stop it. That’s where I am at this point in my life. After nearly 16 years in business, and a few gray hairs (thanks mostly to my offspring), I rarely…
No matter how many years you are in business, you will experience a crisis of confidence from time to time. Whether it’s negative feedback on social media, a snide remark at a show, or honest (but brutal) critique from a prospective wholesale buyer, things will happen that will cause you to second guess your ability…
The 30-Day Blog Your Brand Challenge was a huge success, and dozens of Indie Business Network members won a complimentary year of IBN membership after they blogged consistently for thirty straight days. At the conclusion of the Challenge, I opened the doors to the Blog Your Brand Facebook Group to the public. Click here to…