It’s never a good idea to be someone you are not. It’s an even worse idea to be someone you are not in the age of the Internet. Authenticity has always mattered. It matters now, more than ever. Over the last several days, I have watched in stunned awe as former NAACP leader Rachel Dolezal…
Each week, I receive dozens of invitations to collaborate in new business ventures of one kind or another. I decline nearly all of them because I do not want to spread myself too thin. When I do enter into a collaborative relationship with another entrepreneur, I generally do so because the collaboration has very specific…
This article is about doing specific things to ensure that you are not losing customers on a consistent basis. Obviously, you can’t afford to continually lose customers if you want your business to be solid and sustainable over the long haul. If you are losing customers (and therefore money), it is often for one of…
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 last night was How to Build a Membership-Based Business. While most people use the terms…
Every month, I and IBN’s Head Coach, Christine Laureano, host a private member call designed to give members an opportunity to get the answers to their most pressing business questions NOW! Today is that day for this month. This is the very BEST day of the month for me because it’s a chance to make…
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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 7 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this seventh episode of my Makers on Main Street series, you’ll meet Kristin Fraser of The Grapeseed Company in Santa Barbara, California. Kristin calls herself a “born entrepreneur,” and with good reason. She was born into a family of people who encouraged her…
If you are a new blogger, chances are your feelings about blogging vacillate between intense hatred and enthusiastic overkill. This post, if you act on it, will change all of that. You may not believe this, but I once hated blogging. (I talk more about this here.) Forcing myself to blog regularly ensured that I…
If you participate in any professional Facebook groups, you surely know that some people add value to the group while others … not so much. If you are reading this post, you are probably the type of person who wants to add as much value as possible. Luckily, the Indie Business Network private member Facebook…
Now really is the best time to start a business. How do I know? Because I started one 15 years ago, and when I compare the process then to the process now, there is little doubt that it’s easier and much more fun to start one now. When I started the Indie Business Network in…
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…
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 last night was Top 5 (Easy) Ways to Improve Your WordPress Website, and the conversation…
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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 6 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this sixth episode of my Makers on Main Street series, you’ll meet Torrian Howell of Dorneé Natural Body and Hair Luxuries in Twinsburg, Ohio (near Cleveland). Torrian is the single mother of one son, and even with her business going gangbusters and a…
I am pleased to announce the launch of my new shareable image gallery, a collection of originally designed inspirational quotes and images you can share with your friends. Just click on an image you like, choose your social media channel and share! I began posting inspirational quotes a few years ago here at the blog…
Into every Maker Business, a little Overwhelm must fall. Dictionary.com defines “overwhelmed” as “to overcome completely in mind or feeling.” Yep. That’s what I mean. As entrepreneurs, we cannot completely eliminate overwhelm. It’s part of the entrepreneurial lifestyle. In fact, if you are not somewhat overwhelmed from time to time, you may be on your…
Our topic on this episode of #MakerBizChat is How to Use Instagram to Create Profitable Collaborative Opportunities. Our guest is Sharon Fain of the Academy of Handmade, a membership organization that supports makers through community, workshops and an awards show. You can read the full transcript on Instagram at this link. Because Instagram is designed…
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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 5 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this fifth episode of my Makers on Main Street series, you’ll meet Kismet Andrews of Bar Maids in Brush Prairie, Washington. Kismet held down a full-time job working eighty hours a week for several years after the started her business, and when she…
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Welcome to Season 3, Episode 4 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this fourth episode of my Makers on Main Street series, you’ll meet Michelle Rhoades of Mossy Creek Soap in Perry, Georgia. Michelle’s introduction to business ownership began with a foray into the world of direct sales. She was very successful at it, but…
What sets apart Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs who use Instagram successfully to grow their businesses and those who do not? According to our guest on today’s Success Call, it includes things like consistent posting and using a pre-determined schedule. In other words, like in so many other areas of life and business, discipline is the…
Today is a day of remembrance and celebration. We remember the sacrifices of those who gave, and are giving, so much of themselves so we have the freedom to learn and grow as individuals. We celebrate the blessings of America, and with gratitude, acknowledge the selflessness that makes it all possible. Thank you for your…
The #MakerBizChat event has been retired, but I invite you to enjoy this article, which is useful to all entrepreneurs who want to build a solid and sustainable brand. You can binge on all of the other #MakerBizChat posts at this link. On Wednesday evenings from 8 to 8:30pm ET, I host #MakerBizChat, an Instagram…
Today is the best day ever because it’s our coaching call day! Each month, I and our Head Coach, Christine Laureano, host a private member call designed to give members an opportunity to get the answers to their most pressing business questions NOW! This month, our Head Coach, Christine Laureano (left) will be joined by…