Donna Maria is an entrepreneur mentor, the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, and the host of the Indie Business Podcast and the Indie Business Retreat. She has been recognized as one of the most trusted voices for Makers and Creative Entrepreneurs. Her coaching and consulting enterprise trains thousands of new and evolving entrepreneurs every day.
The Indie Business Network was founded 20 years ago based on the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We believe it is time to replace traditional notions of entrepreneurship with the increasingly obvious reality that entrepreneurship is for everyone, and can be defined in different ways by different people with uniquely different lifestyle goals. You do not…
With nearly 25 years of experience leading the Indie Business Network and coaching and consulting other entrepreneurs, I’ve had an intimate look into the workings of thousands of businesses. And here are some things I know for sure. Growing a business does not have to be hard. The truth is that many people think more…
Hey, you! Drop that pair of patterned socks! This year, knock dad off his feet with a unique, handmade gift that helps him put his best face forward. From all-natural beard care to much-needed R&R, this Father’s Day gift guide will remind dads, uncles, grandpas, and A+ dudes just how much you love them. Father’s…
Temperatures are rising, and the sun is gaining strength—time to switch up your skincare routine for one that’s ready for summer! Bright eyes, rosy cheeks, and an unforgettable sparkle are the golden keys for facing a new season, and this line-up of handmade skincare will get your weary skin into its sunniest shape. Plump a…
Direction is the cornerstone of meaningful progress. If you want to visit a friend in Chicago, no matter how fast you go, you’ll never get there if you keep changing direction to visit friends in Louisville, Nashville, and Detroit. It’s the same in your business, if you set a goal to get to a certain…
Calling all seasonal candle lovers! It’s time to refresh your collection of scented candles with a new round of springtime favorites. Whether you’re looking to tap the Season of Renewal for its manifestation powers, or relax in its romantic serenity, this list of springtime candles is sure to wake up your work or living space.…
No more last-minute flowers or hurried brunches—give mom a Mother’s Day gift that’s a heaping helping of self-care she can revisit time and time again. From beautifully scented candles to bath and body treats, you won’t be left in the lurch wondering what to get mom this year. In this guide to handmade goods, you’ll…
Spring cleaning give you the shivers? Instead of drowning your home with thick, stuffy artificial cleaners, refresh your space with all-natural, chemical-free cleaning supplies that pack just as much power—if not more!—than their artificial counterparts. From kitchens to laundry rooms, this line-up of non-toxic cleaning products gives your home a much-needed refresh! This list of…
We are excited to introduce you to Cat Nash, our 2Q 2024 Robin’s Roses Entrepreneurial Scholarship recipient. Cat is the founder of Mother Wolf Candle Co. in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, where Cat invites you to elevate your living space with aromas inspired by nature. About Cat Q: Tell us a little bit about your business.…
This past weekend was an awesome purple haze! I delivered the keynote address at the 2nd Annual Come Celebrate Lavender Conference, a national gathering of novice and experienced lavender growers and artisans who not only grow lavender plants but also make products with all parts and extracts (lavender essential oil, lavender hydrosol, lavender buds, lavender…
Time to toss the turtlenecks and wool hats—spring is in full swing! New life is bursting from all nooks of soil, from candy-colored blossoms creeping through the sidewalk cracks to gardens erupting with fanciful scents and shades. It’s a time of year that screams renewal, inviting you to sweep away your winter woes in favor…
As maker entrepreneurs, we often feel crazy amounts of pressure to make more stuff and check off boxes, often without considering the enduring significance and long-term impact of what we are creating. Sure, it’s great to have sales every day, but they really don’t matter unless they are tied to outcomes that make a long-term…
As we shared with you here, Congress recently passed the Corporate Transparency Act requiring small businesses to disclose personal information about their owners to the federal government. Earlier this month, the US District Court for the District of Alabama said the new law is unconstitutional on privacy grounds. The federal government has appealed the decision to the…
As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, and Women’s History Month this month, we honor the trailblazers whose remarkable journeys have sculpted a brighter world for all of us. But outside of that grand narrative, we here at the Indie Business Network are more focused on the intricacies of the personal entrepreneurial stories we have…
The Indie Business Network was founded 20 years ago based on the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We believe it is time to replace traditional notions of entrepreneurship with the increasingly obvious reality that entrepreneurship is for everyone, and can be defined in different ways by different people with uniquely different lifestyle goals. You do not…
Download Donna Maria’s conference Keynote Address handout printable or fillable. I am excited to share that I have accepted an invitation to present the keynote address at this year’s Come Celebrate Lavender Conference on March 21-24, 2024 in Wytheville, Virginia. The conference hosts invited me to share on the topic of achieving a joyful life,…
A thrilling moment is on the horizon for the Indie Business Network as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our 25th year of continuous service! Thanks to the unwavering support of our extraordinary members, we’re gearing up to commemorate a quarter-century of dedicated service to small business owners across North America. Save the date: January…
As a Black entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, I celebrate Black entrepreneurship every single day of my life. At IBN, we have celebrated Black business owners during many different months of the year including June, February, July and more. But we especially love to do it during February’s Black…
Welcome to Episode 99 of the Indie Business Podcast! On this episode, you’ll meet Robbin Turner of Violet Botanical Skincare in Los Angeles, CA. One of the first things you might notice about the Violet Botanical brand is the gorgeous violet blue bottles in which each product is carefully packaged. The bottles are not only beautiful,…
If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt or generally felt like you don’t have what it takes to truly achieve your highest dreams and aspirations, then our March 2024 Indie Business Book Club pick just may be the super catalyst you need right now. Authored by Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder with her husband of It Cosmetics,…
Everyone loves getting a beautiful bouquet of flowers spilling over with roses, tulips, and sunflowers. But the joy of fresh-cut blossoms lasts only a few days before they wind up in the trash. Instead of gifting flowers that will soon wilt and wither, how about a floral-inspired gift that’ll last for weeks? Forget fresh-cut stems…