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.
This is one of the preliminary episodes of the newly re-launched Indie Business Podcast. To stream or download more recent episodes of the podcast at this blog, click here or you can download it on iTunes. Thank you for visiting! I hosted my first online radio show on September 21, 2005, before social media took…
One of the best ways to achieve business success on your terms is to learn from people who have achieved it on theirs. That’s why we love to spotlight our members here at the blog. Today, you’ll meet Brenda Hunter, founder of CT River Candles in Haddam, Connecticut. At CT River Candles, Brenda makes handmade…
Connection Day Atlanta was so incredible that we had to do it again! As you know, Connection Day will be hosted in multiple cities in 2014. We kicked things of in Atlanta last month. Our next Connection Day is set for Friday, April 24, 2014, at the newly opened Indie Business Studio in South Charlotte,…
One of the best ways to make yourself and your business the best they can be is to learn from the success of others. That’s why we love to spotlight our members here at the blog. Today, you’ll meet Diana O’Donnell, founder of Moana Beauty in Naples, Florida. Moana products have been featured in several…
This is one of the preliminary episodes of the newly re-launched Indie Business Podcast. To stream or download more recent episodes of the podcast at this blog, click here or you can download it on iTunes. Thank you for visiting! How do you transform a small Texas soapmaking venture into a non-profit powerhouse that changes…
The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 236 featuring my interview with Amanda Gail. Stream Vault Episode 236 Click the play arrow to play the podcast. (You may have to click it twice.) On a laptop or desktop, use your…
One of the best ways to make yourself and your business the best they can be is to learn from the success of others. That’s why we love to spotlight our members here at the blog. Today, you’ll meet Michelle Rhoades, founder of the Mossy Creek Soap Studio in Perry, Georgia. Michelle is a certified…
Ine am pleased to share that I have accepted an invitation to deliver the keynote address at this year’s Tennessee Soap and Candle Social on May 3-4, 2014, at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Tennessee, near Nashville. You may recall that I was a speaker at the event last year. Hosted by Rachel Turner…
No doubt, the way we work is changing. I shared some thoughts on this many years ago here at the blog. As I review that 2009 article today, I am struck by the fact that my life and work are more integrated today than I ever thought they would be. To me, it’s a natural…
One of the best ways to make yourself and your business the best they can be is to learn from the success of others. That’s why we love to spotlight our members here at the blog. Today, you’ll meet Teri Patterson, founder of Body Systems in Rapid City, South Dakota. Teri, who is a certified…
One of the best ways to be inspired to make yourself and your business the best they can be is to learn from the success of others. That’s why we love to spotlight our members here at the blog. Today, you’ll meet Karrie Welch, founder of Fortunate Face Minerals in Westfield, Massachusetts. Karrie has been…
IndieCruise Mastermind 2014 was a resounding success! I’m thrilled to share that my annual signature event was — in a word — fabulous. You may recall that our theme was “No More Beauty Business As Usual.” In addition to myself, the speakers were the amazing Lela Barker of Lucky Break Consulting, Dawn Fitch of Pooka…
One of the best ways to be inspired to make yourself and your business the best they can be is to learn from the success of others. That’s why we love to spotlight our members here at the blog. Today, you’ll meet Anne Marie Esposito, founder of Sparklefly Candle Company in Selden, New York. Anne…
One of the questions I am most often asked by new members is, “What should I do first now that I am a member of the Indie Business Network?” There are so many benefits to joining the Indie Business Network (you can see them here), and it can be a big daunting to decide where…
The new 2014 Indie Business Network member badge is here! Indie Business Network members in good standing can log in and grab the code for the badge for the current year at this link. The badge looks like this, except the year is 2014 and there is no “sample” watermark. The badge is available in…
One of the best ways to be inspired to make yourself and your business the best they can be is to learn from the success of others. That’s why we love to spotlight our members here at the blog. Today, you’ll meet the lovely Roberta Perry, founder of Scrubz Body Scrub, Inc. in Bethpage, New…
Before you start taking your products to retail stores to sell them, you might want to get into the head of the people you are trying to influence. Retailers are a special type of customer, and they do not respond to the methods you use to sell your products directly to consumers. Yes, there is…
It’s hard to believe 2014 is really here, and I am so excited about it. Last year was awesome and this year is already shaping up to be even better as I embrace new opportunities to help you build and strengthen the business of your dreams. I have noticed that many of you are asking…
Earlier this evening, our very own La Shonda Tyree hosted the first #IndieMeetup of the year in her brand new NYAH Studio in Paterson, New Jersey. The ladies in attendance enjoyed a great time of fellowship and encouragement as they used colorful graphics and affirming words to visualize a great 2014. Here’s a photo of…
During these last few days of 2013, I am reflecting on the fabulous year it has been. I have the privilege to wake up every morning to live the life of my dreams doing what I love. There is nothing like this way of living. Through IBN, I help others discover and use their unique…
Dozens of our members had fun exchanging gifts during our first annual Indie Business Network Secret Santa Gift Exchange. All of the gifts were personally handmade (of course) by the Secret Santa member and had a retail value of somewhere around $20.00. Pictured here are aromatherapy soaps in Cashmere, Holiday Magic and Cinnamint, gifted to…
