One of the fun things I have planned for the Indie Business Studio grand opening is an artisan coffee service from the Franklin Street Coffee Company. From the beginning, this seemed like the perfect addition since the coffee shop opened around the corner back in June. Over the weekend, I confirmed our pricing and arrangement,…
Since it was originally published in September 2013, this article has been updated to reflect the current status of the trademark dispute. Thank you for visiting! Bonnie Garrity of Good Earth Spa in Indianapolis, Indiana, say she believes that Trademark No. 4359286 for the word mark SOAP LOAF, registered to Petunia Farms of Liverpool, New…
If you are in the South Charlotte/Monroe area and you see this brightly colored flyer (or the black and white version of it) announcing our grand opening, be sure to pick it up! We are thrilled with the fun design by Jenny Prevatte of TwiliteCS. As you can see, it’s brightly colored and fun just…
How exciting that we can share that our member, Cindy Jones of Sagescript Institute, is featured in a recent article in the Denver Post. Cindy is a cosmetics chemist, and through Sagescript, offers cosmetic product testing and consulting services to help you confirm the efficacy of your products. I love this picture (by photographer Cyrum…
In this video, I share a few tips to help you deal with the frustration that sometimes results when people don’t respond to you. This happens frequently when you have a business — people send an email asking about your event or sale and you promptly (and often personally) reply. Then, you never hear from…
If you get my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, you know that I am looking at the possibility of hosting a local radio show here in my adopted hometown of Monroe, NC. Reed Alexander, one of the station personalities, has invited me to be his guest on the morning show tomorrow at 10:00. Reed…
As you know, the ribbon cutting grand opening of Indie Business Studio is set for October 3 at 5:30. Get the details here. One of the things I’m most excited about is giving everyone in attendance chances to win fabulous raffle prizes. If you are one of the first to arrive, you’ll also get a…
Each month, I meet with other entrepreneurs in a Charlotte Mastermind Group. Our meeting location is a branch of the Carolina Premier Bank in South Charlotte. The venue is comfortable and we enjoy complementary Wifi, coffee, and super soft and cozy executive chairs. Yesterday, in the middle of our meeting, a man wearing a suit…
I am back from a glorious weekend in New York City where I debuted The Lifestyle CEO to an awesome group of new entrepreneurs. I covered a lot of ground, and while my slides don’t tell the whole picture, they offer some insight into core principles for success as a small business owner. Just so…
In this video, I share some of my best tips to help you have a profitable and positive relationship with a subscription box service. This is a hot topic in our private Indie Business Network member Facebook group, especially as the holidays approach and there seems to be a new subscription box service coming out…
As the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, I invest most of my time creating content and hosting events that help our members take the next big steps on their entrepreneurial journey. But I also like to have a little fun, so I spent some time last week having this caricature made. It…
In this post, I announced another topic on #IndieCruise 2014: Beyond Profit: Using Your Life and Your Business to Make a Dent in the Universe. Before that, I announced How To Add Membership and Subscription Programs To Your Business. Today, I’m excited to announce that Indie Business Network member Dawn Fitch will join me as…
In my last Throwback Thursday, I shared a bit of the background leading up to the publication of my first book, Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions. Today, it’s all about our very first newsletter. Here’s a screen shot. You can read the first issue online at our old website here. So plain, so colorless. But…
In this post, I announced my topic on #IndieCruise 2014: How to Add Membership and Subscription Programs to Your Business. Today, I’m excited to announce that Indie Business Network member Lela Barker will join me as a speaker on the topic of Beyond Profit: How to Use Your Life and Your Business to Make a…
I saw this video from our member, Kendra Cote, over at Amathia Soapworks and I just had to share it with you. It does such a great job of showcasing the care and artistry that goes into every bar of handmade soap Kendra makes. And don’t you just love the soap stamp? I want every…
Here’s a fun project for you — imagine living the life of your dreams in the city of your dreams. Can you picture it? I did, and seven years ago, my husband and I picked up our toddlers and moved from our hometown of Washington, DC, Charlotte, North Carolina, in search of life that was…
Do you like to bake? I do, but that doesn’t mean I’m a good baker. But I do know a good peach cobbler when I see (and eat) one, and it’s very exciting to me that states are creating ways for small scale producers of home baked goods to legally sell their delicious creations. Here’s…
I am excited to announce my topic on #IndieCruise 2014: How to Add Membership and Subscription Programs to Your Business. I selected the topic in alignment with our 2014 cruise theme, No More Beauty Business as Usual. In business today, you can treat your customers like everyone else treats them, or you can treat them…
I am pleased to announce our September 2013 Indie Business Book Club pick: Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us, by Seth Godin. For the past few years, I have hosted Indie Business Book Club, a fun and convenient way for Indie Business Network members to learn and grow together in business and in life.…
If you know me, you know I am all about defining and owning life and business on your own terms. You probably also know that my personal and business missions are the same: empowering women (and guys too!) to maximize their potential through small business ownership. That’s why, when serial New York Times best selling…
Today, the world is filled with creative and handmade entrepreneurs. This was not always so. There was a time when terms like “handmade” and “creative-made” and “maker” were the very definition of quality and value. Those days are gone. Having a quality product is the baseline now, and nothing less will do. But there are…