All of us know someone who has been affected by the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. One of the people I know, a member of IBN, lost her home, many of her pets and her business. Her name is Mariann Smith and she is the founder and CEO of Just Bubbly, a…
I am pleased to announce the publication of IBN’s 2012 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! Inspiration is everywhere inside this 32-page publication. Click the cover to open the publication and start shopping now. Be on the lookout for discount codes throughout! We invite you to grab a cup of your favorite tea, sit back and relax.…
Each Thursday night at 8pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a weekly Twitter talk show designed to help you sell more of the products you make. If you’ve never attended before, now is the time. It’s fun, informative, and a super supportive environment where you’ll learn so much about making your business more successful. To learn…
Are you fan of the television show, Shark Tank, airing weekly on ABC? It’s always been one of my favorites, but it’s clout shot to the stratosphere when I learned that IBN members Charlotte Clary and Bev Vines-Haines, co-founders Healing Leaf in Yelm, Washington, will be featured on the show next week. A lot of…
I‘m a naturally upbeat person. Even so, there have been times in my life when I’ve been especially discouraged. Some of these times are fleeting — like when I was not selected to win this trip to the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs’ Conference earlier this year. Other discouragements have been more jarring and long lasting —…
Fall is the perfect season for root vegetables, and butternut squash is one of my favorites. I love cooking it over a low flame with salt, pepper and chicken broth. Once the chunks of squash are soft, I mash them into a thick pudding-like side dish. It’s good paired with baked chicken and green beans.…
“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.” -Jim Morrison My son is on the left, celebrating his 9th birthday this month, with his pals. Happy Birthday, Brooks!
Every Thursday evening from 8 to 9pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a Twitter talk show designed to help handmade entrepreneurs sell more of the products they make. While the show is aimed mainly at members of IBN and artisans who make handmade consumer products, the topics and discussion can empower and encourage the growth of…
Our member, Liana Spiegel of Marmalade Hills was featured on her local fox news station in Detroit, Michigan, earlier this week! Check it out here … for some views, there’s a short commercial first. Liana’s company operates out of a 2,000 square foot studio in Bloomfield Hills where they make 13 types of cosmetics and…
As your business grows, you will discover that it is far more profitable to earn repeat sales from existing customers than it is to pursue new ones. Of course you can’t slack off in terms of finding new prospects. But as you align your energies with the priority of satisfying existing customers, your job will…
A few days ago, I attended the first Digital Business Bash here in Charlotte. (In case you missed it, I told you about it in this post.) Here I am (middle) with IBN member Lela Barker of Bella Lucce (left) in South Carolina and Susan Lassiter-Lyons (right) of Investor Insights in Colorado. Our speaker was…
On October 5, our member, Julie Longyear, CEO of Irie Star in St. Louis, Missouri, was named the “Neighborhood Business of the Year” at the Mayor’s Business Luncheon. The award honors the company’s progress and commitment to the local North St. Louis City community. Here is Julie, looking fabulous, with her award. Julie tells me…
Donna Maria shares Tweets from #HandmadeChat No. 23 to help you make more money at local shows and markets.
Our member, La Shonda Tyree, aka “Handmade Soap Coach” in Paterson, New Jersey, has been selected to move to the next round of New Jersey’s “Start Something Challenge!” To be considered, La Shonda was required to create a video to showcase how she would invest her financial prize. The winners will enjoy 25,000 in prizes:…
This video from our members, Michelle & Diana Stock of Small Gunns in Emeryville, California, shows that handmade candles are not only beautiful when they are made with love, but are also fun. It made us so happy that we just had to share it with you! Like Small Gunns on FaceBook! SMALL BUSINESS COACHING…
Donna Maria shares Tweets from #HandmadeChat No. 22: How To Encourage Positive Interaction At Your FaceBook Page
Donna Maria shares IBN’s comments on California’s proposed consumer products regulations.
Earlier this year, my friend, Corey Creed, and I saw a need for a professional MasterMind group in Charlotte, North Carolina. We met a few times and then added Nate Kennedy to the group. We hashed out a format and decided to open the group up to others. We have since added a few more…
I am pleased sad to announce that IBN member Kelly Bloom of Soapalooza in Richmond, Virginia, will not be joining us on #IndieCruise 2013 as a speaker and fellow MasterMinder. You’ll have fun anyway, so stay tuned for updates! The theme for #IndieCruise 2013 is Conceive! Believe! Achieve!, making Kelly’s topic of Living Your Passion…
It has come to my attention that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is considering new regulations that, if enacted as drafted, would eliminate what it calls “chemicals of concern” (COCs) from a variety of consumer products, including cosmetics, that are sold in California. The proposed regulations would apply to manufacturers, marketers, importers…
Donna Maria shares her best tips for getting through a rough patch in your business, and coming out stronger on the other side of it.