Friends
“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!
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.
#HandmadeChat No. 24: How To Manage Multiple Twitter Accounts
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…
IBN Member Spotlight: How Liana Spiegel of Marmalade Hills Landed a Live TV Appearance
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…
4 Ways To Encourage Repeat Sales
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…
Beyond Growing Pains For #Handmade Entrepreneurs
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…
IBN Member Julie Longyear Wins Neighborhood Business Of The Year Award
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…
#HandMadeChat No. 23: How To Make Money At Local Craft Shows and Markets
Donna Maria shares Tweets from #HandmadeChat No. 23 to help you make more money at local shows and markets.
La Shonda Tyree, the Soap Coach, Advances In New Jersey’s “Start Something Challenge”
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:…
Cooking Up Candles With Small Gunns
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…
#Handmade Chat No. 22: How To Encourage Positive Interaction At Your FaceBook Page
Donna Maria shares Tweets from #HandmadeChat No. 22: How To Encourage Positive Interaction At Your FaceBook Page
IBN’s Comments: California’s Proposed Safer Consumer Products Regulations
Donna Maria shares IBN’s comments on California’s proposed consumer products regulations.
Join Me at Charlotte’s Digital Business Bash, Wednesday, October 17
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…
Kelly Bloom of Soapalooza to Speak at #IndieCruise 2013
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…
Proposed California “Green” Regulations: How To Comment By The Thursday Deadline
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…
How To Get Through A Rough Patch In Your Business
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.
#Handmade Chat No. 21: Best Twitter Practices For Handmade Business Owners
Donna Maria shares Tweets from #HandmadeChat No. 21: Best Twitter Practices For Handmade Business Owners.
Learn How To Use FaceBook Ads To Sell Handmade Products On Our Call Tonight
Have you considered using FaceBook ads to promote your handmade products? Maybe you’ve pondered it, but with budgets being so tight, you’re not sure you want to give it a try. Wouldn’t you like to talk with someone who has taken the plunge — and is selling more products as a result? Of course you…
#HandmadeChat: October 2012 LineUp
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…
#HandmadeChat No. 20: Creating A Membership Program For Your Business
Every Thursday evening from 8 to 9pm ET, I host #HandmadeChat, a Twitter talk show designed to help handmade business owners sell more of the products they make. While the show is aimed mainly at members of IBN, the topics and discussion can empower and encourage the growth of any small business owner. Yesterday, I…
IBN Members Named Minority Enterprise Development Entrepreneurs of the Year
Donna Maria shares the achievement of members Joseph and Laralyn Riverwind of Native Touch, LLC.
Get Listed In IBN’s Handmade Holiday Gift Guide 2012
Limited space is now available in IBN’s 2012 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! As you can see from the cover, this is one eye-catching, festive piece of media, and we plan to put it in the hands of as many thousands of potential buyers as we can between October 15 and the end of the holiday…