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.
One of the many, many things we love about our Indie members is our family-owned businesses. Whether you work alongside your husband or your wife, sister or brother, your kids or your cousins—we are in constant awe of our powerhouse Indie fams. This month, we want to share some of our black-owned family businesses with…
I am pleased to announce the March 2022 Indie Business Book Club pick: Get Different: Marketing That Can’t Be Ignored! by Mike Michalowicz. Do you sometimes feel like people don’t appreciate how unique and fabulous your products are? Does it seem like your brand is drowning is a sea of similarity, with no hope of…
Talking, eating, and kissing—we really put our lips through the wringer! And when the winter months bring added wear and tear, we need to give our lips a little extra lovin’ to defend against the elements. Because a dry, peeling, or cracked pout is no fun for anyone. These 9 Indies are lip lifesavers. They’ve…
At Indie Business Network, we LOVE to celebrate small business owners! We are always on the lookout for exciting ways to showcase the artisans that make up our thriving membership base. February is a special time of year to shine the spotlight exclusively on black-owned businesses from all corners of the United States! So let’s…
Valentine’s Day is only a few weeks away! If your list of ideas is full of the same humdrum gifts like last-minute flowers, drugstore cards, and that same heart-shaped chocolate box—we’ve got a treat for you! Whether you’re shopping for a girlfriend or boyfriend, husband or wife, secret crush or bestie, this year, it’s time…
What resolution is topping our list this year? Read more! Reading is such a great way to strengthen your entrepreneurial muscle. It’s almost a guarantee that you’ll walk away filled-to-the-brim with fresh ideas to invigorate your business. But, it’s also a wellness secret weapon: reading can improve concentration, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness! Did you know…
The holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean winter is going away anytime soon. The frigid and blustery nights call on a fresh set of candles, so we’ve put together a list of the ten scents keeping us warm until spring. Light one of these favorites to instantly transform your space into a warm and…
The February 2022 Indie Business Book Club pick is: Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin. The reason I selected this book is because I am more persuaded today than ever before that your business success depends largely on your willingness to create, nurture, and lead community around your brand. Your products…
Are you one of the 188.9 million Americans busily crafting your list of New Year’s Resolutions? Maybe it looks something like this: ⬜ Exercise more! ⬜ Start a business! (If this one is you, you should head here immediately!) ⬜ Find “the one”! Maintaining your goals for the new year requires focus and determination—and a…
As this wonderful year comes to a close, it’s fun to look back at some of our 2021 adventures in service. The Indie Business Network has been here for nearly 22 years, serving, supporting, uplifting, and mentoring American Makers. We’re thrilled to share what a wonderfully fulfilling year it has been. This post includes some…
Let Your Customers, Clients, Members, and Colleagues Know That Your Indie Business Network Entrepreneurship Membership is Current! The new 2022 Indie Business Network Entrepreneur Member badges are here! Our new Entrepreneur Member badges display our logo, with which we are so pleased. The new 2022 Entrepreneur Member badge is displayed below. Log in to our…
The January 2022 Indie Business Book Club pick: Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business by Paul Jarvis. Almost all Indie Business Network member businesses start out as companies of one. While all of them hire some kind of help as they evolve, the vast majority get a great…
Introducing Catherine Robinson of Wildwood Aromas in Springfield, Missouri. Catherine is our 1Q 2022 scholarship recipient. The Indie Business Network offers a valuable and transformative entrepreneurial experience, and we recognize that not everyone has the resources to access our suite of entrepreneurial mentoring, coaching, and training services, especially when they are first starting out. To help…
Ho-ho-ho—it’s the time we wait all year for! This week, we welcome the big man in the red suit! He, the Mrs., and their squadron of elves are almost done in the toy shop, perfecting every detail of all the must-have items on our list. They all took a morning break to send us an…
Making your way through your gift list, you stumble across that one person. You know, the person that has everything, that’s hard to shop for—and you’re wracking your brain for the perfect present! When off-the-shelf options just won’t do, pick from one of these personalizable candles. You can choose the scent, select the label design,…
Believe it or not, the holiday season is here. Are you headed to a shindig with coworkers or hosting a fancy night-in with family or close friends? We’ve rounded up a stunning slate of handmade nail polishes, lipsticks, eyeshadows, and jewelry so you can strut into any holiday party in style! Maybe you’ve spent the…
I founded the Indie Business Network 20 years ago because I believe in the transformative power of entrepreneurship. I also believe that 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…
Your shopping list is probably jam-packed with spot-on ideas for close friends and relatives—but what do you get someone you don’t know that well? The holiday season is full of surprise gift exchange games like Secret Santa and White Elephant that leave most of us scratching our heads for the perfect present! Whether it’s a…
As the founder of the Indie Business Network, nothing brings me greater joy than presenting you with this curated selection of artisan made products from cross the nation. Our members are going all out to make sure you have wonderful local handmade goodness to share with your friends and loved ones this holiday season. Click…
Winter is a heartwarming time of year. We hunker down around the fireplace with loved ones to enjoy warm drinks while sharing traditions and trading stories. We work together to recreate recipes passed down from passed-on relatives whose jokes still make us laugh in stitches. We gather around a crowded dinner table to retell legends…
Thanksgiving is next week, marking the start of a scrumptious time of year. It’s time to gather ’round the holiday table and enjoy good company, tasty home-cooked meals, and most importantly, delicious desserts! These 10 Indies aren’t just makers of soaps and candles—they’re basically pastry chefs and ice cream aficionados. They’re inspired by your favorite…