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.
I am pleased to announce the January 2021 Indie Business Book Club pick: The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod. This is not a new book, but it is definitely a timely oldie but goodie. If you’re not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you…
Peppermint is a very useful herb. Among other things, it is said to ease digestion, minimize gas and bloating, relieve tension and migraine headaches, and even improve your sleep. Personally, I’ve never tried it for any of those things, but I do know that when I sniff peppermint, my energy level spikes and I perk…
I recently read that the market for men’s grooming products is expected to nearly double from what it was in 2017, to a whopping $78.6 billion by 2023. It’s hard to believe, especially considering that just a decade ago, men seemed content to repurpose whatever their female friends and partners were using. Those days are…
I am excited to announce Indie Business Retreat: Getaway: Pelican Grand Beach Resort: January 24 – 27, 2021! If you already know you are ready to register, do so here. (Deposits are due now.) Why Retreat Now? Good question. And it’s the middle of a pandemic, so I am glad you asked. Here’s why. Because…
Crystals are a big, hot commodity right now. Not every trend should be jumped on, but crystals are a definite because they aren’t just trendy. They add significant value and they are here to stay! And if you are considering adding crystals to your product line, you want to do it right, yes? What you…
There is nothing wrong with predictability in a product line. Consistency is great, and we all love to be surrounded by the things we love all the time, and over and over again. But the occasional “one time only” is also a great thing, and this time of year, artisans nationwide create products that are…
Welcome to Episode 76 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Indie Story introduces you to Ciara Fritsch, of Pure Body Nantucket, in Nantucket, Massachusetts. A native of Ireland, Ciara arrived in America in 1994 and settled in Nantucket where she met her husband. While she helps him manage an antique store on the island, her…
Do you need exposure for your business, but on a really tight budget? Want to tell the media about your products, but uncertain of how to get in touch with them? If this sounds familiar, this class is for you then our Get Free Publicity class is for you. If you’re not familiar with the…
What is a product bundle? I’m so glad you asked. A product bundle is a curated collection of complementary products that allows you to enjoy a variety of a brand’s unique products at a great price. The great thing about artisan made bundles is that they are often times composed of limited edition products, and…
Your body parts work especially hard to help you live your best life every day. While they all do some serious heavy lifting, it’s possible that none of them work as hard as your hands and feet. Your hands are exposed to all of the elements as you move in and out of different life…
Here at Indie Business, we love nothing more than spotlighting the American Made products you love. Of course, the holiday season is no exception. I’m excited to share this Holiday Gift Guide featuring some of our members’s creative products that make your life better every day. This is your opportunity to support local creatives and…
A recent Gallup poll found that female business owners experience higher levels of daily stress than men (62% vs. 51%, respectively), and report higher levels of daily worry (60% vs. 47%). As I’ve said previously, when launching Indie Business Fit Club, the pursuit of entrepreneurial excellence is a noble thing, but it can take a…
Welcome to Episode 75 of the Indie Business™ Podcast! Today’s Indie Story is about Lisa Kennally of Wild Air Skincare, in Centerbrook, Connecticut. Lisa makes spa products with ingredients inspired by the beauty and seasons of New England. Her brand is partially inspired by the time as a child she spent with her mom making…
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that craft is cool. While craft has always been cool, its cooler than ever these days because everyone wants to express themselves by being associated with one-of-a-kind items that send a message that resonates with and defines them as human beings. One of the industries…
The skills and talents of a qualified professional photographer are irreplaceable. High quality equipment and years of practice allow them to take photos that make your products look fabulous in any setting. But there are times when a photographer is neither practical nor smart. That’s why our next class at Indie Business School teaches you…
For the October 2020 edition of the Indie Business™ Book Club, we read Supermaker by Jaime Schmidt. This book tells the story of how Jaime, a former Indie Business member, led her business from her kitchen to a 9-figure acquisition by Unilever in 2017. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it for all…
While some people see selfies as meaningless self-indulgences designed to artificially boost one’s ego, entrepreneurs know different. We know that a picture that captures a business owner’s confidence, style, and authenticity can mean the difference between a scroll and a sale. That’s why our first class at Indie Business School is Introduction to Selfie Photography.…
According to the Specialty Food Association, sales of specialty foods jumped 9.8 percent between 2016 and 2018, climbing to $148.7 billion in 2018. Many researchers thank millennials for the surge in interest in artisanal foods, as they tend to be more selective about the brands they support. However, I see the interest expanding far beyond…
I am pleased to announce the November 2020 Indie Business Book Club pick: 90 Days to CEO: A Guide To Avoid Business Pitfalls And Unlock The Secrets Of Entrepreneurship by Rochelle Graham-Campbell. This book was selected for many reasons, among them that Rochelle was once a member of the Indie Business Network. If you’re not…
The use of colorful hues from the earth to beautify the body was first recorded by the ancient Egyptians, whose tombs were filled with makeup canisters and kits to help the dead remain lovely in the afterlife. They made their lips red by using carmine powder, which was crafted from the ground-up bodies of red…
Due to COVID-19, this year, Halloween means taking extra precautions to ensure our safety and the safety of the people with whom we are celebrating. Among other things, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are admonished to avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters, bag treats individually, celebrate outdoors, wash hands before handling…