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.
A spotless, sparkling home is within your reach! Spring is here, and that means it’s time to crack into your spring-cleaning routine. But you’re trying to put the fresh in refresh—and too many cleaning products are loaded up with harsh chemicals and shady additives. Fortunately, you can team up with a squadron of maker businesses…
This week marks a majestic moment: the very first day of spring! Soon, we’ll be surrounded by the refreshing, crisp, and fresh-picked scents of the great outdoors. And we are swooning over all of spring’s most aromatic experiences. Wandering along tree-lined trails, basking in golden sunlight, and spending hours pruning and plucking in the garden—our…
Hey, sun baby! We know you’re exhausted by winter and pleading for the first days of summer. But toss those wonky time machine blueprints the snake oil salesman persuaded you to purchase. It turns out your sniffer makes for an even more powerful fast-forward button! Scents are their own time machine that you don’t need…
Lights, camera, action! Whether you Netflix and chill or relax with HBO Max, binging your favorite movies and TV shows is an unbeatable way to unwind. Twisty-turny plots, heartwarming romance, and swashbuckling adventure. These are just a few of the plots that captivate our souls. Set the mood with the right candle scents, and you might…
The Indie Business Network was founded 20 years ago based on the transformative power of entrepreneurship. We believe 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 goals. You do not…
We’re raiding the pantry for more unlikely beauty heroes. We’ve tapped watermelon, coconuts, and oatmeal. Now, we’re fresh-picking self-care tips right off the bush: strawberries! Strawberries add a juicy punch of finger-licking flavor to candles and room sprays. But the ruby-hued icon of the berry brood also packs vitamins and antioxidants that leave skin luminous. The…
As an entrepreneur, you know that a little voice lives inside your head. You also know that the little voice does not always tell stories that work in your favor. In fact, the little voice often works overtime to insert gobs of fear, uncertainty and doubt into your everyday life. If the little voice roams…
Laissez les bons temps rouler! You might know it as the siren call of the year’s biggest party: Mardi Gras! Grab your masquerade masks, strings of purple and gold beads, and a well-dressed po’ boy, of course: We’re headed down to New Orleans to bring you a lagniappe of candles and soaps redolent with festive…
It’s Valentine’s Day week! You’ve got your flowers, box of chocolates, and an oh-so-special romantic surprise. But to keep the eternal flame burning for a lifetime, you must turn up the heat more than one day in February. These sizzling gifts turn your bedroom into a boudoir 24/7/365. It’s time to get in the mood!…
Love is in the air! 💖 Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. While we think celebrating your sweetheart should be an everyday thing, February 14th is the date to go all-in on love. This year, ditch the last-minute bouquet and box of convenience-store chocolates. These artisan gifts will really show your honey how much…
We have come to call it Black History Month, but Black History is not a month. Black History is a story. It’s a true and inspiring story that resonates throughout time and space to highlight the beauty of a people and their many and unending contributions to our nation and the world. Black History is…
Overnight oats, oat milk, and oatmeal raisin cookies—oatmeal is officially on the map of multi-hyphenate pantry goods. But did you know it’s a star in your beauty bag, too? This breakfast staple serves up helpings and helpings of skincare benefits. The grain hydrates, brightens, and soothes skin, solidifying its celebrated leap from the kitchen into your…
Endless snow, fewer sun-kissed afternoons, and thermometer readings better suited to bear markets than temperatures—winter comes with its fair share of gloom! But don’t let those blahs lead to the blues. After all, how did “blue” get a down-in-the dumps rep when the color is such a mood boost? Blue hues can make us feel…
Very early on in my entrepreneurial journey, I learned that the only thing about my business that cannot be copied is me. The same is true for you. Whether it’s a product or a service, it can be duplicated. But there is only one you, and when the one and only you is integrated into…
The weather report calls for frigid flurries and gusts of ice-cold wind. So shut off your phone and block out your calendar—it’s time for a comfy, undisturbed evening in! What do you need by your side? The warm glow of an artisan candle, radiating with cozy scents, is like a fluffy blanket for the senses!…
Introducing Ali Smith of The Witchy Bibliophile in Pittsburg, Kansas. Ali is our 1Q 2023 Maker Scholarship recipient. Ali up-cycles tarot and oracle cards into bookmarks, keychains, magnets and other self-care items designed to add a little magic to your every day routine. About Ali Ali is a a queer, non-binary, autistic, disabled entrepreneur. Ali…
It’s been a great year – thanks to all of our amazing Indie Business Network members for riding with us for the past twelve months. As is our custom, we are sharing our annual reflections on some of many ways we had the opportunity to serve you in 2022. For nearly a quarter of a…
The new 2023 Indie Business Network Entrepreneur Member badges are here! Let Your customers, clients, members, and professional colleagues know that your Indie Business Network Entrepreneurship membership is current with our new 2023 Entrepreneur Member badge. You can display the badge at your website, on social media, and any other place where your professional affiliation…
Santa Claus is back at home after his busy world tour. Rumor has it, he turns into a brilliant mixologist the final week of the year, and he’s taste-testing some new libations to ring in 2023. Fortunately, these artisans know a thing or two about celebrating. They’ve tapped into the same inspirations to serve you…
Join us on January 31 for our live member event: “Understanding the Key Provisions of MoCRA“ Since 2008, the Indie Business Network has been involved in legislative advocacy efforts regarding updating federal cosmetic laws which have been in place since the 1940’s. We didn’t start blogging it until a few years later, and for you…
The holidays are right around the corner, but there is even one more BIG reason to celebrate this week! Grab your dancing shoes—we here at Team indie are shouting out the loudest and brightest HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our wonderful friend, founder, and fearless leader, Donna Maria! Donna Maria started Indie Business Network in 2000 with…