I'm Speaking at the Soap Guild Conference!

One thing that sets a successful business apart from an unsuccessful one is the extent to which the leader of the business makes it a priority to connect with other like-minded business owners. When I launched my first business (which, in case you don’t know, was making and selling soap), the first thing I did…

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Poo Chi: A New Way to Love Your Abs

When I am one of a billion recipients on an email message, I usually ignore it. But I’m glad I didn’t ignore this one. If you need a laugh (or another reminder of the importance of exercise), then you will enjoy this hilarious look at an enlightened way to love your abdomen. This video was…

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Create the Life You Love

I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. This post, from September 27, 2005, was originally titled, “As the Crow Flies.” It makes me smile because Sheryl Crow eventually chose one of the options I mentioned, and then made…

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Build Your Own Corporate Ladder

I maintained the Lifestyle CEO blog from September 2005 to September 2006. I recently reviewed it for content I could share with you here. This post, originally titled, “… And the Rich Just Get Richer,” is from September 26, 2005, and holds special meaning for me since I was once in-house counsel at a Fortune…

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When All Else Fails, Fail

Failure is uncomfortable and embarrassing. But it is also empowering, if you allow it to be. For one thing, failure helps you empathize with others. This is good not only in personal relationships, but also in business ones. When you empathize with the failures and challenges of others, you are better equipped to enhance their…

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Raw Foods Adventure #1: Avocado Grand (And Where is Imar Hutchins?)

There was once a restaurant on the Atlanta, Ga, campus of Morehouse College called “Delights of The Garden.” Originally owned and operated by Imar Hutchins and some of his college friends, the restaurant was a huge success. The founders eventually opened two locations in my hometown of Washington, DC, one on the Howard University campus…

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Exer-preneurship: The Cure for a Flabby Body and a Flabby Business

This is a guest post by John Easton, a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his Charlotte website design company, John helps small business owners create video, web and multimedia tools that turn “browsers” into “buyers.” Follow John on Twitter at @jeaston1. If you would like to submit a guest post for my blog, please…

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Vault Episode #185: David Russo [Podcast]

The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 185 featuring my interview with David Russo. He is the author of “17 Rules Successful Companies Use to Attract and Keep Top Talent.” David is the founder of a consulting firm specializing in…

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5 Keys to Gaining Control of Your Work Flow

Donna Maria shares a video where David Allen, author of “Getting Things Done,” provides tips on, well, getting things done. dM summarizes the tips in this post in case you don’t have time to watch the video. This is good stuff!

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3 Reasons Why You Need a Video Set

This is Part 5 in the “How to Turn Unused Space Into a Video Set” series, and am learning a lot as the dry wall goes up in the new Indie Business TV set. In this video, the contractor says we should be ready to paint and decorate in a few days! All it takes…

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How to Turn Unused Space Into a Video Set (Part Four)

After our introductory video, I shared how we plan to control the light, a very important part of planning your set. I also told you about the exciting arrival of the dry wall that will cover our set. Today, I want you to see how the dry wall application is going. Since we are a…

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Small Business Owners: Embrace Your Legislative Advocacy Power!

For those who may be new here, I am the president of the Indie Beauty Network, a trade organization representing small manufacturers of soaps, cosmetics, candles, fragrances and aromatherapy products. IBN members also make confectionery products and jewelry, and many members provide services to the companies that make products. I am an attorney (though not…

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Pursuing Fitness, One Small Victory at a Time

Yesterday, I started using the pedometer given to me as a surprise Christmas gift by Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry. I decided against a morning run so I could prepare for the hearings on the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act, which ran from 3:30pm to 8:44pm EST. According to Kimberly Linton, my guest on yesterday’s…

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