Wow Your Summer Guests with these 9 Home Decor Ideas from American Makers

Move over holidays: long, warm, and sunny evenings make summer the choice season for get-togethers!  With the right essentials in place, setting up the perfect summer gathering doesn’t need to be stressful. Get ready to step into the new season—this style guide has everything you need to get your home ready for a summer to…

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Summer Shopping Guide—10 Beauty Essentials for Fun in the Sun

Who’s ready for SUMMER? Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to the year’s sunniest season. Celebrated on the final Monday of May, it’s a special day to commemorate our veterans and their utmost sacrifice for our nation’s freedom. With the change of seasons comes backyard BBQs, lazy days by the pool, and sun-splashed activities like swimming,…

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Christine Mineart of Sent Nudes [Indie Stories: Episode 85: Podcast]

Welcome to Episode 85 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Indie Story introduces you to Christine Mineart of Sent Nudes, in Oakland, California. Shortly before the pandemic lockdowns, Christine and her friends decided to create a day centered around making their own perfumes and then visiting a local perfume museum. They ordered all of the…

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Book Your Ticket to Paradise with These 9 Tropical Beauty Products

The weather is warm and the ocean is a’sparkle—the summertime vibes are seriously activating our sense of wanderlust! If you have already claimed your spot on Indie Business Retreat 2022 in the Dominican Republic, you’ll be in paradise soon enough. (You can still register to join us!) But until then, if you are daydreaming about the…

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9 Irresistible Handcrafted Fragrances You Can Wear This Spring and Summer

The sun is shining, flowers are in bloom, and relaxed (and vaxed!) quarantine measures mean we’re raring to reconnect with old friends and our favorite family members. The siren call of the outdoors is thunderous! Fortunately, these Indies will help you with perfumes, eau de parfums, colognes, and other personal fragrances so you can emerge…

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide—12 Thoughtful Gifts You Can Buy Now

“Siri, what day is Mother’s Day?” If she told you Sunday, May 9th, she couldn’t be more wrong — because, as we all know, EVERY DAY is Mother’s Day! But the month of May does bring a special date on the calendar where we can shower mom, grandma, auntie, a BFF and all of our…

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9 American Makers That Give Back to Earth-Friendly Charities

It’s almost Earth Day! It’s no secret that shoppers in 2021 are superfans of companies that give back. In fact, studies show that nearly three-quarters of Americans consider a brand’s charitable contributions when making a purchase. Consumers are clamoring to buy from brands that support the planet, but with our Indies, it’s more than a…

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Patty Liu of Free Flow Botanicals [Indie Stories: Episode 84: Podcast]

Welcome to Episode 84 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Indie Story introduces you to Patty Liu of Free Flow Botanicals, in Santa Cruz, California. As an educated herbalist and product formulator, Patty believes in offering a product line that helps people tend to their bodies from the inside out. In addition to a line…

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9 Clever Ways American Makers Use Recycled and Upcycled Materials

Reduce, reuse, recycle and upcycle! For many everyday citizens, “out of sight, out of mind” is good enough for discarded materials. But not for these magician-level makers! Our Indies are pros at transforming something old into something stunning and new! Not only are they experts at repurposing materials, but many of them give you the…

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QCity Metro Presents: Donna Maria’s 5 Phases of Entrepreneurship

Join me on Thursday, April 15 at 6pm ET for a lively entrepreneurial discussion hosted by QCity Metro editor and publisher Glenn Burkins. During informative event, Glenn will interview me about my signature five phases of entrepreneurship: The Indie Method. The event is free, and you can register here. Join Glenn and I as we…

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Sara Jennetten of Blank Mason [Indie Stories: Episode 83: Podcast]

Welcome to Episode 83 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Indie Story introduces you to Sara Jennetten of Blank Mason, in Park Ridge, Illinois. With a newly proposed lease in her hand, Sara literally started her business the month the pandemic hit. She made an impressively quick pivot to the Internet and has not looked…

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12 Toast-Worthy, Beverage-Inspired Products from American Makers

Coffee, wine, cocktails, beer — beverages can serve up major inspiration for bath, home, and skincare products. Whether it’s the invigorating aroma of a morning cup of joe or an intoxicating beverage at a boozy backyard BBQ, beauty brands are tapping into libations when brewing up their next product offerings. Is a busy week already…

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Nadja Renise of FEMMENOIRE [Indie Stories: Episode 82: Podcast]

Welcome to Episode 82 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Indie Story introduces you to Nadja Renise of FEMMENOIRE, in Alpharetta, Georgia. Nadja’s personal business story begins with the low self esteem she once felt, especially where her hair was concerned. Not only did a stylist leave her with a style that can only be…

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