With nearly 25 years of experience leading the Indie Business Network and coaching and consulting other entrepreneurs, I’ve had an intimate look into the workings of thousands of businesses. And here are some things I know for sure. Growing a business does not have to be hard. The truth is that many people think more…
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Hey, you! Drop that pair of patterned socks! This year, knock dad off his feet with a unique, handmade gift that helps him put his best face forward. From all-natural beard care to much-needed R&R, this Father’s Day gift guide will remind dads, uncles, grandpas, and A+ dudes just how much you love them. Father’s…
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Temperatures are rising, and the sun is gaining strength—time to switch up your skincare routine for one that’s ready for summer! Bright eyes, rosy cheeks, and an unforgettable sparkle are the golden keys for facing a new season, and this line-up of handmade skincare will get your weary skin into its sunniest shape. Plump a…
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Direction is the cornerstone of meaningful progress. If you want to visit a friend in Chicago, no matter how fast you go, you’ll never get there if you keep changing direction to visit friends in Louisville, Nashville, and Detroit. It’s the same in your business, if you set a goal to get to a certain…
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Calling all seasonal candle lovers! It’s time to refresh your collection of scented candles with a new round of springtime favorites. Whether you’re looking to tap the Season of Renewal for its manifestation powers, or relax in its romantic serenity, this list of springtime candles is sure to wake up your work or living space.…
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No more last-minute flowers or hurried brunches—give mom a Mother’s Day gift that’s a heaping helping of self-care she can revisit time and time again. From beautifully scented candles to bath and body treats, you won’t be left in the lurch wondering what to get mom this year. In this guide to handmade goods, you’ll…
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Spring cleaning give you the shivers? Instead of drowning your home with thick, stuffy artificial cleaners, refresh your space with all-natural, chemical-free cleaning supplies that pack just as much power—if not more!—than their artificial counterparts. From kitchens to laundry rooms, this line-up of non-toxic cleaning products gives your home a much-needed refresh! This list of…
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We are excited to introduce you to Cat Nash, our 2Q 2024 Robin’s Roses Entrepreneurial Scholarship recipient. Cat is the founder of Mother Wolf Candle Co. in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, where Cat invites you to elevate your living space with aromas inspired by nature. About Cat Q: Tell us a little bit about your business.…
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This past weekend was an awesome purple haze! I delivered the keynote address at the 2nd Annual Come Celebrate Lavender Conference, a national gathering of novice and experienced lavender growers and artisans who not only grow lavender plants but also make products with all parts and extracts (lavender essential oil, lavender hydrosol, lavender buds, lavender…
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Time to toss the turtlenecks and wool hats—spring is in full swing! New life is bursting from all nooks of soil, from candy-colored blossoms creeping through the sidewalk cracks to gardens erupting with fanciful scents and shades. It’s a time of year that screams renewal, inviting you to sweep away your winter woes in favor…
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As maker entrepreneurs, we often feel crazy amounts of pressure to make more stuff and check off boxes, often without considering the enduring significance and long-term impact of what we are creating. Sure, it’s great to have sales every day, but they really don’t matter unless they are tied to outcomes that make a long-term…
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As we shared with you here, Congress recently passed the Corporate Transparency Act requiring small businesses to disclose personal information about their owners to the federal government. Earlier this month, the US District Court for the District of Alabama said the new law is unconstitutional on privacy grounds. The federal government has appealed the decision to the…
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As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, and Women’s History Month this month, we honor the trailblazers whose remarkable journeys have sculpted a brighter world for all of us. But outside of that grand narrative, we here at the Indie Business Network are more focused on the intricacies of the personal entrepreneurial stories we have…
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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…
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Download Donna Maria’s conference Keynote Address handout printable or fillable. I am excited to share that I have accepted an invitation to present the keynote address at this year’s Come Celebrate Lavender Conference on March 21-24, 2024 in Wytheville, Virginia. The conference hosts invited me to share on the topic of achieving a joyful life,…
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