House Energy and Commerce Committee: Cosmetics Hearing

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will host a hearing regarding cosmetics regulations at 10:00am ET on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. For over a decade, this blog has recounted the journey of multiple pieces of proposed legislation designed to amend cosmetics laws in the United States. This post is the latest in that series. For…

Details

Maker Stories: Episode 68: Amber Malcom of Shabby Chick [Podcast]

Welcome to Episode 68 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Maker Story introduces you to Amber Malcom of Shabby Chick Cleaners in Duncan, Oklahoma. After being in business for just over three years, Amber has already appeared on several episodes of a popular home shopping show, entirely dismantled and re-built her business model, and is…

Details

Maker Stories: Episode 67: Sandy Engels of The Purple Sage [Podcast]

Welcome to Episode 67 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Maker Story introduces you to Sandy Engels of The Purple Sage in Ethel, Louisiana. Sandy purchased her brand from another entrepreneur eight years ago, shortly after she discovered that her friends and family members were interested in buying the soap she had been making for…

Details

Organic Skincare Line For Sale: Garden of Eve Skin Care

From time to time, I receive inquiries from Indie Business Network members who have been in business for a long time and are ready to sell and move onto their next adventure. Today, I am excited to share that an organic skincare line and business is for sale: Garden of Eve Skin Care. The founder…

Details

10 Amazingly Fragrant Artisan Handmade Candles

There’s nothing more soothing than the fresh scent of a burning candle. If you’re anything like us, you are getting bored of the traditional candle fragrances available and looking for a way to mix things up. These luxurious, custom candle blends are sure to pique your senses. SWEET FIG MINIMALIST CANDLE BY BROOKLYN CANDLE STUDIOSummon…

Details

Maker Stories: Episode 66: Zondra Wilson of Blu Skin Care [Podcast]

Welcome to Episode 66 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today’s Maker Story introduces you to Zondra Wilson of Blu Skin Care in Los Angeles, California. Zondra started her business after a career as a television news anchor. When she began to feel like something was missing, she left the broadcast world and then, as she…

Details

May 2019 Master Class: Let’s Tackle the Wholesale Business Model

One of the benefits of IBN membership is a live monthly Master Class with someone who has mastered a topic that will help you be successful in your Maker business. Our Master Classes are great opportunities to learn and grow in our supportive community, and to meet some of the people who can help you…

Details

4 Ways to Improve Your Business When Sales are Slow

On this episode of the Maker Mastermind Show, I was asked to share some ideas to help you be productive when sales are slow. Of course it stinks when sales are slow, but you can turn that frown upside down and use the time to your advantage. Here are four ways to do that. 4…

Details

10 American Artisan Destination Retail Stores You Must Visit

No matter what American city you call home, you don’t have to go far to find a piece of artisan retail store heaven in your own back yard. For example, we love this story from CBS News about the resurgence of local independent book stores. But it’s not just book stores that are thriving, and…

Details

Introducing Find Indie Makers

Find Indie Makers has been replaced by IBN’s official Member Directory About Find Indie Makers Find Indie Makers makes it easy and fun for you to discover and buy the products of American Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs. As consumer tastes shift away from the commoditized version of life that has been pushed by big business…

Details

Meet Indie Business Book Club Leader Amber Malcom

I am pleased to introduce the Indie Business Book Club leader for the May-June 2019 Indie Business Book Club pick: Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen, by Donald Miller. You can read more about this book and how the book club works at this link. Amber is the founder and CEO…

Details

4 Ways to Create Content Without Completely Losing Your Mind

On this episode of the Maker Mastermind Show, I was asked to share some of my best content creation ideas. This question is very frequently asked because we are bombarded today with a dizzying array of ways to connect with customers and prospects through the content we create. It’s overwhelming if you try to embrace…

Details

May-June 2019 Indie Business Book Club: Building a StoryBrand

I am pleased to announce the May/June 2019 Indie Business Book Club pick: Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen, by Donald Miller. If you’re not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you can click here for more information. We start reading the book together with a live book club meeting on…

Details

Four Easy Ways to Improve Your About Page

On this episode of the Maker Mastermind Show, I was asked for my best and easiest ideas to improve the all-important About Page at your website. Your “About Page” is an opportunity to woo your prospects and draw them into what you and your brand stand for. It’s a chance to replace the tired old…

Details

April 2019 Master Class: New Cosmetics Legislation

One of the benefits of IBN membership is a live monthly Master Class with someone who has mastered a topic that will help you be successful in your Maker business. Our Master Classes are great opportunities to learn and grow in our supportive community, and to meet some of the people who can make help…

Details