August 2017 Indie Business Book Club: The 5 Second Rule

To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here. I am pleased to announce the August 2017 Indie Business Book Club pick: The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage, by Mel Robbins. If you’re not familiar with the Indie Business Book Club, you can click here for more…

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Makers on the Move (Episode 1: August 2017)

The Indie Business Network has members from every corner of the country. From big cities to small towns, if you follow IBN members, you will be inspired to maximize your potential through small business ownership. You’ll be able to buy some pretty fabulous artisan made products while you’re at it. Whether they’re appearing on our…

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5 Questions to Ask When Sales Are Consistently Low

Every business has slow periods. In the world of consumer lifestyle products like those made by most members of the Indie Business Network, the slowest periods are typically the summer months. Things pick up, sometimes to a frenzy, during holidays when people are celebrating and purchasing gifts for loved ones. In the meantime, things can…

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Book Review: Live Your Best Day Ever

To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here. For a recent edition of the Indie Business Book Club, we read Live Your Best Day Ever: Thirty-Five Strategies For Daily Success by Anne-Marie Faiola. The book is a rundown of 35 succinct strategies you can use to improve your life, or, as the author…

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Makers on the Move (Episode 3: July 2017)

The Indie Business Network is composed of hundreds of very powerful creators, from all walks of life and representing all 50 states. Whether they’re enjoying a fun retail gift show, a well-deserved media feature, or hanging out together at a maker show, our members are always focused on making awesome products for their adoring fans.…

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The Story of the Indie Business Podcast

This post shares the story of how I started and grew the Indie Business Podcast … before the word “podcast” really existed. It also kicks off a a series of encore presentations of all of my podcasts from 2005 to 2010. Before “podcasting,” live or recorded online audio shows were known as “digital radio shows.”…

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Giveaway: Let’s Have Our Best Day Ever Together!

This giveaway event has ended. Read more blog posts here. As you may recall, the July 2017 edition of the Indie Business Book Club is reading Live Your Best Day Ever by our member, Anne-Marie Faiola. (If you are not a member of our free book club, you can join here.) In addition to leading…

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Makers on the Move (Episode 2: July 2017)

There is no grass growing underneath the well manicured feet of the members of the Indie Business Network, and I bring you proof of that every week. No matter what part of the country you live in, you can be inspired by (and maybe even create some fun new collaborations with) members of the Indie…

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Launching Today: Phase 1 of Our New IBN Member Site

Today, I’m pleased to announce a major upgrade to IBN’s member area. This post provides you with an overview of the exciting new changes. First, note that our new member area is now completely separate from this website. While we have a new website for our members, this website is still the place to come…

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Maker Mastermind Show: Episode 8: Bath, Body, Candle Moments

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Maker Mastermind Show. If you missed previous episodes, you can binge watch them here. Be sure to join the free Maker Mastermind group on Facebook so you can join us live for the next show, and be entered to win prizes and/or get discount codes on the artisan made…

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Going Out of Business Success Story: Bath Nation

Most of our Featured Member articles share the stories of our members who are moving and shaking, growing their Maker businesses, and using them to define success on their own terms. But once in a while, we celebrate a member’s decision to move on. Today, I have one such “moving on” story to share with…

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Makers on the Move (Episode 1: July 2017)

If you are reading all of the bad news in the media about how retail is dying, you are probably missing out on the good news that handmade is the new American manufacturing. In case you don’t believe me, here is some proof. Last week, we highlighted products from our members in Indiana, New York,…

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July 2017 Indie Business Book Club: Live Your Best Day Ever

    To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here.     I am pleased to announce the July 2017 Indie Business Book Club pick: Live Your Best Day Ever, by Anne-Marie Faiola. In case you did not know, Anne-Marie Faiola is a member of the Indie Business Network through her Bramble Berry…

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Book Review: The Introvert Entrepreneur

To join the free Indie Business Book Club, click here. For the June 2017 edition of the Indie Business Book Club, we read The Introvert Entrepreneur by Beth Buelow, PCC. While the book is aimed at introverts, it is also a great book for any small business owner, solopreneurs in particular, who wants to improve…

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Makers on the Move (Episode 5: June 2017)

The members of the Indie Business Network are like a sun that never sets. They shine their lights from all corners of the nation, offering amazing products and making sure you know that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Last week, we shared wins from members in Wisconsin, New York, and…

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