Season 4: Episode 1: Martha Stewart American Made with Riche Holmes Grant [Podcast]

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 1 of the Indie Business Podcast! This season is all about celebrating finalists in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards. We start with the Style category, and our featured Maker of choice is Riche Holmes Grant of BambiniWare in Silver Spring, Maryland, and I am thrilled to introduce you to…

Details

Stop Thinking Big, and Just Think, Period.

It is true that entrepreneurship requires big thinking. But today, its easier than ever to put the cart before the horse and begin thinking big before actually thinking, period. About six months into my career as an attorney, the managing partner called me into his office to question my billable hours. I was barely meeting…

Details

Proper Buyer Etiquette at Local Farmer’s Markets and Shows

It’s finally fall, and that means more farmer’s markets and shows for American Makers and Creative Entrepreneurs. It may come as a surprise to you, but there are simple things you can do as a buyer to enjoy a better shopping experience. Since I used to sell my own handmade products at a local market,…

Details

Our September 2015 Access Q+A Coaching Call

Today is another great day because we are hosting what is fast becoming one of our most popular member events — our Access Q+A Coaching Calls! Not only do we get to take a break from being in the weeds to connect and grow together, but our members get answers to the most pressing business…

Details

Maker Mastermind Live Recap: September 2015: New York City

This event was originally called “Connection Day.” We changed the name to “Maker Mastermind,” and this post has been updated to reflect the new brand. For more information about the Maker Mastermind Live Tour, to register for the city closest to you, or to request that we come to your city, click here. Greetings from…

Details

Why Everyone Can Be an Entrepreneur

Iam so so tired of hearing people say “Not everyone can be an entrepreneur.” Why the heck not? Because you have to work hard? Because you weren’t raised in an entrepreneurial family? Because you must have tenacity and determination? Because you must have a certain mindset? Who is born with any of those things? Not…

Details

How to Create a Sustainable Vision for Your Small Business

I‘m very fortunate. I had a vision for my business from the moment it started. Over the years, I have taken it for granted that everyone else did too. I have learned that this is not true. If you don’t have a sustainable vision for your business, you will after you take the steps outlined…

Details

I’m Temporarily Terminating My Blog’s RSS Feed — Here’s Why

You all know how critical I believe blogging is to the overall success of your business. One of the reasons blogging works so well is because you can use Rich Site Summary (RSS) to automatically deliver new blog content to subscribers via email or via a reader (like Feedly, the one I use). Well, today,…

Details

This is Not Your Mother’s Labor Force

As we pause to honor the workers and Makers who offer such valuable contributions to our nation, I am pondering the incredible merger of work and life we are witnessing today. This is not the first time America has seen the work-life merger. Life and work were a cohesive whole just two generations ago when…

Details

Indie Business Podcast: Season 03: Makers on Main Street: Archive

What an amazing Season 03 we had on the Indie Business Podcast! It was such a thrill to share with you the stories of so many Makers on Main Street, Creative Entrepreneurs who are dotting the landscape with beautiful retail stores on Main Streets across the nation. I am gearing up for Season 04, the…

Details

How to Manage Your Entrepreneurial Energy

The longer I am in business, the more I appreciate the importance of managing my entrepreneurial energy. In the early years of my business, it was as simple as getting up, getting a bunch of stuff done, and then calling it a day. That’s still the big picture, but now that my business has matured…

Details

Season 3: Episode 12: Makers on Main Street with Amber Hawthorne [Podcast]

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 12 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this twelfth episode of my Makers on Main Street series, I will introduce you to Amber Hawthorne of Bambu Earth in San Juan Capistrano, California. Amber just hosted the soft opening of her store this past weekend, and she tells us all about…

Details

How to Use a Blog to Attract More Customers to Your Website

As you probably know, I’m a big believer in the power and wisdom of using a blog to attract more customers to your website. Attracting customers is not the only reason I believe blogging is critical to your success as an entrepreneur (here are other reasons), but it’s one of the big ones. After nearly…

Details

Case Study: Incorporating Philanthropy into Your Business Model

One of the things we discuss from time to time in the Indie Business Network is how to incorporate philanthropy into your business model. I hosted an exclusive member Success Call on this topic a few months ago, and it was one of the most well attended ever. The interview here shares a high level…

Details

Season 3: Episode 11: Makers on Main Street with Cindy Jones, Ph.D. [Podcast]

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 11 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this eleventh episode of my Makers on Main Street series, you’ll meet Cindy Jones, Ph.D. of Colorado Aromatics in Longmont, Colorado. Cindy started her business 10 years ago on the heels of a career as a chemist and microbiologist. After serving as a…

Details