Episode 8: Kathy Dannel Vitcak: The Blissful Dog [Podcast]

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Welcome to Season 1 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this eighth episode, you will meet Kathy Dannel Vitcak of The Blissful Dog in Pinewood, Minnesota. Kathy has built an empire from her home, which is located nearly an hour from the closest town: population: 10,000. Her success is a testament to the power of…

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How “Intersectional Ideas” Lead to Increased Creativity and Success

People contact us from time to time asking about what we do in our Secret Facebook Group. The short answer is that we share questions, ideas, feedback, thoughts, ups, downs, successes, failures, smiles and tears. It’s a proactive place where our members learn, share and grow together. Discussions include everything from branding and website design…

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Handmade Goodness in the October 2014 My Maker Box [Video]

You may recall that our member, Donna DeRosa of Donna DeRosa coaching was included in the premier My Maker Box in August this year. She has since subscribed to our box, and she created this fun video to share all the handmade goodness she got in October. Have a look! Thanks for sharing all the…

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How to Partner With a YouTube Vlogger to Promote Your Products [Video]

Have you ever approached a YouTube vlogger to collaborate on a project to promote your products? You might after you read this post. One of our members, Jennifer Waller at Celtic Complexion in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a great case study on how you can create a collaboration with a YouTube vlogger that results in…

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#IndieCruise MasterMind 2015 Speaker: Alana Rivera: Branding Up

As of today, there are only 98 days left to go until we set sail on February 8 for #IndieCruise MasterMind 2015. We are preparing for a superb time together. So far, you’ve met three of our presenters: Kismet Andrews, Andrea Hence Evans, Esq and Lela Barker. Today, I am pleased to introduce you to…

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Episode 7: Lynn Elko: Emma’s Friends Soaps and Lotions [Podcast]

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While Emma’s Friends has closed, I invite you to be inspired by the amazing story of how Lynn built her business to honor her very special daughter. Welcome to Season 1 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this seventh episode, I introduce you to Lynn Elko of Emma’s Friends Soaps and Lotions in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.…

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Case Study: Creating a Limited Edition Product to Benefit a Local Charity

End of the year festivities are fast approaching, and that means a lot of wonderful things for Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs, among them, opportunities to donate some of the fruits of your labor to worthy charitable causes. According to a study released earlier this year by Good.Must.Grow., a socially responsible marketing consultancy, 30 percent of…

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8 Things I Like About Facebook

I joined Facebook on November 7, 2007, about a year after Facebook opened the platform to everyone with an email address. Since that time, I have been tempted, off and on, to close my Facebook account. Who hasn’t, right? You know the drill: Facebook changes something, or some feature I like is not working properly…

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Episode 6: Samantha Irwin: Standard Wax [Podcast]

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Welcome to Season 1 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this sixth episode, I introduce you to Samantha Irwin of Standard Wax in Chandler, Arizona. Samantha and her business partner, Andrew King, met each other “by accident” at work, they did their first craft show “by accident,” they got their first wholesale customer “by accident,”…

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5 Ways a Virtual Assistant Can Help You Manage Your Handmade Business

The idea of starting a business to do what you love all day long is romantic and appealing. The trouble with it is that it’s not realistic, especially in today’s world where everyone has a business and the Internet is filled with people who are trying to get your customers’ attention. When you start your…

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L’Oreal Acquires Carol’s Daughter

In a brand new video, Carol’s Daughter founder, Lisa Price, announced today that L’Oréal USA has signed an agreement to acquire her company, which she calls “her first child.” Watch here. (The video that originally appeared in this post has been replaced by a similar video.) Lisa launched Carol’s Daughter in her kitchen 21 years…

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Handmade Business For Sale: Simple Nature

From time to time, I receive inquiries from Indie Business Network members who want to sell their business for one reason or another. I am not always in a position to share the opportunity publicly because not everyone wants their friends and fans to know that their business is for sale. Today, I am able…

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