Episode 9: Elissa Choi: BonBlissity [Podcast]

Elissa has changed the name of her business to Bonblissity. The title, text, and links in this post have been updated in recognition of this change. Welcome to Season 1 of the Indie Business Podcast! In this ninth episode, you will meet Elissa Choi of BonBlissity in San Pedro, California. Elissa and her husband work…

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Bloomsbury Square Opens Shared Work Space In New Jersey

As the economy continues to recover (ever so slowly), we are seeing an increase in the number of our members who are breaking ground on new warehouse locations and opening retail stores and work spaces. Today, we are thrilled to tell you that Niambi Cacchioli of Bloomsbury Square in New Jersey has made the leap…

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6 Tips to Encourage People to Support Your Kickstarter Campaign

Do you have a great business idea, but lack the funds to turn it into reality? If so, you might try crowdfunding via a site like Kickstarter. Our member over at Bramble Berry is in the midst of a Kickstarter campaign, which was fully funded within twenty-four hours. As you can see, the new project…

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Formulator Sample Shop: Breaking Ground on a New Building!

We love celebrating the success of our members! Success always leads to more success, so we shout it from the rooftops every chance we get. Today, we’ve got a big one, and right here in the Indie Business Network’s adopted home state! Here’s the quick back story. Maggie Ghanem was tired of turning away smaller…

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Every Chamber of Commerce Should Have a Video Like This

Do you belong to your local chamber of commerce? While the Indie Business Network is not one of the more active members of our local chamber, we do belong and attend as many events as we can. If you are a member of your local chamber, it should not be terribly difficult to share the…

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How I Overcame Fear and Launched My Email Newsletter

Do you struggle to produce an online newsletter to connect with your customers and build your list? Have you heard a billion times that you need an email newsletter, and you even know where to go to get one, and you even subscribe to newsletters so you know what they look like, and you still…

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

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]

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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