Indie Business Network Members Are 2014 American Made Finalists!

We are thrilled to announce our members who are finalists in the 2014 Martha Stewart American Made contest! You can vote for your favorites starting TODAY, and every day, through October 13. The 2014 Award Winners and Audience Choice Winners will be announced on October 17. The Martha Stewart American Made program celebrates all things…

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10 Steps To Starting A Mastermind Group That Works

I have been a part of at least one Mastermind group, sometimes more than one at a time, for several years. I have participated in virtual and in-person Mastermind groups. There are major differences between the two, but that’s for another post. This post shares how to start and manage a virtual Mastermind group, because…

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It’s Not About Balance. It’s About Priorities.

When Kenna Cote asked me to speak on the topic of work/life balance at the Central Soapers Workshop this weekend, I was thrilled. At first, I didn’t have a clue what I would say because I don’t think there is any such thing as work/life balance. There’s just life and all the stuff you have…

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Roasted Plum Tomatoes

This year, I grew my first little garden, quite by accident. My son tossed a few raw green beans into a patch of dirt beside our home sometime in May. A few weeks later, he ran into the kitchen claiming that green beans were growing, and the rest is history. All my life, I have…

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IBN Members Featured at Newsday’s “The New Normal”

Not only do our members run their own businesses, but they also help others to be successful in theirs. For example, this week, our Roberta Perry and Angela Carillo were featured panelists at the Newsday Connect Small Business Seminar: The New Normal: Growing Your Business in a Digital World. (Newsday is a paper in Long…

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Social Media Roundup – Sept. 6th ~ Sept. 12th

I hope you all had a wonderful week! For me here in Charlotte, it was a huge relief just to enjoy temperatures below 90°F. We’ve had some scorchers here lately and the cooler temperatures are more than welcome. Fall is my favorite time of year, and I love the chill in the air. Speaking of…

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We Remember September 11, 2001

We Remember

Today, we remember with respect and sadness the thousands of people who died in the terrorist attacks at the Pentagon, at the World Trade Center and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on September 11th, 2001. I was 8 months pregnant with my first child on that day, and like everyone else, I can remember it like it…

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stacia guzzo of handcrafted honeybee

Using Video in Your Handmade Business

One of the most critical teachings in my Indie Business Blueprint is that Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs must leverage the power of the video to build their brands and boost customer engagement and sales. Most of my students know how important this is, but they are fearful that it will take too much time or…

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Introducing the August My Maker Box Supporters

In case you missed, it our August My Maker Box was a huge success. You can see some of the unboxing videos here, and click here check out all of the Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs whose products and services are featured in the August My Maker Box. Today, I’m excited to tell you about the…

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Dorothy Green and Donna Maria

Small Business Networking Can Happen Anywhere

Networking. The word sends chills up and down the spines of many a Maker and Handmade Entrepreneur. But the truth is that networking happens all the time, even when you are not aware of it. A networking event can be planned in advance, or it can be impromptu. Both are great, but the impromptu ones…

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bon bliss and wonderland organics at face and body 2014

Indie Business Network Members at Face and Body!

While the show is coming to a close today, I just had to share this beautiful picture of two of our members at the Face and Body (Northern California)! Here is Elissa Choi of Bon Bliss (this is her booth), and Alice Lin of Wonderland Organics, both from California. for those who don’t know, Face…

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farm to market asheville

Meet Me at Farm to Market in Asheville on September 20!

I am thrilled to share that I will be speaking at “Farm to Market: 21st Century Practices For The Modern Herbal Entrepreneur” in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 20, 2014. As you may know, I serve on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Natural Products Association. I am also a member of the…

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Video: Give Gratitude (or #givegratitude if you like hash tags)

I have been invited to join a panel of judges that will help select a new owner for the Gratitude Soapery in Kansas City. I am so honored to be invited, and to be in some pretty high-falutin’ company too. The other judges are the very wonderful David Fisher of About.com, and also two of…

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kimberly thigpen of the bath place

Look for The Bath Place Products in Whole Foods Market!

I am always delighted and pleased when I see IBN members step into their greatness and press toward their goals. As you might imagine, that means I am delighted and pleased a lot! Today, I am delighted and pleased about the achievements of Kimberly Thigpen of The Bath Place in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Here…

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