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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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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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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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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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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As I shared a few days ago, the first My Maker Box shipped last week, and the unboxing videos are pouring in. If you missed that post, you can get it and watch some of the videos at this link. Today, I am excited to share a close-up look at all of the handmade products…
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Do you know what a bath bomb is? It’s mainly a combination of ingredients you use in everyday cooking, including baking soda and citric acid. Fragrance and color are usually added. When you drop a bath bomb into your tub, it fizzes up and dissolves in the water providing a wonderful scent and the benefits…
DetailsAs entrepreneurs, we have many ideas, yet only a small fraction of them ever rise to the top and actually ship. I’ve had tons of ideas and many of them are on the cutting room floor … but not this one. This one shipped, and it will ship again. I am thrilled to announce that…
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Recently, the very fabulous Cathy Allesandra, publisher of Today’s Innovative Woman Magazine and producer of the radio show of the same name, interviewed me on the topic of “How To Embrace Your Role as a Business Leader.” In my experience coaching and mentoring Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs for 14 years, I have noticed that most…
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I want you to approach the 2014 holiday season armed with a blueprint for success that allows you to attract more buying customers so you can generate more sales. It’s nearly August, and this is the perfect time to shore up your online business systems so you are ready to maximize the holidays. My Indie…
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I was not a high performing young student. It’s embarrassing to admit, especially since today, I insist that my children pursue high levels of achievement in elementary school. (Translated loosely, this means “as many A’s as you can get.”) When I was their age, I did well, but after sixth grade, I started getting B’s…
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If you love all things handmade and you live in San Francisco, then you may have been at the Renegade Craft Fair over the weekend. If so, you would only have enjoyed yourself if you had been sure to stop by and meet some of our members there — in particular, the lovely ladies pictured…
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This article is for all Makers and handmade entrepreneurs, but mainly for the newbies. One of the questions I get most often is: “How do I know my business will work?” The short answer is that you don’t know. No one knows. Entrepreneurship is about many things, and one of those things is risk. When…
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Did you know that several of our members offer alternatives to mass market deodorant? In this post, I will share some of them with you, and let you know about my personal experience with Pure Pitz from our member, Lisa Wynn Salvatore over at Purely Lisa in Greenwich, Connecticut. I have never used anything other…
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As you know, most of our members make handmade products or provide consulting services, ingredients, and supplies to people Makers and Handmade Entrepreneurs. One of our newest members is a Texas-based attorney offering legal and business law services to small business owners and the people who lead them. Eraka Watson, Esq. (left), was recently featured…
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