Video: 3 Ways to Be More Proactive and Less Reactive in Your Business

Here is a question I received recently at our Facebook Page: “How do we stop running our businesses so reactively and start being more proactive? Do you ever feel like you’re running your business, reacting to sales, reacting to non-sales, and filling orders, and just not being proactive?” I answered the question in this short…

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Throwback Thursday: Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions

If you missed last week’s Throwback Thursday about Indie Business Network’s first media feature, you can get it here. Today, I’ll share about how my book, Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions, came to be published back in 2000. In 1998, I was still toiling away at a “real” job by weekday, but by night and…

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Should You Write That Book?: An Author Speaks

This month, our member, Anne-Marie Faiola of Bramble Berry, celebrates the publication of her first book. Well, since she is a self-published author, it’s not exactly her “first” book. But it is her first book published by a publishing company. Check out this ultra cute sketch of Anne-Marie surrounded by the thing in the world…

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Visit the Caldarium on Bathhouse Row!

Do you know what a caldarium is? Well, it’s time you found out. A caldarium is a room containing warm water baths, such as those you might have seen during Roman times. Lucky for you, you won’t have to be a time traveller to visit a caldarium today. All you have to do is make…

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Join Me for a Complimentary Indie Business Network Access Q+A Call

You are invited to join me for a complimentary Indie Business Network Member Access Q+A Call on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at 8:00 pm Eastern Time (7:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Mountain, 5:00 pm Pacific). As you may know, among the many ongoing benefits of Indie Business Network membership are our frequent coaching and mentoring…

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The Next Time You Feel Sorry For Yourself … Watch This Video

My husband shared this video on his personal Facebook page the other day. It’s a bit longer than the videos I usually watch on Facebook, but I was riveted and insired by the life of Richie Parker, the man featured. I watched again, for the second time with my son. He was riveted too. I…

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My Intentional 24-Hour Facebook Break

Last Monday, in our private member Facebook group, I challenged Indie Business Network members to choose one full 24-hour period this week to refrain from using Facebook entirely. I did it yesterday, and I’m excited to learn if any of our members took a break as well. One day is not a really long time,…

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Home-Based Zoning Regulations Challenge A Growing Business

We recently learned that our member, Linda Balon Stein of of Zosimos Botanicals in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is being challenged to choose between moving her business outside her home or terminating some of her employees. The zoning laws in Linda’s area prohibit home-based businesses from having more than one employee. Linda has an employee and an…

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Throwback Thursday: Indie Business Network’s First Media Feature

Last week, I posted our second Throwback Thursday, sharing how the first thing I did when I launched Indie Business Network was publish a newsletter. Today, I’ll share how we landed our first media feature on January 31, 2001. Unfortunately, I did not retain the original tear sheet, but it still appears online today. Here…

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Selena Cozart: From Obstacles To Opportunities

Our member, Selena Cozart O’Shaughnessy of Salome’s Simply Delightful Creations in Charlottesville, Virginia, was recently featured in the C-VILLE (for Charlottesville, Virginia) Weekly, a local newspaper in her area. Selena’s show stopping smile is beautifully captured in this image, by photographer Sarah Cramer Shields. Salome’s Simply Delightful Creations is a woman-owned business specializing in handmade…

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Video: How To Hire A Social Media Manager For Your Business

The question of how to hire someone to help with social media marketing comes up a lot in the Indie Business Network’s Secret Facebook Group. In this quick video, I share some basic but critical thoughts on how you should approach this issue. Many people make the big mistake of looking for someone who is…

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Video: Be Your Own Background Music: Outlaw Soaps Shows You How

We could not resist sharing this video with you. Oh yes, it’s one of our members’s Kickstarter campaigns, but that’s not why we wanted you to see it. We wanted you to see it because it will make you smile. Danielle Vincent over at Outlaw Soaps in Oakland, California has not only co-invented one of…

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Vault Episode #235: Scott Berkun [Podcast]

The Vault is an archive of my first podcasts so there is a record for you to enjoy. Welcome to the Vault Episode 235 featuring my interview with Scott Berkun.  Stream Vault Episode 235 Click the play arrow to play the podcast. (You may have to click it twice.) On a laptop or desktop, use your…

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