Our Grand Opening Flyer!

If you are in the South Charlotte/Monroe area and you see this brightly colored flyer (or the black and white version of it) announcing our grand opening, be sure to pick it up! We are thrilled with the fun design by Jenny Prevatte of TwiliteCS. As you can see, it’s brightly colored and fun just…

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Cindy Jones and Sagecript Institute Featured in the Denver Post

How exciting that we can share that our member, Cindy Jones of Sagescript Institute, is featured in a recent article in the Denver Post. Cindy is a cosmetics chemist, and through Sagescript, offers cosmetic product testing and consulting services to help you confirm the efficacy of your products. I love this picture (by photographer Cyrum…

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What To Do When People Don’t Respond To You [Video]

In this video, I share a few tips to help you deal with the frustration that sometimes results when people don’t respond to you. This happens frequently when you have a business — people send an email asking about your event or sale and you promptly (and often personally) reply. Then, you never hear from…

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Ask The Expert: Donna Maria on WIXE: September 21 at 10am ET

If you get my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, you know that I am looking at the possibility of hosting a local radio show here in my adopted hometown of Monroe, NC. Reed Alexander, one of the station personalities, has invited me to be his guest on the morning show tomorrow at 10:00. Reed…

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Custom Lip Balm For Indie Business Studio

As you know, the ribbon cutting grand opening of Indie Business Studio is set for October 3 at 5:30. Get the details here. One of the things I’m most excited about is giving everyone in attendance chances to win fabulous raffle prizes. If you are one of the first to arrive, you’ll also get a…

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Brand Yourself: With John Kreighbaum of Carolina Premier Bank

Each month, I meet with other entrepreneurs in a Charlotte Mastermind Group. Our meeting location is a branch of the Carolina Premier Bank in South Charlotte. The venue is comfortable and we enjoy complementary Wifi, coffee, and super soft and cozy executive chairs. Yesterday, in the middle of our meeting, a man wearing a suit…

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The Lifestyle CEO at SoapMasters

I am back from a glorious weekend in New York City where I debuted The Lifestyle CEO to an awesome group of new entrepreneurs. I covered a lot of ground, and while my slides don’t tell the whole picture, they offer some insight into core principles for success as a small business owner. Just so…

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Video: How to Sell Your Products Using A Subscription Box Service

In this video, I share some of my best tips to help you have a profitable and positive relationship with a subscription box service. This is a hot topic in our private Indie Business Network member Facebook group, especially as the holidays approach and there seems to be a new subscription box service coming out…

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Cartoon Donna Maria: What Do You Think?

As the founder and CEO of the Indie Business Network, I invest most of my time creating content and hosting events that help our members take the next big steps on their entrepreneurial journey. But I also like to have a little fun, so I spent some time last week having this caricature made. It…

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#IndieCruise 2014 Topic: Leadership as a 21st Century Creative Entrepreneur

In this post, I announced another topic on #IndieCruise 2014: Beyond Profit: Using Your Life and Your Business to Make a Dent in the Universe. Before that, I announced How To Add Membership and Subscription Programs To Your Business. Today, I’m excited to announce that Indie Business Network member Dawn Fitch will join me as…

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Throwback Thursday: January 16, 2000: Our First Newsletter

In my last Throwback Thursday, I shared a bit of the background leading up to the publication of my first book, Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions. Today, it’s all about our very first newsletter. Here’s a screen shot. You can read the first issue online at our old website here. So plain, so colorless. But…

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Video: Kendra Cote and Amathia Soapworks

I saw this video from our member, Kendra Cote, over at Amathia Soapworks and I just had to share it with you. It does such a great job of showcasing the care and artistry that goes into every bar of handmade soap Kendra makes. And don’t you just love the soap stamp? I want every…

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Back Porch Soap: From Boston and New York to Jackson Hole

Here’s a fun project for you — imagine living the life of your dreams in the city of your dreams. Can you picture it? I did, and seven years ago, my husband and I picked up our toddlers and moved from our hometown of Washington, DC, Charlotte, North Carolina, in search of life that was…

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Home-Based Baking Businesses Thrive in California (and Elsewhere)

Do you like to bake? I do, but that doesn’t mean I’m a good baker. But I do know a good peach cobbler when I see (and eat) one, and it’s very exciting to me that states are creating ways for small scale producers of home baked goods to legally sell their delicious creations. Here’s…

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