Announcing IBN’s 2012 #HandmadeHoliday Gift Guide!

I am pleased to announce the publication of IBN’s 2012 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide! Inspiration is everywhere inside this 32-page publication. Click the cover to open the publication and start shopping now. Be on the lookout for discount codes throughout! We invite you to grab a cup of your favorite tea, sit back and relax.…

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#HandmadeChat: November 2012 LineUp

Each Thursday night at 8pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a weekly Twitter talk show designed to help you sell more of the products you make. If you’ve never attended before, now is the time. It’s fun, informative, and a super supportive environment where you’ll learn so much about making your business more successful. To learn…

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How To Pick Yourself Up When You’re Discouraged

I‘m a naturally upbeat person. Even so, there have been times in my life when I’ve been especially discouraged. Some of these times are fleeting — like when I was not selected to win this trip to the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs’ Conference earlier this year. Other discouragements have been more jarring and long lasting —…

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Butternut Squash Lasagna

Fall is the perfect season for root vegetables, and butternut squash is one of my favorites. I love cooking it over a low flame with salt, pepper and chicken broth. Once the chunks of squash are soft, I mash them into a thick pudding-like side dish. It’s good paired with baked chicken and green beans.…

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Friends

“A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.” -Jim Morrison My son is on the left, celebrating his 9th birthday this month, with his pals. Happy Birthday, Brooks!

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#HandmadeChat No. 24: How To Manage Multiple Twitter Accounts

Every Thursday evening from 8 to 9pm ET, IBN hosts #HandmadeChat, a Twitter talk show designed to help handmade entrepreneurs sell more of the products they make. While the show is aimed mainly at members of IBN and artisans who make handmade consumer products, the topics and discussion can empower and encourage the growth of…

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4 Ways To Encourage Repeat Sales

As your business grows, you will discover that it is far more profitable to earn repeat sales from existing customers than it is to pursue new ones. Of course you can’t slack off in terms of finding new prospects. But as you align your energies with the priority of satisfying existing customers, your job will…

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Beyond Growing Pains For #Handmade Entrepreneurs

A few days ago, I attended the first Digital Business Bash here in Charlotte. (In case you missed it, I told you about it in this post.) Here I am (middle) with IBN member Lela Barker of Bella Lucce (left) in South Carolina and Susan Lassiter-Lyons (right) of Investor Insights in Colorado. Our speaker was…

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IBN Member Julie Longyear Wins Neighborhood Business Of The Year Award

On October 5, our member, Julie Longyear, CEO of Irie Star in St. Louis, Missouri, was named the “Neighborhood Business of the Year” at the Mayor’s Business Luncheon. The award honors the company’s progress and commitment to the local North St. Louis City community. Here is Julie, looking fabulous, with her award. Julie tells me…

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Cooking Up Candles With Small Gunns

This video from our members, Michelle & Diana Stock of Small Gunns in Emeryville, California, shows that handmade candles are not only beautiful when they are made with love, but are also fun. It made us so happy that we just had to share it with you! Like Small Gunns on FaceBook! SMALL BUSINESS COACHING…

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